In Sermon Illustrations: "New Thing"

Ravi Zacharias, A Christian Intellectual Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 2, 2003

Ravi Zacharias, a Christian intellectual who travels around the world lecturing in secular settings on spiritual themes, tells of an experience he had in Columbus, Ohio. He writes, “A few weeks ago, I did a lectureship at Ohio State University. As I was being driven to the lecture, we passed the ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General, Descriptions Of God

Denomination: Methodist

If You Ever Happen To Listen To Positive 89.3 On ...  PRO

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Oct 26, 2006

If you ever happen to listen to Positive 89.3 on Saturday nights, you know that Joe Polek and I often enjoy sharing humorous stories from the news between the songs that we play. If you listened last night, you would have heard us talking about a variety of mistranslations with humorous results. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-53

Tags: Commission, Communication General

Denomination: Nazarene

Jim Rhodes: God's Complainer  PRO

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 16, 2007

Jim Rhodes: God’s Complainer Driving through Mineral Wells, Texas, one afternoon in 1994, Jim Rhodes noticed many buildings standing vacant due to the shutdown of a local military base. "I always complain to God about things that bother me," says Rhodes, "so I asked him, ’Why aren’t these buildings ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Let Me Begin By Sharing With You A Letter That ...  PRO

Contributed by Joo-Ching Chng on Jan 4, 2008

Let me begin by sharing with you a letter that was written by a young communist to his girl friend. He was breaking off his relationship with her because of his devotion to the communist cause. She gave the letter to her pastor, who gave the letter to Billy Graham. Billy Graham published the ...read more

Tags: Devotion, Zeal

Denomination: Pentecostal

Tolerance Vs. Absolute ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 21, 2010

Tolerance vs. Absolute Truth Throughout Scripture and until our present day, many people have a problem with TRUTH. In fact, it is not politically correct today to say that there is even such a thing as absolute truth! Stanley Grenz, a well-known spokesman for this new tolerance, says that “truth ...read more

Scripture: John 17:17

Tags: Tolerance, Truth Absolute

It Won't Happen To Us

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 21, 2011

IT WON'T HAPPEN TO US We began the week with the story of the Chicago nightclub fire in which 21 people were killed as they rushed to the exit. The club had already been cited for overcrowding and other safety violations--like not enough doors and windows. What happened was that a bouncer used ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-12

Tags: Death, Life, Priorities, Choice, Death Nearness  (view more)  (view less)

An Atheist's Perspective On Evangelism

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 13, 2014

Perhaps you've heard of Penn and Teller the comedy team who has worked Las Vegas for years. Penn Jillette is an atheist, but he recorded a video journal a few years ago telling the story about a man who waited to speak to him after one of their shows. Penn said the man was a successful businessman ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Atheist, Evangelism Urgency

From Refuge To Valedictorian

Contributed by Matt Neace on Jun 19, 2018

2 Chronicles 15:7 God tells King Asa, "But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded." It is like the following story from the Dallas Morning News: When Albana Gllareva met her high school counselor, the Dallas freshman said bluntly, “I want to be ...read more

Tags: Goals, Focus, Ambition, Determination, Tenacity, Overcoming, Perseverance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

You Can Keep Your Fork

Contributed by Paul Steen on Dec 24, 2018

A woman had been diagnosed with cancer and had been given three months to live. Her doctor told her to start making preparations to die. So she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:20, Revelation 22:12, Colossians 1:27, Titus 1:2

Tags: Heaven, Future, Hope, Citizenship

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

You're Not Home Yet!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 25, 2023

An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for years, and they were returning to New York City to retire. They had no pension; their health was broken; they were defeated, discouraged, and afraid. They discovered they were booked on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Missionaries, Heaven, Faithfulness, Spiritual Fruit, Rewards, Fruit Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

O God, Don't Let That Be All There Is?" John 1: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 22, 2004

“O God, Don’t Let That Be All There Is?” John 1: 14-18 Key verse(s): 14-18: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” The recent news story of the pregnant Missouri woman who was ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 16:1-14, John 1:14-18

Tags: Christmas Eve

Denomination: Lutheran

We’ve Probably All Heard The Expression, ...  PRO

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 10, 2001

We’ve probably all heard the expression, “This separates the men from the boys!” What kinds of things separate the men from the boys? Things that involve danger and risk. Things that take courage and a willingness to sacrifice. Things that are grueling and gut-wrenching. Things that require ...read more

Tags: Character, Love Of The Disciples, Parable Good Samaritan

Denomination: Baptist

Smart Phone Theology

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Oct 29, 2024

Smart phones are really smart. Even smarter than I know. I use my phone for so much more than calling and texting but it’s not uncommon for me to learn new features and abilities my phone has that I previously had never known. Over the years I’ve learned that my phone is a compass, can take video ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Service, Holy Spirit, Power, Temptation, Gifts, Giftedness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Helen Adams Keller Who Had No Eyes To See These ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Gibney on Aug 7, 2002

Helen Adams Keller who had no eyes to see these earthly things of life states, “It gives me a deep, comforting sense that "things seen ...read more

Tags: Heaven, Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Must Also Be Bold And Forceful Critics Of The ...

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 3, 2010

"We must also be bold and forceful critics of the idols, injustices, and immorality we find in our culture. We need to expose and root out cultural factors that make it hard for people to have faith in God and to live a just and moral life." (Archbishop ...read more

Tags: Culture

Denomination: Catholic

For 16 Years, John Kovac Was A "Tenant Of A ...

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jan 12, 2004

1. For 16 years, John Kovac was a “tenant of a tunnel.” John and a few others lived underground in an abandoned railroad tunnel in New York City. When Amtrak bought the tunnel and prepared to reopen it, John was forced to look for a place to live above ground. According to The New York Times, Mr. ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Pentecostal

When A Man And A Woman Are Married, There Is A ...  PRO

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Dec 16, 2004

When a man and a woman are married, there is a part in the ceremony where they each agree to take the other. After this, the minister pronounces them "husband and wife." And from that day forward, the bride takes on a new name. God the Father spoke to Jesus, the bridegroom, concerning me one day, ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Move The Piano  PRO

Contributed by James Chandler on Jan 10, 2007

A new preacher at the local church walked into the auditorium of His new church. He thought it would be best to move the piano from the right side of the stage to the left side of the stage, so he moved it. Soon after he was fired for the disruption caused by the new ...read more

Tags: Church General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Frederick Lonsdale

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Frederick Lonsdale The story is told about Frederick Lonsdale, a British dramatist, who had a longstanding quarrel with another man. One New Year’s Eve, at a party, he was asked by a friend to reconcile. “You must,” his friend urged him; “It is very unkind to be unfriendly at such a time. Go over ...read more

Tags: Paul

Danny Wuerffel

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 20, 2010

DANNY WUERFFEL Danny Wuerffel attended high school in Ft. Walton Beach, FL and played at the University of Florida, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1996. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints and then played for several NFL teams. He was offered to rejoin to the Washington Redskins and his former ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Methodist