In Sermon Illustrations: "News"

Whitefield: Which Conversions Are Genuine

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 29, 2012

WHITEFIELD: WHICH CONVERSIONS ARE GENUINE George Whitefield conducted outdoor evangelistic campaigns in the 1700's throughout New England, a period of revival called the "Great Awakening." Though thousands responded to his preaching, when asked how many were converted after one of his sermons he ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Congregational

Deadly Vending Machines  PRO

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 12, 2012

DEADLY VENDING MACHINES The media’s been reporting on the health risks of too much soda and other sugary drinks; New York's Mayor Bloomberg has taken the step of banning super-size sodas...but even more deadly are the vending machines. Each year, dozens of people are killed by vending machines. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:1-22

Tags: Anger

Denomination: Congregational

On "Stuff"

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 2, 2013

One authority writes: "For example, ever wonder why retail clothing stores have those helpful bags and baskets for gathering all your potential purchases? Retailers know that once you have held an item in your hand, you’re psychologically tied to it and you don’t want to give the item up. The ...read more

Tags: Confidence, Materialism

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Corporate Discipleship

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jan 6, 2013

CORPORATE DISCIPLESHIP Did you know that there is not a single case of "one-on-one discipleship" in the New Testament? The choice to become and remain a disciple rests with individuals, but discipleship is always nurtured corporately. Discipleship is not a course you go through; it’s a life you ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Baptist

Words Matter

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 23, 2014

WORDS MATTER The Book of James in the New Testament reminds us that words can direct, delight or destroy (ch. 3). Is this true? Look no further than to what happened in Germany in WWII. For every word in Hitler’s poisonous book, Mein Kampf, it cost the life of 125 people. Here are some words to ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-15

Tags: Words, Tongue

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ignorance

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 18, 2020

This is a transcript of an actual support call to a computer support number: Me: Thank you for calling —- my name is —- how may I help you? customer: My new laptop won’t turn on. Me: Is it plugged in? Customer: What? Me: Did you plug it in? The battery is probably dead. Customer: It’s a WIRELESS ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-4

Tags: Arrogance, Presumption, Rude, Assumptions, Upgrade, Assuming, Stupidity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Laws

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Sep 13, 2020

The difference between Laws and Love. One earthly and one heavenly. FACTS: The Jews say there are 611 laws given to them directly from God. By the time you get to the New Testament times of Jesus you will find it depends on how they determine the number. Some believe there are 611 in Hebrew ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34, 2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-6

Tags: Love, Laws, To Many Laws, Jesus And Laws

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Wave

Contributed by Gregory Artz on Nov 5, 2022

In elections there is a term “The Wave”. This term means that a large change is coming, and one side is going to have substantial losses in the upcoming election. In the news you will hear about an upcoming “Blue Wave” or a “Red Wave”. However, as Christians, we will choose to trust in the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:20, Matthew 8:23-27

Tags: Heavenly Citizenship, Sovereignty Of Jesus

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Money In The Bible

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 2, 2023

16 out of 38 of Christ’s parables deal with money. More is said in the New Testament about money than Heaven and Hell combined. Five times more is said about money than prayer. While there are 500 plus verses on both prayer and faith, there are over 2,000 verses dealing with money and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:10

Tags: Money, Giving, Stewardship, Money Management

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You "all Ears" For God's Voice?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 2, 2023

A missionary translator was endeavoring to find a word for “obedience” in the native language. This was a virtue seldom practiced among the people into whose language he wanted to translate the New Testament. As he returned home from the village one day, he whistled for his dog and it came ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit, Discipleship, Obedience, Voice Of God, Hearing God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You All Ears For God?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 28, 2024

A missionary translator was endeavoring to find a word for “obedience” in the native language. This was a virtue seldom practiced among the people into whose language he wanted to translate the New Testament. As he returned home from the village one day, he whistled for his dog and it came ...read more

Tags: Obedience, Voice Of God, Hearing God, Listening, Hearers Of The Word  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Golden Rule

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 19, 2025

We teach children the Golden Rule – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” When those children get out into the world, they learn a new rule – “Do unto others before they can do unto you.” We are taught to go on the offensive and keep a list of wrongs so we can fulfill ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-23, Matthew 7:12

Tags: Revenge, Golden Rule

Denomination: Methodist

Yankelovich Partners Recent Research Measuring ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2006

Yankelovich partners recent research measuring American’s response to our increasingly stressful culture detected the following. 35% of Americans report "spiritual well-being is more important than mental or physical"--up from 30% who held that view a year ago. Yankelovich terms this phenomena ...read more

Tags: Fulfillment

As An Adult Stage In Life, Marriage Is ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 9, 2006

“As an adult stage in life, marriage is shrinking. Americans are living longer, marrying later, exiting marriage more quickly, and choosing to live together before marriage, after marriage, in between marriages, and as an alternative to marriage. A small but growing percentage of American adults ...read more

Tags: Marriage General

Restless Workers: 47% Of Workers Are Looking For ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2006

Restless Workers: 47% of workers are looking for another job or plan to look within the next 12 months according to a new Yahoo.com poll. 34% either weren’t sure or definitely would not recommend their employer to others. 45% cite lack of career growth potential as a reason for leaving. 51% of ...read more

Tags: Workplace

Building Boom: The U.s. Population Is Expected To ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Building Boom: The U.S. population is expected to increase 33% to 376 million by ‘30, according to a new Brookings Institute analysis. That’s 94 million more than in ‘00. To serve them, almost 60 million housing units will have to be built. About 20 million of these units will replace destroyed or ...read more

Tags: What Is Evangelism?

Fewer Wal-Mart Shoppers: Although Wal-Mart's ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Fewer Wal-Mart Shoppers: Although Wal-Mart’s sales were up 3% and Target’s up 5.1% during the ‘04 holidays, fewer U.S. households actually shopped there. A Leo J. Shapiro survey finds 54% of households shopped at Wal-Mart (down 2% from ‘03) and 36% at Target (down 7%). ...read more

Tags: Money

Apologetics Hot, Thom Rainer, Dean Of Billy ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Apologetics Hot, Thom Rainer, Dean of Billy Graham School of Missions says Christian apologetics is a coming hot book genre during CBA’s Independents Day event Cultural conflicts between religions, heightened by the war on terrorism, will drive churches to understand other faiths while defending ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General

Pray Away Pain: Need An Effective Painkiller? ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Pray Away Pain: Need an effective painkiller? Pray! More than half of those who responded to a USA Today/ABC News/Stanford University Medical Center poll say they use prayer to control pain. Of those, 90% say it worked well, and 51% say “very well.” Among a dozen therapies, including bed rest, ...read more

Tags: Prayer Adoration

Addicted To Post-Its: Contact Management Software ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Addicted To Post-Its: Contact Management Software not withstanding, a new Plaxo survey finds 37% of small business persons manage their contacts with Post-It notes or a Rolodex. Only 35% noted they used Microsoft Outlook to manage personal and business contacts, 17% reported using their PDAs or ...read more

Tags: Workplace