In Sermon Illustrations: "Not Enough Time"

The Power Of Presence

Contributed by Eduardo Quintana on Jun 12, 2017

Long before I became a Dad, I had strong opinions about fathering. Perhaps it’s because I came along quite late in my father’s life. He was 47 years old. To say I was a surprise would be an understatement! But, my Dad rose to the challenge! Like my sister and brother before me, I became his pride ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3

Tags: Parenting, Legacy, Fatherhood

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There’s Always Tomorrow

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 11, 2020

For almost four weeks now, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and Yours Truly have enjoyed some exceptional time together. It has been the rich experience I never thought I would experience until I retired from everything. But, if this is retirement, “Lord, let it be so.” Nothing to complain ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8

Tags: Together, Rest, Pajamas

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Two Ships In The Night! (07.18.05--Pride--Numbers ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 14, 2005

Two Ships in the Night! (07.18.05--Pride--Numbers 22:29) There’s a time to be right and a time to be righteous. That’s what the old farmer told me as I hefted the last hay bale into the loft. I had just had an encounter with a bully at school and I was feeling both peeked and embattled at the ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:29

Tags: Wait, Worship, Christian Love, Christian Disciplines, Patience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

The Renowned Quaker Scholar Rufus Jones Was ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 12, 2005

The renowned Quaker scholar Rufus Jones was speaking of the importance of having a radiant countenance. After his address, a woman “with an almost unbelievably plain face” came up and asked him what he would do if he had a face like hers. He replied, “While I have troubles of my own of that kind, ...read more

Tags: Peace

While 88% In A Recent Barna Poll Believe Jesus ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 15, 2005

While 88% in a recent Barna poll believe Jesus Christ was a real person, what they believe about him differs sharply from scriptural teaching. 42% (even 1/4th of the “born again” Christians) believe that while on earth Jesus sinned just like other people. 61% believe the devil is just a symbol of ...read more

Tags: Divinity Of Christ

Costly Out-Of-Stocks: A Grocery-Industry Survey ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Costly Out-Of-Stocks: A grocery-industry survey found when customers can’t find what they want in stock, up to 43% go to another store--many taking the rest of their shopping away as well. Another 25% won’t buy the item at all. Out-of-stock causes include retailers underestimating demand, using ...read more

Tags: Church General

The Renowned Quaker Scholar Rufus Jones Was ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2006

The renowned Quaker scholar Rufus Jones was speaking of the importance of having a radiant countenance. After his address, a woman "with an almost unbelievably plain face" came up and asked him what he would do if he had a face like hers. He replied, "While I have troubles of my own of that kind, ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers

A Little Boy Was Standing By His Father Watching ...

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Dec 27, 2006

A little boy was standing by his father watching him trying to put a floppy disk into his computer. The father was having trouble getting the disk to go in all of the way. The little boy said to his father, “Maybe it has a penny in it?” Sure enough, when the father fished around inside where the ...read more

Tags: Children

Denomination: Methodist

The World Needs People: Who Do Not Have A Price ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

The world needs people: who do not have a price at which they can be bought; who do not borrow from integrity to pay for expediency; whose handshake is an ironclad contract; who are not afraid of risk; who have opinions instead of prejudices; who are as honest in large matters as in small ones; ...read more

Tags: Human Life

Those Of You Who Have Worked With Tobacco Crops ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Those of you who have worked with tobacco crops know that tobacco plants have what are called suckers that grow on the stalk above each leaf. Although they invariably grow back, the farmer must remove these growths. When the plants are big enough, the farmer sprays a chemical that stops the growth ...read more

Tags: Gifts General

What Would You Think About A Person Who Goes To ...

Contributed by Todd Pugh on Jan 14, 2008

What would you think about a person who goes to the airport, with no luggage, no plans, they have no idea were they’re going and they only have enough money to by a one way ticket at random, they get on the plane and hope for the best? I would call that foolish. Yet this is exactly what many do ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Helping The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 16, 2009

HELPING THE POOR 67% of Americans (over half of whom attend church at least once a month) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, "My church already does enough to help the poor in my community." Yet 42% said their church spends more money on itself than on the community, finds a World ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:34-46

Tags: Poverty

Am I Still Your Child?

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Dec 6, 2011

AM I STILL YOUR CHILD? What if Lynne and I adopted a child and brought him/her into our home. That child might be so thankful that every day they might ask, "Can I mow the lawn today, can I do the dishes for you, do you need a foot massage?" That would be great, but it would break my heart to ...read more

Tags: Adoption

50-Somethings For Jesus

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 19, 2012

50-SOMETHINGS FOR JESUS At the age of 58, Tom and Elaine Samply cashed out their retirements and moved to the Czech Republic and opened a coffee shop called Common Grounds where he taught business principles to atheists. After they were there for six years, they had enough business that they ...read more

Tags: Aging

Denomination: Methodist

Valentine's Day, Romantic

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 24, 2021

“Every Valentine’s Day our campus newspaper has a section for student messages. Last year my roommate surprised his girlfriend with roses and dinner at a fancy restaurant. When they returned from their date, she leafed through the paper to see if he had written a note to her. Near the bottom of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:16

Tags: Love, Marriage, Romance, Dating, Valentine's Day  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Two Mountain Goats

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 25, 2025

Martin Luther wrote about seeing two mountain goats meeting on a mountain trial that was narrow enough for only one to travel on. When they met up, Luther thought for sure they would butt heads and the strongest would survive. One would die and one would be injured. Instead, when the mountain ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8, Romans 12:10, Matthew 20:26-28, John 13:14-15, Ephesians 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Service, Humility, Selflessness, Christlikeness, Grace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Unsung Heroes: Paul’s Nephew

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 19, 2024

Introduction: It’s interesting that we know very little about Paul except that he was a Jew, born in Tarsus, receiving an education in Jerusalem, and some of his days as Saul the persecutor of the new Church. We’re never told the names of his parents, siblings—or if he had any other siblings ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:16-22

Tags: Paul, Unsung Heroes, Paul's Nephew

Denomination: Baptist

Do I Need A New Mask For Halloween?

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 28, 2023

The older I get, the less patience I have for holidays. I certainly am not a holiday guru in any sense of the word. When I was younger, my favorite holiday was Christmas because of all the presents I got. I could never get enough gifts for Christmas. When I got older, got married and had ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:2

Tags: Halloween, Masks

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Pearls From God—communion Meditation  PRO

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 27, 2003

PEARLS FROM GOD-- COMMUNION MEDITATION The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. With her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please!" Quickly the mother checked ...read more

Tags: Fulfillment, God's Provision

Denomination: Wesleyan

Pioneer

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Feb 27, 2020

Time Magazine's obituary - Dr. Wilfred Thomason Grenfell's October 21, 1940. Oct. 21, 1940 - Wilfred Grenfell spent his boyhood on the Sands of Dee near Cheshire, England. He used to filch biscuits and wine from his school larder to give to fishermen as they left at dawn to catch the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Romans 12:1-8

Tags: Service, Sacrifice, Commitment

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational