In Sermon Illustrations: "Not prepared" showing 121-140 of 1,306

Being Ready

Contributed by Richard L. Brown on Oct 1, 2016

Being Ready Luke 12: 32-38 This illustration is about not being afraid for the return of the Master. When I was a young boy in the Fourth Grade at Yost Elementary School, our teacher, Mrs. Conley, would periodically leave the room and say, “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Just work quietly at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:32-38

Tags: Following Directions, Being Prepared

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Plan Your Life

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Oct 24, 2008

PLAN YOUR LIFE A famous British writer George Bernard Shaw once visited a sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein at his studio. The visitor noticed a huge block of stone standing in one corner and asked what it was for. "I don’t know yet. I’m still making plans." Shaw was astounded. "You mean you plan your ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Plan, Preparation, Life Purpose

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Write Out Your Goal. What Are The Obstacles? ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Write out your goal. What are the obstacles? What are the rewards? Is it worth it? Are you willing to pay the price? If so, visualize the rewards and get ...read more

Tags: Courage, Preparation, Goals, Confidence, Training  (view more)  (view less)

There Was A Little Canadian Bird Who Decided Not ...

Contributed by Sylvester Fergusson on Jan 26, 2013

There was a little Canadian bird who decided not to fly south for the winter. "If other animals can stay," he reasoned, "why can't I?" Against the better advice of his elders, the little bird stubbornly decided to stay. Very soon, however, he realized his mistake. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:8

Tags: Preparation, Procrastination, Temptation Pride, Presumptiousness

Denomination: Adventist

Growing Potatoes Takes Time

Contributed by Paul Steen on Dec 24, 2018

Be thankful while you wait. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. My Aunt Grace had a large garden. One time she showed me how to cut seed potatoes so that each piece had at least one eye, and we planted them in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Tags: Thankfulness, Patience, Waiting, Being Prepared

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Are You Packed And Ready To Go?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 28, 2023

The word "maranatha" is a Syriac expression that means: "our Lord comes." It was used as a greeting in the early church. When believers gathered or parted, they didn't say "hello" or "goodbye" but "Maranatha!" If we had the same upward look ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, John 14:1-6

Tags: Church, Feast Of Trumpets, Prepared, Preparation, Maranatha, Rapture, Ready, Readiness, Second Coming  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Better Get Your Bags Packed!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 2, 2022

One day a very wealthy, powerful king died. His servants spread the unbelievable news all over the palace. He had died in his bed of natural causes. "Where has he gone?", asked one of the king's wisest counselors "Why, to Heaven of course!", answered all the ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Heaven, Salvation, Gospel, Excuses, Prepare, Procrastination, Fools  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The Recent Summer Games (2012), Kim Rhode Won ...  PRO

Contributed by Kelly Mitchell on Aug 11, 2012

In the recent Summer Games (2012), Kim Rhode won the gold medal in skeet shooting making her the first American to win 5 olympic medals in 5 consecutive olympic games. That’s a span of 20 years and not her only distinction. In the 2012 games, she hit 99 out of 100 skeet setting a new Olympic ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 9:24-27

Tags: Preparation, Commitment To Christ, Disciplines General, Growth In Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Billy Graham's Great Regret

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

Billy Graham was once asked, "If you had to live your life over again, what would you do differently?" He answered: “One of my great regrets is that I have not studied enough, I wish I had studied more and preached less. People have pressured me into speaking to groups when I should ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Bible Study, Word Of God, Pastors, Sermon Preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The True Story Of Denise And Diane

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 31, 2023

Illustration: The story of Denise and Diane. One Sunday morning many years ago, as I pastored in Massachusetts a lady attended our church for the first time. During the close at the time of the invitation, she came to the altar. I noticed that one of our ladies prayed with her. After the service, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 18:1-2, 2 Kings 20:1-6, Luke 16:1-2, James 4:14, Proverbs 27:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Cancer, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Obedience, New Years, Mysterious Ways Of God, Preparation, Preparing For Death, Life, Ready To God, The Gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Must Be Near

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 14, 2022

Christmas Must Be Near When soft snowflakes fill childish dreams, And Missy hangs the mistletoe. Then gift shoppers show up in streams, And Mike the mailman is bending low. When the generosities astound, Then through the air, we hear the sound Of joy-bells ring… “Ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling!” Then ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-2, Matthew 1:1-21, John 1:1-14, Galatians 4:4-5

Tags: Poems, Preparations, Nativity, Christmas Poetry, Christmas, Birth Of Christ, Decorations  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

In All Things, Success Depends Upon Previous ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"In all things, success depends upon previous preparation, and without such ...read more

Tags: Workplace Success

Bro. Robert Brozoski States, "God Gave Us Today, ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 23, 2004

Bro. Robert Brozoski states, "God gave us today, to prepare us for eternity"! This thought sent by Bro. Robert is a sermon in only 9 words. Time is the same for all....Today is a gift for us to use as God intends. To prepare for the future and to ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Do Beseech You To Direct Your Efforts More To ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

I do beseech you to direct your efforts more to preparing youth for the path and less to ...read more

Tags: Children

When The Former Missionary David Livingston Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

When the former missionary David Livingston was asked where he was prepared to go, he answered, “I am prepared to ...read more

Tags: New Year's Day

Although Douglas Macarthur Graduated From West ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Nov 7, 2002

"Although Douglas MacArthur graduated from West Point at the top of his class, he continued to prepare himself for service to his country. He studied every military textbook he could get his hands on. He visited battlefields and personally reviewed the tactics which the victors and the losers ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14, Matthew 25:1-13, Matthew 25:1-13

Tags: Discipleship, Second Coming

Denomination: United Methodist

Any Housewife Knows That The Best Way To Reme...

Contributed by Tony Abram on Feb 28, 2010

Any housewife knows that the best way to remember the things she meant to do and forgot is to start praying. They will come to her mind to divert her from prayer. The devil will let a ...read more

Tags: Satan

What Do You Want To See?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 27, 2002

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE? Behavioral scientists have discovered that we usually see things that we are prepared to see. This is all centered in a network of nerve cells called the "Reticular Activating System." Everybody has this system. The "Reticular Activating System." works like this: Once ...read more

Tags: Faith, God Brings Hope, New Year's Day

Gumption

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 14, 2019

GUMPTION A Hard-working farmer Toils to prepare his fields and sows GOOD SEED, He then reaps a great Harvest--- A lazy Bum don’t prepare and lets weed seeds take over, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-10

Tags: Laziness, Gumption

Denomination: Pentecostal

Before Performing A Baptism, The Pastor ...

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Oct 8, 2008

Before performing a baptism, the pastor approached the young father and said solemnly, "Baptism is a serious step. Are you prepared for it?" "I think so," the man replied. "My wife has made appetizers and we have a caterer coming to provide plenty of cookies and cakes for all of our guests." "I ...read more

Tags: Baptism

Denomination: Lutheran