In Sermon Illustrations: "Obeying Jesus"

Give And It Shall Be Given Unto You!

Contributed by Davon Huss on Dec 2, 2014

Ben Patterson- When Lauretta and I were first married, we were very poor. The three necessities of food, clothing, and shelter weren’t quite within our grasp. We could manage only 2 out of 3- not bad as a batting average, but miserable if you’re trying to live. My employment was selling swimming ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:7

Tags: Generosity, Cheerful Giving, Hilarious

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Make This Muddled World A Better Place

Contributed by David Simpson on Feb 5, 2018

Make This Muddled World A Better Place January 24, 2018 Lanier Christian Church David Simpson The Academy Award Nominations came out yesterday. Of the movies nominated, one of them is about famous British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, entitled: Darkest Hour. Churchill left us with many ...read more

Tags: Bless Others, Give Of Self, Be A Blessing To Oth, Service, Compassion, Winston Churchill  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

The Man Who Rejected A Pardon

Contributed by David Goering on Nov 1, 2019

ILLUSTRATION: The man who rejected a pardon. 1.) I found this true story online. United States v. Wilson, 32 U.S. 150 (1833), was a case in the United States in which the defendant, George Wilson, was convicted of robbing the US Mail in Pennsylvania and sentenced to death. Due to his ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:8

Tags: Forgiveness, Pardon

Who Wants To Play By The Rules?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 3, 2020

Wouldn’t life, or sporting events, be easier if there were no rules? Nobody to tell you what you can or can’t do, no restrictions, and anything goes. Easy, right? I can recall a couple of times when it sure seemed that some folks either didn’t want to play by the rules. Maybe they just plain ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:31

Tags: Wrong, Right, Rules, Self Will

Denomination: Baptist

Bible Verses On Forgiveness

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 10, 2022

There are 119 verses in the Bible that contain a form of the word forgiveness. Here are some famous Bible verses that center on the importance of forgiving others. Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness, Forgiving Others

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keep Away From Sin!

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 24, 2022

Genesis 4 Devotional Part 2 The first children from Adam and Eve grew up having 2 different interests: Abel took care of animals while Cain took care of plants. When it was time to worship God (how did they learn and why did they worship God?), Cain offered firstfruits from the field and Abel ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:6-15

Tags: Love, Sin, Heart, Cain, Relationship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Saint Francis Xavier

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Feb 20, 2024

Saint Francis Xavier: An Example of Indian Missionary Enthusiasm and Cultural Fusion In India, the 16th century Catholic saint Francis Xavier is revered as a symbol of missionary zeal and cross-cultural harmony. One of the earliest Jesuit missionaries, Xavier was born in Spain in 1506, and he and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Tags: Missionary, Mission

Denomination: Other

Unexpected Journey Thru Cancer

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 12, 2024

The unexpected journey and a second Dove appeared on a difficult day walking thru cancer: I hit another rough day in the journey after my second surgery with Dr. Q – He got back pathology and said it did look good the light showed cancer lining my bladder like a carpet. When the Dr, Q called to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-3

Tags: Encouragement, Cancer, Hope

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[004]. Message From A Poem - A Memorial To Kent Harrison

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 19, 2024

[004]. MESSAGE FROM A POEM - A MEMORIAL TO KENT HARRISON This was written after Kent’s death in Townsville maybe in April 2005. We had known him since early Mt Isa days, then later when he moved to Charters Towers and then to Townsville. Kent suffered a few massive strokes but battled on after ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1, 2 Samuel 1:17, 2 Samuel 1:26

Tags: Death, Compassion, Friend, Memorial, Tribute, Prayer Warrior, A Christian Death  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[014] A Message From A Poem - Against The Christian

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 18, 2024

[014] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - AGAINST THE CHRISTIAN The origin of this poem goes right back to a time of considerable difficulty when I was going through tough times and some people were very nasty. Christians do face real difficulties and you will have persecution and unfairness just because ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 2:17, John 14:16-17

Tags: Persecution, Comfort, Difficulties, Trials, Suffer  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Misfired Twice!

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 19, 2024

Story from Bob Hostetler in Red Letter Prayer Life: Two of my dearest friends in the world, Dave and Becky, told me the amazing story of their mission trip some years ago to the mountain town of San Luis, Honduras. They traveled as part of a combined medical and evangelistic team that served the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13

Tags: Protection, Deliverance

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

[056]. A Message From A Poem – Death Is Not A Mystery

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 12, 2025

[056]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DEATH IS NOT A MYSTERY We just had a poem on Death for the Christian, and in this one now, the concept is continued, though the poems are separated by over 20 years. Each stanza deals with a different aspect of life. For me the poem is a testimony of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:54-55, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Acts 2:27

Tags: Death, Mystery, Poetry, Poem, Sheol  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[084]. A Message From A Poem – For Men - The Three "fs"

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 16, 2025

[084]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FOR MEN - THE THREE Fs There are 9 poems in this Trilogy series. This poem is part of a Trilogy - three sets of three. The first set is addressed to MEN, the second to ALL CHRISTIANS and the third is SPECIFIC. This is the third one in the first set - FOR ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:14, James 4:4, 1 Corinthians 1:9, Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Friendliness, Fellowship, Faithfulness, Poetry, Poem  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[185]. Poem Message – Mouths That Sham Rejoicing

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 4, 2025

[185]. POEM MESSAGE – MOUTHS THAT SHAM REJOICING When I was young we generally could trust what people said to us. There was a great deal of honesty back then (1950s) but that has evaporated. People tell us barefaced lies and that is now the way of the world. That makes the Christian life ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:8-9, Jeremiah 7:9-10

Tags: Pretend, Pretence, No Commitment, Praise, False, Sing, Rejoice, Lies, Dishonesty, Worship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[220]. A Message From A Poem - Praise The Lord Who’s Worth It

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 5, 2025

[220]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - PRAISE THE LORD WHO’S WORTH IT This poem is another attempt at a song. What is in my head I can not share with you, as I can’t write the music and harmony. I can do the lyrics but not the music. The last poem I submitted called “Praise God! Praise God!” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 69:30-31, Psalm 22:3

Tags: Praise The Lord, Praise To God, Christian Poems, A Christian Song, Praise  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[280]. A Message From A Poem – The Lord In Our Affliction

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 28, 2026

[280]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE LORD IN OUR AFFLICTION This was one of my first poems. This poem came from a period that was very difficult for me when a nasty, concerted attack was made against me. That is when the Lord led me into writing poems with His help. Right back then I would not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 4:15, Matthew 13:21

Tags: Comfort, Suffering, Help, Affliction, Trouble, Christian Poems, Persecution  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Guide - What A White Water Rafting Trip Taught Me About God

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Mar 11, 2026

A few years ago my wife, two young daughters and I packed up and headed to Red River, New Mexico for a vacation. For a bit of adventure we decided to try something we had never done before — white water rafting. Before climbing into the raft, we were handed a stack of waivers to sign. You know the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:8

Tags: God, Trust, Guide, Refuge, Raft  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Divine Appointment At Chair Number Three

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Apr 19, 2026

A pastor went for a haircut two weeks before officiating his son’s wedding. It was supposed to be routine. Sit down, clean things up, walk out ready for a big weekend. As he settled into the chair, he mentioned the upcoming ceremony. That simple comment opened a door he didn’t expect. The ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20, John 4:4-26, Acts 8:26-35

Tags: Evangelism, Personal Evangelism, Divine Appointment

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

[351]. A Message From A Poem – Wrath Must Surely Come

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 18, 2026

[351]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – WRATH MUST SURELY COME This poem opens with the ride of wickedness in the world where decency is destroyed and delusion has taken over. Then it moves to God’s wrath that will come. Two lines are these – Man considers not his end; Cares not that God has appointed ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:9, Ephesians 5:6, Romans 1:18, Acts 17:31

Tags: Judgment, The Wrath Of God, Christian Poems

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational