In Sermon Illustrations: "Off Color"

The Price Has Been Paid For You

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Aug 28, 2024

The story is told of a young man who left the old country and sailed to America to make a new life in the new world. Before he left, his father pressed some money in his hand. It wasn't much, but it was all he had. He hoped it would tide the boy over until he found a job. His mother handed him ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:13-14

Tags: Good News, Barriers, Intimacy With God, Missing Out

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

[066]. A Message From A Poem – Easter Thoughts 2024

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 27, 2025

This poem focuses on the Easter Story and covers the crucifixion and the resurrection. Of course the story is not complete without the Lord coming again and the last stanza features that. Each stanza deals with a different feature of the Saviour’s life that passion weekend. God’s love could ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:30-31, John 3:16-17, Acts 4:12, Romans 6:10

Tags: Easter, Crucifixion, It Is Finished, Death Of Christ, Crowned With Thorns, Resurrection, Believe, Salvation, Poetry, Golgotha, Poem  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[115]. A Message From A Poem – Have You Trusted The God Of Faithfulness?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 27, 2025

[115]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HAVE YOU TRUSTED THE GOD OF FAITHFULNESS? God is faithful in proven circumstances. Have you actually proven the faithfulness of God in your life? We have a faithful God so we can anchor our faith in the faithfulness of God. {{Psalm 119:90 “YOUR FAITHFULNESS ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:9, Lamentations 3:22-23, Deuteronomy 32:3-4, Psalm 119:90

Tags: Christian Poems, God, Trust, Faithful, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

April 29, ...

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 20, 2006

April 29, 2003 Because Trent Dilfer is a public figure, the death Sunday of his 5-year-old son Trevin is news. It’s sad news. Even those critical of Dilfer the football player surely feel for Dilfer the man and his family. Five-year-olds aren’t supposed to die, they’re supposed to go to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-10, Matthew 26:6-13

Denomination: Wesleyan

Standing ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 9, 2009

STANDING ALONE Richard Exley relates a story in his book, Deliver Me. He grew up in a very similar church as to what this one is now. In fact, the church that he is from, in years past, held the same convictions that we still hold today. In the past, you could not tell a difference between how ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Tags: Temptation General, Temptation Resisting

Prayer And 19th Century Revival

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 10, 2011

PRAYER AND 19TH CENTURY REVIVAL Dr. A. T. Pierson once said, "There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer." Let me recount what God has done through concerted, united, sustained prayer. [J. Edwin Orr. Personal Notes.] Not many people ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:1-13

Tags: Prayer Persistence

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

Can We Love Someone We Find Unloving? Galatians ...

Contributed by Clifford Good on Jul 18, 2008

Can we love someone we find unloving? Galatians 5:13-14 says that we are given freedom to serve one another in love. Whenever I take a trip I come home with lots of stories that come out of the things I see and the people I meet. Here is a story from the last trip to highlight this point about ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-14

Tags: Love Of The Disciples

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

My Thoughts Are Worth More Than A Penny

Contributed by James Snyder on May 30, 2020

Dr. James L. Snyder I must admit that I do gravel a lot in thinking about my thoughts. It has been a habit of mine down through the years. Thinking is what really makes life worth living, or so I believe. My father had a saying whenever he saw me staring off into the distance, “A penny for your ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:17

Tags: Thoughts, Thinking, Penny

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Doing Nothing Is Harder Than I Thought

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 29, 2020

After being so long in a lockdown situation, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage planned a short vacation time for us. It took her quite a while to put all of the pieces together, but she succeeded as always. As I was preparing for this little adventure, my wife looked at me and said, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:31

Tags: Vacation, Holiday

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

When Everything Goes My Way

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 7, 2020

I have had a certain dream many times over the years. Of course, it might lean towards being a nightmare if it does not come true. The dream is that one day in the week; I can have everything go my way. The nightmare part of that dream is that it never tells me which day everything will go my ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Together, Choice, Partnership

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Bug! Bug! Where’s The Bug?

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 14, 2020

As far back as I can remember, every time I would leave the house, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage would say, "Be careful. Drive safely." It’s as though she doesn’t think I could drive carefully without giving me some instructions. I think it has become just a routine for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12

Tags: Mistakes, Together, Harmony

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What’s So Peasy About Easy?

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 6, 2021

I am nowhere to be found when it comes to crafts, remodeling, and just plain fixer-uppers. My carpentry skills are nowhere to be found even though I've looked for a long time. If I try to fix something, I make it worse than it was. Fixing is not my strong suit. On the other side of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18

Tags: Eve, Labor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Will We Be Served Coffee In Heaven?

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 5, 2021

The last several weeks have truly been hectic in every sense of the word. Trying to catch up can be a never-ending job. When I think I’m caught up, I see another thing I need to do. I have learned that kicking the can down the street only hurts your big toe. With so much to do lately, it's ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:3

Tags: Coffee, Stress, Heaven

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Is Being Sane Too Much To Ask?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 28, 2021

When young, I remember my grandfather often saying to me, "the world wasn't like this when I was your age." Then he would go on a long rant about how things were much different when he was my age. Finally, he would conclude by saying, "It's an insane world out there, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:9

Tags: Sanity, Culture, Generational

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Hallelujah… She’s Baaaaack

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 4, 2021

I have learned that you don't miss something until it is gone. Unfortunately, sometimes, it's too late. Over six weeks ago, or was it nine months, I took my truck in for a regular checkup. I was going away for the week, so I thought I would drop the truck off and let them work on it when ...read more

Scripture: 2 John 1:8

Tags: Stress, Humor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

My Ongoing Grudge With Santa

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 18, 2021

I’ve had sort of a grudge with old Mr. Santa Claus. I was introduced to Santa Claus by my parents, who informed me that he was the one that brought all of my Christmas presents on Christmas day. And I believe my parents. I remember on Christmas Eve we had to go to bed early to give Santa Claus ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32

Tags: Christmas, Gifts

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Have Nose, Will Snore

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 8, 2022

Dr. James L. Snyder Having been married as long as The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and myself, there are very few things we disagree. I run by the idea, “Do you want to be happy, or do you want to be right?” That has guided me through many a storm these past years. Almost every day, I ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Unity, Agree

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

How I Found Hope

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 7, 2023

HOW I FOUND HOPE By Danielle Strickland — I stole my first car when I was twelve years old. In family court, when my fate seemed to be incarceration, a leader from my church insisted I was going through a hard patch, but I could be sentenced to community service at a camp. The judge jumped at the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Tags: Jesus, Hope

Denomination: Methodist