In Sermon Illustrations: "Old Christians"

The Greek Exegesis Of The Greek Term

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 13, 2010

The Greek Exegesis of the Greek term "I am the gate". Gate or Door - Thura Thoo-rah! The opening or the closure. 1. Old Testament models for the shepherd image, for going in and out, and for door prediction (especially in the messianic context of Ps. 118:19-21: "Open for me the gates of ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Know Of A Priest Back In New York City Who Went ...  PRO

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Jun 3, 2007

I know of a priest back in New York City who went to Ireland to visit his relatives. While he was staying at his cousin’s farm, they decided to have some fun with him. After doing some chores in the fields, they told him to come in for dinner just as soon as he was through rounding up the sheep ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Given Permission By The Judge To Speak To The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Given permission by the judge to speak to the audience, he made the following statement: "I’d like to say here in a court of law, and speaking as an old man, that nine-tenths of my troubles are traceable to my being kind to others. Look, you young people, if you want to steer away from trouble, be ...read more

Tags: People In The Gospel

On January 6, 1822, The Wife Of A Poor German ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

On January 6, 1822, the wife of a poor German pastor had a son, never dreaming that he would one day achieve world renown and great wealth. When Heinrich Schliemann was seven years old, a picture of ancient Troy in flames captured his imagination. Contrary to what many people believed, Heinrich ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

The Roof Of The Church Hall Of A Little Church ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

The roof of the church hall of a little church was falling down. So the members of the church held regular prayer meetings in the hall after the service to pray for funds to repair the roof. There was a rich old man, known to be very tight with his money, who used to attend and sit near the back of ...read more

Tags: Giving General

Forgive Us Our Christmases

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2008

FORGIVE US OUR CHRISTMASES Have you ever stopped to watch the Christmas rush go by? Christmas struggles are humorous because they touch at the very center of where we live. A little girl was pushing the limits of her mother's very last nerve. Mom was nearing the end of a hectic season of ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Suddenly Out Of The Sky Three Great Bolts Of ...

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 17, 2009

Suddenly out of the sky three great bolts of lightning flashed simultaneously. What a display of power. On March 5, 1979, what was called “the most powerful burst of energy ever recorded” occurred. It was described as follows: “The burst of gamma radiation picked up by the satellites lasted ...read more

Tags: Sin General

Denomination: Baptist

A Number Of Years Ago Jim Carry Stared In A Movie ...

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 20, 2009

A number of years ago Jim Carry stared in a movie that considered this very idea. In the movie “Liar, Liar”, Jim Carry plays a lawyer who is particularly good at stretching the truth. After promising, and then breaking his promise, to show up at his five-year-old son’s birthday party, the son ...read more

Tags: Lies

Denomination: Baptist

Sulfur ...

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 21, 2009

Sulfur Caves In Southern Mexico lies the Cueva de Villa Luz, or Cave of the Lighted House. As you make your way to the cave you walk through a veritable paradise of tropical birds and lush rain forest. Underwater the cave is fed by 20 underground springs, beautiful watercourses which teem with tiny ...read more

Tags: Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Baptist

He Slipped Away Into Eternity Peacefully The ...

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jul 9, 2010

"He slipped away into eternity peacefully the other day as we stood by his bed. The family and I held hands and prayed as an old man who loved the Lord and loved his family was in that moment absent from the body and present with the Lord. Peace and tears filled the room and I noticed one young ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Loss Of Original Purpose

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 23, 2010

LOSS OF ORIGINAL PURPOSE In the town of Delburne, Alberta, there was an old water tower built in 1926. Standing empty, the building was bought by two men who wanted to turn it into a dining and cocktail lounge. Plans called for a bar to be built on the second floor. Something similar has already ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:1-2

Tags: Church Purpose Of

A Champion Blood Donor

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Nov 10, 2010

A CHAMPION BLOOD DONOR Joe Kerkofsky is America's blood-donor champion. The American Association of Blood Banks will honor the 62-year-old retired security guard at a special presentation in Chicago. Mr. Kerkofsky lost an arm in an accident when he was six. He was thence rejected for military ...read more

Tags: Blood Of Christ

Denomination: *other

Anatomy Of Fear

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 12, 2010

ANATOMY OF FEAR In spite of what they say, 90% of the chronic patients who see today's physicians have one common symptom. Their trouble did not start with cough or chest pain or hyperacidity. In 90% of the cases, the first symptom was fear. This is the opinion of a well-known American ...read more

Tags: Fear And Worry

Denomination: *other

A Young Man Had Finished His First Semester In ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 25, 2011

A young man had finished his first semester in college, and was spending the weekend at home. Somewhat bored with the old place, he was regaling his father with the wonders of his campus and the enlightened people there. After getting up a head of steam and warming up to his subject he said, "Why, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:2

Tags: Arrogance

Grandpa And The Peach

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 26, 2011

GRANDPA AND THE PEACH "Four-year-old Jason was visiting his grandparents. Grandpa was in his study intently reading. Jason walked in carrying a peach, said something Grandpa didn't catch, and handed the peach to him. "Thinking his wife had sent him a snack, Grandpa took it and ate it. Just as he ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:6

Tags: Children

No Picture Exists  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 3, 2011

NO PICTURE EXISTS On a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is a portrait of a man with this inscription underneath. "James Butler Bonham--no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-8

Tags: Jesus Christ

Trying To Walk Two Roads

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 13, 2011

TRYING TO WALK TWO ROADS There is an old West African proverb which says, "The man who tries to walk two roads will split his pants." (Janet Weiss, Leesburg, Florida, heard in a conversation by her father, a missionary to the Maninka tribe) That’s the way it is with those who try to live for the ...read more

Scripture: James 4:4

Tags: Worldliness

I Am Stubborn, Then  PRO

Contributed by Nigel Heath on Jul 3, 2011

I AM STUBBORN, THEN. Here is a transcript of a conversation between my three year old grandson and I this week: "Help put away the toys, please." "No." "Come on, Aaron. Please help to put away the toys." "No." "Tell you what, you help put away the toys and you'll get a treat afterwards." "I'm ...read more

Tags: Obedience

Denomination: Baptist

Quotations On Pride

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 8, 2011

QUOTATIONS ON PRIDE Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the one who has it. - "Uncle" Bud Robinson It is out of self-love that all other evil passions spring. - Alexander Whyte Pride is the ground in which all other sins grow. - William Barkley None are so ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:18

Tags: Pride

Not Ashamed

Contributed by William L. Vincent on Aug 15, 2011

NOT ASHAMED No matter what you are looking for, you can find a religion or philosophy to fit your state of mind. We find this culture creating pressure on the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. We find people church-shopping--looking for the right “fit” for their needs. And I realize that we need to ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

Denomination: Orthodox