In Sermon Illustrations: "Other Gods"

Ronald Reagan Forgave

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 27, 2014

RONALD REAGAN FORGAVE President Ronald Reagan has always been one of my heroes in life. His forgiveness of his enemies was one of the many things that made him great. Ronald Reagan's attitude after the 1982 assassination attempt on his life made an impression on his daughter, Patti Davis. As she ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-20

Tags: Enemy, Leadership, Forgiving Others, Ronald Reagan

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Loaded Gun

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 15, 2019

LOADED GUN Let's start out with a story; there's a young man standing with his eyes glazing over with shock. His eyes slowly shift in utter disbelief from the still smoking gun in his hand to his best friend laying in the floor with an ever-growing red spot on his chest. His eyes fill with ...read more

Tags: Our Sins Hurt Others, Price For Sin

Denomination: Pentecostal

Nobody Left Behind

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Sep 13, 2020

We hear the mantra of “No Man left behind” (referring to both men a women) coming from the Military. But the left behind principle has more to do with those living. Although it does pertain to those that are MIA (Missing in Action). The “No Man left Behind” is seen as ---no matter the cost--- that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Tags: Encourage Each Other, Nobody Left Behind

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Do You Have A Portable God?" Numbers 10: 11-21 ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 7, 2005

“Do You Have A Portable God?” Numbers 10: 11-21 Key verse(s): 21:“Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. The tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived.” Think about this! The only time that you will be through with change in this life is when your life is through. Life in an ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 10:11-21

Tags: God Brings Hope, God Brings Purpose

Denomination: Lutheran

Strength To Forgive

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2024

Some of life's hurts are so deep and painful that to forgive the people who caused them seems impossible. Yet Jesus says that we can't experience His forgiveness if we have an unforgiving spirit. In World War II, Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsie were arrested for concealing Jews and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Tags: Forgiveness, Lord's Prayer, God's Strength, Forgiving Others, Corrie Ten Boom, Enemies  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My God How Little Do My Countrymen Know What ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"My God How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

John Thomas Oaks Is Musician In Nyc ...  PRO

Contributed by Tom Doubt on Mar 19, 2004

John Thomas Oaks is musician in NYC [www.oaksengine.com] . On a chilly November, in Manhattan, he was playing at the Starbucks Café on 51st & Broadway. Others had said it was the most lucrative Starbucks in the world; tips were good if you played your tunes right. John was playing tunes from the ...read more

Tags: God The Father, God's Love

Denomination: Baptist

God's Plan For Pain!" Matthew 16:21-28 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 6, 2005

“God’s Plan for Pain!” Matthew 16:21-28 Key verse(s): 25:“‘For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.’” “And whatever you do, make sure you don’t hurt yourself!” The tractor tire was heavy; definitely a two man job. Perched on the back of his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Lutheran

Two Ministers In A Small Town Were Openly ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Two ministers in a small town were openly critical of each other’s efforts and constantly opposed one another. After a joint meeting in which they planned a community-wide effort, one took this parting shot at the other, “We’ll just go ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will

I Love My Boys. I Thank God Everyday For Blessing ...

Contributed by Charles Newman on Jul 24, 2004

I love my boys. I thank God everyday for blessing me with such good children. There is one thing that I believe all children go through. It is a sense of bewilderment when given a series of jobs. For instance; my children and I can be cleaning up the yard. I can tell Benjamin to go and pick up ...read more

Tags: Children, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Methodist

I Think Of The Privilege I Had Of Having God Hear ...

Contributed by Bev Sesink on Feb 5, 2005

I think of the privilege I had of having God hear me. It was when I was living in South Africa and I was seeking God’s will as to my future. At the time I was a research forester. I was coming to the end of my government contract and I had been asked to become a permanent employee but I was ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will, Knowing God's Will

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Thought We'd Talk More About God

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Feb 11, 2011

I THOUGHT WE'D TALK MORE ABOUT GOD Some years ago, a woman came to me for counseling. Her husband had died suddenly from a rapidly growing cancer, and she was overcome not only with grief but with fear regarding her future. She did not now know who she was or where she was to go. She was beside ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Clever But Mean

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 22, 2025

A Welshman, Scot and Englishman are walking when they come across a lantern and a genie pops out and grants them one wish each. The Scot says: “I am a sheep herder, like my dad before me. I want my country to be full of lovely sheep farms.”  Whoosh, and so it was. The Englishman was amazed and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:1-5

Tags: Prejudice, Superiority, Getting Even, Loving Others, Vengence, Shrewdness, Ethnicity, Hating Others, Ethnic Hatred  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Movie Industry Has Made Some Pretty Creative ...  PRO

Contributed by Tony Miano on Jun 18, 2001

The movie industry has made some pretty creative attempts at explaining conflict with god. For those of you that remember the movie “Caddyshack,” there is a scene toward the end of the movie in which a golfing enthusiast priest is playing the round of his life. As he makes his way around the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14, Genesis 39:1-23

Tags: God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience

Denomination: *other

Forgiven And Pardoned (Source: Illustrations ...

Contributed by Greg Buchner on May 5, 2005

Forgiven and Pardoned (source: Illustrations Unlimited) It reminds me of the story of a young employee who secretly misappropriated several hundred dollars of his business firm’s money. When this action was discovered, he walked up the stars toward the administrative office he was told to report ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Methodist

A Thanks Offering For His Plans For Us  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

A Thanks Offering For His Plans for Us Jeremiah 29:11-13 says, "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-13, 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Tags: God's Plan, God's Timing, God's Direction, Wisdom Of God, God's Sovereign Will  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[036] A Message From A Poem – Blessed Lamb Of God In Adoration

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 25, 2025

[036] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BLESSED LAMB OF GOD IN ADORATION This was written as a hymn that can be sung. The emphasis is on the Lord Jesus Christ not so much on us. I hate these modern songs where it is all about “me”. Let us get back to glorifying the Lord for who He is and for what He ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:11, 1 Corinthians 1:18, Ephesians 4:8-10

Tags: Compassion, Adoration, Lamb, Second Coming, Poetry, The Cross, Lamb Of God, Poem  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Wants To Touch Us. He Knows That We Need His ...

Contributed by Greg Nance on Nov 23, 2009

God wants to touch us. He knows that we need his touch to live. Through Jesus God came here to do just that. Jesus’ death for us, and resurrection for us, and ascension to glory from which he sent the Holy Spirit for us, is God’s gift to us so that we can touch him. Our granddaughter, Brisa, ...read more

Tags: Comfort

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Six -Year-Old Brandon Decided One Saturday ...  PRO

Contributed by Dennis Jones on Jul 15, 2005

Six -year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor. He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Tags: God's Provision, God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Pentecostal

Some Events Only Leave Us Asking, "Why?" Which Is ...

Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Nov 13, 2003

Some events only leave us asking, “Why?” which is exactly what I figure happened with three of the Lord’s most faithful followers during the days of Daniel. You remember them as Shadrach, Meshach and Abedneggo; three fellows who were to be thrown into Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace because they ...read more

Tags: Knowing God's Will, Doing God's Will

Denomination: Lutheran