In Sermon Illustrations: "Own Wits"

Work With It!" Romans 12: 1-8: Key Verse(S): 6 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 10, 2004

“Work With It!” Romans 12: 1-8: Key verse(s): 6 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” “All things being equal!” Where that may be the rallying cry of today’s philosophical democratically-driven culture, it wasn’t the impetus for justice in the Brunner household as I was ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8, Mark 1:21-28

Tags: Family, Parenting

Denomination: Lutheran

If You Can't Beat ‘em?" Philippians 1: 12-14 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 5, 2005

“If You Can’t Beat ‘Em?” Philippians 1: 12-14 Key verse(s): 14:“Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! We’ve all said it at times when it just seemed hopeless and there ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-14, Philippians 1:12-14

Tags: Faith, Endurance

Denomination: Lutheran

A Movement To Jesus Within Islam

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 26, 2009

A MOVEMENT TO JESUS WITHIN ISLAM In an article entitled, "A Movement to Jesus Within Islam" this story is told: There was a Muslim holy man, a Sufi master, named Isaac. He lived in a remote region of a Muslim country, where he had a large following. Several thousand people looked to him for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Islam

Unsung Heroes—barzillai The Gileadite, Part 2

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 3, 2020

Introduction: the revolt was over, Absalom was dead, and David was ready to go back to Jerusalem. It seems David had come to regard Barzillai the Gileadite with much respect, maybe even admiration. David wanted him to go to Jerusalem but in a classic speech, Barzillai graciously said, “thanks but ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 19:31-40

Tags: David, Barzillai The Gileadite

Denomination: Baptist

Unintentionally Humorous Texts: Micah’s Misfortunes, Part 2

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 11, 2024

Introduction: The first verses of Judges 17 tell the story of Micah. In a word, he stole a lot of money from his mother, but returned it to her after she pronounced a curse on the stuff—and, probably, the thief whoever it may have been. The section concludes with Micah establishing his own ...read more

Scripture: Judges 17:7-13

Tags: Micah, Idolatry, Levites, Mount Ephraim

Denomination: Baptist

Pastor Charles Stanley—who Is An Author And Bible ...  PRO

Contributed by Doug Lyon on Feb 14, 2007

Pastor Charles Stanley—who is an author and Bible teacher—tells this story from his seminary days. He writes: “One of my most memorable seminary professors had a practical way of illustrating the concept of grace for his students. At the end of his evangelism course he would hand out the exam ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Seventeen Years Ago I Was Keenly Interested In A ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Mar 27, 2007

Seventeen years ago I was keenly interested in a widow in our church. Renfro laughed at me for saying she and I had a conversation in which we negotiated whether we could date or not. Listen, if there are things on which you do not agree, either negotiate a lasting change or else keep on ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

We Lost The Farm

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 8, 2012

"WE LOST THE FARM" Richard Culp worked in the hot California sun as foreman of a large ranching operation. He and his wife, Geneva, also owned their own farm, consisting of 200 acres of almond trees. Then years of bad weather and skimpy harvests forced Richard to take on additional work, but even ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Tags: God In The Hardships

Parallels Between Isaac And Jesus

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 19, 2014

PARALLELS BETWEEN ISAAC AND JESUS There is no clearer picture of the Cross and the sacrifice the Father made for us in Christ than Genesis chapter 22. Notice the powerful parallels between Isaac and Christ. Isaac is one of the clearest types of Christ in the Old Testament. 1.Both fulfilled ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 5:8, John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: Typology, Christ, Salvation, Gospel, Cross, Isaac  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[163]. A Message From A Poem – Joy For Sorrow - Care In Hurt

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 14, 2025

[163]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – JOY FOR SORROW - CARE IN HURT The title of this poem has two contrasts – sorrow turning to joy, and hurt adopting care. This poem was written 27 years ago and since that time much has changed in the world for the followers of the Lord. Persecution has increased ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5-6, 2 Corinthians 6:4-5

Tags: Hurting One, South Africa, The Holy Spirit, Martyred, Suffering Christians, World Press, Comforr, Joy, Africa, Sorrow, Iran, Sudan, Nigeria, Lord, Persecution, Evil, Comfort  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Story Is Told Of A Man Who Took An Evening ...  PRO

Contributed by Rae Fitch on May 9, 2002

The story is told of a man who took an evening flight on which dinner was to be served to the passengers. Of course he was in first class, so we can expect that he would have received first class service and a first class meal. He was a bit hungry as he had missed lunch that day in order to ...read more

Tags: Anger

Denomination: Methodist

In The Closing Days Of World War Ii, Allied ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 22, 2002

In the closing days of World War II, Allied bombings of the munitions factories around Essen, Germany, became more and more frequent and fierce. When the air raid sirens sounded, armed guards would rush to bomb shelters, leaving the slave laborers (often Jewish and female) to huddle in the rubble ...read more

The Following Is A Parable That I Made Up As An ...  PRO

Contributed by Nate Barbour on Mar 25, 2003

(The following is a parable that I made up as an introduction. It is fictional. For a story of similar proportion, see the movie RADIO.) He was never an all-star athlete, although he wanted to be. He didn’t have what it takes. Bobby’s body was disproportionate; one leg was longer than the other ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Endurance

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Shame Of War.  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 25, 2003

The Shame of War. While living in Weil der Stadt, West Germany in 1989, my wife and I had a very profound experience with the local high school students. In order to make learning English a little more fun, the High School English teacher made an arrangement with the local theatre. The students ...read more

Tags: War, Emotions

What Is Your Colt?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2003

WHAT IS YOUR COLT? Bill Wilson pastors an inner city church in New York City. His mission field is a very violent place. He himself has been stabbed twice as he ministered to the people of the community surrounding the church. Once a Puerto Rican woman became involved in the church and was led to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-29

Tags: Easter Palm Sunday

What Is Your Colt?  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Apr 14, 2003

What is Your Colt? Bill Wilson pastors an inner city church in New York City. His mission field is a very violent place. He himself has been stabbed twice as he ministered to the people of the community surrounding the church. Once a Puerto Rican woman became involved in the church and was led to ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Yesterday, The Orlando Sentinel Reported On A Man ...  PRO

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Nov 1, 2003

Yesterday, the Orlando Sentinel reported on a man by the name of Timothy Pilgreen. Timothy is being held on 2 charges of murder and 4 charges of attempted murder after driving over 6 Outlaw Biker gang members on their motorcycles. Later, he blamed his rage on a history of drugs, alcohol and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10

Tags: Confession Of Sin, Grace

Denomination: Baptist

Gale Sayers, Hall Of Fame Running Back For The ...

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 28, 2004

Gale Sayers, Hall of Fame running back for the Chicago Bears was also known for his friendship with a fellow player, Brian Piccolo, who was battling cancer as Sayers was coming back from a rather serious knee injury. The movie, Brian’s Song was based on that friendship, and it typified what I’m ...read more

Tags: Humility, Forgiveness General

Denomination: Wesleyan

Choosing To Love!" 1 John 2:7-11 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 2, 2005

“Choosing To Love!” 1 John 2:7-11 Key verse(s): 9-10:“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.” We live in a choice culture. In fact, we live in a culture ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 26:1-25, 1 John 2:7-11

Tags: Christian Love

Denomination: Lutheran

The Super Bowl Is Known As Much For Its ...

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Apr 24, 2005

The Super Bowl is known as much for its commercials as it is for football, and Super Bowl XXXIX was no different. Ameriquest Mortgage Company sponsored two ads. One had a man coming home with a bag of groceries and a bouquet of flowers. He begins dinner by starting a pot of spaghetti sauce. As ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Christian Love

Denomination: Methodist