In Sermon Illustrations: "Perfect"

I'm Told Of A Turkey Farmer Who Was Always ...  PRO

Contributed by Pat Cook on Oct 7, 2005

I’m told of a turkey farmer who was always experimenting with breeding to perfect a better turkey. His family was fond of the leg portion for dinner and there were never enough legs for everyone. After many frustrating attempts, the farmer was relating the results of his efforts to his friends at ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday, Friend

Denomination: Baptist

I Am More And More Convinced That Man Is A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 7, 2006

I am more and more convinced that man is a dangerous creature; and that power, whether vested in many or a few, is ever grasping, and, like the grave, cries, “Give, give!” The great fish swallow up the small; and he who is most strenuous for the rights of the people, when vested with power, is as ...read more

Tags: Men And Women

Heb 5:7 During The Days Of Jesus' Life On Earth, ...

Contributed by Steven Cannon on Jan 16, 2007

Heb 5:7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Heb 5:8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered Heb 5:9 and, ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Spiritual Lasik

Contributed by David Heflin on Feb 13, 2007

Spiritual Lasik I have heard people talk about how LASIK dramatically changed the way they saw everything. They could see with greater focus and vividness, in a way they never imagined. Lasik harnesses the power of light in the form of a laser. It is heat that cuts into the retina to correct the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

There¡¦s Fear, And Then There Is Fear. The 82nd ...  PRO

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Apr 5, 2001

There¡¦s fear, and then there is fear. The 82nd Airborne Rangers train at Fort Bragg, NC. The division commanding general was inspecting, and as he reviewed the ranks of paratroop trainees, he carefully scrutinized one West Virginia recruit standing proudly at attention, jump wings and boots ...read more

Tags: Humility

Denomination: United Methodist

I Believe In Miracle, But Not Too Much Miracle, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 6, 2002

I believe in miracle, but not too much miracle, for too much miracle would weaken us, make us dependent on miracle instead of our obedience to natural law. Just enough miracle to let us know he is there, but not too much, lest we depend on it when we should depend on our own initiative and on his ...read more

The Ultimate Violation Of The Fifth Commandment ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 9, 2002

The ultimate violation of the Fifth Commandment is soberly brought to light by nationally known cases of children murdering their parents. One example is the much publicized Eric and Lyle Menendez trials of 1993. The brothers admitted to killing with premeditation both their parents with a ...read more

The Application Of Misplaced Desires Eventually ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 24, 2002

The application of misplaced desires eventually becomes a cycle of addiction where stimulating encounters, relief, and the mad search for new experiences become ingrained in the recesses of the mind. The insatiable appetite to acquire, to own, to indulge, to take pleasure, to consume, is ...read more

When I Was In Business It Was The Accepted ...  PRO

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Dec 19, 2004

When I was in business it was the accepted practice, for employees to have an annual appraisal. It can be painful, but let’s face it, no-one like to be told that they’re less than perfect! I think believers in Jesus need it more often than once a year, even if it’s only a self-appraisal. In ...read more

Tags: Disciplines General

Denomination: Baptist

To Have Strong Relationships In The Body Of ...

Contributed by Alan Tison on Feb 27, 2008

To have strong relationships in the body of Christ we must deal with our brokenness. How do we deal with brokenness? Individually – Realize we are all broken people. In many stores you find merchandise in a certain section marked with a 2 word phrase. This 2 word phrase is a is a tip off about ...read more

Tags: Culture

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How James Montgomery Boice Faced Faced Death From ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2011

How James Montgomery Boice Faced Faced Death from Cancer On May 7, 2000, Dr. Boice stood in this pulpit for the last time to speak about his cancer that would take his life in a month. Here is an excerpt: "If I were to reflect on what goes on theologically here, there are two things I would ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-39, Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Death Nearness

Francois Fenelon, A 17th Century French Mystic ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 20, 2005

Francois Fenelon, a 17th century French mystic who wrote the classic Christian Perfection, spoke eloquently of the denial of death: “We consider ourselves immortal, or at least as though [we are] going to live for centuries. Folly of the human spirit! Every day those who die soon follow those who ...read more

Tags: Death

There's An Incredible Market Today In Counseling. ...

Contributed by Darrin Hunt on Dec 18, 2006

There’s an incredible market today in counseling. Many people even seek out astrologers and psychics for counsel and advice. Listen to this counsel: Jesus Christ is the wisest man alive. He is the Perfect Counselor Who has all the right answers all the time. What’s more, He gives free advice. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Listen To This Song Of Praise About The ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Walker on Dec 21, 2000

Listen to this song of praise about the incarnation written by Graham Kendrick: Meekness and majesty, human and deity, in perfect harmony the one who is God. Lord of eternity dwells in humanity, kneels in humility and washes our feet. Wisdom unsearchable, God the invisible, love indestructible ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, Humanity Of Christ, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Baptist

In Evangelical Individualism People Think Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 6, 2002

In evangelical individualism people think of their personal relationship with God in isolation (“Just me and Jesus”) and forge their destiny apart from any church authority. While holding relatively low opinions of history, traditions, and the church, they turn to the experiences of self and ...read more

Mary Was Far From Home, Far From Her Family, And ...  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jan 12, 2004

Mary was far from home, far from her family, and far from what she expected that first birth to be. But the whole setting for the child’s birth was apart of an elaborate plan to provide access for lost humanity into God’s family. Why did God experience such a humble birth? He became poor so we ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Pentecostal

We Understand The Value Of Peace, Even When ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

We understand the value of peace, even when we’re young. Two sisters, a 4-yr-old & 6-yr-old gave their mom a very nice potted plant for Mother’s Day. They bought it with their own money, and mom was very happy. But the older sister said sadly, "We saw some flowers that we wanted to get. But we ...read more

Tags: God's Omnipotence

This Was Not The Despairing Cry Of A Helpless ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

“This was not the despairing cry of a helpless martyr. It was not an expression of satisfaction that the end of His sufferings was now reached. It was not the last gasp of a worn-out life. No, it was the declaration on the part of the Divine Redeemer that all for which He came from heaven to earth ...read more

Tags: Cross Agony

In October Of 1991, The "Andrea Gail" Left ...

Contributed by Roger Nelmes on Jan 29, 2008

In October of 1991, the "Andrea Gail" left Gloucester, Mass. and headed for the fishing grounds of the North Atlantic. Two weeks later, an event took place that had never occurred in recorded history. A storm stronger than any in recorded history hit the coast off of Gloucester, Massachusetts. ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

So Far We Have Seen That God Is A Real Being Who ...

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 9, 2008

"So far we have seen that God is a real being who is perfect, necessary and unlimited, but nothing has been said about the fundamental nature of that being. Invoking the language of substances, we note that things that exist independent of mind are made of one of two types of substance (or of ...read more

Tags: God's Omnipotence

Denomination: Other