In Sermon Illustrations: "Philippians 1:20-31"

When One Is Threatened  PRO

Contributed by Pramod Kumar Eleti on Feb 12, 2012

WHEN ONE IS THREATENED A Mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. "What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered. He was devastated to discover it was a Mouse-Trap Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning. "There is a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 12:26

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pure Love Brings Joy

Contributed by Christopher Sweeney on May 19, 2017

Many of you may have experienced this but I have from my two nephews and my time in youth ministry that there are times when you are having the worst days and then a child will run up to you and give you a hug or say I love you and everything goes away. Why, why is it that a hug can help erase the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Philippians 4:4

Tags: Love, Joy

Take Me Home

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 23, 2019

Take Me Home I've been everything that I want to be. I've seen everything that I want to see. All over this world I did roam. Now, I'm asking you, Jesus, please take me home. I can hear my spirit within me groan. I wan to be sitting at the foot of Your throne. I've had my fill ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:13-14, Philippians 1:23-24

Tags: Success, Failure, Loneliness, Sorrow, Despair, Homesick  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Put Your Body Where Your Mind Is...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

There is a wonderful story in a book entitled, The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., which was based on Dr. King’s speeches and writings. On one occasion he told of growing up in Atlanta, Georgia: "I remember another experience I used to have in Atlanta. I went to high school on the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-5, Philippians 2:5-11

Tags: Segregation, Obedience, Body, Mind Of Christ, Mind, Racism, Martin Luther King  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Do I Do When I Am Rejected?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 17, 2022

REJECTED, TRY AGAIN SORRY CHARLIE? REMEMBER THE STARKIST TUNA MASCOT? CHARLIE IS THE MOST FAMOUS … TOUGH LUCK, BRO… JUST GET OVER IT… REJECTED? WE CAN HELP CHEER ON OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN REJECTED. CARMELO ANTONY, third player picked in the NBA DRAFT,. He played 17 years and became one ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Philippians 2:3

Tags: Try Again, Persist, Rejection

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Never Quit Growing

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 9, 2022

GROWTH IS ESSENTIAL OR ONE WILL GET STAGNATE AND BEGIN A DECREASE. Growth is essential to long term survival. We must learn to take advantage of opportunities and take risk. GROWTH: improve, increase, develop, mature, progressive development, MATURITY, AGE, SIZE, WEIGHT, HEIGHT. 2 Peter 3:18 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18, Philippians 1:9

Tags: Plan, Growth

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When I Graduated High School, I Was Like Most ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

When I graduated high school, I was like most boys. I knew everything. I was going to get a job and get rich by the end of the year. I was going to be my own man and live life the way I wanted to. My father was retired from the Air Force. When I got ready to join the Navy, he sat me down and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Matthew 8:1-13, Luke 7:1-10

Tags: Patriarchs Joseph

When The Wise Men Come To Jesus, They Bring Three ...  PRO

Contributed by Hal Seed on Dec 4, 2007

When the wise men come to Jesus, they bring three gifts: Gold, which is the gift for royalty, a gift for a king. Incense, which was for divinity, a gift you give a God. And myrrh, which is a funeral gift, a gift used for burial. Their gifts show amazing insight. At first hearing, you might think ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-16, Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 2:1-12

Tags: Adoration, Antichrist, Magi, Six Foot Hole

Denomination: Baptist

Kidnapped

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Aug 8, 2022

It was December 5 - and I was turning 50 years old. My wife and I went out for dinner with some close friends. During dinner I was informed that we were staying at a hotel by the airport tonight because we had to catch a flight in the morning. Surprise! Happy birthday! Fred, we are taking you on ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1, John 14:1-17, Philippians 4:6-7

Tags: Peace, Birthday

Denomination: Pentecostal

C S Lewis - The Choice

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Sep 19, 2022

I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Jesus. “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:15

Tags: Jesus, Jesus Divinity, Nature Of Jesus, Moral Teacher

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Perfect Portrait Of Peace

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judges ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23, John 14:27, Philippians 4:7

Tags: Spirit Filled Life, Peace, Presence Of God, Fruit Of The Spirit, Trials, Problems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Twas The Night Before Jesus Came

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 30, 2023

‘Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care In hopes that Jesus would not come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed, Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And Mom in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-12, Philippians 2:1-11, John 1:1-12

Tags: Christmas, Birth Of Christ, Book Of Life, Return Of Christ, Preachers, Poems, Jesus, Church, Children, Advent, Second Coming, Rapture  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[016] A Message From A Poem - All Glory Honour And Praise Be To The Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 21, 2024

[016] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ALL GLORY HONOUR AND PRAISE BE TO THE LORD {{Revelation 4:10-11 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “WORTHY ARE YOU, OUR LORD ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:10-11, Revelation 5:11-14, Philippians 2:5-11

Tags: Names Of The Lord, Honor, Glory, Praise, Honour, Worthy Is The Lamb  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expecting Answers To Prayer

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jun 25, 2024

Several years ago, there was a drought in one city and the pastor of the Church called for a prayer meeting to pray for rain. The prayer meeting was held on a hot summer evening. All the members came out dressed in cool summer clothes since they would be there for a while praying. When Sister Betsy ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Philippians 4:6-7

Tags: Prayer, Expectations, Beliefs

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[022] A Message From A Poem - At His Feet

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 3, 2024

[022] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - AT HIS FEET This poem looks at certain events focussed on being at the Lord’s feet. Those feet that today bear the scars of Calvary, walked this earth in ministry and teaching as God among us. The best known story about the feet of Jesus is this one – {{Luke ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:9-11, Luke 10:39-42, Luke 7:37-38

Tags: Worship, Feet, Devotion, Mary And Martha, At His Feet, Bow At His Feet, Wiping Jesus Feet  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Smart Phone Theology

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Oct 29, 2024

Smart phones are really smart. Even smarter than I know. I use my phone for so much more than calling and texting but it’s not uncommon for me to learn new features and abilities my phone has that I previously had never known. Over the years I’ve learned that my phone is a compass, can take video ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Service, Holy Spirit, Power, Temptation, Gifts, Giftedness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Complaints -- Duh!

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

These are actual complaints received from dissatisfied customers by Thomas Cook Vacations (based on a Thomas Cook/ABTA survey): a. "It's lazy of the local shopkeepers in Puerto Vallarta to close in the afternoons. I often needed to buy things during 'siesta' time -- this should be ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 11:1, Colossians 3:13, Philippians 2:14

Tags: Wisdom, Contentment, Satisfaction, Dissatisfaction, Sense, Complaints  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

[044] A Message From A Poem – Christian Patterns

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 6, 2025

[044] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CHRISTIAN PATTERNS This is a “constructed poem” meaning it follows a pattern. It is a series of injunctions or commands with specific structure that I will explain. Let us take the opening line – “Take God’s truth and make it yours, and your vain ways forsake.” I ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:5, Philippians 3:17, Acts 7:44

Tags: Poetry, Pattern, Poem, Christian Living, Commands, Christian Patterns, Rhyming  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[113]. A Message From A Poem – Have You Seen A Gouldian Finch?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 20, 2025

[113]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HAVE YOU SEEN A GOULDIAN FINCH? I keep finches including the gouldian finch, one of the most beautiful finches in the world, if not the most beautiful. If you have not seen one, go do a search on the internet. This poem covers a number of subjects. When you look ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8, Acts 17:30-31, John 1:3

Tags: Christian Poems, Gouldian Finches, Wise Designer, Creation, Evolution, Repent, Colors, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[139]. A Message From A Poem – If Your Life Belongs To Jesus

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 22, 2025

[139]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IF YOUR LIFE BELONGS TO JESUS In June 2020 I found a poem of mine that I began some time in the past and had forgotten about. It was unfinished for 9 years. I then checked the date and it said 29 May 2011. It was in June 2020 that I wanted to finish it. The ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33, John 1:10, Philippians 2:14-16

Tags: Do Not Fear, Stand For Jesus, Christian Poems, Belong To Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational