In Sermon Illustrations: "Poetry Reading"

The Asterisk

Contributed by Kevin Karhoff on Mar 12, 2013

THE ASTERISK When we read the word anyone in the invitation of Jesus we can’t help but think there must be an asterisk next to it. Even if there wasn’t one when Jesus spoke these words, it seems that over the years the church has put an asterisk next to his invitation. The sign out front of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-31

Tags: Jesus Christ

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Kyle Idleman On Tomorrow

Contributed by Kevin Karhoff on Mar 19, 2013

When fans are asked about when they will get serious about their commitment to follow Jesus, the most common answer is tomorrow. There is a tendency to treat our relationship with Jesus like the diet we keep meaning to start. I'm going to start eating right, as soon as I finish off this chicken ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:59-60

Tags: Surrender, Jesus Christ, Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

C.s. Lewis On Church And Worship

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 16, 2014

C.S. Lewis said that when he first became a Christian, he had trouble with church gatherings. “I thought that I could do it on my own by retiring to my rooms and reading theology, and I wouldn’t go to churches anymore.” He found the sermons often dull, and he disliked organ music, which he ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:24

Tags: Pride, Ego, The Organ, Hymns

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith Is More Than Mental Assent

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Aug 2, 2018

Main Idea: Putting your faith in Jesus is more than just believing Jesus once lived. Verse: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (James 2:19 NLJV) Illustration: Have you ever heard of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln? They were both American ...read more

Tags: Faith, Salvation, Belief In Christ

Denomination: Charismatic

Tomorrow

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 10, 2019

It is reported that Colonel Rahl, commander of the British troops in Trenton, New Jersey, was playing cards when a courier brought an urgent message stating that General George Washington was crossing the Delaware River. Rahl put the letter in his pocket and didn't bother to read it until his ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Tags: Procrastination, Tomorrow

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christmas Cards Can Be Funny!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 21, 2020

Our culture really gets into Christmas cards. It’s reported that Americans send 2.1 billion of them each year. Hallmark alone has more than 2,700 Christmas card designs. I don’t always read the cards but do like to catch up on those famous “Our-family-is-perfect Christmas letters” often found ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12

Tags: Christmas, Christ, Holidays, Laughter, Christmas Humor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Don't See The Evidence

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Mar 31, 2022

I was with a friend talking to a new acquaintance when she began touting the virtues of a weight loss book she had read a few years earlier. “It will completely change your relationship with food,” she exclaimed, insisting he take down the name of the book and its author. I saw the man glance at ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22, James 1:23, James 1:24, James 1:25, 2 Corinthians 8:21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Doer Of The Word, Integrity, Honesty

Denomination: Charismatic

Harder To Get To Hell?

Contributed by Ruben Castro on Dec 16, 2008

Harder to Get to Hell? Hace algunos años, un titular que salió en un periódico debe haber hecho que unas cuantas personas se atragantaran con su café de la mañana, o que limpiaran sus lentes para asegurarse que habían leído correctamente. Decía: «Este año es posible que sea más difícil llegar al ...read more

Tags: Hell

Denomination: Baptist

Unfaltering Perseverence (Verse 18, Hebrews ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2008

UNFALTERING PERSEVERENCE (verse 18, Hebrews 12:11) Joshua fought for a long time with the kings. As we read the accounts of the war it may seem short, but in reality, it took Joshua 7 years to complete the final conquest. There must have been times during these seven years of fighting that Joshua ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Unfaltering Perseverance (Verse 18, Hebrews ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Unfaltering Perseverance (verse 18, Hebrews 12:11) Joshua fought for a long time with the kings. As we read the accounts of the war it may seem short, but in reality, it took Joshua seven years to complete the final conquest. There must have been times during these seven years of fighting that ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Walking With God Can Be A Great Source Of ...

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 19, 2009

Walking with God can be a great source of Eustress (positive stress)… example: Some of you this week found time in your crazy schedule to listen to or read your Bible. How did you feel afterward? It’s Wednesday night, and you help with AWANA. It’s been a busy day and you’re tired. But you ...read more

Tags: Stress

Denomination: Independent/Bible

In A Reader's Digest Survey Of 2,624 Readers In ...

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 20, 2009

In a Reader’s Digest survey of 2,624 readers in January 2004 we read about the percentage of those who said they had: 1. Switched price tags to get a lower price: 12% 2. Cheated on their tax return: 17%; 3. Misstated facts on a resume/job application: 18%; 4. Lied to their spouse about their ...read more

Tags: Lies

Denomination: Baptist

Individually, We Are Weak

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 3, 2022

This story was written by Donald Grey Barnhouse. Several years ago, two students graduated from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. The highest ranking student in the class was a blind man named Overton and, when he received his honor, he insisted that half the credit should go to his friend, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:14-15

Tags: Fellowship, Community, Small Group

The Powerful Prayers Of John Knox

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2022

While very ill, John Knox, the founder of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, called to his wife and said, "Read me that Scripture where I first cast my anchor." After he listened to the beautiful prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17, he seemed to forget his weakness. He began to pray, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

Tags: Death, Prayer, Faithfulness, Leaders, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Moody's Attitude Toward Death

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 13, 2022

Thousands came to faith in Christ through Moody’s meetings. As he approached the end of his life, he viewed Heaven as something to anticipate. Moody wrote: “Some day you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of East Northfield, is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27

Tags: Death, Heaven, Salvation, Funerals

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Getting "me" Out Of The Way

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 13, 2023

If we were all honest, we would probably have to admit that we are all guilty of reading a text while we're driving. We see it all the time. People are swerving from their lane into our lane and almost hitting other cars. It can be a serious situation. The way we live can also impact those ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Tags: Selfishness, Selflessness

Denomination: Baptist

A.w. Tozer Reconciles The Sovereignty Of God And The Will Of Man

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 10, 2024

A. W. Tozer attempts to reconcile God's sovereignty and man's freewill: An ocean liner leaves New York bound for Liverpool. Its destination has been determined by proper authorities. Nothing can change it. This is at least a faint picture of sovereignty. On board the liner are scores of ...read more

Tags: Faith, Father, Heaven, Trust, Journey, Sovereignty Of God, Will Of Man, Depending On God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Children's Faith

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

"Children’s Letters to God" series, actual authentic letters written by kids to God: "Dear God, I read the Bible. What does ’begat’ mean? Nobody will tell me. Love, Alison." "Dear God, did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident?" - ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11, Matthew 18:3

Tags: Childlike Faith, Questions

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Eating Ashes

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 6, 2025

In Isaiah 44:20, we read: “He feeds on ashes; A deceived heart has turned him aside; And he cannot deliver his soul, Nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” The deceived heart is a word picture of iniquity. It’s on the inside, but it steers what happens on the outside. It’s like the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 44:20

Tags: Ashes, Pica, Steering Wheel

Denomination: Methodist

Dead Poets Society Is, I Think, One Of The Best ...  PRO

Contributed by James Jack on Mar 8, 2005

Dead Poets Society is, I think, one of the best films of all time. In his first lesson with his senior class, the rather eccentric but very inspiring English teacher John Keating, played by Robin Williams, takes the boys into the foyer outside the classroom where he asks one lad by the name of ...read more

Tags: Confession Of Sin, Salvation, Saved

Denomination: Anglican