In Sermon Illustrations: "Positive Thinking"

The Noted Bible Scholar James M. Gray Told A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 17, 2006

The noted Bible scholar James M. Gray told a story that underscores the importance of reading the Scriptures for personal growth. He said that when he was a young Bible teacher he became deeply impressed by the peace and spiritual poise of a friend with whom he often talked. Since Gray wanted that ...read more

Tags: Bible Study

I Found This Fictional Letter But It Is A Great ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hiehle on Jul 19, 2001

I found this fictional letter but it is a great example of how we might have looked at the early disciples and who we would have chosen for leadership. Jesus, Son of Joseph Woodcrafter Carpenter Shop Nazareth, Galilee Dear Sir: Thank you for submitting the resumes of the 12 men you have picked ...read more

Tags: Discipleship, Disciples, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Nazarene

Suppose You Were To Move Into A Large House In ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 31, 2001

Suppose you were to move into a large house in San Francisco with a group of ten randomly selected homosexual men in their mid-thirties. According to the most recent research from scientific sources, whose authors are without exception either neutral or positive in their assessment of homosexual ...read more

At The 1st Church I Served, I Was Visiting With ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

At the 1st church I served, I was visiting with a husband and his wife. Lela, the wife, was the most gentle women you could ever encounter. Her husband Marvin wasn’t a bad guy either… but he rarely showed up for church. Couldn’t be bothered. Well, here I was – just trying to get acquainted – when ...read more

Tags: Faith General

A Young Man Emerged From The Metro Train In ...

Contributed by Doug Lyon on Jul 15, 2007

A young man emerged from the Metro train in Washington, DC. The date was January 12th of this year. He positioned himself against a wall beside a trashcan. By most standards, he was nondescript—a young white man in jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt, and a Washington Nationals baseball cap. He ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Do We Have That Fire In The Belly To Carry Our ...  PRO

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Sep 18, 2007

Do we have that fire in the belly to carry our cross when things get tough? The other day (Thursday), I met a Marine Sergeant who is recuperating from wounds he received about 14 months ago. The explosion damaged multiple vertebrae, his left hip, and parts of his legs. His entire left side ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

If You Ever Paid Attention To Authors And ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Oct 24, 2007

If you ever paid attention to authors and composers when we used to sing out of the hymnals, you may remember the name Phillip P. Bliss. He was the second most famous Christian song writer in history. Had he lived as long as his peers, Fanny Crosby, Charles Wesley and Ira ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Would You Look At That...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 10, 2009

"WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT..." The story is told of an old man whose grandson rode a donkey while they were traveling from one city to another. The old man heard some people mumbling, "Would you look at that old man walking, suffering on his feet, while that strong young boy is totally capable of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5

Tags: Complaining

Denomination: Baptist

The Evidence Of His ...

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Mar 13, 2009

“The Evidence of His Claim” There is a story told of a cottage in a little country village, in which lived a family of four: father, mother, and two small children. One evening something happened, what, no one knows – and the little cottage caught on fire. In a few seconds the thatched roof and ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Christian Church

Gladstone: Risk For The Greater Victory  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 27, 2010

GLADSTONE: RISK FOR THE GREATER VICTORY WILLIAM GLADSTONE, a prime minister of England in the nineteenth century, one night was working late on an important speech he was to give to the House of Commons the next day. At about two o'clock in the morning a woman knocked on his door, asking the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-5

Tags: Christian Love

When You Can Wear The Uniform

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 19, 2011

WHEN YOU CAN WEAR THE UNIFORM Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:15, "I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God's household." While there are right and wrong ways to act when attending church services, Paul is not talking about attendance manners but rather how you and I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:14-15

Tags: Sanctification

Bees That Sting Also Bring Honey

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2011

BEES THAT STING ALSO BRING HONEY One Saturday morning, a seven-year-old boy was playing in their front-yard garden in the middle of flowers in bloom. He was trying to catch butterflies with his torn net. Suddenly a bee flew to his position buzzing straightway landing on the back of his palm. The ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Aiming At The Right Target  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 4, 2011

AIMING AT THE RIGHT TARGET Some of our deeds are of great value, especially those done in dependence upon God for His glory and honor. Some of our deeds are worthless. They accomplish nothing of eternal value and will be quickly forgotten after we are gone. Matt Emmons had the gold medal in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-16

Tags: Goals

What Occupies Your Heart?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 12, 2011

WHAT OCCUPIES YOUR HEART? I squirmed a bit as I forced myself to listen to my friend cataloging her problems. After three hours, I interrupted her gently to ask, "If you were to draw a circle to represent your life, what would be in the center?" She thought a moment, then said, "My problems." My ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:3

Tags: Death Nearness

The Believer's Gps

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 22, 2011

THE BELIEVER'S GPS Last week we introduced a device known as a GPS or Global Positioning Systems. This device allows the user to know where they are and where they want to go. It works through a process known as triangulation. There are 24 Dept. of Defense satellites constantly circling our earth ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:27

Tags: Jesus Christ

We Are The World Was A Benefit Single For Victims ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 23, 2012

We are the World was a benefit single for victims of famine in Africa. It raised over $63 million, which was distributed to Ethiopia, Sudan, and other impoverished countries. On the morning of April 5, 1985 (Good Friday of that year), "We Are the World" received worldwide coverage. At 10:25 am, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-58

Tags: Easter Good Friday

20 Beautiful One-Liners You Can Use

Contributed by Tony Abram on Mar 28, 2019

20 Beautiful One-liners you can use. 1. Give God what's right - not what's left. 2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end - God's way leads to an endless hope. 3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing. 4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone. 5. Are you ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Tags: Testimony, Speaking, Sharing, One Liners

Chargers Vs. Broncos

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 16, 2009

I was looking for modern day example of Paul’s heart, and I found it to some degree in an NFL football player. In a game between the San Diego Chargers and the Denver Broncos on December 10, 2006, Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson (known as L.T.) took his position the same way he had done ...read more

Tags: Humility, Sports

If It's Not True...  PRO

Contributed by Bishop Johnathan Hester on Sep 10, 2009

IF IT'S NOT TRUE... The fact is, if Jesus Christ died on the cross and did not rise again from the dead, everything we live for and believe as Christians means absolutely nothing, Ill. 1 Cor. 15:12-20. 1. v.13 Christ Is Not Risen a. He died in vain, Rom. 4:24; 5:10 b. He lied, Mt. 16:21; ...read more

Tags: Confidence

Denomination: Apostolic

New Partner In Law Firm Encouraged With Words, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 5, 2009

New Partner In Law Firm Encouraged with Words, "You’re One of Us" [YOU’RE ONE OF US] A new partner in the law firm was discouraged. The senior partners had set extremely high standards and had coached him carefully. He did well in some minor trials, but he lost his first big case. The partners ...read more

Tags: Encouragement