In Sermon Illustrations: "Positive"

Odd Disciplines & Behaviors

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 28, 2009

ODD DISCIPLINES & BEHAVIORS What idiosyncrasies might you need to sometimes sacrifice? What rules have you made up that you will not break for anything? In ministry, you often do what needs to be done--period! Alexandre Dumas, the elder, ate an apple at 7 a.m. each morning under the Arc de ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Independent/Bible

No Tolerance Of False Teaching "Viruses"  PRO

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 19, 2010

NO TOLERANCE OF FALSE TEACHING "VIRUSES" I remember hearing about computer viruses. Could a computer catch a germ? I then learned that computer viruses were often malicious programs, developed by evil-doers, to destroy computers. They are often downloaded stealthily, without you knowing it. ...read more

Tags: False Teaching

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It Wasn’t Long After Arriving At This ...

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 20, 2010

It wasn’t long after arriving at this church that I discovered unbeknownst to the leadership that the church had been running a $12,000 a month deficit the two years after Katrina which was supplemented by donations received from across the country which were not dedicated to relief. Then we ...read more

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Denomination: Methodist

Catching Up

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 24, 2010

CATCHING UP A woman who had recently moved into a small village in Wiltshire, was in the backyard hanging out the washing on the line when an old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. She could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home. As she walked into the house, the dog ...read more

Tags: Family

Denomination: Brethren

Blessing People

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

BLESSING PEOPLE Reggie McNeal tells the story of one man who decided to bless the baristas at the Starbucks he frequents. When he asked them the question, “How can I ask God to bless you?” they were somewhat taken aback. Slowly but surely, they warmed up to him and the employees started to come ...read more

Tags: Blessing

Denomination: Methodist

Six Kinds Of Toxic People

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 19, 2012

SIX KINDS OF TOXIC PEOPLE Life Coach Cheryl Robinson says there are six kinds of toxic people. There are the blamers who are always complaining about what is wrong in their life and blaming others. Then there are the drainers. They’re like vampires who will come and suck everything out of you ...read more

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: Methodist

God's Sovereignty Is The Basis Of Our Prayers.

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Apr 19, 2018

"In prayer, you ask for things and give thanks for things. Why? Because you recognize that God is the author and source of all the good that you have had already, and all the good that you hoped for in the future. This is the fundamental philosophy of Christian prayer. The prayer of a Christian is ...read more

Tags: Sovereignty Of God, Prayer

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Ode To Mom

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Apr 10, 2007

ODE TO MOM (from Pearl Sewell and Patti Cowell). POSITION: Mother, Mom, Mama JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

New Hope From Nothing  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 10, 2002

NEW HOPE FROM NOTHING In Jim Cymbala’s book, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, there is the story of a woman named Roberta Langella. A story she tells in her own words. At the age of 16 she left a broken home to move to New York City where she began living with a man twice her age. A man that got her into ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:5

Tags: Faith, God Brings Hope

Brandon A. Bradley Told His Story In Pray ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Brandon A. Bradley told his story in Pray magazine last year: “I am a surgical assistant—the surgeon’s right-hand man. At one point in my career, I lost my passion. I wanted a job with spiritual significance, and I prayed for that. Imagine my shock when God led me to a position in plastic surgery. ...read more

Tags: Heaven, Care

Ode To Mom  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

ODE TO MOM (from Pearl Sewell and Patti Cowell). POSITION: Mother, Mom, Mama JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable ...read more

Tags: Mother's Day

John Wilkes Booth Was A Die Hard American. His ...

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Mar 19, 2008

John Wilkes Booth was a die hard American. His sympathy was with the Southern cause. Slavery was only a side line to the many who opposed the Union in the years leading up to the Civil War. The real issue was the rights of individual states to conduct their business under the umbrella of a national ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Prayer Transforms A Workplace  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 27, 2011

PRAYER TRANSFORMS A WORKPLACE Brandon A. Bradley told his story in Pray! Magazine some time back about an opportunity in his life: "I am a surgical assistant--the surgeon's right-hand man. At one point in my career, I lost my passion. I wanted a job with spiritual significance, and I prayed for ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Tags: Prayer General

God Wants To Pull The Stickers Out  PRO

Contributed by Tim White on Jun 6, 2011

GOD WANTS TO PULL THE STICKERS OUT The little girl hopped away screaming. Obviously, the fear of living forever with a sticker in her foot was not as terrifying as the thought of me pulling it out. But a five-year-old could not out-run the preacher. Not hopping on one foot, anyway. After I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:6

Tags: Sanctification

Denomination: Baptist

Doubting (Enter Your Name)

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Jul 30, 2011

DOUBTING (ENTER YOUR NAME) The most famous doubter of all time is Thomas. Through history Judas has been the only disciple criticized more than Thomas. Tradition has given him a new name: "Doubting Thomas." He wanted proof that Jesus was resurrected from the dead. But can you blame him? When the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:6-8, Matthew 21:21, Mark 11:23

Tags: Faith, Doubt, Prayer

Denomination: Baptist

Fear Does Not Mean Cowardice

Contributed by Saumiman Saud on Feb 21, 2025

FEAR DOES NOT MEAN COWARDICE My Father in Heaven, I feel sinful, sometimes I get angry because I'm accused of being a coward. Honestly, I sometimes feel afraid to fight back, but deep in my heart, I want peace and friendship, not conflict and hostility. Forgive me, forgive me, O Lord. In the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:33

Tags: Fear, Cowardice

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Marin Luther: The Sale Of Indulgences Was Just ...

Contributed by Mark Bogen on Nov 9, 2005

Marin Luther: The sale of indulgences was just one of many issues that I had with the church, and with whom I disagreed. Of course, church leaders tried to get me to recant my positions and teachings. I stood in front of several hearings to make my case and present my argument. The one that ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General

Denomination: Lutheran

Abilene Christian University Researchers, Dr. ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2006

Abilene Christian University researchers, Dr. David Lewis and Dr. Carley Dodd have recently concluded a cross-generational study (six different tests) to measure fathers’ positive and negative influences upon teens’ spirituality. The found that "every time" dad’s role "as teacher came out be the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Tags: Call, Children, Gift, Father, Fatherhood, Fathers Day, Youth, Parenting  (view more)  (view less)

What Does A Coach Look For Most In An Athlete? ...

Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Nov 3, 2006

What does a coach look for most in an athlete? Shari Kuchenbecker and her team of research assistants from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles interviewed six hundred and fifty-eight coaches representing forty-three sports. The athletes they coached ranged in age from three to twenty-two. ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

I Was Watching Lord Of The Rings This Past ...

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 6, 2007

I was watching Lord of the Rings this past week, and there was this wonderful scene where Frodo, the Hobbit, is discouraged because of all the adversity he was going through. As they sit deep in the Mines of Moria, Frodo says to Gandalf, “I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this ...read more

Denomination: Methodist