In Sermon Illustrations: "Power In Holy Communion"

Listen Carefully  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 9, 2002

LISTEN CAREFULLY Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit Attributes, Love Of The Disciples, People In Acts

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Would Distinguish Between Academic Study And ...

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on May 21, 2002

“I would distinguish between academic study and more general study of the Bible. At one level—and perhaps this is the most important level—I approach the Bible with a readiness and an expectation to hear the voice of God there. But there is no conflict between that more devotional use of the Bible ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit Attributes, Disciplines Scripture, Bible Study

Denomination: Pentecostal

Transformed By An Elevator  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on May 24, 2002

Transformed by an Elevator A family from a remote area was making their first visit to a big city. They checked in to a grand hotel and stood in amazement at the impressive sight. Leaving the reception desk they came to the elevator entrance. They’d never seen an elevator before, and just ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-16

Tags: Change, Gifts General, Holy Spirit General, Transform

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stopping To Focus  PRO

Contributed by Michael Gibney on Aug 9, 2002

STOPPING TO FOCUS Have you ever wondered why a pigeon walks so funny? According to an interesting article in the Detroit Free Press, a pigeon walks the way it does so it can see where it’s going. Because it can’t adjust its focus as it moves, the pigeon actually has to bring its head to a complete ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Lordship Of Christ, Holy Spirit In Believers

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Little Boy And The Circus  PRO

Contributed by Ely Lambert on Aug 26, 2002

The Little Boy and the Circus A little boy who lived far out in the country in the late 1800s had reached the age of twelve and had never in all his life seen a circus. You can imagine his excitement, when one day a poster went up at school announcing that on the next Saturday a traveling circus ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ, Holy Spirit Attributes, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Where's Your Security  PRO

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Aug 11, 2011

WHERE'S YOUR SECURITY (NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Investors lost $1 trillion in the in the stock market Monday as the debt crisis in Europe, lackluster economic news and a downgrade to the U.S. credit rating spark fears of a double-dip recession. Investors placed their wealth in the hands of a man ...read more

Scripture: John 10:28-29, Jude 1:24-25, 1 Peter 1:18-19

Tags: Holy Spirit, Salvation, Security, Promises Of God, Secure  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Famishing For His Presence  PRO

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 2, 2014

FAMISHING FOR HIS PRESENCE "The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God, and the church is famishing ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:14-26

Tags: Holy Spirit, Prayer, Glory Of God, Presence Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Marks Of A Christian

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 6, 2022

Galatians 2:1-10 THE MARKS OF A CHRISTIAN BY THEODORE EPP Four marks of a Christian are set forth in Galatians 2:20: First, a Christian is one who has the living Christ living in him. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Tags: Christ, Holy Spirit, Resurrection, Discipleship, Christian Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Do You Still Live As A Slave?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 15, 2023

On September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln presented what came to be known as the Emancipation Proclamation, an official document condemning human slavery. Abraham Lincoln, realizing that slavery is completely against human dignity, officially abolished it from the United States on ...read more

Tags: Grace, Holy Spirit, Freedom, Legalism, Racism, Liberty  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The God Who Is Three In One

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 17, 2023

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are mentioned by Jesus in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). The Trinity is seen clearly at the Baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3. The Father speaks from Heaven. The Son is baptized by John. The Spirit descends upon Jesus to anoint His ministry. The Father is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Holy Spirit, Son, Trinity, Godhead, Triune, Father  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Simeon The Pillar Hermit

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Aug 28, 2024

Simeon was probably like most boys his age in A.D. 403. The 13-year-old spent much of his time caring for his father's flocks on the hillside of Cilicia. But one day, while listening to a sermon on the beatitudes, stirred and changed he left his home and family and began a lifelong pursuit of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Tags: Separation, Holiness, Finding God, Monks, Intimacy With God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Doctrine Of Atonement

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 1, 2025

We need to have core beliefs that do not change over time – NO MATTER WHAT! The doctrine of atonement is under attack today. It is attacked by folks who look at humans and see each one as basically good who occasionally do bad things. They talk about each person’s freedom to become your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:17

Tags: Scripture, Atonement, Authentic, Holy God, Fallen World  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Horse In The Basement

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 6, 2025

Imagine having what we need but not using it – like the hoarse in the basement or the car that can drive at highway speed but you never go over 25mph. I heard a story about a guy who was looking at chainsaws at the hardware store. The salesman told him, “If you buy this chainsaw, you can cut ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Holy Spirit, Spiritual Gifts, Car, Horse, Chainsaw  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Sarah  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2002

"Sarah" I’m Sarah, I’m sixteen; Last night I failed. I prayed for more strength, So why did I yield? He said he loved me, Brought me flowers and all; Then he took me upstairs And caused me to fall. I feel so ashamed, So dirty inside. He’s taken my heart; ...read more

Tags: Purity, Sin Separates From God, Set Apart, Sexuality, Holiness  (view more)  (view less)

Confirm Your Love

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 25, 2014

"It takes time and energy to have an enemy at work." - Gary Chapman Everyone’s mouth dropped open at the rude comment made to the receptionist by the higher ranking female employee. The receptionist was a plain, quiet woman, not dressed very well, who went studiously about her work and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

Tags: Forgive Your Enemy, Power Of The Tongue, Hold Your Tongue, Confirm Your Love

Denomination: Charismatic

The Flag And The Cross

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 1, 2020

Symbols evoke feelings of adoration or hatred. In this election year, the elephant and donkey mean different things to different people. Let's talk about a symbol that all Americans should be able to adore. In 1813 General Armistead commissioned Mary Pickersgill to make a huge flag that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24, Galatians 6:14, Colossians 2:15

Tags: Patriotic, Cross, Power Of God, United States, National Anthem, Flag Of United States  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How We Stop God From Answering Our Prayers

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 24, 2022

Recently, the Lord moved me from Arkansas to Louisiana. I was so happy to leave Arkansas and be released from it – it had felt like an overgrown prison to me. As I drove south on the interstate, I was thanking and praising God for a new start in a new place when He impressed upon me that I could ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:13, James 3:6

Tags: Tongue, Power Of Words, Unanswered Prayers, Preventing God, Words Stout Against Him  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Standing By The Bedside Of The Sick Child Of God

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 11, 2024

Rick Renner suggests that "by praying in Jesus' name, a believer actually stands in the physical place of Jesus who is in Heaven, acting on His behalf and operating in the authority He has vested to that believer as His official representative." Thus, this prayer of the elders in ...read more

Tags: Miracles, Health, Sickness, Power Of God, Authority, Elders, Faith, Healing, Prayer, Confession  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When The Members Walk With The Fear Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by John Hamby on Jan 8, 2001

“When the members walk with the fear of the Lord before their eyes and with the Spirit’s encouraging voice in their hearts, the church will be strong and will also surely multiply.” [R.C.H. Lenski. The Interpretation ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Holy Spirit Attributes, Sharing Your Faith

Denomination: Baptist

Many Years Ago, A Professor From Harvard ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 30, 2001

Many years ago, a professor from Harvard University was speaking to a class on Columbus Day. He said that there were three profound things about Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America: First, when he left Spain he didn’t know where he was going. Second, when he arrived in the New World he ...read more

Tags: God's Omniscience, Holy Spirit In Believers, Money, New Year