In Sermon Illustrations: "Power In Prayer"

Working Hard To Earn Salvation

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 21, 2012

WORKING HARD TO EARN SALVATION United Methodist Bishop Reuben Job writes, "If we are just good enough, do enough, deny ourselves enough, we will be forgiven, redeemed, and reconciled to God. Following this path brings no peace, assurance, or sense of companionship with God. Rather than asking ...read more

Tags: Grace

Denomination: Methodist

Whose Side Are You On?

Contributed by Perry Greene on Mar 20, 2013

WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON? One day in 1943 thousands of soldiers were preparing to leave for Europe. The Army, the Navy, and the Marines were preparing to load on the ships. The General decided to have a huge parade through New York City to seek prayer and honor for the men. Many of these brave men ...read more

Tags: Testimonies About Jesus

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Is Secret Of Spiritual Success?

Contributed by Usman Raza on Mar 15, 2015

We all have questions in our mind, and the Lord Jesus put these key factors in my heart: 1- Faith in God and in His presence (Romans 3:22), (Psalm 42:5) 2- Walking with Him in His Fear (Deuteronomy 6:13,Proverbs 14:2) 3- Continuous Prayers not just for yourself but for your ministry, the people ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 12:18-19

Tags: Spiritual Success, Spiritual Life

Denomination: Evangelical Free

When Are You Going To Talk About Sin?

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Jun 28, 2019

It was early in the year, and I asked myself, “What is the most important things my congregation needs to know.” I had decided to preach a series on what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, or the Plain, if you go by Luke. I mapped out the series, then I began to talk about what Jesus had to ...read more

Tags: Forgive, Judging Others, Sermon On The Mount, Judgement, Forgiveness, Sin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Funny Church Feuds

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

Church feuds are not uncommon, especially among cliques in the congregation. But when the pastor and choir director get into it, stand aside. One week, the preacher preached on commitment, and how you should dedicate yourselves to service. The director then led the choir in singing, 'I Shall ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Unity, Hymns, Division, Church Fights

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Early In The Nineteenth Century, The King Of ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Apr 24, 2007

Early in the nineteenth century, the King of Prussia, Frederick William III, found his nation in great trouble. He had been attempting to bring prosperity to his land, but constant wars had drained the treasury. After prayerful consideration, he wrote an open letter to the women of Prussia ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Apart From Our Lord, It Is Hard To Think Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Apart from our Lord, it is hard to think of historical figures whose dying words were, "It is accomplished" Alexander the Great conquered Persia, but broke down and wept because his troops were too exhausted to push on to India. Hugo Grotius, the father of modern international law, said at the ...read more

Tags: Giving General

Guideposts May 93 P.13) A Husband And Wife From ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Guideposts May 93 p.13) A husband and wife from Scranton, Arkansas wrote to Guideposts to share how their marriage had been saved from the destruction of divorce. Married for 4 years with 2 boys, they met at a restaurant one April night to discuss child custody and property settlements. They ended ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

Norman Vincent Peale Would Tell A Story Of What ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Norman Vincent Peale would tell a story of what happened to him as a young boy. He found a cigar on the sidewalk, so he picked it up and took it into an alley and lit her up He said it tasted terrible, but as bad as it was, it still made him feel grown up. Then, he said he saw his dad walking down ...read more

Tags: Sin Bondage To

One Day In 1943 Thousands Of Soldiers Were ...  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 24, 2007

One day in 1943 thousands of soldiers were preparing to leave for Germany and Italy. The Army, the Navy, and the Marines were preparing to load on the ships. The General decided to have a huge parade through New York City to seek prayer and honor for the men. Many of these brave men would never ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-41

Denomination: Assembly Of God

She Had Just Passed Her One Hundredth Birthday. ...

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Oct 10, 2007

She had just passed her one hundredth birthday. She had a letter form the President of the U. S. congratulating her. Her pastor went to visit her in a nursing home. She was blind and could not see. She was lame and could not walk. In fact she could not leave her room except for emergencies. She ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Double Message Noted

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 18, 2007

Double Message Noted A man sat down to supper with his family and said grace, thanking God for the food, for the hands which prepared it, and for the source of all life. But during the meal he complained about the freshness of the bread, the bitterness of the coffee, and the sharpness of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

I Can Imagine This Conversation In Heaven

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Apr 12, 2008

I can imagine this conversation in Heaven It starts with me Lord, I have sinned, I have done this awful thing and I pray for you to forgive me As I pray God is listening and He says Look at that filth, he disgusts me His life is full of sin makes me want to puke How dare he approach my holy throne ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Despair And Depression—the News  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2008

DESPAIR AND DEPRESSION--THE NEWS Max Lucado, pastor and author describes the topic title best when he speaks of having "doubt storms". He said, "Sometimes the storm comes after the evening news. Some nights I wonder why I watch it. Some nights it's just too much. From the steps of the Supreme ...read more

Tags: Encouragement

Cast The First Stone

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 6, 2024

Marilyn Helleberg told about being a teenager at church camp. She said an ugly rumor got started there about two of the counselors and it quickly became the talk of the camp. The next day, at Morning Prayer, the minister read the story of the adulterous woman. He spoke of Jesus telling the crowd ...read more

Tags: Gossip, Division, Judging, Forgiveness, Confession, Criticism, Mouth, Words, Tongue, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tending Your ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2010

Tending Your Garden Suppose 2 women were planting a vegetable garden. On the same day, they prepared the earth and planted their seeds. One then neglected her garden and waited for her vegetables to grow. The other woman worked in her garden regularly. She put cages around the young tomato plants, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-9

Tags: Disciplines General

Fan Or Follower?

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

FAN OR FOLLOWER? Kyle Idelman writes: It was a Thursday afternoon, and I was sitting in our sanctuary where 30,000 people would soon be coming to one of our Easter services. I had no idea what I was going to say to them. I could feel the pressure mounting. I sat there hoping that a sermon would ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Methodist

Something To Be Saved From

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 19, 2011

SOMETHING TO BE SAVED FROM To be saved, like the thief on the cross, you must see yourself as destitute of any goodness worthy of heaven and, like this thief, by faith receive the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Vance Havner tells of a lady who came forward during the invitation in one of his ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Baptist

Just Wanted To Tell You I Love You  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 29, 2011

JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU I LOVE YOU Paul Powell tells the story of a well-known preacher from years ago. His name was Carter Jones. Carter had a small room in the attic of his home that he used as a place of prayer. When he was especially burdened, he would make his way up the winding staircase to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:29-31

Tags: Love For God

Amish Grace And Forgiveness

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 9, 2012

AMISH GRACE AND FORGIVENESS Following the tragic Amish school shooting of 10 young schoolgirls in a one-room Amish school in October 2006, reporters from throughout the world invaded Lancaster County, PA to cover the story. However, in the hours and days following the shooting a different, an ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational