In Sermon Illustrations: "Power Source"

Temptation...means Enticement, Forbidden Fruit, ...

Contributed by Hugh Laing on Mar 1, 2010

TEMPTATION...means Enticement, Forbidden Fruit, Allure, Bait, Desire... and I love this story on temptation. “There is a story told about a little boy in a grocery store that I think illustrates the nature of TEMPTATION. The boy was standing near an open box of peanut butter cookies. “Now then, ...read more

Tags: Temptation General

Denomination: Baptist

D. L. Moody And The Chicago Campaign

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2011

D. L. MOODY AND THE CHICAGO CAMPAIGN In 1893, the World Exposition was held in Chicago, and more than 21 million people visited the exhibits. Among the features was a "World Parliament of Religions," with representatives of the world's religions, meeting to share their "best points" and perhaps ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20

Tags: World Religions

We're Supposed To Be Surrounded

Contributed by Michael Walther on May 25, 2011

WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE SURROUNDED The television series "Band of Brothers" follows the experiences of a company of paratroopers as they participate in the invasion of Europe. In one scene Lt. Richard Winters is leading his men into the heart of the Battle of the Bulge. Another Lt. is pulling back ...read more

Tags: Tenacity

Denomination: Lutheran

Goliath Has To Fall

Contributed by Samuel M on Jul 6, 2024

Just as the Israelites have accepted that it was impossible to defeat Goliath, who kept on mocking and defying Israelites for 40 days, morning and evening, causing dismay and great fear. So many times we also have accepted that it’s difficult to defeat the Goliath-sized difficulties or prayer ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:26

Tags: Faith, Hope

Sherlock Holmes And Dr Watson

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jun 3, 2026

Story: Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. They set up their tent and fell asleep. Some hours later, Holmes woke his faithful friend. "Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see." Watson replied, "I see millions of stars." "What does that ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-12

Tags: Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson

Denomination: Anglican

Giving It All Away—communion Mediation  PRO

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Aug 3, 2002

GIVING IT ALL AWAY-- Communion Mediation "In Ernest Gordon’s true account of life in a World War II Japanese prison camp, "Through the Valley of the Kwai," there is a story that never fails to move me. It is about a man who through giving it all away literally transformed a whole camp of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Good To Great: The Level 5 ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 26, 2009

GOOD TO GREAT: THE LEVEL 5 LEADER One of the books I read recently was Jim Collins’ bestselling management book, "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap, and Others Don’t." The phenomenal bestseller came out seven years ago, and yet it still sells over 300,000 copies a year. It showcased ...read more

Tags: Leadership General

[060]. A Message From A Poem – Do Not Trust Ourselves – Trust God

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 14, 2025

[060]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DO NOT TRUST OURSELVES – TRUST GOD When you think you know it all: Then you don't. When you think you’ll do it all; Then you won’t. I find this a delightful poem (for myself) and I am sharing my own experience here in writing it. Often we think we know best ...read more

Scripture: John 6:7-10, 2 Corinthians 12:10

Tags: Trust Ourselves, Weakness, Strong, Weak, Poetry, Poem, Human Strength, Trust, Strength  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lord Is A Man Of War

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 23, 2025

David was a man of war, because he had to be, and that makes sense, because the LORD Himself is a man of war for righteousness! As Moses sang in Exodus 15:2-4: 2. The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 144:1-15

Tags: Floods, High Tower, Our Shield, Righteous War, Brevity, Praise The Lord, Mortality, Traitors, Deceivers, The Lord Of Hosts, Joy, Rock, Fortress, God's Help, Deliverer, King David, Shield, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Forever Faithful  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 30, 2001

FOREVER FAITHFUL Some of us can remember the Sunday morning terrorist bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, in which hundreds of Americans were killed or wounded as they slept. Many of us can still recall the terrible scenes as the dazed survivors worked to dig out their trapped brothers from ...read more

Glitzy Grammy Gifts  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 25, 2002

GLITZY GRAMMY GIFTS The New York Post reports that producers of the 2002 Grammy ceremony showered each of the show’s stars with a personalized gift basket said to be worth $16,000 each. Britney Spears got a pair of $1,900 diamond earrings, a Blackberry pager, an iPod MP3 player, a free two-night ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8-14

Tags: God's Provision, Second Coming

Hearing God  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 25, 2002

HEARING GOD The New York Times reports that during the attacks of September 11, the communication between rescue workers and their commanding officers was not good. Instead of reaching the workers by radio to warn of the imminent collapse of the Trade Center Towers, a messenger had to be sent ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 94:9

Tags: Prayer Hardship, God's Omniscience, Debt, Disciplines General

The Need For Ease  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Apr 4, 2002

THE NEED FOR EASE The following are actual responses from comment cards given to the staff members at Bridger Wilderness Area in 1996: Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands. Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill. Too many bugs and ...read more

Tags: Endurance, Kingdom Of God, Parable General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Mush God  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 6, 2002

THE MUSH GOD The Mush God has been known to appear to millionaires on golf courses. He appears to politicians at ribbon-cutting ceremonies and to clergymen speaking the invocation on national TV at either Democratic or Republican conventions. The Mush God has no theology to speak of, being a ...read more

Look Carefully  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 16, 2002

LOOK CAREFULLY In the Greek original of the New Testament the word often translated sincere means `judged in the sunlight’; and the English word is derived from the Latin--- `sine cera’, which means `without wax’. In the days when art flourished in ancient Greece, it was the common ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-17, James 1:13-17

Tags: Leadership General, Truth, Faith

Denomination: United Methodist

The Truth Hurts  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 9, 2002

THE TRUTH HURTS Some of us may be able to sympathize with the fellow who received a call from his wife just as she was about to fly home from Europe. "How’s my cat?" she asked. "Dead." "Oh, honey, don’t be so honest. Why didn’t you break the news to me slowly? You’ve ruined my trip." "What do you ...read more

Tags: Faith, Communication, Compassion, Conflict, Men And Women, Truth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Parenting Social Degeneration  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 9, 2002

PARENTING SOCIAL DEGENERATION Sheila Weller, in her book "Saint of Circumstances", reveals the untold story of Alex Kelley, who was convicted of rape in 1996. When Kelley was initially indicted he fled to Europe, spending more than eight years on the run, leading a comfortable lifestyle. ...read more

Till Death Do Us Part  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 16, 2002

TILL DEATH DO US PART In his address to the 1997 graduation class at East Stroudsburg University, U.S. Senator Rick Santorum told a story seemingly unrelated to the usual commencement speeches about success and happiness. This is the story: A Baptist preacher in South Carolina wanted nothing ...read more

Saving The Ship, Remembering The Past  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 20, 2002

SAVING THE SHIP, REMEMBERING THE PAST "Their hair is gray, their shoulders are slumped and they walk with the shuffle of the aged. Their ship, a rusty antique, wallowed through the Atlantic, battered by a winter storm. For the elderly crew of LST-325, a creaking World War II troop ship that had ...read more

Tags: Holidays Civic, Christian Disciplines

What Kids Need  PRO

Contributed by Lyn King on Jun 15, 2002

WHAT KIDS NEED Today’s kids desperately need Dads who: . . . play catch, enjoy tea parties or wrestle because the heart of a child is there and they set out to capture it. . . . laugh till their belly hurts and tears fall from their eyes while secretly creating deep friendships and memories that ...read more

Tags: Parenting

Denomination: Baptist