In Sermon Illustrations: "Powerful Name"

God Still Surprises Us

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jun 30, 2009

GOD STILL SURPRISES US Often God surprises us to our shame. I remember a couple that shared how they tried to witness and help their neighbor who was a raging alcoholic. They prayed for her and took her under their wing but she seemed hopeless. She might get clean for a little while, but then she ...read more

Tags: Addiction

Denomination: Church Of God

Pocket God  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 13, 2009

POCKET GOD Have you heard about Pocket God? It’s one of the top-selling video game applications for Apple’s iPhone. Here’s the game description found on iTunes: "What kind of god would you be? Benevolent or vengeful? Play Pocket God and discover the answer within yourself. On a remote island, you ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 6:2

Tags: God The Father

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

Fasting Together: The Minnesota Grasshopper ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 4, 2010

FASTING TOGETHER: THE MINNESOTA GRASSHOPPER SWARM In Minnesota, during the summer of 1876, there was a swarm of grasshoppers destroying the crops. There was a fear that the grasshoppers would return, so Governor John S. Pillsbury proclaimed a day of prayer and fasting on April 26, 1877, urging ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-14

Tags: Fast

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

Dr. R. G. Lee On The Bible  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 24, 2011

DR. R. G. LEE ON THE BIBLE The late Dr. R. G. Lee, former pastor of the Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis TN expressed the value of God’s Word in this way: "The Bible is a book beyond all books as a river is above and beyond a rivulet. The Bible is a book beyond all books as the sun is above and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:1-176

Tags: Bible Influence

Truman's Faithfulness

Contributed by Ken Pell on Aug 28, 2011

TRUMAN'S FAITHFULNESS A number of years ago, the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, MO made public 1,300 letters that the late President wrote to his wife, Bess, over the course of a half-century. Mr. Truman had a lifelong rule of writing to his wife every day they were apart. He followed ...read more

Tags: Marriage Faithfulness

Denomination: Nazarene

Francis Chan's Servant Witness

Contributed by Bret Toman on Oct 31, 2012

FRANCIS CHAN'S SERVANT WITNESS Francis Chan was flying to Africa and seated next to him was a man who happened to be a Muslim. So they were talking about what they believed and the man said "Ya, I know some Christians and I hear their message and it turns me off. I’m not interested." So the ...read more

Tags: Servanthood

Denomination: Baptist

Too Wicked For Ministry

Contributed by Keith Foskey on Apr 16, 2014

Paul Washer is a powerful preacher and evangelist. He once had a seminary student send him a message. He was afraid that he was too bad to enter the ministry. He sent him a message that simply said, "I think I am too wicked to be in the ministry." And Paul Washer wrote him back and said, "You are ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:19-26

Tags: Assurance, Confidence, Reliance On God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why God?

Contributed by Larry Turner on Feb 8, 2016

Why God? God, why did this happen, Questions my soul needs to know. If you really love me Why am I hurting so? Why did you let it happen? The power is in your hand. Why did you not stop it? Please help me understand. I know it’s for a purpose. I have to figure out What is your reason. Please help ...read more

Scripture: Job 10:1-3

Tags: Struggles, Life Struggles, Questioning God, Reason For Suffering, Understanding God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

Once There Was A Man

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 25, 2016

ONCE THERE WAS A MAN... Once there was a man who dared God to speak. Burn the bush like you did for Moses, God. And I will follow. Collapse the walls like you did for Joshua, God. And I will fight. Still the waves like you did on Galilee, God. And I will listen. And so the man sat by a bush, near ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-28

Tags: Waiting On God, Hearing God's Voice

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Misusing The Good

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 23, 2019

The Gospel does not alter God's promises for Israel. It is not meant for that, just as a laser light has specific purposes but can be misused. Laser pointers are not toys. [https://phys.org/newsstory below:] Concern is growing over the safe use of small, battery powered, hand held lasers. For ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:1-20

Tags: Expense Of Others, Wreckless, Israel, The Gospel, Damage, Ignorance, Mischief, Charlatans  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

The Emperor And The Seed  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 18, 2002

THE EMPEROR AND THE SEED Once there was an emperor in the Far East who was growing old and knew it was coming time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or one of his own children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young people in the kingdom ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:10

Tags: Faith, Fear, Courage, Truth, Humility, Hypocrisy, Honesty, Leadership, Risk, Patience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Unsung Heroes: The Four Great Men Of Samaria

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 11, 2022

Introduction: There was war between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, where Israelites on each side fought, died, were captured and who knows what else. In this battle, the northern kingdom of Israel had won a great victory and were headed back home, loaded with the spoils of war. But that joy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 28:12-15

Tags: Ahaz, Pekah, Unsung Heroes, Oded, Captives  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Hidden Mud And Leaves!" Ephesians 6:10-17 ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 14, 2004

“The Hidden Mud and Leaves!” Ephesians 6:10-17 Key verse(s): 10: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” We moved to Beech Springs valley some sixteen summers ago now. We had been looking for a place that could afford us peace, quiet and some room for our growing family to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Tags: Battle, Doubt, Enemy, Stand, Strong  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

Kick Me!" Matthew 28:1-10 Key Verse(S): 6:"He Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 24, 2005

“Kick Me!” Matthew 28:1-10 Key verse(s): 6:“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” Getting pulled into a practical joke is not much fun; especially when you walk in so innocently and depart with egg all over your face. I remember that my two brothers and I always had a pretty good time ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Lutheran