In Sermon Illustrations: "Practical Faith"

Can This Be Christmas?

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 21, 2008

Can This Be Christmas? What's all this hectic rush and worry? Where go these crowds who run and curry? Why all the lights--the Christmas trees? The jolly "fat man," tell me please! Why, don't you know? This is the day For parties and for fun and play; Why this is Christmas! So this is Christmas, ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Present, Center, Middle, Parcel  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

The Light Of Hope  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

THE LIGHT OF HOPE As Craig T. Kocher in his commentary on our text states, "Christian hope is fundamentally different from optimism. Christian hope locks its steely eyes on the devastation of the world around it, and readily acknowledges that things may not get better. Christian hope does not bury ...read more

Scripture: John 1:9

Tags: John The Baptist

Hope In ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 26, 2009

HOPE IN PERSECUTION Hope is a strange thing. It will give you confidence in the bleakest of times. But hope is not any good unless you have your hope in someone that will not let you down. There are a lot of things that we hope for, and a lot of things that we wish for. The hope I am talking about ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-37

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Kurt Cobain Ended His Life About 13 Years Ago ...

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 16, 2009

Kurt Cobain ended his life about 13 years ago (4/1994); filled with bitterness and anger. He was the founder and lead singer of the group "Nirvana." His violent suicide prompted a lot of questions. "Why? He had it all a great career, dedicated fans, plenty of money, a beautiful wife and a 19 month ...read more

Tags: Sin Bondage To

Denomination: Baptist

Why We Believe That Jesus Rose From The Dead

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 25, 2024

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, the Christian faith is a foolish fantasy. However, if the resurrection of Christ did occur, it confirms His life, message, and atoning work. It is the basis of our hope of life beyond the grave. Christ is alive, and the evidence is overwhelming. Here are some of ...read more

Tags: Easter, Resurrection, Gospel, Disciples, Witnesses, Church  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Ultimate Protection - Psalm 91

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 26, 2025

God's Ultimate Protection - Psalm 91 Judy Anderson grew up as a missionary kid in Zaire. As a little girl, she went to a day-long rally celebrating the 100th anniversary of Christian missionaries coming to that part of the country. After a full day of messages and music, an old man came ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16

Tags: Eternal Life, Refuge, Cross Of Christ, Messiah Prophecies, Fear, Protection, Resurrection, Trust, Overcome, Fortress  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

God's Algebra!" Romans 8:9-17 Key Verse(S) ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 25, 2005

“God’s Algebra!” Romans 8:9-17 Key verse(s) 16:“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” One of the unchangeable and mysterious laws of mathematics is that whenever you multiply a positive number by a negative number you will always get a negative number. I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:9-17

Tags: Wait, Promises Of God, God's Omniscience, God's Love, Patience, Perseverance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

Love Of God

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 16, 2010

LOVE OF GOD Let’s say you had a child who kept getting in trouble, you kept bailing him out as a child, and eventually as he grew up even you couldn’t bail him out anymore, you had to let him go live his life the way he was choosing because nothing you or anyone else did could stop ...read more

Tags: God's Love

The Christmas Flower

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 8, 2023

“The Legend of Pepita’s Poinsettia” Thank you much, my pretty friend, For the beauty you display; Those colors of green and red Enhances our Christmas day. Great is your reputation- You’re like the Christmas Star, For you are highly regarded, No matter where you are. You are called ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14

Tags: Christmas Decorations, Christmas Flowers, Christmas, Flowers, Birth Of Christ, Poinsettia, Decorations, Legends  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Newton's Story

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 21, 2025

The story of John Newton and the hymn Amazing Grace. Newton’s hymn has grown so familiar to us that we sometimes forget the depth of the testimony behind it. Those lines were not crafted by a saint who lived an unblemished life. They were written by a man who walked through the same spiritual ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 33:12, Ephesians 2:8

Tags: Grace, Redemption

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

[352]. A Message From A Poem – Written On The Train

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 23, 2026

[352]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – WRITTEN ON THE TRAIN I was undertaking a drive of 1 800 km and had gone about 150 km from home when I had an accident. The vehicle limped badly for another 950 km where I had to leave it for repairs and return home. The return trip was about 1 100 km and was ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 9:9-10, Psalm 31:10-14, Romans 5:3-5

Tags: Life, Tribulation, Sorrow, Accident, Rejoicing, Train, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lessons From A Tavern, Citation: Charles ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jul 5, 2001

[Lessons from a Tavern, Citation: Charles Swindoll, Leadership, Vol. 4, no. 1.] An old Marine Corps buddy of mine, to my pleasant surprise, came to know Christ after he was discharged. I say surprise because he cursed loudly, fought hard, chased women, drank heavily, loved war and weapons, and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1

Tags: Church Body Of Christ, Church Small Groups, Compassion, Fellowship, Friendship General, Understanding  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Giant Steps  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 10, 2002

Giant steps Marathon the latest goal in a life of challenges. Katie Lynch, 26, practicing for Monday’s Boston Marathon with a special Walker. (Globe Staff Photo / JohnTlumacki) By John Vellante, Globe Staff, 4/14/01 WAYLAND Her life -- all 26-plus years of it -- has been one challenge after ...read more

Tags: Human Body, Endurance

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Trapping The Ball!" Psalm 25: 16-21 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 4, 2004

“Trapping the Ball!” Psalm 25: 16-21 Key verse(s): 21 “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.” Integrity! Perhaps it is one of the loneliest words in the English language. For many it creates the image of one standing alone, apart from the others, because just the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:16-21

Tags: Character

Denomination: Lutheran

Worship Of Creation

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2009

WORSHIP OF CREATION How many of you watched the PBS series last month on the National Parks? Besides the fabulous visual images of some of America’s most beautiful scenery, the documentary gave a very interesting perspective on the history of our national parks. Did you know that Jim Grinnell’s ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:21-25

Tags: Idolatry

Forgiveness And Reconciliation In South ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 1, 2010

Forgiveness and Reconciliation in South Africe Phillip Yancey stated in his book “Finding God In Unexpected Places”, “The job of a journalist is, simply, to see. We are professional eyes. As a Christian journalist, I have learned to look for traces of God. I have found those traces in unexpected ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

A New ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

A New Commandment In the Book of John 13:34-35, Jesus makes a powerful statement, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (emphasis ours) Often people have ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Tags: Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Postman

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Dec 1, 2023

In the quiet routines of everyday life, a seemingly ordinary event unfolded – a postman knocking on a door, bearing a letter. A child-like voice responded from within the house, promising to come and receive the letter. However, minutes passed without any sign of the resident. The postman's ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:34

Tags: Mercy, Compassion

Denomination: Other

[019] A Message From A Poem - An Atheist’s Lament

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 22, 2024

[019] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - AN ATHEIST’S LAMENT I do not know how many nations know what the 1st of April is. In western society it is known as April Fools’ Day and is a time when some play tricks on others. The Day is also known as “All Fools’ Day.” The following is taken from The Editors ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:1, Psalm 53:1-2, Ecclesiastes 2:14

Tags: April Fools Day, Fools, Atheists, There Is No God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Religion Professor Named Dr. Christianson ...  PRO

Contributed by West Garner on May 8, 2006

A Religion Professor named Dr. Christianson taught a required survey of Christianity course at small college. Every freshman was required to take the course regardless of his or her major. Although he tried hard to communicate the gospel, students viewed the class as nothing more than a waste of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-22

Tags: Quicksand, Shoulder, Stand, Brother, Evangelism How To  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist