In Sermon Illustrations: "Praise The Lord"

Who Wants To Play By The Rules?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 3, 2020

Wouldn’t life, or sporting events, be easier if there were no rules? Nobody to tell you what you can or can’t do, no restrictions, and anything goes. Easy, right? I can recall a couple of times when it sure seemed that some folks either didn’t want to play by the rules. Maybe they just plain ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:31

Tags: Wrong, Right, Rules, Self Will

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Magnify Yourself Against Those That Are Fallen

Contributed by James Dina on Oct 9, 2020

DON'T MAGNIFY YOURSELF AGAINST THOSE THAT ARE FALLEN "If indeed you will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach" (Job 19:5) 1. Many people forget their own frailty, how easy is it for them to fall. We should be taught by the mistakes of others to avoid being ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:5, Psalm 35:26

Tags: Love, Exaltation, Correction

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus Is Hard To Ignore And Easy To Miss

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 19, 2022

In a Christmas sermon, David Devine relates a story that appeared in the Washington Post last year... “He emerged from the Metro at the Plaza Station and positioned himself against a wall beside a trash basket. By most measures, he was nondescript: a youngish white man in jeans, a long-sleeved ...read more

Tags: Mary, Christmas, Bethlehem, Manger, Angels, Prophecy, Joseph, Birth Of Christ, History, Spiritual Blindness, Shepherds  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Success

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 27, 2022

SUCCESS I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13 What is success? “The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” Success Quotes: If at first you don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything. - William Lyon Phelps If at first you don't succeed, remove ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 27:1, James 4:13-15

Tags: New Year's Resolutions, Direction, Success, Goals, Focus, Determined, New Years  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Let Go! Let Go!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 6, 2023

LET US STUDY THE EAGLE! I read about this boy that grew up in the city of New York. The boy fell in love with “EAGLES.” He checked every book out of the school library and the public library about “EAGLES.” As he got older he watched every movie, video and documentary he could find about ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

Tags: Sin, Roots

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Smart Phone Theology

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Oct 29, 2024

Smart phones are really smart. Even smarter than I know. I use my phone for so much more than calling and texting but it’s not uncommon for me to learn new features and abilities my phone has that I previously had never known. Over the years I’ve learned that my phone is a compass, can take video ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Service, Holy Spirit, Power, Temptation, Gifts, Giftedness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[157]. A Message From A Poem – Jesus On Trial (Easter)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 7, 2025

[157]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – JESUS ON TRIAL (Easter) This is a more unusual style for me as you will see. The whole poem is set at the trial of the Lord from the time He entered the judgement hall until the sentence was pronounced. In particular the poem will mention Herod, Pilate, Barabbas, ...read more

Scripture: John 10:14-18, Revelation 20:11-12, 1 Timothy 1:15

Tags: Jesus Laid Down His Life, Soldiers, Trial Of Jesus, Crucify Him, The Great White Throne, Christian Poems, Jesus On Trial, Easter, Herod, Pilate, Barabbas, Elders  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[234]. A Message From A Poem - Rigid Trees Are Our Example

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 24, 2025

[234]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - RIGID TREES ARE OUR EXAMPLE Trees are a wonderful aspect of God’s creation and they are the mightiest organic structures on earth, discounting the great coral reefs. This poem is not about trees in general, but specific trees. Those are the ones that are often ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5, Psalm 1:3

Tags: Christian Poems, Melaleuca Trees, Paperbarks, Rigid Trees, Gales, Strong Tree Trunks, Character, Wind, Stand Strong, Trees, Deep Roots  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[335]. A Poem Message - What Is The Greatest Present? – Christmas Poem

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 17, 2026

[335]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - WHAT IS THE GREATEST PRESENT? – CHRISTMAS POEM This poem was written because I was asked to write one for Christmas. My thoughts had been on presents. I am not one who is too keen on the giving of Christmas gifts because the whole thing has become commercialised ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8, Ephesians 5:2, Matthew 2:11

Tags: Christmas, Present, Expensive, Gifts, The Magi, Presents, Christmas Time, Christian Poems, Christmas Poem, Giving Of Gifts  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[351]. A Message From A Poem – Wrath Must Surely Come

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 18, 2026

[351]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – WRATH MUST SURELY COME This poem opens with the ride of wickedness in the world where decency is destroyed and delusion has taken over. Then it moves to God’s wrath that will come. Two lines are these – Man considers not his end; Cares not that God has appointed ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:9, Ephesians 5:6, Romans 1:18, Acts 17:31

Tags: Judgment, The Wrath Of God, Christian Poems

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Just Plain Old Ron

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jun 3, 2026

The lad who led me to church was married to Rhonda. This created some confusion for his four year old son. When he would see me he'd say, "Hi, Rhonda." I would correct him, but it never clicked. One day I emphasized it by saying, "Ron, just plain old Ron." Next time I saw ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:17-18, Acts 13:9-10

Tags: Faith, Church, Persecution, Humility, Pride, Education, Decline, Titles, Names  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Cross Bearing  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Cross Bearing "The Christian's Passion" There is a powerful question that is too often avoided by preachers and church attendees alike, "Who took the rough edges off the Cross?" Modern day Christianity and the world have generally turned the cross into a nice piece of harmless jewelry, all shiny ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Easter Good Friday

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sin's ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Sin’s Birthplace “But each one is tempted when by his own evil desire he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1: 14, 15) Before you can win a war you must know your enemy, understand his ...read more

Scripture: James 1:14-15

Tags: Sin Fall Of Man

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

On Prayer--Part ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2009

ON PRAYER--PART 2 Samuel Pepys was an English naval administrator and Member of Parliament in the seventeenth century, who is now most famous for his diary. "Prayer is not a lazy substitute for work. It is not a shortcut to skill or knowledge. And sometimes God delays the answer to our prayer in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Tags: Prayer How To

Edith Burns Was A Wonderful Christian Who Lived ...  PRO

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Apr 4, 2007

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. One of his favorite patients was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Edith Burns Was A Wonderful Christian Who Lived ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. One of his favorite patients was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:30

Tags: Death, Easter, Gospel, God's Word, Easter Resurrection  (view more)  (view less)

One Of The Best Ways To Bear Everlasting Fruit Is ...

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 19, 2010

One of the best ways to bear everlasting fruit is to share your Christian testimony with other people. This morning we have a YouTube clip with part Drew Brees’ Christian testimony. Drew gave this testimony earlier this season in an interview with Jill Ewert from the Fellowship of Christian ...read more

Tags: Testimonies About Jesus

Denomination: Baptist

[226]. A Message From A Poem - Quantum Leaps

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 11, 2025

[226]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - QUANTUM LEAPS This poem is in 4 sections though all are related. It deals with the progression of wickedness in the world, but that progress has been very rapid. Those who are older, and in a reflective mood, will recall how things were in the 1950s and 60s when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 2 Corinthians 5:16-17, 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 1:10

Tags: Change, Antichrist, Wickedness, The Last Days, A New Creature, The World Gets Worse, Rapid, Christian Poems, Quantum Leaps  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Britain Followed France's Lead And Closes ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Great Britain followed France’s lead and closes their borders, but once again, they were too late. South Hampton, Liverpool, North Hampton, all reported cases of mystery flu by nightfall. The authorities explain that from all indications a person can be infected for up to a week without even ...read more

Tags: Apologetics The Bible

Trouble In The Church  PRO

Contributed by Douglas Duvall on Dec 3, 2006

Trouble in the Church ACTS 15:1-12 I. Decision 15:1-4 A. Men 15:1 B. Method 15:2 C. Messages 15:3-4 II. Demand 15:5-6 A. Demands 15:5 B. Deliberations 15:6 III. Declaration 15:7-12 A. Choice 15:7 B. Comparison 15:8-9 C. Conversion 15:10-12 Introduction Peter had ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:24-27

Denomination: Baptist