In Sermon Illustrations: "Prayer Closet"

An English Missionary Doctor Named Helen ...  PRO

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Oct 28, 2007

An English missionary doctor named Helen Roseveare, tells this story about an incident she experienced during her time in Zaire, Africa. One night she had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all they could do the mother died, leaving them with a tiny premature baby and ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

A Wise Heart ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

A Wise Heart Cry James, the half brother of Jesus, gives the Christian a powerful truth, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). The Body of Christ is called to make disciples and this calling is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5

Tags: Wisdom

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If Only We Would Turn Around! ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 26, 2005

If Only We Would Turn Around! (06.28.05--Direction--John 21:7-9 ) It’s a funny thing about life isn’t it that when we find ourselves off course we very seldom consider reversal the right direction to take. I guess it is just human nature to assume that where we’ve been already was a good choice ...read more

Scripture: John 21:7-9

Tags: God Brings Purpose, Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Lutheran

It's An Ongoing Battle At The Twitchell ...

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

It’s an ongoing battle at the Twitchell household. We have a great number of beautiful songbirds that come to our birdfeeders in the front yard: goldfinches, house finches, red-winged blackbirds, orioles, and cardinals are accompanied by chickadees, mourning doves, blue jays. We tolerate the ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

The Beginning Of Lee  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2009

THE BEGINNING OF LEE Lee, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune and a self-professed atheist was sitting at his desk on Christmas Eve. A slow news day he found himself reminiscing about the Delgado family that he had featured while writing a series of articles about Chicago’s neediest people a few ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22, Luke 23:43, Luke 24:13-35

Tags: Christmas, Evangelism How To

Keys To The Kingdom?

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Sep 29, 2009

KEYS TO THE KINGDOM? At a former church, the day I started my job as an associate pastor I was given a set of keys to the church by one of the Trustees, Bill. Bill told me, "Peter, these are not all the keys to the church, we are only giving you four keys: One key to the church building, one key ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Invisible Enemy

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 7, 2011

THE INVISIBLE ENEMY "Good night, sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite" has been spoken by loving mothers to their children for decades as they gently tucked their little ones to sleep and wished them a good night. The phrase itself carries within it the gentle reminder of a younger age and ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Tags: Sin Bondage To

Together We Entered The Terrifying Building ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 16, 2005

Together we entered the terrifying building [Ravensbruck prison camp]. At a table were women who took away all our possessions. Everyone had to undress completely and then go to a room where her hair was checked. I asked a woman who was busy checking the possessions of the new arrivals if I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:7

Tags: Trust God, Unknown

Medicine For ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

“Medicine for America” “Peculiar People” Titus 2:14 says, “[Christ] …gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.” The King James Bible says the Lord will purify unto Himself a “peculiar people.” ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:14

Tags: Patriotism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Walking In The Confidence Of God  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Walking in the Confidence of God "Personal God" Christians can walk in confidence because the Lord is a personal God: Psalm 147:11 says, "the LORD delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love." Song of Solomon 7:10 presents a wonderful truth in regard to our ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 7:10

Tags: Confidence

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

O In Peter Schaeffer's Play ...

Contributed by David Rumley on Oct 28, 2009

o In Peter Schaeffer’s Play Amadeus o Story of Salieri  Makes a prayer before God…  I would offer up secretly the proudest prayer a boy could think of. “Lord, make me a great composer! Let me celebrate your glory through music – and be celebrated myself! Make me famous through the ...read more

Tags: Salvation, Assurance Of Salvation

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Small Congregation In The Foothills Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Mar 25, 2010

A small congregation in the foothills of the Great Smokies built a new sanctuary on a piece of land willed to them by a church member. Ten days before the new church was to open, the local building inspector informed the pastor that the parking lot was inadequate for the size of the building. Until ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-10

Tags: Faith, Mountain Moving

Denomination: Wesleyan

Location, Location, Location

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Apr 15, 2010

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Back in 1991, I did an internship as a hospital chaplain in Philadelphia. At that time, AIDS was a new thing, and honestly, the hospital wasn’t sure how to handle people with AIDS, they were not sure what precautions to take when treating AIDS patients, so they took ...read more

Tags: Affliction

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Minister The Word  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Nov 28, 2010

MINISTER THE WORD There are valid ministries which are pleasing to the Lord such as, missions, youth ministries, local church services and ministerial alliances. However, there are two ministries that are often set on the back burner. The ministry of truly preaching the whole council of God's ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:4

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Word Has Power

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 3, 2011

GOD'S WORD HAS POWER In an interview about his book The Folly of Prayer (IVP, 2009), author and pastor Matt Woodley shared a story about his friend Theresa. She had married the man of her dreams, but soon after that dropped into the pit of a deep depression. Everything went dark in her mind and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-27

Tags: Bible Influence

The Fleas Or God?  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 20, 2002

Title: The fleas or God? Corrie Ten Boom in The Hiding Place relates an incident which taught her this principle. She and her sister, Betsy, had just been transferred to the worst German prison camp they had seen yet, Ravensbruck. Upon entering the barracks, they found them extremely ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Joy, Doing God's Will, God's Provision

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Is The Truth That Sets Us Free, And That ...  PRO

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Jun 30, 2005

Jesus is the Truth that sets us free, and that freedom comes through knowing Him personally in a one-on-one relationship. There is a tremendous difference in knowing about a person and knowing that person. I know about President Bush and Prince Charles, but I do not have a personal relationship ...read more

Tags: Fulfillment

Denomination: Methodist

The Penetrating Message Was Caught In A Poem ...

Contributed by Frank Jackson on Nov 12, 2005

The penetrating message was caught in a poem written by an unknown confederate soldier, who finally learned the lesson of the thorn. I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked God for health that I might do greater things. I was given ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

Faith Related Internet Use 64% ( 82 Million ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 18, 2006

Faith Related Internet Use 64% ( 82 million people) of Internet users use it for faith-related reasons. The most popular spiritually-related online activities measured by the Pew Internet & American Life Project:: 38% of the U.S.’s128 million Internet users have sent/received email with spiritual ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

Youth Pastor Burnout: The Bridges Project, A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 18, 2006

Youth Pastor Burnout: The Bridges Project, a research study of the Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary, has identified several factors common to youth pastors who experience burn-out or a lack of success in ministry: ►Inability to shape healthy work relationships ...read more

Tags: Church General