In Sermon Illustrations: "Preaching Peace"

Humanism

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 17, 2020

"During the construction of Emerson Hall at Harvard University, president Charles Eliot invited psychologist and philosopher William James to suggest a suitable inscription for the stone lintel over the doors of the philosophy department. After some reflection, James sent Eliot a line from ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:20, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Jude 1:25, Ephesians 3:21, 2 Corinthians 10:17, Romans 16:27, Psalm 8:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Glory, Man, God, Doxology, Glorifying, Perspective, Pride, Worldview, Orientation, Humanism, Boast  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Jesus Came For Others.

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 21, 2020

Just as the Old Testament priest would take an innocent lamb and slaughter it on the alter for the sins of the nation of Israel, so Jesus came to offer Himself for the sins of the world. His entire reason for coming from Heaven to others was for "OTHERS" and not Himself. o He was born ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Luke 19:10

Tags: Evangelism, Christmas, Sacrifice, Jesus, Birth Of Christ, Others, Unselfishness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Your Ministry Making Any Difference?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 12, 2023

Sometimes we think that God is not using us if we are not preaching to thousands every weekend. If you think that, remember this story about the value of one soul! I recently read about an old man, walking the beach at dawn, who noticed a young man ahead of him picking up starfish and flinging ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Ministry, Holy Spirit, Faithfulness, Success, Fruit Of The Spirit, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Found Faithful

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Mar 31, 2025

There is a story of a choir director who was so stressed out because at least one or more members of the choir were absent at every rehearsal for a concert. Finally came the last rehearsal and he announced: “I want to personally thank the pianist for being the only person in this entire church ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Tags: Faithfulness, Choir, Unfaithfulness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mr. Horatio G. Spafford Was A Successful Lawyer ...  PRO

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Mar 8, 2002

Mr. Horatio G. Spafford was a successful lawyer in Chicago and a member of the Fullerton Avenue Presbyterian Church in that city. In the financial crisis of 1873, he lost most of his property. In the stress and strain of the times, he prevailed on his wife and four daughters to take a trip to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:23-26

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: Baptist

The Old Tree

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 4, 2010

THE OLD TREE There is an old proverb about the leader of a city who would take daily walks to gain peace of mind and inspiration from nature. One day, the burdens of his position had his mind more disturbed than normal, and the old man found himself walking much further than usual. Eventually he ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:11

Tags: God Brings Purpose

Parallels Between Jesus And Melchizedek

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 13, 2023

Jesus Compared to Melchizedek (Hebrews 7) 11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:10-11

Tags: Melchizedek, Types, Shadows, Jesus, Giving, Stewardship, Abraham, Priesthood, Tithing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Evangelist Once Went To Speak To A Country ...

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Sep 1, 2002

An evangelist once went to speak to a country cartwright about salvation. The evangelist had come at the invitation of the cartwright’s wife in hopes that he might be successful in leading this man to the Lord. They went to the cartwright’s shop. The evangelist pretended to be helpful by picking up ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection, God's Provision

Denomination: United Methodist

Brothers In Blue  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 11, 2003

BROTHERS IN BLUE Myron Kelly and Eugene Kelly of the Osceola, Arkansas, Police Department were more than brothers in blue, they were brothers in life. That’s why they made a solemn vow to each other that they would -- quote -- "be together until the end." And it's why Eugene Kelly went along with ...read more

Tags: Holidays Civic, Christian Disciplines

Just Checking  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jan 14, 2004

JUST CHECKING A man who had regularly prayed for many years began to wonder if God heard his prayers at all. During one of his routine times of prayer, he started this doubting pattern once again. He stopped praying and thought for a moment. “Enough of this,” he said. He then lifted his eyes ...read more

Tags: Prayer Adoration, Prayer Answered

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

John Sutherland Bonnell, The Great Preacher Of A ...  PRO

Contributed by Aaron Householder on Sep 30, 2004

John Sutherland Bonnell, the great preacher of a generation ago, has suggested five questions which are useful in evaluating Christian effectiveness and commitment. Look Closely at them to judge your strengths and weaknesses as a disciple of Christ. 1. Does my life witness each day to the power of ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Baptist

In His Book, "How Great Generals Win", Bevin ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Nov 23, 2004

In his book, "How Great Generals Win", Bevin Alexander tells of "The General Who Beat Hannibal". One of Hannibal’s most effective tactics was the use of elephants in battle. For years Roman soldiers and horses were ineffective against the elephants - until the Roman general Scipio Africanus made ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-18

Tags: Satan

Denomination: Baptist

Strong Emotions

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 16, 2005

There is nothing wrong with strong emotions; even those that center squarely upon ourselves. Witness the story of missionary Adoniram Judson. He sweated out Burma’s heat for 18 years without a furlough, six years without a convert. Enduring torture and imprisonment, he admitted that he never saw a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:38

Tags: Prayer Persistence

Denomination: Lutheran

The First Ever Vocal Radio Broadcast On ...  PRO

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Dec 26, 2005

- The first ever vocal radio broadcast on December 24, 1906 - Consisted of a reading from Luke chapter two. - A Canadian engineer and inventor, Reginald Fessenden - 1866-1932 - The eldest son of an Anglican minister growing up near Niagra Falls On Christmas Eve, 1906, from his workshop in Chestnut ...read more

Tags: Christmas Eve

Denomination: Baptist

Bible Reading Improves Quality Of Life: For ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2006

Bible Reading Improves Quality Of Life: For many believers this is an understatement of the obvious. However, for the general American population it’s big news. A recent Tyndale House study of randomly selected adult Americans revealed: 90% of frequent Bible readers say they feel at peace all ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence

When I Was Very Young My Family Took Long Trips, ...

Contributed by John Shearhart on May 5, 2006

When I was very young my family took long trips, and on those trips my mom often sang. This week as I prepared my message I remembered one of her favorite songs: Listen, children, to a story That was written long ago, ’Bout a kingdom on a mountain And the valley-folk below. On the mountain was a ...read more

Tags: Character

There Have Been Those, Some Of The Notable Men, ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Mar 27, 2007

There have been those, some of the notable men, who have refused to cooperate with Christ and have come to a very ignoble finish in their lives. Two such people were the famous writers H.G. Wells and George Bernard Shaw. They were brilliant men with worldly wisdom, yet they rejected the message ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

There Have Been Those, Some Of The Notable Men, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

There have been those, some of the notable men, who have refused to cooperate with Christ and have come to a very ignoble finish in their lives. Two such people were the famous writers H.G. Wells and George Bernard Shaw. They were brilliant men with worldly wisdom, yet they rejected the message of ...read more

Tags: Faith

One Stormy Night A Boat Could Make No Headway, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

One stormy night a boat could make no headway, and while the captain was struggling to get into port, a nervous passenger said to him: "Do you think we will get in all right?" He replied: "This is a leaky old boat, and we may go down; and the boilers are not in very good condition, so we may go up. ...read more

Tags: Anger

Ruth Tucker In Her Book "God Talk" Tell The ...

Contributed by Kenneth Mitchell on Jan 31, 2008

Ruth Tucker in her book "God Talk" tell the story of a former student whose daughter was in an accident and in a coma… while she wrestled with the thought of losing her daughter, she says this, “Immediately I thought of the Father giving up His Son for me. I knew. I was being called to open my ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational