In Sermon Illustrations: "Preaching The Word"

Somebody Help The Boy

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Jun 28, 2013

SOMEBODY HELP THE BOY I was at home alone with Ryan one morning when I suddenly realized that it had been approximately two minutes since my little explorer had made any noise. (When one babysits with Ryan, silence is definitely not golden.) I immediately began looking for him, searching each room ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:20

Tags: Marriage, Parenting

Denomination: Baptist

Severe Trial Of Affliction

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 18, 2014

In his novel The Source, James Michener described a period in Jewish history around 170 BC when the Jews in Palestine faced severe persecution. Greek officials came to Jerusalem and read an edict that forbade any Jew from worshipping Yahweh, and ordered them to lay their hands on an unclean pig ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:35-38

Tags: Persecution, Great Commandment, Loyalty To Christ

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Encountering Angels

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Dec 8, 2014

Some years ago, I had occasion to read Madeleine L’Engle’s book, A Wind in the Door. It’s about a young girl named Meg and her brother Charles Wallace. One day, Charles Wallace tells Meg that he has seen a drive of dragons in the broccoli patch. Meg goes with her brother to check it out, but all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-20

Tags: Books And Literature, Fear, Angels

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Watch Where You're Going!

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 28, 2015

I had just flown back home from attending a class for my Doctorate in Pasadena, CA. The week was filled with long days and short nights. I had an early morning flight and then flew most of the day. By the time I got home, I was exhausted. Yet I didn’t want to miss my workout so I headed to the gym. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Tags: Consequences, Watchful Servants, Direction Of Life

Denomination: Methodist

Marriage

Contributed by Don Berry-Graham on Feb 29, 2016

A story from Warsaw, Ohio, is catching some attention today (August 13, 2014). It seems the dancers at Foxhole nightclub decided to picket a church that had been hassling them for years. Apparently the members and pastor of New Beginnings Ministries felt called by God to try to rid their community ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:1-39

Tags: Sex, Intimacy In Marriage

Denomination: Baptist

Stick With The Basics

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 25, 2017

When kids turn sixteen, they often take an in-car driving course to prepare them for their driver’s license test. I want you to imagine with me a driving instructor who meticulously teaches the student how to properly adjust the seat and put on the seat belt, how to adjust the mirrors so that the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16

Tags: Gospel, Essentials Of Faith

Denomination: Charismatic

The Laws Of Spiritual Motion!!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Aug 13, 2017

THE LAWS OF SPIRITUAL MOTION!!! The Fundamental Laws of motion designed by the all-wise God (discovered and revealed to us by Sir Issac Newton) says that we move forward whilst walking or running not just by exerting the force on earth with our feet by ourselves but by the propulsive force which ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2

Tags: Persecution, Action Reaction

Denomination: *other

Who, In Hell

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 13, 2018

The business meeting at First Baptist was well into its second hour. It had been another cantankerous one. Lots of angry comments, snide remarks, and power plays. And, making it especially sad, the issue on the table wasn’t even an important one. The debate was over a relatively minor recent ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Hell, Church, Unity, Division, Church Fights  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Implanted Sin

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 7, 2019

The enemy leader is in his command center discussing his battle strategy with those under his command. The enemy is very upset about the latest move by the rebellion forces. They have been attacking in vital areas. Never before in this struggle has the rebellion force (the C) had this much ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-13

Tags: Sin, Enemy

Denomination: Pentecostal

20 Beautiful One-Liners You Can Use

Contributed by Tony Abram on Mar 28, 2019

20 Beautiful One-liners you can use. 1. Give God what's right - not what's left. 2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end - God's way leads to an endless hope. 3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing. 4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone. 5. Are you ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Tags: Testimony, Speaking, Sharing, One Liners

Who Needs Twitter!

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Aug 20, 2019

We all want our lives to matter, and we believe they only matter if they are noticed by someone. I wonder if this desire for a witness isn't what fuels a lot of blogs, Facebook, and especially Twitter. We want someone, anyone, to take notice … to care about us … to watch us and by their ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-12

Tags: Communication, Self Esteem, Relationship

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Coronavirus And Our Need For The Transcendent

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 21, 2020

Children, as Jesus said, Don't be afraid. Your family is probably founded on some kind of faith. Listen to your parents and other adults whom you trust, and know that nearly everyone is working hard to get us through this trouble. ? In fifty years you will remember this crisis as one of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:27

Tags: Fear, Forgiveness, Pandemic, Covid 19

Denomination: Catholic

Life-Spans

Contributed by Tony Abram on Jul 2, 2021

LIFE-SPANS A lightening bolt lasts 45 to 55 microseconds. The average running shoe worn by the average runner on an average surface will last 350 to 500 miles. A hard pencil can write up to 30,000 words or draw a line more than 30 miles long. Most ball-point pens ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:10, John 3:16

Tags: Long Life, Longevity, Promise

What Is Truth?

Contributed by John Bright on Oct 17, 2022

I hate to be the bearer of bad news… but there is a deep divide in this sanctuary. No – it’s not what you think. It’s not political parties. It’s not hot-button social justice issues. Nope, it’s our view of “What is truth?” Here’s a way to view our divide from Os Guiness: “Three baseball ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:24-36

Tags: Baseball, Absolute Truth, Umpires

Denomination: Methodist

Glory To God, My Prayers Have Been Answered!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 22, 2022

A pastor bought a female parrot that became quite a problem. The only thing the parrot could say was, "Come on baby, let's kiss! Come on baby, let's kiss!" She was quite carnal. The pastor wanted a more spiritually-minded parrot, so he looked around for help. After much ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

Tags: Lord's Prayer, Heavenly Father, Spiritual Warfare, Prayer, Intercession, Petition, Humor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gossipping Preacher

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 22, 2022

Three preachers from the same small town in Arkansas were out fishing together. One of the pastors said, "You know, brothers, I feel safe here with you guys. I think it might be a good time and a good place for each one of us to confess our sins to each other privately and confidentially, ...read more

Tags: Tongue, Gossip, Division, Preachers

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Admission Of Guilt

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on May 14, 2023

There once was a governor of the state of Texas who received an invitation to speak at one of the penitentiaries in that state. He spoke to the assembled prisoners and afterwards said that he would be around for a while to listen to anything any of the convicts might wish to tell him. He could take ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-26

Tags: Confession, Testimony, Guilt, Pardon

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hatred's Bitter Fruit

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 2, 2023

One of the worst cases of hatred I have ever come across is found in a will written in 1935 by a Mr. Donohoe. It says, "Unto my two daughters, Frances Marie and Denise Victoria, by reason of their unfilial attitude toward a doting father, … I leave the sum of $1.00 to each and a father's ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:28-32

Tags: Unforgiveness, Anger Management, Fathers, Daughters, Love, Family, Anger, Bitterness, Hate  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Trials Of Chippie The Parakeet

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 21, 2023

Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage. The next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over. The problems began when Chippie's owner decided to clean Chippie's cage with a vacuum cleaner. She removed the attachment from the end of the ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Tribulation, Difficulties, Challenges, Tests, Trials, Problems, Pain, Faith, Suffering  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Warmth In Cold Thoughts: Finding Spiritual Resilience In Challenging

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 21, 2024

"As I made my way to work amidst the severe cold, a sharp contrast to the warm, southern climes of Mississippi where I spent over a decade, the wind felt like it was slicing through my skin. In these freezing moments, as my pace quickened, almost to a run, my thoughts instinctively turned to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Tags: Mental Focus, Positive Thinking, Divine Guidance, Warmth, Christian Strength, Overcoming Challenges, Spiritual Resilience, Endurance, Hope, God's Grace, Cold  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist