In Sermon Illustrations: "Preparation"

The Breath Of Masochism  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 22, 2002

THE BREATH OF MASOCHISM Some psychologists and psychiatrists, following Freud’s lead, point to the Beatitudes as proof of Jesus’ imbalance. Said one distinguished British psychologist, in a speech prepared for the Royal Society of Medicine: “The spirit of self-sacrifice which permeates ...read more

A Son's Best Friend, Citation: Jeanette ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Aug 22, 2003

A Son’s Best Friend, Citation: Jeanette Naaktgeboren, Maple Lake, MN. Christian Reader, "Lite Fare." My three-year-old grandson obviously had food on his mind when he headed for the church kitchen, leading his father by the hand. However, neither his father nor the ladies he approached were ...read more

Tags: Children, Parenting

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

For 16 Years, John Kovac Was A "Tenant Of A ...

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jan 12, 2004

1. For 16 years, John Kovac was a “tenant of a tunnel.” John and a few others lived underground in an abandoned railroad tunnel in New York City. When Amtrak bought the tunnel and prepared to reopen it, John was forced to look for a place to live above ground. According to The New York Times, Mr. ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Pentecostal

1997------- From Time To Time We Hear Statistics ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Mcnair on Nov 4, 2004

1997------- From time to time we hear statistics about how people first came into church membership. These figures trace back to the Institute for American Church Growth, which asked 10,000 people about their pilgrimage. What led them in? Answers were: Special need, 2 percent; Walk-in, 3 percent; ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Sharing My Testimony, Witnessing

Denomination: Baptist

On Saturday, December 23, 1972, Richard Knecht Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 15, 2003

On Saturday, December 23, 1972, Richard Knecht of Prospect, Oregon, set out to shatter the existing world sit-up record. For the past six months a Marine Corps captain had held the record, with an amazing 17,007. Knecht was determined to capture the title for his family team, which tours the nation ...read more

For Those Who Are Single And Wish To Marry, You ...

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 10, 2007

For those who are single and wish to marry, you must pray, prepare yourself as a bride is to be adorned for her husband (Rev. 21:2, 19:7-8) and go where you are called. You must discover your gifts, develop your gifts and demonstrate your gifts. This thereby attracts the mate that best first with ...read more

Denomination: Other

A Blessing Is God's Expression Of Favor On You. ...

Contributed by Charles Whitmire on Jan 6, 2008

A blessing is God’s expression of favor on you. In the passage we look at this morning, God commanded his priests to give his people a blessing from him. When I started looking at this passage this week, one image came to mind. It’s sort of funny actually, but a scene from Rocky II came to mind. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

In Coming

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Dec 4, 2008

IN COMING In coming into the world He confirmed God's promises. In coming into the world He revealed the Father to us. In coming into the world He was able to become our faithful High Priest. In coming into the world He was able to put away sin. In coming into the world He destroyed the works of ...read more

Tags: Birth Of Jesus

Denomination: Orthodox

Go To Sleep

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

GO TO SLEEP A mother and her little four-year-old daughter were preparing to retire for the night. The child was afraid of the dark, and the mother, on this occasion alone with the child, felt fearful also. When the light was out, the child caught a glimpse of the moon outside the window. ...read more

Tags: Fear And Worry

Andrew Murray States,

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 9, 2009

Andrew Murray states, “We need only think for a moment what faith is. Is not the confession of nothingness and helplessness, the surrender and the waiting to let God work? Is it not in itself the most humbling thing there can be-the acceptance of our place as dependents, who can claim or get or do ...read more

Tags: Humility

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Truth About The Law

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 3, 2022

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE LAW 1. The law could not give the Holy Spirit (Gal 3:1-5). 2. The law could not give righteousness (Gal 3:6-9). 3. The law could not justify; it could only condemn (Gal 3:10-12). 4. The law could not change the fact that righteousness always comes by faith in God's ...read more

Tags: Legalism, Faith, Grace, Law, Salvation, Gospel, Justification  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Several Centuries Ago, A Learned German ...

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Jun 23, 2007

Several centuries ago, a learned German philosopher began investigating a new philosophy coming out of Japan. This philosophy was called, “Zen.” The philosopher poured through every piece of written material he cold find on this Zen philosophy, but there was scarce information available. Then one ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Brownies Teach Stewardship

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Nov 26, 2024

A 6th grade Sunday school teacher was struggling with a lesson. She was preparing to teach a lesson on how Christians manage their material blessings. She knew that when her students were in confirmation class the pastor would share what the Bible says about stewardship of time, talents, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Tags: Offerings, Giving, Stewardship, Tithing

Denomination: Lutheran

The Good Samaritan  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 8, 2002

Luke 10:30-37 John Darley and Daniel Batson are two Princeton University psychologists. Some years ago they decided to conduct a study, inspired by the story of the Good Samaritan. They conducted the study at Princeton Theological Seminary. They met with a group of seminarians and asked each one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:30-37

Tags: Compassion, Christian Love

This Is Good!  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 29, 2002

THIS IS GOOD! The story is told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!" One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-3, Romans 8:28

Tags: God In The Hardships, Goodness, All Things Work For Good, Hope, Positive, Struggles, Trial  (view more)  (view less)

Morrie: In His Own Words  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Oct 16, 2002

1. Morrie: In His Own Words By Morrie Schwartz: · Learn how to live, and you’ll know how to die. Once you know how to die, you know how to live. · Death ends life, not a relationship. · Dying is only one thing to be sad over. Living unhappily is something else. · Everything that gets born ...read more

Tags: Death Nearness, Fulfillment

Denomination: Methodist

A Silver Reminder  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 13, 2003

A SILVER REMINDER At Camp Udairi in the desert of Kuwait, the loss of the dining facility has brought with it an unlikely reminder of God’s protection. Chaplain (Major) Barbara K. Sherer tells the story in an article on Beliefnet.com. The dining hall caught fire one morning, and because of the ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection, Easter Good Friday, Cross Agony

When I Think Of The Promises Of God, I'm Reminded ...  PRO

Contributed by John Montgomery on Jun 9, 2007

When I think of the promises of God, I’m reminded of the story of the young man who had a dream to go to America. He scrimped and saved, and did everything in his power to save enough money to buy a ticket on a boat bound for America. The day came when he had precisely the amount of money ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:13

Tags: Journey

Denomination: Baptist

A Very Cold Winter

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

A VERY COLD WINTER It was autumn, and the Indians on the remote reservation asked their new Chief if the winter was going to be cold or mild. Since he was an Indian Chief in a modern society, he had never been taught the old secrets. When he looked at the sky, he couldn't tell what the weather was ...read more

Tags: God's Omniscience

Come Down Off The Chair

Contributed by Michael Milton on Sep 11, 2011

COME DOWN OFF THE CHAIR There is a pastor who was once a professor--a very creative professor--at RTS in Jackson, Mississippi. One day he had the responsibility of leading the chapel service. Most of us prepare for chapel messages by Bible study and prayer. This professor prepared by not only ...read more

Tags: Pride

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed