In Sermon Illustrations: "Preparation"

We Are Christ Ambassadors

Contributed by Donny Granberry on Feb 3, 2008

“We are Christ ambassador’s…. By Pastor Donny Granberry Ambassador – (Webster’s) a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his or her own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Pray Continually

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 23, 2008

PRAY CONTINUALLY I read an incredible story this past week on one of the Internet forums of which I am a member. The story was told of a man whom was not even identified because he was unknown. Missionaries Bill and Molly Thompson told of a man who went to a large city in Columbia many years ...read more

Tags: Intercession

Identify With The Lost

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 11, 2008

IDENTIFY WITH THE LOST In her famous book and film, "The Hiding Place" Corrie ten Boom tells the story of a Dutch Christian family, her family, who had a heart for the Jewish people. Her grandfather Wilhelm started a weekly prayer group in 1844 in the city of Haarlem, near Amsterdam for the ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

When We Are No Longer Alert As God's Watchmen, We ...

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Mar 30, 2009

When we are no longer alert as God’s watchmen, we have a tendency to be insensitive to all the dangers around us. I can’t help but be reminded of a frightening experience we had when my eldest son was working the late shift at a bakery. He came home dead tired one night and I was already asleep. ...read more

Tags: Zeal

Denomination: *other

As A Child At Church Camp, A Missionary Told Us ...

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Apr 6, 2009

As a child at church camp, a missionary told us the story of a missionaries traveling into a remote village that was rarely visited by outsiders. Living as their ancient ancestors did, the people were fascinated with motorized vehicles and electricity. These missionaries brought in a generator to ...read more

Tags: Servanthood

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Author, John Kehoe Wrote An Article Called ...

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Jun 21, 2009

Author, John Kehoe wrote an article called Authentic Relationships. I quote, “I have a good friend who is the most authentic person I know. People love being around her because she is so real, with no pretense. She makes everyone feel special, not in a phony way; she makes them feel special because ...read more

Tags: Truth, Respect

Denomination: Salvation Army

A Fasting Story

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 11, 2009

A FASTING STORY Barbara Gordon tells about her first time fasting. (I don’t want to lose my reward) She fasted one day a week for 9 weeks. She was lead to pray for 9 individuals that had requested prayer. At the end she said, "God moved in many ways during that time. While most of the answers ...read more

Tags: Fast

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Search And Rescue

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 21, 2009

SEARCH AND RESCUE There is a group of people I hope we never have to meet. They’re job is hard, exciting, frightening and important all at the same time. They do SAR; Search and Rescue. They work near Reno, Nevada and work ski resorts and desert rescue. They pull people off of Mt. Hood, find lost ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:10

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

The Master Is There; That's Enough

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 21, 2010

THE MASTER IS THERE; THAT'S ENOUGH A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side." Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know." "You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Tags: Heaven

Psalm 47 And Rosh Hashanah

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 20, 2010

PSALM 47 AND ROSH HASHANAH When a brand new believer in 1974, my friend loaned his LP Album by Messianic Jewish group "Lamb." When I married Marylu in 1980, I married into Lamb albums. One of the songs was titled, "Clap Your Hands, All Ye People," and was a paraphrase of Psalm 47. Preparing this ...read more

Tags: Holidays

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Send Us Some Eternity

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Nov 30, 2010

SEND US SOME ETERNITY An English postal worker was in charge of letters inadequately addressed. One Christmas season he discovered a card from his own daughter to Santa. It said, "We're very sad at our house this year. My little brother went to heaven last week. You needn't leave me anything. But ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Stalin: Like Steel Toward God

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 6, 2011

STALIN: LIKE STEEL TOWARD GOD According to Svetlana Stalin, as her father, Joseph Stalin lay dying, he was plagued with terrifying hallucinations. He suddenly sat halfway up in bed, clenched his fist toward the heavens once more, fell back upon his pillow, and was dead. The incredible irony of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Tags: God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Skydiving Sacrifice

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 28, 2012

SKYDIVING SACRIFICE The strength of sacrifice; in May 2002 Robert Bonadies and his fellow instructor Jim Olko were preparing to skydive, along with a novice - Cindy Hyland, in Connecticut. The jump was to be from 12000 ft, falling at 120 mph, which would take just 68 seconds with no parachute. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-14

Tags: Heroism

Five Facts About Valleys

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 17, 2017

God designs valleys for His sheep to grow and sometimes He has to "make us lie down" there to teach us how to trust Him. Here are 5 facts about valleys we need to remember: 1. Valleys are INEVITABLE. Jesus promised valleys would come in this world (John 16:33). 2. Valleys are UNPREDICTABLE. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-4

Tags: Character, Tests, Trials, Valleys Of Life

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Worship Is Showing Up

Contributed by Rob Roy on May 22, 2024

How does Jesus know we love him, what is the proof? By your witness, your gifts, your tithes, your prayers or presence. Did you know I joined twitter? I think the day I did I read several tweets, but never tweeted, and that was long before the 2020 election, and long before I came to Mt. ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-19

Tags: Worship, Showing Love

Be Found Faithful

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Mar 31, 2025

Remember the movie, Ben Hur? It came out in 1959. The movie won 11 Oscars and was over three and a half hours long. The most memorable scene in the film is the chariot race. Charlton Heston was trained for five weeks before the shooting of that scene. Heston was grateful for the trainer's ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Tags: Faithfulness, Ben Hur, Chariot Race, Charles Heston

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dennis Said, "I Don't Think I've Ever ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Dec 22, 2000

ILL. Dennis said, "I don’t think I’ve ever experienced greater culture shock than what I experienced at the very first Thai village we visited. This was a village which the missionaries had not yet reached with the good news of Jesus. The people were still living with all their superstitions & ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:20-26

Tags: God Brings Hope

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Linchpin For Disaster!" Romans 13: 8-14 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 10, 2004

“Linchpin for Disaster!” Romans 13: 8-14 Key verse(s): 13: “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.” In the recent heavy rains that struck the state this past spring, of chief concern ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-14

Tags: Emotions, Faith

Denomination: Lutheran

Told By Philip Yancey In His Book: What's So ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Feb 18, 2007

told by Philip Yancey in his book: What’s so Amazing about Grace. Yancey tells the story of a prodigal daughter who grows up in Traverse City, Michigan. Disgusted with her old fashioned parents who overreact to her nose ring, the music she listens to, the length of her skirts, she runs away. She ...read more

Listen To This Story Of Grace As Told By Philip ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 26, 2007

Listen to this story of grace as told by Philip Yancey in his book: What’s so Amazing about Grace. Yancey tells the story of a prodigal daughter who grows up in Traverse City, Michigan. Disgusted with her old fashioned parents who overreact to her nose ring, the music she listens to, the length of ...read more