In Sermon Illustrations: "Preparation"

Hearing God Correctly

Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on Mar 25, 2004

“In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-21

Tags: Hearing God, Soul, Sin

Denomination: Baptist

Just The Other Day A Mild Mannered Young Man Came ...  PRO

Contributed by Georgina Pando-Connolly on Apr 30, 2004

just the other day a mild mannered young man came into my office ready for a divorce. He complained that his bride was so bossy that she was driving him off the wall. He wanted things to change, immediately. I told him that he needed to build his self-esteem and that this would take time. Then I ...read more

Tags: Marriage Struggle, Marriage Commitment

Denomination: Methodist

To Make It Possible For Everyone To Attend ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 29, 2004

"To make it possible for everyone to attend worship next Sunday, we are having a special "No Excuses" Sunday: • "Beds will be placed in the aisles for all those who say, "Sunday is the only day I’m able to sleep in late." • "Eye drops will be provided for all those who watch TV too late on ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Nothing Grows Under A Banyan Tree." This South ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Mcnair on Oct 27, 2004

"Nothing grows under a banyan tree." This South Indian proverb speaks of leadership styles. The banyan is a great tree. It spreads its branches, drops air-roots, develops secondary trunks and covers the land. A full grown banyan may cover more than an acre of land. Birds, animals, and humans find ...read more

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Baptist

In April, 1988 The Evening News Reported On A ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

In April, 1988 the evening news reported on a photographer who was also a skydiver. He had jumped from a plane along with several other skydivers and filmed the group as they individually dove out of the plane and opened their parachutes. As the video was being shown of each member of the crew ...read more

Tags: Jesus Teachings

Tater People  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

TATER PEOPLE (author unknown) Some people are very bossy and like to tell others what to do, but don’t want to soil their own hands. Too many chiefs and not enough Indians They are called "Dick Taters" . Some people never seem motivated to participate, but are just content to watch while others do ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

There Is A Story Of A Frontier Settlement In The ...  PRO

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Jul 5, 2007

There is a story of a frontier settlement in the West whose people were engaged in the lumbering business. The town wanted a church, so they built one and called a minister. The preacher was well received until one day he happened to see some of his parishioners clawing onto the bank some logs that ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Heaven Is A Place Of "No-More." It Is A Place ...

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Jul 24, 2007

Heaven is a place of “no-more.” It is a place where there are no more tears. These verses tell us that God will wipe away the tears of His children. Oh my friend, at the banquet Jesus has prepared for us, the tears of the lonely will be wiped away, because there they will find a “Friend who ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Always More To Follow

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 29, 2010

ALWAYS MORE TO FOLLOW C. H. Spurgeon had an illustration he would use to depict ‘grace’. A large sum of money was given to a man called Rowland Hill; His job was to distribute the money to a particular Christian pastor. Thinking that the amount was too much to send all at once, Hill forwarded ...read more

Tags: Grace

Denomination: Brethren

No Fear  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 7, 2011

NO FEAR Brian Simo is a race car driver, and most of you have probably never heard of him. However there is one thing about him with which you are probably familiar. In 1985 he created the "No Fear" clothing line and found an idea that appealed to many Americans. We have a lot of respect for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Tags: Fear And Worry

True Christianity

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Aug 27, 2012

This past Wednesday, many across our country and others, went to their local churches to have ashes placed on their foreheads, as a sign of repentance. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period that many “give-up” something in preparation for the coming of Easter. In the ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Baptist

A Pastor In Disguise

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 9, 2013

A Pastor in Disguise A few years ago at a Methodist Church in North Wales, as worshippers arrived at the church, they were distressed to see a dirty, drunk, smelly homeless man on the front steps. They didn't realize this bum was actually their pastor, Derek Rigby, who had disguised himself as a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Tags: Compassion, Homeless

When The First Ice Cream Cone Was Born

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2019

A lot gets accomplished when people work together. In the summer of 1904, at the World’s Fair in St. Louis, it was hot and people were searching for something to help cool them off. A vendor named Arnold had just what they were looking for……something called ice cream. People lined up for what ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-7

Tags: Unity, Working Together

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In 1629, When The Favorite Wife Of Indian Ruler ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 1, 2008

In 1629, when the favorite wife of Indian ruler Shah Jahan died, he ordered that a magnificent tomb be built as a memorial to her. The shah placed his wife’s casket in the middle of a parcel of land, and construction of the temple literally began around it. But several years into the venture, the ...read more

Tags: Goals

Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord Send Peace (Judges ...

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 9, 2008

Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord Send Peace (Judges 6:24) Jesus! whose blood so freely stream'd To satisfy the law's demand; By Thee from guilt and wrath redeem'd, Before the Father's face I stand. To reconcile offending man, Make Justice drop her angry rod; What creature could have form'd the plan, Or ...read more

Tags: Peace

Denomination: Other

Remember The Mission

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 12, 2008

REMEMBER THE MISSION In 1629, when the favorite wife of Indian ruler Shah Jahan died, he ordered that a magnificent tomb be built as a memorial to her. The shah placed his wife's casket in the middle of a parcel of land, and construction of the temple literally began around it. But several years ...read more

Tags: Church Growth

His Never Failing Help

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Dec 31, 2008

HIS NEVER FAILING HELP While walking along the shores of the Dead Sea one day, a man lost his balance and fell into the water at a point where it was rather deep. Never having learned to swim, he was panic-stricken. In desperation he began to thrash about with his arms and legs, fearing he would ...read more

Tags: God Brings Hope

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Traditions Around The World

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 19, 2022

As Americans, we pride ourselves in "doing Christmas up big." Tons of gifts, big holiday feasts, huge trees, Lights on the houses. Here are some of the other ways people prepare for the celebration of Christmas: * In Italy they have no Christmas trees, instead they decorate small ...read more

Tags: Customs, Traditions, Christmas, Birth Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Solar Eclipse Will Happen On Nisan 1.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 6, 2024

The next total solar eclipse that will streak across America takes place on April 8, 2024. On the Hebrew calendar, this is the first day of the month of Nisan which corresponds with April on the Gregorian calendar. At sundown in Israel on April the 8th at approximately 11 am (EST), Nissan 1 begins. ...read more

Tags: End Times, Prophecy, Second Coming, Last Days, Rapture, Passover, Return Of Christ, Solar Eclipse, Jewish Calendar  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Movie King Arthur Retells The Legend Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by David Ward on Jun 11, 2005

The movie King Arthur retells the legend of the great warrior king who ruled England in the dark ages. Arthur (Clive Owen) is a Christian of Roman origin, but his knights are all pagans who were forced into service at a young age. Arthur has won over their allegiance by his selfless leadership, but ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: Baptist