In Sermon Illustrations: "Preparation"

Our Dog Ami Sometimes Jumps Up On A Chair While ...

Contributed by Glen O'brien on Sep 21, 2006

Our dog Ami sometimes jumps up on a chair while we are eating dinner and looks longingly at what we are eating hoping for a handout. She closes her eyes, as if in closing her eyes we won’t notice she’s there. This is her passive approach. But if that doesn’t work and she’s particularly hungry and ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

There Was A Young Pastor Fresh Out Of Seminary. ...

Contributed by Don Jones on Jan 7, 2007

There was a young pastor fresh out of seminary. Had finally gotten called to his first church and was extremely excited. He had 3 years of fresh new ideas and he couldn’t wait to take over so he could show and tell the church what to do. The first Sunday he stood before the church and gave ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Christ Is About To Leave His Disciples. He ...

Contributed by Chris Edmondson on Feb 4, 2007

Jesus Christ is about to leave his disciples. He is about to go. He tells them in 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled; I am going to leave you to prepare a place for you. I will come again to receive you unto myself.” I have to go right now, though. The disciples had been walking with Jesus for ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Fields Of Flanders Were No Place To Be On ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

The fields of Flanders were no place to be on Christmas Eve, 1914. Thousands of British, French, Belgian and German troops were dug-in and planning yet another day’s carnage. None of them would have guessed that the “War to End All Wars” would continue nearly four more years and ultimately cost ...read more

Tags: Guilt

Adults Often Don't Grasp Mature, Christian Love. ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Adults often don’t grasp mature, Christian love. Chuck Swindoll told about the guy who fell in love with an opera singer. He hardly knew her, since his only view of the singer was through binoculars--from the third balcony. But he was convinced he could live happily ever after married to a voice ...read more

Tags: Grace

Tell Somebody, Christianity Is About A ...

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Jul 18, 2007

Tell somebody, Christianity is about a relationship, not rules. 1. Religion is about rules. Let’s face it, religion is hard work. * A good Muslim has to pray 5 times a day. He or she will also fast for a whole month every year. * An orthodox Jew has to use separate sinks for ...read more

Tags: World Religions

Denomination: Baptist

Last Week, As Part Of Their Study Of Wwii, We ...

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Aug 23, 2007

Last week, as part of their study of WWII, we watched, The Longest Day, a classic film with dozens of famous actors, including John Wayne. Much of the action centers on the allies efforts to take Omaha Beach. The Germans had every tactical advantage and hundreds of men were killed by machine gun ...read more

Tags: Faith, Doing God's Will, God's Omniscience

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

There Is Story That Probably Was Not Real But ...

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Feb 11, 2008

There is story that probably was not real but like any parable simply conveys a deeper sense of truth (stories often do that which is probably why Jesus used so many stories to talk about the kingdom). In this story an elderly woman has learned that she has an inoperable, terminal illness. She ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

The Rope  PRO

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 7, 2008

THE ROPE The story tells about a mountain climber who wanted to climb the highest mountain. He begun his adventure after many years of preparation. But since he wanted the glory just for himself, he decided to climb the mountain alone. The night felt heavy in the heights of the mountains, and the ...read more

Tags: Trust

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Flawed Individuals On A Rescue Mission  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 2, 2008

FLAWED INDIVIDUALS ON A RESCUE MISSION The author of the book entitled, "The Word and Power Church: What Happens When A Church Seeks All God Has to Offer," Doug Banister, writes, "The Spring of 1940 found Hitler’s panzer divisions mopping up French troops and preparing for a seige of Great ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-12

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Sleeping Through The Storm

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Nov 10, 2008

SLEEPING THROUGH THE STORM Years ago a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and ...read more

Tags: Peace

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

John Newton: Infidel Restored  PRO

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Jan 18, 2009

John Newton: Infidel Restored John Newton continued his ministry into his old age, turning a deaf ear to friends who urged him to accept retirement, as by the time he reached 80 he was almost blind and partially deaf. "I cannot stop" he replied. "What! Shall the old African blasphemer stop while ...read more

Tags: Christian Witness

Denomination: Baptist

Don Sutton's Motivation  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jun 1, 2009

DON SUTTON'S MOTIVATION Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton hadn’t won a game in 8 weeks. The press was suggesting that he be dropped from the starting lineup. The future looked bleak, and Sutton felt terrible. Then, before a game, Dodgers manager Walter Alston tapped him on the shoulder. "I’d ...read more

Tags: Encouragement

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Henry Surber Is A Distant And Ancient Relative Of ...

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jul 31, 2009

Henry Surber is a distant and ancient relative of mine. The following is from “History of Montgomery County, Kansas”: The Rev. Henry Surber, a Campbellite preacher and an early settler of the "Hoosier State." The latter took his family to Iowa in the early settlement of that state and he aided ...read more

Tags: Preaching

Denomination: Christian Church

No Peace In ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 2, 2009

No Peace in World The weekend of December 7, 1941, started out to be another routine weekend. The aircraft carriers were at dockside and the crews were enjoying the day with rest and relaxation. The sky was clear, the sun was shining and the weather was beautiful. This was a perfect picture of ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Tags: War

Christmas Celebrations Around The World  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 28, 2009

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE WORLD As Americans, we pride ourselves in "doing Christmas up right." Tons of gifts, big holiday feasts, huge trees, Lights on the houses. USA! Here are some of the other ways people prepare for the celebration of Christmas. * In Italy they have no Christmas ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Resisting The Temptation To ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 9, 2010

Resisting the Temptation to Lie It’s the only thing we can do when we can’t see ahead – follow the Lord step-by-step. That means doing what we know HE wants us to do, even if it doesn’t always make sense to us. Jim George, in his book, God’s Man of Influence, talks about trying to sell a used ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Temptation Resisting

The Preacher And The Farmer  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 5, 2011

THE PREACHER AND THE FARMER Years ago, a young man had just gotten out of Bible College where he’d spent several years learning all the theological terminology that he thought would make him a successful preacher. He’d just been hired at a country church and he was determined to begin bringing new ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Tags: Evangelism How To

We All Have To Run

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 11, 2011

WE ALL HAVE TO RUN First of all, let’s establish one immutable fact--we all have to run; we have no choice. An intelligence far above our own; and the circumstances which have been placed upon us, dictate that we all must run just to survive. Out on the grassy plains of the African Savannah lives ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Roots And Fruits

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 10, 2011

ROOTS AND FRUITS How many of you have been to a funeral? As you approach the casket you'll see numerous floral arrangements, and these floral displays use two different kinds of flowers. First there are the bouquets of cut flowers, and there are planters. There's generally more bouquets than ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ