In Sermon Illustrations: "Presence Of God"

Open Rebuke Is Better Than Secret Love.

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 25, 2021

The Scripture tells us that "Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Proverbs 27:5-6).   Rebuke means sin is not only pointed out, it is condemned. The church really doesn’t do this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Sin, Preaching, Repentance, Rebuke, Pastors, The Word Of God, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Greatest Building Disaster In History

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 2, 2022

In 1174, the Italian architect Bonnano Pisano began work on what would become his most famous project: a separately standing eight-story bell tower in the city of Pisa. There was just one “little” problem: builders quickly discovered that the soil was much softer than they had anticipated, and the ...read more

Tags: Foundations, Eternity, Obedience, Rock, Sand, Word Of God, Parables  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Roger Rose Tells This Story: When He Was A Boy ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Roger Rose tells this story: When he was a boy more than 60 years ago, his young brother was fatally injured in a tragic accident. A dirt road ran alongside their house, and only on rare occasions would there be a car on it. But one day as his brother was crossing on his bike, a car came roaring ...read more

Tags: Communion, Cross, Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, God's Provision  (view more)  (view less)

When I Was In The Media, I Spent A Week In ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

When I was in the media, I spent a week in Culion, Palawan. In fact, it was a holy week. Yes, that’s part of Palawan. But I don’t think you would like to go there. Culion was a leper colony. That’s where we quarantine or exile people afflicted with leprosy or Hansen’s disease in the past. When I ...read more

Tags: Faith, Bread, Servant, Second Coming, Slave, God's Provision  (view more)  (view less)

At Six Weeks Of Age, Fanny Crosby Was Blinded, ...  PRO

Contributed by George Mansfield on Feb 1, 2008

At six weeks of age, Fanny Crosby was blinded, but even as a youngster she determined not to be confined by the chains of darkness. In time, she became a mighty force for God through her hymns and Gospel songs. The secret is this: when you have the single mind of purpose, you look on your ...read more

Tags: Enemy, Battle, Peace, Giving, Fight, Peacemaker, God's Might  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This Is Good  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 11, 2008

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: Psalm 46:1-7

Tags: Hunger, Trusting God, Past, Fire, Memory, Attitude General  (view more)  (view less)

Why Peter Wanted To Walk On The Water

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 7, 2022

Peter said to Jesus, "Command me to come to You on the water !" He wasn't getting out of the boat until the Lord called him to do that. Don't go and jump out of your boat and then expect a miracle from Jesus if He hasn't called you out of the boat in the first ...read more

Tags: Faith, Fear, Jesus, Obedience, Peter, Miracles, God's Voice  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pretty Good Preaching For A Dollar!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 20, 2022

A man and his ten year-old son were on a fishing trip miles from home. At the boy’s insistence, they decided to attend the Sunday worship service at a small rural church. The father forgot to bring any cash, so he reached in his pocket and gave his son a dollar to drop into the offering plate as ...read more

Tags: Giving, Stewardship, Complaining, Tithing, Critical Spirit, Cheating God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

This Old House

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 2, 2023

This old house once knew my children This old house once knew my wife This old house was home and comfort As we fought the storms of life This old house once rang with laughter This old house knew many shouts Now it trembles in the darkness When the lightning walks about Ain't gonna need this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Tags: Resurrection, Heaven, Body, Temple Of God, New Body, Songs  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Evel Knievel Fell Short Of The Goal

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 19, 2023

One of the fads of 1970s America was the motorcycle jump. This trend reached its high (and low) point on September 8, 1974. Thousands of spectators gathered around the Snake River Canyon in Idaho to see if Evel Knievel could jump across the chasm in a specially designed “sky cycle.” In the end, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23

Tags: Sinners, Sin, Judgment, Failure, Sinful Nature, Glory Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Get Rid Of Your Pastor!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 9, 2023

What a blessing it is to have a pastor who loves the Lord, who teaches the Word, and who leads his "flock" aright. I thank God we have a man like that in the church which I attend. In these days of apostasy, when there is such a tragic departure from an emphasis on the Word, how we ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-11

Tags: Ministry, Pastors, Apostasy, Man Of God, Churches, Division, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bullet Proof George Washington

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 19, 2023

On July 9th, 1755, during the French and Indian War, after a difficult battle, George Washington gathered his troops and went to Fort Cumberland in western Maryland, arriving there on July 17, 1755. The next day, Washington wrote a letter to his family explaining that after the battle was over, he ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Tags: United States Of America, Protection, Angels, Miracles, God's Will, Providence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

George Muller's Miracle After 52 Years Of Praying

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 8, 2024

Muller himself interceded for more than half a century for the salvation of a small group of men. He once wrote: “In November, 1844, I began to pray for the conversion of five individuals. I prayed every day without a single intermission, whether sick or in health, on the land or on the sea, and ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

Tags: Evangelism, Missions, Prayer, Intercession, Miracles, Faithfulness, Waiting On God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ocean Of Understanding Awaits

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Dec 22, 2024

Many saved by grace through faith in Christ wait on the shore of a great ocean. For them great opportunities to serve, encounter life change, and gain deeper understanding of God and their fellow man awaits. All ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Faith, Belief, Understanding, Ocean, Depth, Kingdom Of God, Shore  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Mr. Rogers Cardigan

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Apr 13, 2025

We learn how God so loved the world. God sent His Son. He didn’t just say, “I love you.” He showed it. He gave something deeply personal. Something costly. Something that met our greatest need. And in a much smaller, but still powerful way, Fred Rogers—yes, Mister Rogers—modeled that kind of ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34

Tags: Love, Give, God Gave, Love Gives, Love Costs  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Free Flowing River Purifies Itself And Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Dec 8, 2000

A free flowing river purifies itself and is alive with life. So also is the Christian who becomes involved with others in sharing the Gospel. That Christian will discover the reason for his or her existence. Being involved in the ...read more

Tags: Sharing Your Faith, Sharing My Testimony, God Brings Purpose

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Pastor Was Preparing A Christmas Message And ...  PRO

Contributed by Harold Miller on Dec 15, 2000

A pastor was preparing a Christmas message and fell asleep in his study at the church. He dreamed that he was in a world into which Jesus had never come. He walked out on the streets, but no church spires pointed to heaven. He was summoned by a weeping child to visit her dying mother, but on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11

Tags: God Brings Hope, Forgiveness In Jesus, Jesus Is The Way, Christmas Advent

Denomination: Mennonite

Simple Confession, Profound Forgiveness  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Feb 1, 2001

SIMPLE CONFESSION, PROFOUND FORGIVENESS In 1818 one out of six women who had children died of something called "childbirth fever." A doctor’s daily routine back then started in the dissecting room, where he performed autopsies, and from there he made his rounds to examine expectant mothers. No one ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:9

Tags: Forgiveness, Cleansing, Confession Of Sin, Lord's Supper, Mothers, God's Forgiveness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

C. S. Lewis Once Said: "It Is Easier To Be ...  PRO

Contributed by Mary Lewis on Feb 12, 2001

C. S. Lewis once said: "it is easier to be enthusiastic about humanity with a capital "H" than it is to love individual men and women, especially those who are uninteresting, … exasperating, depraved, or otherwise unattractive. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:37-39

Tags: Fake, Excuses, Compassion, True Love, Promises Of God, Sincere Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

One Day A Woman Was Rushing Home From A ...  PRO

Contributed by David Swinney on May 11, 2001

One day a woman was rushing home from a doctor’s appointment. The doctor had been somewhat delayed at the hospital, and the lab work took a little longer than usual so by the time she left the clinic she was running quite a bit behind schedule. She still had to pick up her prescription, pick up ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1, Hebrews 11:1-10

Tags: Joy, God's Provision, Prayer, Prayer Answered, Provision, Pride, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed