In Sermon Illustrations: "Press"

Amazed That Two People Could Be Raised In Same ...

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Apr 5, 2005

Amazed that two people could be raised in same household, by same parents, in same town, go to same school, experience much of same life and yet one be so different from the other. The Jews all be religious and seeking God yet some obtained and some became enemies of the gospel. Latter half of ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, God's Provision

I Have Always Loved Blackberries. When I Was A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 15, 2005

I have always loved blackberries. When I was a child, my grandmother would take me out blackberry picking so that she could make one of her famous blackberry cobblers. If you have ever picked blackberries, you know that they are heavily protected by very thorny vines. Grandma and I would prepare ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-8

Tags: Dead To Sin

In 1212 A French Shepherd Boy By The Name Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 21, 2005

In 1212 a French shepherd boy by the name of Steven claimed that Jesus had appeared to him disguised as a pilgrim. Supposedly, Jesus instructed him to take a letter to the king of France. This poor, misguided boy told everyone he saw about what he thought he had encountered. Before long he had ...read more

Tags: Sin Deceptive

The Government Of Polish Prime Minister ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2006

The government of Polish Prime Minister Jaruzelski had ordered crucifixes removed from classroom walls, just as they had been banned in factories, hospitals, and other public institutions. Catholic bishops attacked the ban that had stirred waves of anger and resentment all across Poland. Ultimately ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity

1956 National Championship In Melbourne…in The ...

Contributed by Roger Nelmes on Jan 10, 2007

1956 National Championship in Melbourne…in the third lap, Ron Clarke (Australian and World Junior Mile record holder) and John Landy moved forward at a strong pace. They were shooting for a new world record! Then Alec Henderson tried to squeeze between the two runners and the inside edge of the ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Recently Read An Article That Told This Story, ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Mar 19, 2007

I recently read an article that told this story, “The most sacred symbol in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is a tree: a sprawling, shade-bearing, 80-year-old American Elm. Tourists drive from miles around to see her. People pose for pictures beneath her. Arborists carefully protect her. She adorns ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Don't Stop Ringing The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 13, 2009

DON’T STOP RINGING THE BELL Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that thou mayest believe, but believe that thou mayest understand. Augustine. A man took his son to the tiny rural community where he grew up. He was disappointed to discover that the little church ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:18-19

Tags: Revival

Poem On Bearing One Another's ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 9, 2009

Poem on Bearing One Another’s Burdens If you’re feeling low and worthless; there seems nothing you can do, Just take courage and remember, there is someone needing you. You were created for a purpose, for a part in God’s great plan Bear ye one another’s burdens so fulfill Christ’s law to man. Are ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-14

Tags: Servanthood

Gui—dance

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Mar 9, 2010

GUI--DANCE Robert Smith wrote in "Doctrine That Dances": "When I meditated on the word 'Guidance,' I kept seeing 'dance' at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

William Cowper's

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 22, 2010

William Cowper’s "On Opening a Place for Social Prayer" In considering the audience of prayer, properly put, it is God, yet, it is the company of others that deserves prayer. William Cowper wrote this entitled: "On Opening a Place for Social Prayer" Jesus! where’er Thy people meet, There they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Tags: Prayer, Prayer General

Gordon Brown, Englands Prime Minister Described A ...

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on May 4, 2010

Gordon Brown, Englands Prime Minister described a widow as a "BIGOTED WOMAN" recently. He meant it to be a private comment but was picked up by a microphone he was wearing. Mrs Duffy asked some questions to Mr Brown regarding immigration, and cornered him with questions about the budget deficit. ...read more

Tags: Racism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Dreams Of James Irwin

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Mar 21, 2011

THE DREAMS OF JAMES IRWIN It started like so many evenings--Mom and Dad at home and Jimmy playing after dinner. Mom and Dad were absorbed with jobs and did not notice the time. It was a full moon, and some of the light seeped through the windows. Then Mom glanced at the clock. "Jimmy, it's time to ...read more

Tags: Dreams

Denomination: Baptist

Out-Of-Whack Priorities

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 26, 2011

OUT-OF-WHACK PRIORITIES USA Today ran an article on October 25th, 1995 that is a great illustration about priorities. It reads... "Ronald Warwick, captain of the luxury cruise ship Queen Elizabeth II, questioned a passenger who paid full fare for his dog to join them on an around-the-world ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Tags: Worldliness

I Recently Read An Insightful Story That Would ...  PRO

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Feb 8, 2012

I recently read an insightful story that would serve as a good reminder for us both as we prepare to part ways. The story is about a group of climbers who set out to scale a large mountain in Europe. The view boasted a breathtaking peak of snowcapped rocks. On clear days the crested point reigned ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Tags: Complaining, God Brings Purpose

Denomination: Baptist

Joanne Shetler Spent Years In The Philippines ...

Contributed by Tim Spear on Dec 3, 2012

Joanne Shetler spent years in the Philippines with the Balangao people, translating the Bible into their language and trying to tell them the good news of the Savior. But it was slow going. One day Ama, a man who had “adopted” her as his Balangao daughter, picked up an English New Testament from ...read more

Tags: Missions

Denomination: Baptist

Managing Time

Contributed by David Simpson on Jan 30, 2018

No matter what changes, no matter how much changes, TIME remains the same. And even though we know that, we never seem to have enough time. Consider the Calvin and Hobbes cartoon. Calvin says to Hobbes, "God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 39:4-6

Tags: Investing Your Life, Spending Time Wisely, Time Management

Denomination: Christian Church

A Silent Kindness

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Feb 27, 2019

Sir Nicholas George Winton – “A Silent Kindness” Nicholas Winton’s parents were German Jews who had moved to London two years before his birth. The family name was Wertheim, but was changed to Winton, they also converted to Christianity, and had Nicholas baptised. Nicholas Winton became a banker ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:15-17

Tags: Love, Children, Compassion, Kindness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dealing With Stress

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 19, 2020

When I was a kid, we raised chicken for our food. At first, we only had a few in a large pen. It was a fairly natural environment for them with lots of grass to scratch around in for insects and seeds. Those chickens were very healthy in that environment. Then we dramatically increased their ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6, Jeremiah 2:13, 1 Peter 5:7

Tags: Healing, Sin, Addiction, Habits

Denomination: Charismatic

Quote: One Hanging On A Tree

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 11, 2007

Quote: One Hanging on a Tree John Newton, 1725–1807 said: In evil long I took delight, Unawed by shame or fear, Till a new object struck my sight, And stopp’d my wild career: I saw One hanging on a Tree In agonies and blood, Who fix’d His languid eyes on me. As near His Cross I stood. Sure never ...read more

Denomination: Other

In His Autobiography In 2004, Pete Rose Finally ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

In his autobiography in 2004, Pete Rose finally admitted that he bet on baseball games while employed as manager of the Cincinnati Reds — an infraction that produced a lifetime ban from the sport in 1989. Rose’s admission of guilt came after denying any wrongdoing for almost 15 years. And he has ...read more

Tags: Sin Bondage To