In Sermon Illustrations: "Probability"

Horse Sense

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 7, 2012

HORSE SENSE I like horses okay, but I am not a horse-person. But for much of history, horses were crucial. As a result, we have developed a lot of idioms involving horses. "Many terms and phrases in the English language harken back to a time not so long ago when horses were of extreme ...read more

Tags: Wisdom

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Look Of Love

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 13, 2023

Most of us have a bank account, at least I hope most of us do. But have you ever watched the bank teller to see what they do? Bank tellers have a rather thankless job. All of that monotonous counting, handling those germy dollar bills, and dealing all day with people who are more than likely in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Tags: False Teachers, Love

Denomination: Baptist

Stealing God

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Aug 20, 2019

A couple had two little boys, ages 8 and 10, who were mischievous. They were always getting into trouble, and their parents knew that if any mischief occurred in their town, their sons were probably involved. The boys' mother heard that a Pastor in town had been successful in disciplining ...read more

Tags: Presence, God

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Miracle Of The Dead Sea Scrolls

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

In 1947, Muhammad adh-Dhib, a twelve-year-old Arab boy, made one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. While looking for a lost goat in Qumran, near the Dead Sea, he threw a stone into a cave and heard the sound of shattering pottery. Curious about the noise, he entered the cave ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Peter 1:21, Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Truth, Miracles, Dead Sea Scrolls  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Then Do We Deal With Overload Across The ...

Contributed by Jim Kane on Dec 3, 2008

How then do we deal with overload across the seasons of life? Here are some suggestions adapted from the thoughts of Dr. Richard Swenson. Learn to ask the question at each new season of life, ‘How much is enough?’ There are seasons in life when we need to do more and be more involved and there are ...read more

Tags: Materialism

Denomination: Church Of God

Just Enough Strength To Make It Go

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2008

JUST ENOUGH STRENGTH TO MAKE IT GO "One hot day, Herman Trueblood, all clean and cooled off by a nice swim in the ocean, saw a sweating man and his two sons trying on a hot day to push a disabled car up an incline. Two voices started yelling at each other inside him. One said, "There is an ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Enough To Make The Thing Go

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2008

ENOUGH TO MAKE THE THING GO One hot day, Herman Trueblood, all clean and cooled off by a nice swim in the ocean, saw a sweating man and his two sons trying on a hot day to push a disabled car up an incline. Two voices started yelling at each other inside him. One said, "There is an opportunity for ...read more

Tags: Endurance

The Golf Club

Contributed by Michael West on Dec 20, 2008

The Golf Club There was a famous golfer who had been invited by the king of Saudi Arabia to play in a tournament. He accepted and was flown there by the King in his own private jet. They played golf, had a good time and the golfer went home. But before he left, the king offered the golfer anything ...read more

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Independent/Bible

That In Fact, Jesus Is Prophecy Fulfilled For He ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

That in fact, Jesus is prophecy fulfilled for He fulfilled almost 200 Old Testament prophecies! What are the odds of a man even fulfilling just a few prophecies? Dr. Peter Stoner, Professor Emeritus of Science at Westmont College, authored a book entitled Science Speaks, (Moody Press, 1969, P.109) ...read more

Tags: Prophecy

The Death Of The Nascar Racing Legend Dale ...

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 17, 2009

The death of the NASCAR racing legend Dale Earhardt at the 2001 Daytona 500 was tragic indeed. On the final lap of the race, he crashed into the wall at a speed of around 180 miles per hour after being tapped from behind. It seemed his death was not his fault but the result of the other driver ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Baptist

Wooden's Attitude

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 20, 2009

WOODEN'S ATTITUDE Coach John Wooden at U.C.L.A. won 665 games in 27 seasons and 10 NCAA titles during his last 12 seasons, including 7 in a row from 1967 to 1973. His UCLA teams also had a record winning streak of 88 games, four perfect 30-0 seasons, and won 38 straight games in NCAA Tournaments. ...read more

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Denomination: Baptist

God Can Change Your Attitude

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Aug 27, 2008

God Can Change Your Attitude We live in an angry world, surrounded by angry people. We can give all kinds of excuses for being an angry person, but none of them really make an angry attitude the only option. I went out to visit our friend Bruce Thursday. If you remember he had surgery for a ...read more

Tags: Attitude General

Denomination: Wesleyan

Salman Rushdie, Is An Author Who Had A Fatawah, ...

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 14, 2008

Salman Rushdie, is an author who had a fatawah, or Islamic death edict, put on his life several years ago for writing a book critical of Islam called Satanic Verses. In another book he wrote entitled Imaginary Homelands he notes one of the family traditions of his home: “In our house, whenever ...read more

Tags: Pride

Denomination: Other

Appearances Of Jesus After His Resurrection

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2022

Jesus appeared at least ten times after His resurrection before He ascended into heaven. There were apparently many more appearances not recorded (see Jn. 20:30–31; 21:25). 1. He appeared to Mary Magdalene (Mk. 16:9–11; Jn. 20:11–18). 2. He appeared to the women running to tell the disciples about ...read more

Tags: Resurrection, Teaching, Preaching, Word Of God, Apostle Paul, Appearances Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unexpected Grace  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 26, 2002

UNEXPECTED GRACE I left work early so I could have some uninterrupted study time right before the final in my Youth Issues class. When I got to class, everybody was doing their last minute studying. The teacher came in and said he would review with us for just a little bit before the test. We went ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10

Tags: Grace, God's Provision

I'll Get Back To You! (08.04.05--Boldness ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 2, 2005

I’ll Get Back to You! (08.04.05--Boldness Too!--Acts 3:11) “Let me think about it and I’ll get back to you.” How often have you heard that said in your life. If we could count the number of times action has been spared by inaction due to the “thought process” necessary beforehand, we’d probably ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:11

Tags: Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Lutheran

Leveling The Ground! (10.21.05--That ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 19, 2005

Leveling the Ground! (10.21.05--That Person!--Genesis 5:3-5) As I paid for my fuel purchase in he came. Everyone in town knew him as just plain Frank. He was dirty, loud and smelly. Most people avoided him because he was just different from most other folks. He didn’t bath or shower but once in a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 5:3-5

Tags: Racism

Denomination: Lutheran

The Red Glove

Contributed by Chester Harris on Dec 4, 2008

THE RED GLOVE It was one of those rare wintry days on the campus of Asbury Seminary with snow drifting over the sidewalks and students slipping and sliding, intentionally and without serious intent! I needed to mail a letter and decided to trek the extra distance to the Wilmore post office, rather ...read more

Tags: Christmas Eve

Denomination: Methodist

In 1981 The Movie, Chariots Of Fire, Won The ...  PRO

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

In 1981 the movie, Chariots of Fire, won the Academy Award for Best Picture. This Hollywood film told the true story of a devout Christian, Eric Liddell, in a very positive way. I want to just show you a clip of the film. Eric has decided he must forfeit his chance to run in the 200 meter dash at ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11

Tags: Faith, Commandments Sabbath, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

At The Beginning Of The World War Ii, Israel ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Kallan on Jan 11, 2003

At the beginning of the World War II, Israel Eugenio was the chief Rabbi of Rome. The Nazis occupied Rome in September 1943. The Nazi officer Kappler demanded 50 kg of gold in place of the Jews. The Jews feverishly managed to collect 35 kg. The chief Rabbi Zolli realized his helplessness. For the ...read more

Tags: Grace, Salvation, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Catholic