In Sermon Illustrations: "Promises"

Miraculous Protection Of Missionary John G. ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 17, 2009

Miraculous Protection of Missionary John G. Paton John G. Paton was a missionary to the New Hebrides. He had aroused the enmity of the local native chief by his successes in the Gospel, the chief hired a man to kill the missionary. The man went to the missionary’s house, but instead of murdering ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16

Tags: Missions, Angels

On November 26, 19977 I Was Given A Wonderful ...

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Jan 25, 2010

On November 26, 1977 I was given a wonderful gift by God, my wife Jan. Those early years of marriage we felt we were living ‘the abundant life’. But on August 17, 1981 I was given the greatest gift, this gift was priceless in nature. It was far greater than a promise to “go to heaven”. This ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Baptist

Here’s A Story About A Woman Who Was ...

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on May 11, 2010

Here’s a story about a woman who was standing at a bus stop. She had just cashed her tax refund check, so she was carrying more money than usual. She glanced around and noticed a shabbily dressed man standing nearby. As she watched, she saw another man walk up to him, hand him some money, and ...read more

Tags: Kindness

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Alexander Fraser Tyler, In His 1770 Book Cycle ...

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Sep 22, 2010

Alexander Fraser Tyler, in his 1770 book Cycle of Democracy, wrote, "A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves largesse (generous gifts) from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes ...read more

Tags: America

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I've Got A Flashlight!  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 13, 2011

I'VE GOT A FLASHLIGHT! Ann Beck of North Carollton, Mississippi, talks about the days when her husband and she taught 2- and 3-year-olds in Sunday school. A Bible verse they helped the pre-schoolers memorize was Psalms 56: "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." Their preschool son, Mark, was one ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 56:3

Tags: Fear And Worry

The Beautiful Country: Predestination

Contributed by Michael Walther on Jun 6, 2011

THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY: PREDESTINATION A few years ago, a movie came out about a boy in Vietnam who’s father had been an American GI (The Beautiful Country). His life was miserable because no one in Vietnam accepted him. He was a half-breed. His mother wanted him to try to escape to America to ...read more

Tags: Election

Denomination: Lutheran

Bill Hybels: Why People Are Lonely

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 14, 2011

BILL HYBELS: WHY PEOPLE ARE LONELY Why do we have a sense of loneliness today? Bill Hybels explains it this way: "It is a "me-first” mind-set. This mind-set says indulge yourself, fulfill your desires, satiate your appetites, pursue pleasure, take off all restraints. As much as we might want to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Tags: Servanthood

What Do You Do In Disaster?

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 31, 2011

WHAT DO YOU DO IN DISASTER? What do you do when you are faced with a disaster that strikes home at your heart? Do you respond or do you try to blame others? Do you ignore it? Pretend it’s just a story? Nehemiah finds out how bad the city of Jerusalem is from a recent news report. It perplexes ...read more

Tags: Nehemiah

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Century Plant

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Feb 10, 2012

THE CENTURY PLANT Abraham has now reached the Century mark! He is 100 years old and Sarah is 90. A common sight in America's Southwest desert is the century plant. It's unique. The century plant (Agave Americana) thrives in rocky, mountainous, desert sites. It has dramatic, splayed leaves that ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Orphans

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 24, 2014

Rubel Shelly tells of his friends Rich and Patty White, who traveled to a 3rd world country to adopt a little girl named Olona. After 2 years of effort and paperwork, the Whites stood before a judge who read words from an official document: “Inasmuch as Olona Morgan is orphaned and unwanted by ...read more

Scripture: John 14:18

Tags: Chosen By God, Orphan, Unwanted

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Five Facts About Valleys

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 17, 2017

God designs valleys for His sheep to grow and sometimes He has to "make us lie down" there to teach us how to trust Him. Here are 5 facts about valleys we need to remember: 1. Valleys are INEVITABLE. Jesus promised valleys would come in this world (John 16:33). 2. Valleys are UNPREDICTABLE. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-4

Tags: Character, Tests, Trials, Valleys Of Life

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fallen

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 23, 2019

Fallen I wanted to be the best you ever had. Now, I am a lonesome, loathsome cad. I once drank in Your holy truth. Now, I drown myself in gin and vermouth. I told others of the sacrifice you gave. Now, it is my soul You need to save. I sang the power of the Blood Then dragged you Name ...read more

Tags: Repentance, Sorrow

Denomination: Baptist

Many Years Ago, A Scottish Jesuit Priest ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 1, 2008

Many years ago, a Scottish Jesuit priest expressed to John Knox, his great frustration and confusion over the inconsistencies of his life. The following was Knox’s suggested prayer: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and put an end at Thy good pleasure to this my miserable life; for justice and truth ...read more

One Of The Greatest Secrets To Prayer Is ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2008

One of the greatest secrets to prayer is persistence. Some fishermen were caught in a sudden storm on Lake Superior. It seemed that unless something happened, their boat would be swamped. One of the men were experienced at prayer, so they selected one of theme to pray. The one selected to pray ...read more

C.s. Lewis Certainly Recognized This, And In His ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2008

C.S. Lewis certainly recognized this, and in his essay "The Law of Human Nature", he built and established a very strong and incontrovertible argument for the case. In the middle of this short piece he says, "Whenever you find a man who says he does not believe in a real Right and Wrong, you will ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity

Many Years Ago, A Scottish Jesuit Priest ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2008

Many years ago, a Scottish Jesuit priest expressed to John Knox, his great frustration and confusion over the inconsistencies of his life. The following was Knox’s suggested prayer: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and put an end at Thy good pleasure to this my miserable life; for justice and ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Says In His Book "Life ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 27, 2008

Dietrich Bonhoeffer says in his book "Life Together": "God has willed that we should seek and find His living Word in the witness of a brother/sister, in the mouth of a man/ woman. Therefore, the Christian needs another Christian who speaks God's Word to him/her. He/she needs him again and again ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Many Years Ago, A Scottish Jesuit Priest ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Many years ago, a Scottish Jesuit priest expressed to John Knox, his great frustration and confusion over the inconsistencies of his life. The following was Knox's suggested prayer: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and put an end at Thy good pleasure to this my miserable life; for justice and truth ...read more

Tags: Sanctification

I Have This Attic Over My House. There Are All ...

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 26, 2009

I have this attic over my house. There are all sorts of things up there; most of them non-life forms. Among the assorted things I do not understand is a myriad of electrical and mechanical devices. The most evil of those is a disconnect for the two zone heat and air units. It’s a safety device. ...read more

Tags: Restoration

Denomination: United Methodist

The Happy Meal

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Sep 19, 2020

The McDonalds “Happy Meal” might be the most famous meal in all the world. It's a meal for a kid that’s served at McDonalds restaurants that promises to make them happy – at least for a few fleeting minutes! In the mid-1970s, a MacDonald’s restaurant in Guatemala offered a hamburger, small ...read more

Tags: Peace, Happiness, Joy, Holiness

Denomination: Pentecostal