In Sermon Illustrations: "Psalm 31 1 4 15 16"

Norman Cates Shared The Humorous Story Of A Guy ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Crow on May 21, 2001

Norman Cates shared the humorous story of a guy who prayed this prayer every morning: "Lord, if you want me to witness to someone today, please give me a sign to show me who it is." One day he found himself on a bus when a big, burly man sat next to him. The bus was nearly empty but this guy sat ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:11-17, Matthew 6:11-15, Romans 12:5, Luke 18:1-8

Tags: Endurance, Evangelism Fear Of, Spiritual Gifts, What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Baptist

The Refiner's Fire  PRO

Contributed by Tim Harrison on Apr 9, 2002

THE REFINER'S FIRE The story is told of a group of women that met for Bible study. While studying in the book of Malachi, chapter three, they came across verse three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled the women and they wondered how this statement ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 66:10, Isaiah 48:10, Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:3

Tags: Character, God's Image, Refine, Purify, New Creation, Time  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: *other

A Monk Joined A Monastery And Took A Vow Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2005

A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. After the first 10 years his superior called him in and asked, “Do you have anything to say?” The monk replied, “Food bad.” After another 10 years the monk again had opportunity to voice his thoughts. He said, “Bed hard.” Another 10 years ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:1-45, Job 10:1-22, Psalm 142:1-7, Philippians 2:14-18

Tags: Anger, Complaining, Disciplines, Silence

Joy And Prayer In Suffering  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 26, 2009

JOY AND PRAYER IN SUFFERING The fact that God chooses to love the unworthy should move us to loud praise frequently. Margaret Sangster Phippen wrote that in the mid-1950’s her father, British minister W.E. Sangster, began to notice some uneasiness in his throat and a dragging in his leg. When he ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:1-6, Genesis 32:22-31, Psalm 30:1-5, Philippians 3:10

Tags: Joy

We're On The Same Team  PRO

Contributed by Gaylon Clark on Dec 9, 2013

Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin had every reason as teammates to be friends, but they were not. Incognito harassed and bullied Martin. He called him a racial slur in a voicemail played by every media outlet in the country. He threatened to kill him and his family. Incognito claimed all of this ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, John 17:20-23, Colossians 3:12-17, Psalm 133:1-3

Tags: Teamwork, Christian Unity, Church Unity, Christian Friendship

Denomination: Baptist

The Sunflower Is Probably The Most Amazing ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

The Sunflower is probably the most amazing flowers God created. They literally follow the sun. No I don’t know about you, but one the most amazing things I have seen is a field of sunflowers. Watching one follow the sun through is cute. Watching hundreds in absolute unison follow the sun is ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, Acts 4:32, John 17:11, Psalm 133:1

Tags: Relationships, Faith General

Grief

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on May 17, 2022

On Death and Loss… He was 50 years old. The cancer was aggressive and relentless. The pain was unmanageable and agonizing. In two months he was gone. I didn't have the opportunity to say good-bye and if I did, what would I say? Could I get the words out? Our last communication, me in Port ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25, Psalm 90:1-12, 2 Corinthians 1:1-7

Tags: Death, Grief, Sickness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[177]. A Message From A Poem – Lord, Open My Eyes

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 26, 2025

[177]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LORD, OPEN MY EYES Opened eyes is truly a marvellous thing. The term “eyes opened” comes to mean understanding and awareness of what is reality or of what is happening. Only once in the whole bible are the words “open my eyes” found, and it is this verse – ...read more

Scripture: John 12:21, 2 Kings 6:17, Psalm 119:18

Tags: Open My Eyes, The Word Of God, The Bible, Eyes Opened, Christian Poems, Wonderful Things, Understanding  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pledge -- Prayer

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 6, 2025

Two men were arguing at work one day about religion. Neither really knew what they were talking about. Finally one said, “Man, you don’t know anything about religion. I’ll bet you ten dollars you can’t even repeat the Lord’s Prayer.” The other grinned. “Oh yeah? It’s a bet!” He straightened up ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:105

Tags: Scripture, Discipleship, Truth, Authority

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Genuine Praise

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 6, 2025

A little old saint who came to church every Sabbath and sat right down front. The preacher was predictable. The sermons were steady, maybe a bit too steady. But every week, that dear lady found something to say “Amen!” about. Every time she did, it startled the whole congregation — because nobody ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1, Philippians 4:4, Hebrews 13:15, Luke 19:37-40

Tags: Worship, Praise, Revival, Gratitude, Testimony  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Twenty Ways To Encourage Your Children To Use ...  PRO

Contributed by Rick Davis on Jun 11, 2003

TWENTY WAYS TO ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN TO USE DRUGS AND BECOME HOODLUMS,TRAMPS AND REBELS. 1. Never eat together as a family. 2. Never have weekly, monthly, or annual family outings that they can look forward to as a family unit. 3. Talk to your children, not ...read more

Tags: Children

Denomination: Baptist

As The [prayer Shawl] Was Placed Over The Head, ...

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 20, 2008

“As the [prayer shawl] was placed over the head, it formed its own tent. WINGS of the garment were formed when the arms were held out. For this reason, the corners of the prayer shawl are often called "wings." During the first century there were several traditions associated with the tzitzit ...read more

Tags: Messianic Prophecies

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Does God See Our Worship?

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 17, 2022

Because Adam and Eve sinned against God, we note from the end of Genesis 3 that they were banished from the perfect Garden of Eden, where God provided everything for them. Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden to now labor for their day to day needs. In the Garden of Eden work was a delight; ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-7

Tags: Worship, God, Heart, Confession, Rebellion, Yielding  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Viral Marketing Isn't That Infectious After All. ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 14, 2008

Viral Marketing isn’t that infectious after all. At least that’s the conclusion of Bringing the Message to the Masses, a new JupiterResearch report that reveals that only 15% of viral marketing efforts of the past year actually succeeded in getting consumers to spread positive word of mouth. One of ...read more

Tags: Communication General

3 Truths About Trials

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 16, 2014

THREE TRUTHS ABOUT TRIALS There is a difference between TEMPTATIONS and TRIALS. Temptations come from the Enemy on the outside to make us weaker. Trials come from the Father to make us stronger. Scripture reminds us of three truths we must remember when we face a trial: 1. Trials come to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Tags: Faith, Temptation, Patience, Trial, Testing Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The State Of The "Tomb" Is Proof Of Jesus' ...

Contributed by David Ibeleme on Jul 8, 2008

The state of the "tomb" is proof of Jesus' resurrection – Jn. ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Independent/Bible

H.g. Wells Wrote In His Book, The Fate Of Man, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 12, 2009

H.G. Wells wrote in his book, The Fate of Man, "Who, except cranks and lunatics, reads the Book of Revelation?" (From a sermon ...read more

Tags: Revelation

When The Railroads Were First Introduced To The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

When the railroads were first introduced to the U.S., some folks feared that they’d be the downfall of the nation! Here’s an excerpt from a letter to then President Jackson dated January 31, 1829: "As you may know, Mr. President, 'railroad' carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles ...read more

Tags: God's Sovereign Will

Later Marriages: Typical First-Time Brides And ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 18, 2006

Later Marriages: Typical first-time brides and grooms are nearly 4 years older than they were in ’60. Then men averaged age 22.8 and women 20.3 vs. 26.9 and ...read more

Tags: Weddings

65% Of The Builder Generation (Born 1927-1945) ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 13, 2009

65% of the Builder generation (born 1927-1945) are evangelical Christians. 35% of the Boomer generation (born 1946-1964) are evangelical Christians. 16% of Generation X (born 1965-1976) are evangelical Christians. 4% of ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ