In Sermon Illustrations: "Psalm 65 1 8 9 13"

Dead Churches  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2009

DEAD CHURCHES In the town of Sedlec in the Czech Republic, there is a famous cemetery that dates back to the 13th century. Some 40,000 people who died from the Black Plague in the 14th century and in the Hussite wars in the beginning of the 15th century were buried there. Around 1400 a Gothic ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Tags: Church Purpose Of

[162]. A Message From A Poem – Jewels Of God’s Reflected Beauty

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 12, 2025

[162]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – JEWELS OF GOD’S REFLECTED BEAUTY This was a difficult poem to write trying to get it right the way I wanted. It is probably an unusual subject anyway. By jewels, I mean literal jewels. I love gemstones though I have none. Can’t afford them, but my God has so ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:9, Revelation 21:18-21, Revelation 21:16-17, Revelation 21:10-11, Revelation 21:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: The New Jerusalem, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Gemstones, Home Of The Bride, Precious Gems, Gold, Pearl, Gems, Colors, Pearls, The Holy City, Color  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wealth Vs. Happiness: The Number Of Households ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Wealth Vs. Happiness: The number of households with more than $1 million in net worth (excluding primary residence) has risen to a record high and at a record rate according to recent research by TNS Financial Services. The number of wealthy U.S. households has shot to 8.2 million as of mid-‘04, a ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment

Oprah Makes It To Heaven  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 14, 2002

OPRAH MAKES IT TO HEAVEN Forget her TV rankings. Among a group of 15 prominent figures, Oprah Winfrey is a winner in the biggest rating game of all. In a recent survey, 66 percent of Americans said they believe that the popular talk show host is "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to go to heaven. ...read more

Tags: Second Coming, Heaven, Kingdom Of God

The Late Larry Burkett, A Christian Financial ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Aug 22, 2004

The late Larry Burkett, a Christian financial counselor & founder of Crown Ministries, gives these statistics. 40% borrow more than they can make monthly payments on. The average American family is always only 3 weeks away from bankruptcy. According to Burkett and social security statistics, 85 out ...read more

Tags: Money

Denomination: Christian Church

Marriage Stats 78% Of U.s. Adults Have Been ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 14, 2008

Marriage Stats 78% of U.S. adults have been married at least once and 33% of those have been divorced at least once says a new Barna Group study. 84% of born-again Christian adults have tied the knot, vs. 74% of people aligned with non-Christian faiths and 65% of atheists and agnostics. Those with ...read more

Tags: Marriage General

The Willingness Of God To Answer Your Prayer

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 8, 2022

"My friend, do you think that God is asleep? Do you feel that He has gone to bed when you pray, and you cannot get Him up? Do you believe that He does not want to answer your prayers? God does want to answer your prayers and He will. That is what this parable is saying. You do not have ...read more

Tags: Parables, Persistence, God The Father, Importunity, God's Willingness, Prayer, God's Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[271]. A Message From A Poem – The "I Ams” Of John’s Gospel

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 21, 2026

[271]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE “I AMs” OF JOHN’S GOSPEL There are 7 or 8 of the great “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John. I have done these in a Series on SermonCentral – about 18 messages I think - ...read more

Scripture: John 6:20, John 10:7, John 6:35, John 14:6, John 10:11, John 15:1, John 8:12, John 11:25, John 8:58  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Truth, Life, I Am, I Am The Way, I Am The Door, I Am The Bread Of Life, I Am The Good Shepherd, I Am The Resurrection, I Am The Light Of The World, I Am The True Vine, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, The I Ams Of John  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let's Go Fishing

Contributed by Richard L. Brown on Nov 3, 2016

Let’s Go Fishing Luke 5: 1-11 As you all know I am a fisherman. It is in my blood. My father taught me and my two brothers to fish when we were very young. I remember one time we were fishing from a dock in the Little Sandy River. Dad had just bought a new rod and reel and my brother Mike being ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Tags: Jesus, Christ's Sufficiency, Obeying Jesus

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

With Regard To Alcohol Abuse

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2008

With regard to alcohol abuse: 1. Currently, nearly 14 million Americans—1 in every 13 adults-abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. 2. Several million more adults engage in risky drinking patterns that could lead to alcohol problems. 3. Even more scary and sad is how young people are when they get ...read more

Unsung Heroes: The Lame Man Of Acts 3

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 30, 2021

Text: Acts 3:1-10. KJV: 1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Tags: John, Peter, Healings

Denomination: Baptist

Superstition

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 31, 2020

“The number 13, black cats, breaking mirrors, or walking under ladders, may all be things you actively avoid – if you’re anything like the 25% of people in the US who consider themselves superstitious. “…Superstition also explains why many buildings do not have a 13th floor … some airlines such as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:11-20

Tags: Superstition, Occult, Magic

Denomination: Independent/Bible

John Piper Compares The Gift Of Teaching To The ...

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 29, 2007

John Piper compares the gift of teaching to the gift of prophecy: "And yet, even though the gift of teaching is fallible and even though it lacks intrinsic, divine authority, we know it is of immense value to the church. We are all edified and built up by gifted teachers. God is in it. He does use ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Loved, To Be Love

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on Apr 22, 2011

LOVED, TO BE LOVE One of the neatest gifts I've ever received was this little, hand towel. I was given this during my seminary commencement, and have cherished it ever since. The towel has a little saying on it: "Blessed to be a blessing" Isaiah 61:1. Isaiah 61:1-2 says: "The Spirit of the ...read more

Tags: Easter Maundy Thursday

Denomination: Lutheran

Where Is The Church When It Hurts?

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 13, 2012

WHERE IS THE CHURCH WHEN IT HURTS? Where is God in the midst of the storm? One author answered that question with this incident: "In Washington and Chicago, as I talked about the special edition of Where Is God When It Hurts?, inevitably the interviewer would turn the question back on me. 'Well, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-36

Tags: Comfort

[273]. Poem Message – The Infant Christ Has Come (Christmas) (Version 2)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 23, 2026

[273]. A POEM MESSAGE – THE INFANT CHRIST HAS COME (Christmas) (Version 2) Most Christians think of the Nativity at Christmas time but it ought not be like that. In one way the birth of Christ; His ministry; His death, burial and resurrection; and His ascension, are all equal in importance ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:6-7, Philippians 2:10-11

Tags: Christmas, Jesus Christ Is Lord, Manger Scene, The Nativity, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, The Infant Christ, Babe In The Manger  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Fig Tree  PRO

Contributed by Ty Tamasaka on Jul 26, 2011

THE PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE 6 "Then Jesus told this story: 'A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. 7 Finally, he said to his gardener, 'I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:6-9

Tags: Suffering Joy In

Denomination: Other

God Thought About My Future Before I Even Had A ...

Contributed by Randall Bergsma on Dec 5, 2006

God thought about my future before I even had a present! Let me explain. I know that some of you are already saving money for sending your kids to future education. And you don’t even have kids yet! You are pre-planning! That’s awesome. That’s the love of a parent, getting ready to give that ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Rescuing Those In Peril, Citation: Leadership, ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jul 19, 2001

[Rescuing Those in Peril, Citation: Leadership, Vol. 12, no. 2.] Roger Storms, pastor of First Christian Church in Chandler, Arizona, tells this story: "One Sunday, a car had broken down in the alley behind our facilities, and the driver had jacked up the car and crawled underneath to work on the ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To, Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Does It Mean To Have Joy?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

Joy is God’s gift to believers. Paul speaks of more than just a mood. This is a deep confidence that was rooted in God’s sovereign control of the universe, His on unchanging divine promises and eternal spiritual realities including the assurance of ultimate victory for those in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-22, Philippians 4:4

Tags: Spirit Filled Life, Happiness, Joy, Fruit Of The Spirit

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational