In Sermon Illustrations: "Pure Heart"

In A Movie Classic - National Lampoon's Vacation ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Apr 30, 2004

In a movie classic - National Lampoon’s Vacation - Chevy Chase - otherwise known as Clark Griswold - leads his family across the country to their dream vacation at Wally World. Along the way, Clark gets lost several times. One time happened to be in St. Louis. After several wrong turns, the ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Lutheran

Soldier Explains How Song Sung By Enemy Changed ...  PRO

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Aug 9, 2004

SOLDIER EXPLAINS HOW SONG SUNG BY ENEMY CHANGED HIM One Christmas Eve, Ira D. Sankey was traveling by steamboat up the Delaware River. Asked to sing, Mr. Sankey sang the "Shepherd Song." After the song was ended, a man with a rough, weatherbeaten face came up to Mr. Sankey and said: "Did you ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Daniel L. Crocker, 39, Turned Himself In. As A ...  PRO

Contributed by Bart Leger on Feb 14, 2005

Daniel L. Crocker, 39, turned himself in. As a Christian, he said, it was the right thing to do. Mr. Crocker lived with his wife of 11 years, Nicolette, 36, and their two children in a quiet community near Dulles Airport in Virginia. He was a warehouse manager and his wife was a stay-at-home mom, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Independent/Bible

One Of My Favorite Stories (And I Am Not Sure ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 10, 2005

One of my favorite stories (and I am not sure that I have shared it before, and if I have, please bear with me) comes from Keith Miller in his men’s devotional book, A Habitation of Dragons. It is the story of a well-to-do attorney who experiences a true change of life and heart when he gives ...read more

Tags: Sharing My Testimony, Evangelism How To

Denomination: Church Of God

Habits

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2009

HABITS The American Heritage Dictionary "A recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition." It comes from the idea "to have, to hold, possess." Roman poet Ovid in 43 BC: "Nothing is stronger than habit." Habit is a cable; we weave a thread each day, ...read more

Tags: Character

I Was Blind, But Now I Can See  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2009

I WAS BLIND, BUT NOW I CAN SEE There were two boys who grew up together. They were close friends as children, but as they entered their teen years their paths began to diverge, and they ended up in very different places. Ernie was always in trouble. He began by shoplifting small things from stores ...read more

Scripture: John 9:25

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers

Fatal Oversight

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 9, 2009

FATAL OVERSIGHT On September 1, 1923, the island of Japan was ravaged by the most devastating earthquake in recorded history up until that time. The tragic Canto earthquake began at 11:58 A.M. and continued for more than three and a half hours, creating a casualty list that would stagger the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 23:3-16

Tags: God's Provision

The Easiest And Yet Hardest Thing To Do

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Sep 29, 2009

THE EASIEST AND YET HARDEST THING TO DO Many were following Jesus, but they do not really want to trust Him as their Saviour. It seems so easy and yet so hard. D. L. Moody shared this experience. One day he went to his little nephew house, who was then about 3 or 4 years old. He threw a ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How God Used A Phrase From A Gospel Tract To ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 18, 2009

How God Used a Phrase from a Gospel Tract to Bring an Indian to Faith in Christ, the Bread of Life; Paul Harvey on the Meaning of God’s Providence So providence assumes that God is the supreme Creator of all things. And as Creator he prevents the universe from going into non-existence, he guides ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-59

Tags: Bible, Bible Influence

So What Does This Gentle Restoration Or ...

Contributed by Sean Harder on Dec 4, 2009

So what does this gentle restoration or correction look like? Well here’s what it doesn’t look like, from a real example I observed: “How could you be so stupid, did you grow up with wolves? You are going to pay for this buster, and you’re going to straight to hell where you belong.” I have left ...read more

Tags: Mercy

I Was In High School, Either A Junior Or Senior, ...

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 15, 2009

I was in high school, either a junior or senior, I can’t remember which. My dad and step-mom were out of town, leaving my older step-brothers and me to have the house to ourselves. As was our custom, we partied. Lots of people, lots of alcohol, and even some pot. While I was drunk one of those ...read more

Tags: Father's Day

Denomination: Wesleyan

Surprise Reward At The End Of Bill Broadhurst's ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2010

Surprise Reward at the End of Bill Broadhurst’s Marathon In July 1981, Bill Broadhurst entered the Omaha, Nebraska, Pepsi 10k. Broadhurst is slowed by a brain aneurysm he suffered 10 years earlier, which left him partially paralyzed on the left side. He made it his goal to finish the 10k despite ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Tags: Sports

It Is Safe To Die In Jesus

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 12, 2010

IT IS SAFE TO DIE IN JESUS Max Lucado in his book Fearless, says, "There are many rooms in my Father's home, and I am going to prepare a place for you." We Westerners might miss the wedding images, but you can bet your sweet chuppah that Jesus' listener's didn't. This was a groom-to-bride ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:5-6

Tags: Death

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Leads His Dear Children Along

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 12, 2010

GOD LEADS HIS DEAR CHILDREN ALONG Haldor Lillenas, founder of a noted music-publishing company, made his way to the United States from Scandinavia. His first years in this country were hard, but a kind lady befriended him and taught him the English language. More importantly, perhaps, she told ...read more

Tags: God's Sovereign Will

Denomination: *other

It All Started By One Man Wanting To Pray  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 9, 2011

IT ALL STARTED BY ONE MAN WANTING TO PRAY In 1857 there was a 46 year old man named Jeremiah Lamphere who lived in New York City. Jeremiah loved the Lord tremendously, but he didn’t feel that he could do much for the Lord until he began to feel a burden for the lost and accepted an invitation ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:1-7

Tags: Revival, Starting Over

The Story Of Martin Luther

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Jul 17, 2011

THE STORY OF MARTIN LUTHER In 1517, an obscure Catholic priest named Martin Luther placed his life in God's hands when he nailed his 95 theses, his 95 arguments against the Catholic church, on the door of the Wittenberg Church. There was nothing wrong with nailing pages to the door. Everything was ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: Baptist

Steven Curtis Chapman: Still Blessing His Name

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 19, 2011

STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN: STILL BLESSING HIS NAME On May 17, 2008, Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman and his family suffered a devastating loss. Their five-year-old adopted daughter, Maria Sue, was struck and killed when Chapman's seventeen-year-old son was backing his SUV out of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10-11

Tags: God In The Hardships

Lucado On Thankfulness

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Nov 23, 2011

LUCADO ON THANKFULNESS Max Lucado tells about living as an American in Brazil. One day, as he was walking along the street on his way to the University to teach a class, he felt a tug on his pants leg. Turning around, he saw a little boy about 5 or 6 years old with dark beady eyes and a dirty ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Would Jesus Buy?

Contributed by Ken Pell on Dec 4, 2011

WHAT WOULD JESUS BUY? Some of you are familiar with the name, Morgan Spurlock. He produced the documentary "Super-Size Me." He has produced another lesser-known production titled "What Would Jesus Buy?" Please note: I am not recommending the movie it is a bit distasteful but it makes a good point. ...read more

Tags: Christmas Advent

Denomination: Nazarene

The Kool-Aid Stand Parable

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 20, 2013

THE KOOL-AID STAND PARABLE Jason wanted to buy Tubby's old bike. Tubby got a new one for his birthday and would sell Jason his old one for $10. It was a great deal. The problem was that Jason didn't have any money. His cousin, Scott, in another town, was making good money with his Kool-Aid stand. ...read more

Tags: Ambition

Denomination: Baptist