In Sermon Illustrations: "Pure Heart"

Everything Looks Different

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” - Thornton Wilder It was the anniversary of the fall of the Soviet Union when he got the call from Moscow. Some of the Russian oil companies had abandoned their wells, left their rigs with the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:34

Tags: Work, Daily Living, Family Priorities

Denomination: Charismatic

Craig Von Buseck Tells Of Serving As An Assoc...

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 28, 2015

Craig von Buseck tells of serving as an associate pastor in Pennsylvania. After more than five years on staff, he began sensing that the Lord wanted him to leave this church to complete his ministry training. Relations were beginning to become strained between himself and the senior pastor. While ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:25

Tags: Holy Spirit, God's Guidance

Denomination: Methodist

Joe Bloggs Dream - A New Zealand Poem About Salvation

Contributed by John Gullick on Jul 28, 2016

This amazing poem about an imaginary conversion is powerful - it uses New Zealand rural terminology. You need to understand that if you are using it in New York It is called Joe Bloggs dream. It goes like this. Joe Bloggs was just an average bloke, He never went to church. He wasn’t the religious ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17

Tags: Conversion

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Lights Along The Shore

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Jul 9, 2017

The Lights Along the Shore To me, lighthouses are among the most charming of man-made structures. Their unique and essential purpose makes each one a thing of exquisite beauty. Seafarers seeking a haven on a stormy night find a beam from the shore as precious as life itself. Perhaps Philip ...read more

Scripture: John 1:3-7, John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-16, 2 Peter 1:19, Revelation 22:5, John 3:19-21, Malachi 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Harbor, Light And Darkness, Navigation, Light, Sea  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Saved People Have Two Birthdays!

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 4, 2019

Born Again - John 1:12-13 (Also see John 3:1-16) 12. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the (power or authority or) right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name: 13. who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ...read more

Scripture: John 1:12-13, John 3:1-16

Tags: Born Again, Family Of God

Denomination: Baptist

George Floyd

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 11, 2020

God can use you to make a difference in our broken world no matter your past. Just commit your way to the Lord like Jephthah did and depend on His Holy Spirit. When I think about Jephthah, I think about George Floyd, who was recently murdered in Minneapolis. George was a towering 6-foot by 6-inch ...read more

Scripture: Judges 11:1-3, Judges 11:29, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Tags: Transformation, Grace Of God, George Floyd

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Unsung Heroes: Simeon Of Jerusalem

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 27, 2020

Introduction: Mary and Joseph weren’t the only ones eagerly awaiting the birth of Jesus. Under the Law of Moses, every male child was to be circumcised. Joseph and Mary took Baby Jesus to the Temple where this surgery would be performed on the Baby. While they were in the Temple, they received ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-35

Tags: Unsung Heroes, Birth Of Christ, Simeon, Joseph And Mary

Denomination: Baptist

Not Afraid To Offend God

Contributed by Jw Worcester on Feb 8, 2021

The true “Lord’s Prayer” is John 17, also sometimes called the High Priestly Prayer. In verses 1 – 20 Jesus had already prayed for Himself and His mission. He also prayed for His disciples. Jesus prayed this prayer before Jesus and the disciples left for the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was ...read more

Scripture: John 17:22, John 17:24

Tags: Grieve, Knowing Jesus

Whoever Gets The Son Gets It All  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

WHOEVER GETS THE SON GETS IT ALL The story is told about a wealthy man and his only son - both of whom loved to collect rare works of art! They had everything - from the late great Andalusian-Spanish painter, draughtsman, and sculptor, Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973) to the late great Italian painter ...read more

Tags: Atonement, Jesus, Salvation, Cross, Becoming A Christian  (view more)  (view less)

Racism And The Gospel

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jan 1, 2023

Benjamin Watson, who plays for the NFL New Orleans Saints posted the following on his Facebook page: "At some point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday Night Football, the news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying to figure out how I felt, I decided to write it down. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28, John 3:16, James 5:16, Romans 3:23, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Sin, Gospel, Hope, Racism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Parallels Between The Passover Lamb And Christ

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 1, 2023

Passover begins this year on April 8th, at sundown. What many do not know is that Passover illustrates the sacrifice of The Passover Lamb–the crucifixion of Jesus. The first Passover lamb was slain during the dark times in Egypt marked. This event marked the beginning of The Exodus, which ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-13

Tags: Sacrifice, Cross, Lamb, Passover, Calvary, Forgiveness, Easter, Blood, Israel, Egypt, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[062b]. A Message From A Poem – Does Suffering Cancel Out A God Of Love?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 14, 2025

[062B]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DOES SUFFERING CANCEL OUT A GOD OF LOVE? THE POEM AS IT IS WILL NOT FIT IN THE ILLUSTRATION SPACE AVAILABLE. I HAVE SPLIT IT INTO THREE PARTS. THIS IS THE SECOND PART THE INTRODUCTION FOR THE POEM IS IN PART 1. PART 2 SECTION B - PART 1 (THE CHRISTIAN ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 45:6-7, John 3:16, Exodus 34:6-7

Tags: Hurt, Pain, Love, Compassion, Comfort, Suffering, Tragedy, God Of Comfort, God Of Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[100]. A Message From A Poem – Glory And Adoration To The Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 8, 2025

[100]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GLORY AND ADORATION TO THE LORD WHAT ABOUT THIS POEM? This poem, of all my poems, is my number one favourite and the most satisfying for me. It was a joy to write and a joy to contemplate the Lord while doing so. I think it speaks for itself in the meditation ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:12-13, Revelation 21:3-4, Revelation 22:3

Tags: Tears, Crying, No More Curse, Christian Poetry, Poem Messages, Pain, Light, Heaven, Joy, Eternal  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[143]. A Message From A Poem – In The Furnace And The Lions’ Den

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 26, 2025

[143]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IN THE FURNACE AND THE LIONS’ DEN This poem is the telling of two stories in Daniel, one of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the blazing furnace, and the other of Daniel in the lion’s den. Both stories testify to the goodness of God, and both are examples of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:33, Romans 12:2, Revelation 2:10

Tags: African Persecution, Mouths Of Lions, A Crown For Martyrs, John Huss, Fiery Furnace, Meshach, Abednego, Nigeria, Martyrs, Christian Poems, Daniel, Persecution, Crown Of Life, Shadrach, Darius, Sudan, Death  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[183]. A Poem Message – Millennial Reign Of Christ Described - Isaiah 11

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 4, 2025

[183]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – MILLENNIAL REIGN OF CHRIST DESCRIBED - ISAIAH 11 I know there are some who don’t believe in the literalness of scripture and therefore reject the biblical concept of a Millennium. This poem is not an exegesis on any of that, but the content of a biblical passage I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:14, Isaiah 11:1-16, Revelation 20:4, Isaiah 11:9

Tags: Knowledge, 1000 Years, The Millennium, The Millennial Reign Of Christ, Messiah Reigns, Peace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[211]. A Message From A Poem – Panoramic View From The Pinnacle (Part 2)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 24, 2025

[211]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – PANORAMIC VIEW FROM THE PINNACLE (PART 2) NOTE: When I went to post this it could not be sent because it said the whole thing was too long. Therefore I had to split it into two Parts.. This is Part 2, the final part. This is a longer poem. Some might find it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 16:9, Hebrews 4:13

Tags: Pinnacle Of A Rock, Tech Companies, Degradation, Way, Images, Reprobates, Lovers Of Money, Christian Poems, Sports, Wickedness, Delusion, Reprobate, Humanism, Allegory, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[221]. A Message From A Poem - Follow Me – I’ll Do The Rest

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 5, 2025

[221]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - FOLLOW ME – I’LL DO THE REST Some of us find it hard to follow. We like to give orders and tell people what to do. However to be subservient and obey, and follow, is irksome to some of us. Early in Jesus’ ministry He walked by the sea and we have this – {{Mark ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:16-18, Mark 8:34-35, Psalm 23:2-3

Tags: Let Go, Leading, Obedience, Shepherd, Follow, Control, Rest, Let God, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[237 A]. A Message From A Poem - Scenes From The Gospels - Part 1

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 31, 2025

[237 A]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 1 They are here to enjoy! Scenes from the Gospels are very special to me. I love them. They have taken a lot of effort, and many, many months revision to get them as correct as possible with the difficult word limitations. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39, Luke 15:11-32, John 2:1-11, Luke 10:38-42, Matthew 14:22-31, Luke 1:1-4, Matthew 13:10-13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Stories, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Poetry Reading, Parables  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[237 C]. A Message From A Poem - Scenes From The Gospels - Part 3

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 8, 2025

[237 C]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 3 They are here to enjoy! Scenes from the Gospels are very special to me. I love them. They have taken a lot of effort, and many, many months revision to get them as correct as possible with the difficult word limitations. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-2, Matthew 2:9-12, Luke 24:13-32, Matthew 14:25-33, Matthew 15:21-28, Matthew 23:23-33, Luke 1:1-4, Matthew 13:10-13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Parables, Poetry Reading, On The Emmaus Road, The Canaanite Woman, Pharisees, Peter Walks On Water, Stories, The Magi, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[263]. A Message From A Poem – The Elephant And The Lily

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 14, 2026

[263]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE ELEPHANT AND THE LILY I am repeating the whole scripture passage that was the inspiration for this poem. It speaks about God’s providential care for all His creation. This world is not a haphazard chaos of flukiness, but is ordered in universal laws, all ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5-6, 1 Timothy 6:6-7, Matthew 6:25-34

Tags: Lilies Of The Field, Anxiety, Dependence, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational