In Sermon Illustrations: "Pure Love"

Words Matter

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 23, 2014

WORDS MATTER The Book of James in the New Testament reminds us that words can direct, delight or destroy (ch. 3). Is this true? Look no further than to what happened in Germany in WWII. For every word in Hitler’s poisonous book, Mein Kampf, it cost the life of 125 people. Here are some words to ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-15

Tags: Words, Tongue

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keep Your Words Sweet

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 17, 2017

KEEP YOUR WORDS SWEET A pastor was teaching on Proverbs 16:24: "Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones." The minister then added, "You know, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." Upon hearing this, a woman in the congregation put her head ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:24

Tags: Words, Husbands, Wives, Marriage

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Protective Fear Illustration

Contributed by Shine Thomas on Aug 28, 2017

When I was a child I loved going to my grandparents’ home in Kerala. I used to enjoy the days but dread the nights. It was in the early 80’s and there were absolutely no streetlights. They had meetings almost every night and coming back from the meetings were so fearful. I was afraid if I would ...read more

Tags: Fear, Protective Fear

Denomination: Assembly Of God

If You Can't See The Greatness Of God...

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 2, 2020

“If you don't see the greatness of God, then all the things that money can buy become very enticing. If you can't see the sun, you will be impressed with a street light. If you've never felt thunder and lightning, you'll be impressed with fireworks. And, if you turn your back on ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4, Hebrews 12:1-4

Tags: Deception, Vision, Worldliness, Glory Of God, Greatness Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Moses And Elijah

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 6, 2022

Lessons to learn about the appearance of Moses & Elijah and departed loved ones: They lived on even though they had left earth hundreds of years before. They could be identified without any formal introduction. They could speak to each other. Their intelligence was not ...read more

Tags: Elijah, Glory, Jesus, Moses, Heaven, Cross, Miracles, Transfiguration  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Death

Contributed by David Tack on Apr 22, 2024

"An introduction to death means that one has finally succumbed to the fact of a pending loss of independence and now are now facing a total and final dependence on The Creator of your trinitarian being this is why death is so frightening! Even more reason to walk intimately with Him every day ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:55, John 3:16

Tags: Death, Sin

Denomination: Baptist

For Thou Art With Me

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 17, 2025

In Psalm 23:4, we read: “4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” I often to talk to folks who are grieving the loss of a loved one to remember the “FIVE LITTLE WORDS” of Psalm 23:4 – For… thou… art… with… me. Jesus died so that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Tags: Fear, God With Us

Denomination: Methodist

Forgetful But Faithful

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 6, 2025

An old couple is sitting on the porch. The wife says, "I’d love some ice cream." The husband says, "I’ll get it." She says, "Write it down so you don’t forget." He scoffs, "I won’t forget!" Twenty minutes later, he ...read more

Scripture: James 1:23, Luke 6:46

Tags: Faith, Discipleship, Obedience

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

A Parking Spot In Heaven! (06.16.05--The Tie That ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 14, 2005

A Parking Spot in Heaven! (06.16.05--The Tie That Binds--Psalm 51:12 ) What motivates you? Why do you go to work every day? What causes you to get out of a warm bed where you may have been dreaming contentedly and plant those feet down on the hard floor ready to launch into another day? I am an ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:12

Tags: Promises Of God

Denomination: Lutheran

In Max Lucado's Book The Applause Of Heaven, He ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Jul 29, 2006

In Max Lucado’s book The Applause of Heaven, he gives an illustration, that cements Jesus’ point that the only way to change your life is to change your heart. At one time Max and his family lived in Rio De Janeiro, working as missionaries. Once, when they were leaving on a week long trip, Max ...read more

Tags: Betrayal

Denomination: Christian Church

The Wise Man Vs. The ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

The Wise Man vs. the Fool The Bible says Jesus was one who taught with authority. That amazed the crowds because their own teachers did not. (Matt. 7 : 28) The Lord’s parable of the “The Wise and Foolish Builders” found in Luke 6: 46-49 is specifically directed to those who profess to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:49

Tags: Wisdom

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Heart Of ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Heart of Temptation “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God… does [not] tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-15

Tags: Temptation General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual River Rafting  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 5, 2012

SPIRITUAL RIVER RAFTING The necessary safety equipment for river rafting and spiritual river rafting: i. The Helmet – Helmets protect the most vital and vulnerable part on a person their head – their thinking! 1. Spiritually: We need to be wearing the helmet of salvation as we ride the wave of ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit, Salt, Indwelling, Faith General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[138]. A Message From A Poem – If You Live In Sin You Will Never Win

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 19, 2025

[138]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IF YOU LIVE IN SIN YOU WILL NEVER WIN There is nothing truer than the title of this poem. Those who live in sin and claim it as their own will never win in the end. Asaph who wrote Psalm 73 had a problem when he observed people. The godless were always ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:2-5, Psalm 73:9, Psalm 73:13-14, Psalm 73:16-17, Psalm 73:27-28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Sin, Obedience, Judgment, Accountability, Asaph, Sinners, Live In Sin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[231]. A Message From A Poem - Reflections In Older Life

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 18, 2025

[231]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - REFLECTIONS IN OLDER LIFE This poem was completed in 2020 when I was 77 years old. I don’t think I am unique in any way. I believe as people get older and know that most of their life has already gone, there comes a time for reflection on one’s life. That is what ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:31, Psalm 71:17-18, Isaiah 46:4

Tags: Old Age, The Shepherd, Reflections, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Grey Head, Old  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Quotes On The Presence Of God

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 10, 2022

If you have God's presence, you have favor. One minute of God's Presence can accomplish more than 20 years of your striving. - Heidi Baker If you have never known the power of God's love, then maybe it is because you have never asked to know it - I mean really asked, expecting an ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:9

Tags: Holy Spirit, Presence Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How I Found Hope

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 7, 2023

HOW I FOUND HOPE By Danielle Strickland — I stole my first car when I was twelve years old. In family court, when my fate seemed to be incarceration, a leader from my church insisted I was going through a hard patch, but I could be sentenced to community service at a camp. The judge jumped at the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Tags: Jesus, Hope

Denomination: Methodist

[230]. A Message From A Poem - Redemption Through Death – No Other Way

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 18, 2025

[230]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - REDEMPTION THROUGH DEATH – NO OTHER WAY The concentration in this poem is “No other way.” Why did heaven’s best, God the Son, have to die? You know I can not answer that. The omniscient God knew from eternity past what was going to happen. I can’t give an answer ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2, Isaiah 53:10, Ephesians 4:8-10, Hosea 11:7-8

Tags: Sin, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Full Atonement, Heart, Salvation, Compassion Of God, The Heart Of God, Overturn, Emotions Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Peter Marshall, Before The U.s. Senate Said It ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Oct 18, 2000

Peter Marshall, before the U.S. Senate said it ever so well in a prayer many years ago. "Lord Jesus, thou who art the way, the truth, and the life; hear us as we pray for the truth that shall make all free. Teach us that liberty is not only to be loved but also to be lived. Liberty is too precious ...read more

Tags: Independence Day, Holidays Civic, Truth

Denomination: Baptist

Hettie Green Was A Famous Millionaire. She Lived ...  PRO

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 12, 2001

Hettie Green was a famous millionaire. She lived in seclusion and became a virtual recluse. She had only a few friends and an ugly mongrel dog that kept biting the few friends she did have. One of them said, "You’ve got to get rid of that dog." Hettie refused. She said, "That dog loves me and ...read more

Tags: Money, Faith, Finding Fulfillment

Denomination: United Methodist