In Sermon Illustrations: "Purpose Of Life"

When God Shows Up

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Feb 3, 2019

I just finished reading a book called, “The Shack.” I read it about ten years ago, and something made me read it again, and I’m so glad I did. I commend it to you as a book that captures the very essence of a God who wants nothing more than to have a loving relationship with you. What an incredible ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11, Isaiah 6:1-8

Tags: Humility, The Shack, God Shows Up, Miracle, Sacred In The Ordinary, Sacred In Secular  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

I Close A Letter Emailed To Me. It Is From A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

. I CLOSE A LETTER EMAILED TO ME. IT IS FROM A SOLDIER IN IRAQ, WHO WROTE HIS MOTHER ABOUT HIS SEARCH FOR SALVATION: “DEAR MOM, I AM FINE, BUT I LOST MY BEST FRIEND TODAY IN AN AMBUSH AND THE ONLY WAY I CAN EXPLAIN TO YOU WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME, IS TO TELL YOU THIS STORY: IMAGINE YOU ARE CRAWLING, ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

When You Put Your Faith In Jesus Christ His ...

Contributed by Andrew Hill on Feb 10, 2008

When you put your faith in Jesus Christ His righteousness or perfection becomes yours. Let me give you an example of how this works in every day life. The super bowl was just played last Sunday. The Patriots played the Giants. Many of the fans went to the game wearing shirts and hats that had the ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

My Dad’s Obituary

Contributed by Rev. Randy Barker on Apr 3, 2025

**Obituary for Marvin Barker Sr.** It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Marvin Barker Sr., who was called to his eternal home on [date]. Born to Virgil Barker Sr. and Anna Barker, both of whom have preceded him in death, Marvin lived a life full of love, devotion, and faith. He ...read more

Tags: Death, Sample Obituary

Denomination: *other

David's Demons

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Nov 16, 2010

DAVID'S DEMONS Many years ago I worked in an organisation called SCILS - Sunshine Coast Independent Living Skills. We worked with people who had mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. David (not his real name) was helped to find a place to rent in the community. He had been in danger of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:43-45

Tags: Demons

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Vs. Voodoo

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 12, 2011

GOD VS. VOODOO Pastor Mike Breaux tells the story below when his daughter Jodie answered God's call to go into missions work: During her junior year of high school, Jodie struggled to find a faith of her own. She wanted to know in her heart that all of what she'd been taught to believe was true ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Tags: Missions

Bearing Our Cross

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Apr 7, 2015

A "Natural" Rope a dope... Cross bearing is an indispensable part of a Christian’s life, so that work of moulding a person into a Christ-like image which begins at the point of re-generation is completed in all respects (2 Cor 3:18) by the time of Rapture or one’s departure from the Earthly ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Tags: Tithing, Trials And Difficulties, Bearing, Discerning

Denomination: *other

Faith

Contributed by John Hardwick on Aug 1, 2015

Faith, as a mustard seed, is when it’s raining enough to need the windshield wipers once a minute, but not enough to set it on auto. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Tags: Faith, Amazing Love

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Average Church(Gallup) 17% Say They Tithe But ...  PRO

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jan 30, 2001

Average church(Gallup) 17% say they tithe but only 3% actually do. 40% will give nothing in a year. 91% say they make more money than they ever have in their life. 71% of pastors ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 5:1-5

Tags: Money, Giving General, Church Practices

Laughter  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 28, 2002

The average child laughs 400 times a day, the average adult laughs 15 times a day. What happens in life that adults lose their laughter? Do we quit laughing ...read more

Tags: Joy, Children

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Russian Reformer And Nobel Laureate Alexander ...  PRO

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 6, 2002

Russian reformer and Nobel laureate Alexander Solzhenitsyn said in an address to Harvard University: "We have placed too much hope in politics and social reforms, only to find out that we were ...read more

Tags: Apologetics God, Disciplines General, Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Congregational

Facing Arrest As An Anabaptist, Dirck Willems ...

Contributed by David Ritsema, Phd on Sep 7, 2003

Facing arrest as an Anabaptist, Dirck Willems fled for his life across a frozen lake. When his pursuer broke through the ice, Willems gave up his chance to escape by turning to save his ...read more

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Baptist

Percentage Of Women Who Chose An Abortion Because ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 8, 2005

Percentage of women who chose an abortion because having a baby “would; change their life (job, school)”: 76 percent. Percentage who chose an abortion because of rape or incest, 1. ...read more

Tags: Abortion

I Will Always Regard It As An Example Of Gods ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

I will always regard it as an example of Gods great mercy and inexhaustible creativity that so unpromising a creature [as I] might begin to turn her life to the good. And not only that: the very things that had ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian

Humor Is The Salt Of Personality. Its Presence ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Humor is the salt of personality. Its presence is an evidence of good nature, of an appreciation of the real values of life, and of the lack of tenseness that characterizes some people. It is the most effective means of easing a difficult situation. Here it is ...read more

Tags: Humor

If You Have A Friend Worth Loving, Love Him, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"If you have a friend worth loving, Love him, Yes, and let him know That you love him, ere lifes evening Tinge his brow with sunset glow. Why should ...read more

Tags: Compassion

The Good Memories Are All Of Stopping And ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"The good memories are all of stopping and staying awhile. I realize Ive always driven too fast through life, carrying in my baggage too much impatience and apprehension, missing ...read more

Tags: Memories

Isnt It Strange That Princes And Kings, And ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Isnt it strange That princes and kings, And clowns that caper In sawdust rings, And common people Like you and me Are builders for eternity? Each is given a bag of tools, A shapeless mass, And a book of rules; And ...read more

Tags: Opportunity

Andrew Jackson:

Contributed by Rev Dr Randall M Deal Sr on Jun 7, 2009

Andrew Jackson: "There never was a woman like her. She was gentle as a dove and brave as a lioness... The memory of my mother and her teachings were, after all, the only capital I ...read more

Tags: Mothers

Denomination: Baptist

Genuine Revival

Contributed by Herman Abrahams on Oct 12, 2009

GENUINE REVIVAL Quote - NEW SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE BIBLE (Nelson’s) (Is 64:1-3) 'Awesome things that we did not expect' (Is 64:3) is a perfect description of genuine revival, because the unpredictable ...read more

Tags: Intercession

Denomination: Charismatic