In Sermon Illustrations: "Purpose"

What If There Was No Christmas?

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 5, 2012

WHAT IF THERE WAS NO CHRISTMAS? Lets ponder the what if - say- the antichrist powers would have defeated Christ at birth and therefore eliminated Christianity? what would have been lost? i. There would be no Christmas joy ii. There would be no kids smiles iii. There would be no Merry Christmas ...read more

Tags: Christmas Eve

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Make It Your Aim Not To Sin

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Mar 24, 2012

MAKE IT YOUR AIM NOT TO SIN The whole purpose of John's letter, he says, is that we not sin. One day as I was studying this chapter I realized that my personal life's objective regarding holiness was less than that of John's. He was saying, in effect, "Make it your aim not to sin." As I thought ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:1

Tags: Holiness

Denomination: Baptist

There's A Familiar Story About The New Bride Who ...

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jan 11, 2014

There's a familiar story about the new bride who is cooking a big family dinner. As the ladies are gathered in the kitchen, the bride puts the roast in the pan and asks her mother why we always cut the end of the roast and put it in another pan? They ask grandma who says, "well honey, I cut the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-2

Tags: Newlywed, Tradition, Ritual, Misunderstandings

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mired In The Mud

Contributed by Larry Turner on Dec 14, 2015

When I was 17 I went for my first road test to get my driver’s license. In order to receive this privilege to drive, an officer accompanied me to observe my skills. As part of the test I was required to make a 3 point road turn on a narrow road. I pulled forward, turned my wheel, and proceeded to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1

Tags: Child Of God, Freedom From Bondage

Denomination: Foursquare

The Height Of Hypocrisy

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Jan 14, 2018

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday The Height of Hypocrisy - Forgiveness Offered "Thirty six year old - Derek Paul Smyer pronounced guilty of two counts of murder for arranging the killing of Crystal Taylor and her 21 week old fetus because she would not have an abortion. Derek Paul Smyer was found ...read more

Tags: Abortion, Sanctity Of Life, Abortions

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Counterfeit Preachers

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 10, 2023

Did you know that counterfeiting of money is one of the oldest crimes in history? Here in America it became a serious problem during the 19th century when banks issued their own currency. In fact, by the time of the Civil War, it was estimated that one-third of all currency in circulation was ...read more

Tags: Spirits, Spirit Of Error, Discernment, Truth, False Teachers, Spirit Of Truth, False Prophets  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Was An Old Monastery That Had Fallen Upon ...

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Sep 11, 2008

There was an old monastery that had fallen upon hard times. It was once a great order, but as a result of waves of persecution in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and the rise of secularism in the nineteenth century, all its branch houses were lost and it had become decimated to the extent ...read more

Tags: Love For God

Denomination: Lutheran

History Of Calvinism

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 23, 2010

HISTORY OF CALVINISM In 1610, just one year after the death of James Arminius (a Dutch Seminary professor) five articles of faith based on his teachings were drawn up by his followers. The Arminians, as his followers came to be called, presented these five doctrines to the State of Holland in the ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:24-25, Ephesians 1:3-5

Tags: Warning, Calvinism

For Me, My Belief In God Was Reaffirmed Recently ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Apr 28, 2002

For me, my belief in God was reaffirmed recently by something I would not have expected. While I was in England I visited St. Paul’s Cathedral. Worshiping in that great cathedral your eyes are drawn to the great dome. It is actually three domes, one on top of the other, with the highest and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:15

Tags: Noble, Theodicy, Trial, God's Holiness, God, Apologetics God, Accuse  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

I Am A 52 Year Old Adoptee. I Was Born On ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 11, 2003

I am a 52 year old adoptee. I was born on February 1, 1951 in a Lynchburg, VA hospital. My first two years of life must have been traumatic as my birth mother gave me up when it became apparent that she could not take care of me. She was unmarried at the time and the birth father was a married ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

Tags: Abortion, Children

Should We Strive To Be Like Jesus! Of Course! But ...

Contributed by Timothy Shumer on Aug 22, 2004

Should we strive to be like Jesus! Of course! But He was perfect, and for me, there’s always a little sense within that I know I am going to fall short of that perfection. I know I should keep it as a goal before me. Frankly, if I aim for that, I’ll get nearer than if I don’t, and if I am devoted ...read more

Tags: Faith, Peace

Denomination: Baptist

The Desert Sun, Carried The Story Of A Man Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 31, 2004

The Desert Sun, carried the story of a man who was walking his dog on a river-side path in Bedfordshire, England. He found an ancient gold penny. After examining it, coin expert Richard Bishop said, “It is quite simply the most important single coin find for a century. We fell off our chairs ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Discipleship

Denomination: Methodist

Our Founding Fathers Believed Very Strongly In ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Our founding fathers believed very strongly in God’s presence. When our earliest universities began, most of them were founded to train Christian preachers. * When Harvard was established in 1636, their statement of purpose said, “Every student’s main aim is to know Jesus Christ, & to recognize ...read more

Tags: Political Freedom

On May 23, 1863, Nearly 30,000 Union Soldiers ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

On May 23, 1863, nearly 30,000 Union soldiers were camped in a semi-circle around one of the most unlikely places in the country. Just 35 miles north of where we are right now there was a fort built on a high bluff overlooking a sharp bend in the Mississippi River. From the earthen walls of that ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

Let Me Begin By Sharing With You A Letter That ...  PRO

Contributed by Joo-Ching Chng on Jan 4, 2008

Let me begin by sharing with you a letter that was written by a young communist to his girl friend. He was breaking off his relationship with her because of his devotion to the communist cause. She gave the letter to her pastor, who gave the letter to Billy Graham. Billy Graham published the ...read more

Tags: Devotion, Zeal

Denomination: Pentecostal

National Prayer ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

“National Prayer Warrior” 1 Timothy 2:1-4, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-4

Tags: Patriotism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Fathers: Give Generously  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

"Christian Fathers: Give Generously" The Bible gives four Christian character traits that can build a lasting legacy for the Lord. The third is to give with generosity. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 says, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Tags: Father's Day

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ever-Flowing Stream Of Grace  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Ever-flowing Stream Of Grace Walk and Not Be Faint: Isaiah 40:31 says, "But those wait for the Lord will gain new strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" Christians who have close communion with God "...will walk and not ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

Tags: Grace, Pray

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Missionary Encounters ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 19, 2009

Missionary Encounters Ants Steven Cook tells of reading an account of a missionary from India: "The Lord must have desired to teach me something through the "ants" because He allowed me to come in contact with enough of them! The encyclopedia says there are more ants than any other insect. It seems ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:1-11

Tags: Missions

My Youngest Grandson Had A Birthday Party Not Too ...

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on May 25, 2010

My youngest grandson had a birthday party not too long back. It was a pirate party so all his mates came dressed in pirate gear - eye-patches, head scarves, etc. At the door we presented every pirate with a plastic blow-up sword, which looked good but caused no damage at all. They wielded their ...read more

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, War

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational