In Sermon Illustrations: "Question"

Timothy Smith Writes In His Sermon On Jesus Being ...

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Dec 27, 2011

Timothy Smith writes in his sermon on Jesus being born to die, "I was watching "48 Hours Mystery" last Tuesday night on CBS. Their show that night was called "The Mystery of Christmas." It was all about finding and looking at historical evidence for the birth of Christ. Early in the show Maureen ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Marriage Takes Hard Work

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Aug 28, 2012

MARRIAGE TAKES HARD WORK Good marriages are designed in heaven, but they are made on earth. And it takes hard work. It reminds me of the pastor of a big city church who ran an ad for a caretaker/housekeeper. The next day, a well-dressed young man appeared at the pastor's door. But before he ...read more

Tags: Marriage Struggle

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

10,000 Hours

Contributed by Hal Seed on Nov 9, 2012

10,000 HOURS Author Malcolm Gladwell found that the one thing that made people better at whatever it was they were working on was the time they spent with that thing or activity or pursuit. In a study of college music majors, he found that those who had put in a 4 to 6 thousand hours on their ...read more

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Baptist

Who Am I?  PRO

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Feb 26, 2013

WHO AM I? The German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, used to love to take long walks of a summer evening, meditating and thinking. On one occasion he was seated in a park when a suspicious policeman noticed that he had been there for several hours. The policeman came up to him and said, "What are you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:1-9

Tags: Apologetics General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Square Fillers

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Oct 19, 2018

In the military we had a term that we called “square fillers.” We would have a check-list of requirements and before each requirement or inspection item, there would be printed a little square . When each requirement was completed, you would check off the appropriate square. The term came to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13-36

Tags: False Religion, Unrighteousness, Outward Appearances, Minimum Requirements, Heart For God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Way To Heaven

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 24, 2019

. A pastor was trying to teach a children’s class about how to be saved. .”If I sold everything I have and gave it to the church, would I go to heaven?” The children answered, “No.” The pastor said, “Very good. That’s right. And if I worked hard at keeping the 10 commandments, would that get me ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13-20

Tags: Salvation, Justification, Born Again, Eternal Life, Saved, Heaven Bound  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Framed

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 11, 2019

A cow and a chicken were framed and thrown into prison. They knew they had to get out to bring the criminals to justice so they spent weeks designing escape plans. Finally, a month after they had been thrown in, they escaped in the middle of the night. However, they weren't silent enough and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23

Tags: Framed, Accused

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Best Age To Enjoy Life

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 9, 2019

What is the best age to enjoy life? Age 0-20 - You have lots of time, good health but no money, so it can be difficult to enjoy life to fullest as you definitely need money to enjoy. Age 20-65- You might have some money, but you don’t have time to enjoy it. Age 65+- You might have money and time, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:1-57

Tags: Age, Life, Aging, Maturity, Training, Enjoyment, Phases, Eras  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Happiness

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 11, 2020

Augustine on Depravity and Grace; “Without you what am I to myself but a guide to my own self destruction?” “... the self which willed to serve (God) was identical with the self which was unwilling. It was I. I was neither wholly willing nor wholly unwilling. So I was in conflict with myself ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:7-25

Tags: Grace, Sin, Depravity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Watch Your Mind And Mouth

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 5, 2021

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:9-11

Tags: Heresy, Shun, Arguments, Strivings

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean To Be Crucified With Christ?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 6, 2022

To participate in the life of Christ, we must first be identified with Him in His death. "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection" (Ro 6:5-note). Those of us who now have eternal life have died in the person ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:1-11

Tags: Discipleship, Self, Dying To Self, Crucified Life

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

True Meaning Of Christmas

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Jan 3, 2023

A wealthy Boston family held a christening party after the baptism of their baby. Guests and friends swarmed into their palatial home. Soon the party was in full swing. People were having a wonderful time enjoying talking to one another, eating, drinking and being merry. Suddenly somebody asked, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21, Luke 2:8-12

Tags: Christmas, True Meaning Of Christmas

Jesus Loves Me—and I Love Jesus!

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 8, 2025

Sociology professor Anthony Campolo recalls a deeply moving incident that happened in a Christian junior high camp where he served. One of the campers, a boy with spastic paralysis, was the object of heartless ridicule. When he would ask a question, the boys would deliberately answer in a halting, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15

Tags: Evangelism, Testimony

Denomination: Methodist

Because I Said So!" Romans 11:33-36 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 21, 2005

“Because I Said So!” Romans 11:33-36 Key verse(s) 11:“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” Because I said so! If you are a parent the odds are that it is likely at some time in the course of that career you uttered these words with feeling. “Because I said so!” There ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:33-36

Tags: Knowing God's Will, Doing God's Will

Denomination: Lutheran

Coach Jim Fassel's Son Bears Family Likeness, ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Oct 17, 2003

[Coach Jim Fassel’s Son Bears Family Likeness, source: Bill Pennington, "34 Years Later: One Coach’s Sweetest Victory," New York Times (5-16-03)] As the head coach of the New York Giants, Jim Fassel has enjoyed great success on the football field with a trip to the Super Bowl as recently as 2001. A ...read more

Tags: Prayer Persistence, Prayer Adoration

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In Rebuilding Your Broken World, Gordon Macdonald ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2006

In Rebuilding Your Broken World, Gordon MacDonald suggests twenty-six questions to help develop accountability and invite feedback. If we desire to grow, we should submit our selves to a spiritual mentor and answer these questions honestly. 1. How is your relationship with God right now? 2. What ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples

Just Another Day In Ems  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 12, 2003

JUST ANOTHER DAY IN EMS I delivered a baby on the ambulance stretcher I baptized a newborn who’s life ended before it began. I hugged a frightened child. I was kissed by an intoxicated old man. I held the hand of a teenage girl while she delivered a 3 pound baby. I listened to the mournful ...read more

Tags: Holidays Civic, Father, Christian Disciplines

After 25 Years Of An Arranged Marriage, Listen To ...

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Jan 13, 2005

After 25 years of an arranged marriage, listen to Tevya’s question to Golde in the musical Fiddler on the Roof: (Tevye) “Golde, I have decided to give Perchik permission to become engaged to our daughter, Hodel.” (Golde) “What??? He’s poor! He has nothing, absolutely nothing!” (Tevye) “He’s a ...read more

Tags: Romantic Love

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Let Me Give You Some Practical Advice. Three ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Let me give you some practical advice. Three things that have tended to help me deal with my priorities and events that happen in my day. 1. There are only 24 hours in a day. There is only so much you can get done today – so be realistic when you schedule your day. Don’t schedule your day so ...read more

Tags: God Brings Purpose

Many Years Ago A Painter By The Name Of Stenburg ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Many years ago a painter by the name of Stenburg lived in Dusseldorf Germany. He was searching for a model to portrait. He chose a gypsy girl from the street, her name was Pepita. It was the first time for her to be invited to an artist’s studio. Her amazed eyes rounded here and there and suddenly ...read more

Tags: Cross Agony