In Sermon Illustrations: "Quoted The Psalms"

Public Can Be Not So Bright

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 13, 2021

Airline personnel deal with the public, and anyone who deals with the public has stories. " Farida can’t even begin to count how many times she’s been asked to open a window or the emergency exit to “let some fresh air in.” Incredibly enough, this doesn’t just happen on the ground, but also ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Mind, Thinking, Wisdom, Foolish

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Where Does Your Ministry Rely Upon God's Power?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 15, 2023

David Platt in his book Radical has a chapter entitled "Beginning at the End of Ourselves -- The Importance of Relying on God's Power (Subsection entitled - “Dependent on Ourselves or Desperate for His Spirit”) Platt went on to say, "This is where I am most convicted as a pastor. I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8-11, Ephesians 5:18

Tags: Power, Repentance, Pastors, Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Natural Lesson On Spiritual Battles

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 8, 2024

In the Australian bush country grows a little plant called the "sundew." It has a slender stem and tiny, round leaves fringed with hairs that glisten with bright drops of liquid as delicate as fine dew. Woe to the insect, however, that dares to dance on it. Although its attractive ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-13

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Tests, Trials, Battles, Sin, Lust, Deception, Satan  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Desire For Love

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Aug 8, 2024

The Desire for Love Humor: A couple who had been chatting online for weeks finally met on their first date. After an expensive meal in an upscale restaurant, the lady plucked a daisy from the flower arrangement on the table, pulling the pedals off one by one. She repeated to herself, “He loves me, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:5, 1 John 5:4-5, 1 John 5:10, James 4:4, John 15:19  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Romance, Humor, Priorities, Love Of World  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Assumptions

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 22, 2025

A few years ago at the Women’s Banquet, I was the head cook and decided to make meatballs, along with pasta, Italian bread, and salad. I announced we had plates with 1 meatball for a small serving and 2 meatballs for a regular serving. Some people were saying, “they are going to starve us.” They ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:35-44, Isaiah 53:1, Luke 24:13-35

Tags: Communication, Experience, Assumption, Preconceived Ideas, Mental Block  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Well, Here We Go Again

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 9, 2021

I have lived long enough to know that the only change that has any kind of reality is the change in my pocket. I keep track of that change with great supervision and count it every day. When people tell me that this is a New Year and there will be a lot of changes this year, I search my pocket ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:9

Tags: Old, Humor, Change, New Year

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What Have We Learned?

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Mar 6, 2023

What Have We Learned? They shouted with praises, reaching the sky, Pushing and shoving to see Jesus pass by. Crying, “Hosanna, glory to the King!’ He comes to us today, great joy He doth bring." They threw down palm leaves, covering the way, Making a clear path for Him to travel that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Tags: Palm Sunday, Poetry, Holiday, The Passover, Ressurrection, Easter  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

What Forgiveness Is Not

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 31, 2021

WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT by Dr. Larry Petton (excerpt from my book, "I CAN'T FORGIVE"). Text: Ephesians chapter 4 Ruth Bell Graham described a successful marriage as the "union of two great forgivers." Forgiveness has been described as, “Me not hurting you, because you ...read more

Tags: Forgive Them, Father, Forgiveness, Bitterness, Unforgiveness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Can’t Escape The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 26, 2022

My favorite story about the Holy Spirit is the story C.S. Lewis told about a college student who wrote to him. The young man was an atheist. And he was very concerned because he had made friends with some Christian students. They were enthusiastically witnessing to him about Jesus, and it had ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:9-11

Tags: Holy Spirit, Regeneration

The Emptiness Of Earthly Pursuits And The Fulfillment Of Divine Love

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 19, 2024

Justin Bieber: In various interviews and social media posts, Bieber has spoken candidly about his struggles with fame, substance abuse, and finding purpose. He has credited his renewed Christian faith for helping him find a sense of meaning and stability that he couldn't find in his earlier ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

Tags: Materialism, Fame, Emptiness, Void, Spiritual Transformation, Purpose, Meaning  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Oh, To Be Crazy And Get Paid For It

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 26, 2020

I usually don't complain a lot. When I do I get caught in some dilemma that I can’t talk my way out. You think I would learn my lesson, but I'm still in the learning curve. It was a long week, and the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I had a busy schedule. She went her way, I went my ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:10

Tags: Money, Politics, Humor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Christmas Is More Than Jingle, Jingle

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 12, 2020

I have been trying lately to remember my first Christmas. I know my memory isn't perfect, but I thought maybe I could bring up some old memories of my first Christmas. Unfortunately, I couldn't think of a thing about that first Christmas of mine. Of course, it might be that I was only five ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:6-7

Tags: Christmas, Holiday

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Red Isn’t Always The Red I See

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 2, 2021

It is not that I am colorblind; I just am color indifferent. Red and blue and yellow are all the same to me. This, on many occasions, has challenged the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, who is very meticulous when it comes to describing anything or anyone. In remodeling my office at the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:12

Tags: Christmas, Humor, Gifts

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Ants, Ants, Ants, Where's The Uncles

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 27, 2021

I have learned in my life that the small things are the ones that get you down. You would think the big things are the ones to steal most of your time. But those big things call attention to themselves from the very beginning. You know they're there, you know you have to do something about it, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 30:25

Tags: Humor, Ants, Small Problems, Uncles

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Any Pie à La Mode Is My Kind Of Pie

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 3, 2021

Choices are a very important part of our everyday life. I am what I am today because of choices I made yesterday. I would like to blame someone else, but the truth of the matter is, I am what I am because of my choices. I must confess that there are a lot of bad choices I have made throughout my ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Marriage, Choices

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

As Luck Would Have It

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 17, 2022

Quite frankly, I do not believe in luck in any degree. Once in a while, I will say it, but I don't believe it. Luck has no place in my wallet. Sometimes things happen that you can't plan for, which turns out to be rather good. Luck has nothing to do with it. This past week my ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:6

Tags: Humor, Luck, Choice

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Feel Sorry For My Good-Looking Friends

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 3, 2023

The one place in our humble residence I would prefer to avoid, especially in the morning, is my bathroom. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage has her bathroom, and I have mine. I make visiting my bathroom in the morning as quick as possible. As I walk into my bathroom, on the right side is that ...read more

Scripture: Job 16:8, Ephesians 5:27

Tags: Pride, Wrinkles

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Then Thought Of Chocolate

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 21, 2023

Everybody has their own comfort food. I have a long list of comfort food, and Apple Fritter is at the top. Nothing comforts me quite like a fresh Apple Fritter. The other day I needed some comfort food. After all, life can be rather stressful, and you either deal with the stress or let it deal ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Tags: Stress, Comfort Food

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Nothing Is More Satisfying Than Doing Nothing

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 26, 2024

We were facing a very severe hurricane, and everything was being shut down. The hurricane was to hit us on a Wednesday night. Because we were in the center of where that hurricane was supposed to come, we were not allowed to get out and drive on the streets. I knew that I had to finish all my work ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:2

Tags: Hurricane, Planning

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Is That My Grandfather’s Hand?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 26, 2025

This past week, I thought of my maternal grandfather. I haven't thought of him for a long time because he died over 50 years ago. I'm not sure what inspired me to think about my old grandpa. As a youngster, I used to spend summers with him on his farm. He owned a farm up in the mountains ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:6

Tags: Family, Old Age

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance