In Sermon Illustrations: "Receiving Christ"

Astor's Promise

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 18, 2010

ASTOR'S PROMISE One stormy night an elderly couple entered the lobby of a small hotel and asked for a room. The clerk said they were full and they would probably find so were all the hotels in town. "But I can’t send a fine couple like you out in the rain. Would you be willing to sleep in my ...read more

Tags: Promises Of God

Denomination: Brethren

More Than A Black Mark

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 27, 2010

MORE THAN A BLACK MARK A preacher was addressing his congregation when he held up a large piece of paper. He then took from his pocket a marker pen and made a black dot in the centre of it. Then he held the paper up before the people and asked them what they saw. One person quickly replied, "I ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Brethren

Second Fiddle

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 30, 2010

SECOND FIDDLE One of the first conductors born and educated in the United States to receive worldwide acclaim was Leonard Bernstein. He directed the New York Philharmonic, conducted concerts by some of the world's leading orchestras, wrote symphonies, and music for Broadway hits such as West Side ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-4

Tags: Humility

Musalaha In Jerusalem

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Jan 30, 2011

MUSALAHA IN JERUSALEM Musalaha is a charity in the Holy Land working for reconciliation. It is an Arabic word that means "reconciliation" and I recently received this communication from the head of Musalaha - Salim Munayer, who writes: At the end of 2010, more than 150 people assembled, stood ...read more

Tags: Unity

Denomination: Anglican

Tying Off The Tap Root  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 3, 2011

TYING OFF THE TAP ROOT The Japanese introduced a tree to the world that is called a Bonsai tree. It is measured in inches instead of feet as other trees are measured. It is not allowed to reach anywhere near its full growth potential but instead grows in a stunted miniature form. The reason for ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-7

Tags: Prayer General

The Inspiration Behind The Statue Of Liberty

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 6, 2011

THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE STATUE OF LIBERTY The Statue Of Liberty has towered above Bedlow Island, near the entrance to New York Harbor, as a symbol of freedom. The famous sculptor, Bartholdi, gave twenty years of devoted effort to the work, personally superintending the raising of the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31, Proverbs 31:1-27

Tags: Mother's Day

Sorry You're Too Late

Contributed by Tim Spear on Dec 3, 2012

A young man, after a revival service, came up to the visiting evangelist and they were getting ready to put up everything for the night. The young man had left after the invitation, under conviction, he had returned at the conclusion of the service and went up to the evangelist and he said, "Sir, ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Baptist

Resurrection Plant

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 20, 2014

As a boy I saw an advertisement in a comic book that appealed to my scientific nature. The product being offered for sale was called a "miracle plant." The ad declared that the plant would be dead when received by the purchaser; but when placed in water, it would soon "miraculously" return to ...read more

Scripture: John 3:3-8

Tags: Born Again, Regeneration

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Just Entertain

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 14, 2014

Timothy Paul Jones- With high hopes we had moved to a new youth ministry position. On my first Wednesday evening at this church, I received my first hint that this task might be more difficult than I’d imagined. After a couple of games, I gathered the students for some worship songs. Worship ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence, Delight In God's Word, Neglect Of The Word

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grandfather And The Dog

Contributed by Dr. David Hallum on Sep 11, 2019

When my grandchildren were young, introduced them to my dog, Chuey. They were not well received by the old Chow. The dog would stalk around and shoot dirty looks when the kids were present. He finally got used to them and now pays them no attention. The other day, we were all in the back yard. ...read more

Scripture: James 3:6, Ephesians 4:14

Tags: Obedience, Selfishness, Immaturity

Denomination: Baptist

It's Too Late To Do Anything!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 8, 2020

Here is an illustration of these two basic approaches to righteousness: SAVIOR or SELF? An Englishman by the name of Ebenezer Wooten had just concluded a preaching service in the village square. The crowd had dispersed, and he was busily engaged in loading the equipment. A young man approached ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Salvation, Righteousness, Witnessing, Works, Grace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do You Think God Knows What He Is Doing?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 4, 2022

A young woman prepared for missionary service on foreign fields. She had been appointed by the mission board and was ready to sail when she received a telegram saying that her sister had died in a western state. She cancelled her reservation and went home. The sister left four little children ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Missions, Trusting God, Providence, Will Of God, Missionaries, Sovereignty Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Way Is The Best.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 31, 2022

I read the story about a young woman who had prepared for missionary service on foreign fields. She had been appointed by the mission board and was ready to sail when she received a telegram saying that her sister had died in a western state. She cancelled her reservation and went home. The ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Tags: Faith, Trust, Obedience, Purpose, Providence, Will Of God, Sovereignty Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seek Spiritual Advice From Spiritually Mature Christians

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 7, 2023

Seek Spiritual Advice from Spiritually mature Christians. Albert Einstein ... had difficulty speaking until he was four years old ... and did not read ... until he was seven. Beethovens music teacher said: .... As a composer, ... he is hopeless. When Thomas Edison was a young boy, ... his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52

Tags: Advice, Spiritual

Denomination: Anglican

Achilles' Heel

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 15, 2024

The ancient Greeks told a story of a warrior named Achilles. His mother had been warned that he would die of a wound, so she dipped him as an infant in the river Styx. That was supposed to make him invincible. THERE WAS ONE PROBLEM -- she held him by one heel which the protective waters did not ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-15

Tags: Evil, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Trials, Lust  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Quote From Fm Bishop Joe James "The Freedom We ...  PRO

Contributed by Alan Chandler on Mar 11, 2002

Quote from FM Bishop Joe James “The freedom we have in Christ was made believable to an unbelieving world through the Love that was ...read more

Tags: Unity

Denomination: Methodist

I Try To Start Each Morning By Saying That Jesus ...

Contributed by Tony Abram on Nov 5, 2006

I try to start each morning by saying that Jesus Christ is Lord of my spirit, Lord of my mind and Lord of my ...read more

Joy Is Not A Feeling; Its A Choice. Its Not ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Joy is not a feeling; its a choice. Its not based upon circumstances; its based upon attitude. Its free, but not cheap. Its the ...read more

Tags: Joy

I Have Discovered That If The Bible Is Taught ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

I have discovered that if the Bible is taught the way it should be that it will be like a powerful magnet drawing youth unto the Lord Jesus ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Not In The Emergencies, Not In The Great ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Not in the emergencies, not in the great crises, but in everything, we must cultivate the habit of dependence on Christ. Habitually recognize that He has ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian