In Sermon Illustrations: "Reflecting Jesus"

The Carnival Ride

Contributed by Paul Steen on Dec 9, 2017

Some years ago, while our family was vacationing in the high Sierras, we decided to visit a small county fair near the town of Quincy. There weren't many people there that morning. In fact, we were about the only ones visiting the carnival rides. So when I climbed into the Tilt-O-Wheel with my ...read more

Scripture: James 1:14-15

Tags: Sin, Sin Cycle

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A Lesson From A Damaged Lock

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 20, 2019

Moving from one place to another is always a challenge, no matter how many times you’ve gone through this “process”! My wife and I recently made a move and learned a strange, but interesting lesson—one that was valuable for us, too. As sometimes happens, there is too much stuff and not enough ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-20

Tags: Theft, Possessions, Worldly Goods

Denomination: Baptist

Hold That Thought!

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 23, 2020

One church where I served as pastor has a ping-pong table in the fellowship hall, and sometimes a younger member or two asked me to join them in a game. Now, I was old enough to be their grandfather but that doesn’t stop them from asking! I did appreciate the fact that these youngsters, aged around ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Tags: Children, Thoughts, Fun And Games

Denomination: Baptist

A Little Thing Caused A Big Problem!

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 7, 2020

My car was due for an oil change so I drove it to the same place where I had gone for several years. After all, they knew me and I trusted them and I’ve never had a problem. A few minutes later, the car was tasting some fresh oil and I was good to go for a while! Except—something happened in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8, Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Alertness, Consequences, Sins

Denomination: Baptist

A Lesson From A Pair Of Mildewed Shoes

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 22, 2020

A number of years ago I received a three-year assignment to Okinawa, Japan, as part of my Air Force experience. Hardly anybody I knew had much knowledge of that part of the world, so we really had no idea what to expect. We were in for a number of surprises! We lived in a motel, basically, for a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33-34

Tags: Shoes, Life's Problems

Denomination: Baptist

A Tribute To Fathers In The Bible

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 9, 2020

Introduction: with the exception of Adam, who was created; and Jesus Himself, Who was born of the Virgin Mary, every man in the Bible had a father. That some were good and others were evil is clear, and it would be nearly impossible to list every father and son in the Bible. The Books of Chronicles ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:4, Romans 1:18-32

Tags: Father's Day, Fathers, Raising Children

Denomination: Baptist

Any Believer Can Be A "Man Of God”

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 7, 2020

Any believer can be a “man of God” Text: 2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God (any believer in Jesus!) may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. Thoughts: Only a few people were ever called a “man of God” in the Bible. Some were never known; at least four were never named, and one, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Tags: Paul, Man Of God, Timothy

Denomination: Baptist

Unsung Heroes-Those Who Made Copies Of The Scriptures

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 30, 2021

Introduction: sometimes we forget, or take for granted, the easy availability of God’s Word. Retail stores (not just Christian bookstores) sometimes have copies of the whole Bible for a dollar per copy! Secondhand or thrift stores occasionally have donated Bibles and other portions for a very ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 9:1-2

Tags: Baruch, Daniel, Jeremiah, Word Of God, Scribes  (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

How Does God See Our Worship?

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 17, 2022

Because Adam and Eve sinned against God, we note from the end of Genesis 3 that they were banished from the perfect Garden of Eden, where God provided everything for them. Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden to now labor for their day to day needs. In the Garden of Eden work was a delight; ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-7

Tags: Worship, God, Heart, Confession, Rebellion, Yielding  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Thief On The Cross - Alistair Begg

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 19, 2023

If you were to die tonight and you were getting entry into heaven, what would you say? If you answer that, and if I answer it in the first person, we've immediately gone wrong. “Because I believed”, “Because I have faith”, “Because I am his”. Loved ones the only proper answer is in the third ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:33-44, Luke 23:32-43

Tags: Pride, Arrogance, Thief On The Cross, Alistair Begg, Easter, Good Friday, Crucifixion, Salvation, Cross  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Blue Marbles Reveal The Condition Of The Heart

Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on Mar 12, 2024

There was a young boy named John and his favorite past time was playing marbles. John was out in the playground one day when he saw Susie carrying a box of chocolates. Now John also loved to eat chocolates. So he thought for a while before saying to Susie: “Susie, if you give me your box of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:12, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 2 Corinthians 8:9

Tags: Greed, Giving, Doubting God

Denomination: Baptist

The Price Has Been Paid For You

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Aug 28, 2024

The story is told of a young man who left the old country and sailed to America to make a new life in the new world. Before he left, his father pressed some money in his hand. It wasn't much, but it was all he had. He hoped it would tide the boy over until he found a job. His mother handed him ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:13-14

Tags: Good News, Barriers, Intimacy With God, Missing Out

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Like Snow—like Scarlet?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 24, 2024

Introduction: Even a small yet honest mistake can have long-lasting effects! Text: Isaiah 1:18, KJV: 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. I used to wash my ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:18

Tags: Forgiveness, Sin, Clothes

Denomination: Baptist

[115]. A Message From A Poem – Have You Trusted The God Of Faithfulness?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 27, 2025

[115]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HAVE YOU TRUSTED THE GOD OF FAITHFULNESS? God is faithful in proven circumstances. Have you actually proven the faithfulness of God in your life? We have a faithful God so we can anchor our faith in the faithfulness of God. {{Psalm 119:90 “YOUR FAITHFULNESS ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:9, Lamentations 3:22-23, Deuteronomy 32:3-4, Psalm 119:90

Tags: Christian Poems, God, Trust, Faithful, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[203]. A Message From A Poem - On The Eve Of Trial

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 17, 2025

[203]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ON THE EVE OF TRIAL This poem was written at the airport when I had to go away for a very unjust hearing before a wicked, unjust Commissioner/Judge, and the whole setup was so evil. If you ever feel the dragon’s breath then you will know what I mean. I don’t wish ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13, John 16:33

Tags: Unjust, Trials, Trepidation, Peace, Overcome, Tribulation, Control, Trial, Injustice, World, Fear, Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Good Food From The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 28, 2025

GOOD FOOD FROM THE GOOD SHEPHERD This is David's message to us in Psalm 37:1-3, where the KJV says: 1. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3. Trust in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-11

Tags: Rest, Hardships, Cares, Cast Your Cares, Horrible Times, Evil, Trust, Suffering, Righteousness, Rejoice, Shelter, Pain, Peace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[224]. A Message From A Poem - Psalm 23

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 10, 2025

[224]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - PSALM 23 This is yet another poem or song or hymn based on the most famous chapter in the bible. The language of this Psalm in the AV/KJV is superb in the language of the 17th century, so much so, that I am going to quote the AV translation of this Psalm:- Psalm ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Tags: Shepherd, Sheep, The Lord Is My Shepherd, Psalm Of David, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[250]. A Message From A Poem – Thank You Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 2, 2026

[250]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THANK YOU LORD This is a “Thank You” poem. There is much to thank God for. Should we thank God for our birth that is the start of an eternal relationship in joy, bathed in the love of God? Yes! That is love that God wants to share Himself in so many ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:13, Job 3:1-4

Tags: Thank You Lord, Hope, Life, Word, Giving Thanks, Me, Christian Poetry, Love, Blood, Joy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

William

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 10, 2010

William "Fighting Mac" McKenzie, WWI Chaplain Hero and Salvation Army Commander Heroes from WWI, William “Fighting Mac” McKenzie (12/1869-26/7/1947) Pstor Col Stringer reveiled the Australian Heros to us by his research, today I share it with you. Who are your personal heroes? Who do you look up ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17

Tags: Holidays Civic