In Sermon Illustrations: "Richard Foster"

Jesus' Grandmother

Contributed by Richard White on Jun 25, 2011

JESUS' GRANDMOTHER A little boy came home from Sunday School. His mother asked, "Who was your teacher?" The boy replied, "I don't know her name but she must have ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hearts On Fire

Contributed by Richard Francis on Sep 12, 2011

HEARTS ON FIRE As the streets in the UK burn during the recent riots. I cannot help but think this country needs Christians with hearts on fire for Christ, for their nieghbours and community. Lets walk with the dejected disiples on their way from ...read more

Tags: Jesus Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Very Young Christian Family

Contributed by Richard Koskela on Oct 24, 2011

A VERY YOUNG CHRISTIAN FAMILY While traveling as a missionary on home assignment, I had the privilege of eating an evening meal with a young couple with two small children. When it was time for the children to go to bed, they asked me if I wanted to go with them to the children’s bedroom while ...read more

Tags: Family

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Bill Bright's Epitaph

Contributed by Richard White on Mar 17, 2012

BILL BRIGHT'S EPITAPH Bill Bright is the founder of Campus Crusades for Christ. He devoted his life to reaching young people all around the world, and to help strengthen young people who already gave ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Of Love A Force From Above ...

Contributed by Richard Francis on Dec 17, 2012

The power of love a force from above that’s cleanses your soul, that’s saves and restores that opens the eyes of the blind, that gives the deaf hearing and free’s the ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Going Outside The Wire  PRO

Contributed by Joseph Richard on Nov 10, 2013

"Going Outside The Wire" Scripture(s): Job. 1:8-12; 2:1-6 "Going outside the wire" is a term that has been used by military members who are deployed in a hostile and dangerous environment such as Iraq or Afghanistan. It means you leave the safety and protection of the Camp or Base and travel on ...read more

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Following What You Can't See

Contributed by Richard Wimpey on May 19, 2015

Last year I atteneded a miracle league softball game that my grandaughter Addie was playing in. It was amazing to watch all the children with disabilities play ball. Many of the parents would tell the kids when to swing the bat to help them connect with the ball. As one little girl hit the ball I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:28-29

Tags: Holy Spirit, Blind Faith, Blind

Denomination: Baptist

Billy Graham's Conversion

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

In an interview on October 15, 2013 Billy Graham said, “There are two basic needs that all people have: the need for hope and the need for salvation. It should not be surprising if people believe easily in a God who makes no demands, but this is not the God of the Bible. Satan has cleverly misled ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:8-9, Matthew 5:17-18

Tags: Salvation, Repentance, Billy Graham, Easy Believism

Denomination: Charismatic

Free For The Taking: Grace

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

Joseph Cooke was a missionary to Thailand a generation ago. He illustrated grace this way. Picture a happily married couple in which both husband and wife are all that either could ever wish the other to be. The husband always respects his wife’s feelings, always treasures her individuality, is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:8-9, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 5:8

Tags: Grace, Love Of God

Denomination: Charismatic

Through The Eyes Of A 3-Year-Old

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

Rena was 3 years old when she went to her first baptismal service. It was new for her and a bit mystifying. As events transpired, she looked up at her father with surprise in her eyes, “Daddy, he pushed that guy under the water? Why did he do that?” The father tried to quietly answer her question ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Baptism, Good Works, Water Baptism, New Start

Denomination: Charismatic

Ocean Liner

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

I have never been on a cruise; but I have watched people board a luxury liner. That ship may carry the passengers all the way to the beautiful beaches of Hawaii. And the passengers arrive simply by boarding the ship. And I understand it can be a very enjoyable trip. Can you imagine swimming from ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:9-10, Romans 11:6, Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Grace, Trust, Grace Alone

Denomination: Charismatic

Salvation Is About Relationship

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

On May 31, 1975 Jeanie and I were legally married. A record of that translation is documented at Potter County in Amarillo, Texas. Because of that, I can introduce her as my wife. She can sign papers as Jeanie Tow. A legal transaction occurred. But what if that were all there is to our marriage? We ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14, 2 Corinthians 6:1

Tags: Grace, Relationship To God, Love And Faith

Denomination: Charismatic

Don't Quit

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

Ignace Jan Paderewski, the famous pianist, was scheduled to perform at a great concert hall in America. It was a high-society extravaganza. Present in the audience that evening was a mother and her fidgety nine-year old. She had brought him in the hopes that when he heard the great composer play, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:9-15, 1 Peter 4:12, Hebrews 11:11

Tags: Discouragement, Disappointment, Perseverance

Denomination: Charismatic

Even If Its Dark

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

A young man’s wife became very ill and died, leaving him alone with his four-year old daughter. The funeral service was simple and heavy with grief. After the burial, his neighbors gathered around him and invited them to bring his little girl and stay at one of their homes this first night. They ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13, Psalm 23:1-6

Tags: Death, Comfort, Trust, Sorrow, Trial  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Encouraging Others

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

After analyzing many surveys, J. C. Staehle found that the principle causes of unrest among workers, were the following: 1. Failure to give credit for suggestions. 2. Failure to correct grievances. 3. Failure to encourage. 4. Criticizing employees in front of other people. 5. Failure to ask ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:39

Tags: Relationships, Encourage Others

Denomination: Charismatic

Not Much Help

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

In his Peanuts strip, Charles Schulz had an amazing talent for communicating truths like this in humorous, memorable ways. In one strip Charlie Brown rests his head in his hands while leaning on the wall and looking miserable. His friend, Lucy, approaches. “Discouraged again, eh, Charlie Brown?” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

Tags: Criticism, Critical, Judging

Denomination: Charismatic

Stick With The Basics

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 25, 2017

When kids turn sixteen, they often take an in-car driving course to prepare them for their driver’s license test. I want you to imagine with me a driving instructor who meticulously teaches the student how to properly adjust the seat and put on the seat belt, how to adjust the mirrors so that the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16

Tags: Gospel, Essentials Of Faith

Denomination: Charismatic

Consecrated To Do God's Will

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 25, 2017

Years ago a young girl entered a little Presbyterian Church out of curiosity. There she heard the gospel for the first time and was converted. She later heard God’s call on her life to go to China as a missionary. She was the only daughter of a multi-millionaire. She was socially prominent and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24

Tags: Sacrifice, Consecrated Life

Denomination: Charismatic

Consecration To God--Making A Personal Stand For Jesus

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 14, 2017

I read the story of a young woman who out of curiosity entered a little Presbyterian church one evening. She heard the gospel for the first time and was converted. Later she heard God’s call on her life to go to China as a missionary. She was the only daughter of a multi-millionaire. She was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-50

Tags: Sacrifice, Missions, Consecrated Life

Denomination: Charismatic

Faith, Feeling And Fact

Contributed by Richard Stevens on Mar 20, 2018

Feeling, Faith and Fact Three were walking on a wall, Feeling, Faith, and Fact. When Feeling took an awful fall and Faith was taken back. So close was Faith to Feeling that Faith stumbled and fell down too. But ...read more

Tags: Faith, Feelings, Fact

Denomination: Baptist