In Sermon Illustrations: "Risk Taking"

Statistics On Loneliness

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 7, 2011

STATISTICS ON LONELINESS This week I read an article by Medical News Today about the health effects of loneliness. Quoting the article, it states that "there is evidence that the risk of developing and dying from heart disease can depend on the strength of one's social network of friends and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

The Importance Of Friends  PRO

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Feb 29, 2012

THE IMPORTANCE OF FRIENDS One of the most thorough research projects on relationships is called the Alameda County Study. Headed by a Harvard social scientist, it tracked the lives of 7,000 people over nine years. Researchers found that the most isolated people were three times more likely to die ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-15

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: Baptist

If You Want To Walk On Water…  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 2, 2012

John Ortberg states: "The decision to grow always involves a choice between risk and comfort. This means that to be a follower of Jesus, you must renounce comfort as the ultimate value of your life. And that’s sobering news to most of us, because we’re into comfort...but water walkers master ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:18-22, Romans 4:3

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Dragons--Just God! (07.14.05--Tomorrow--2 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 12, 2005

No Dragons--Just God! (07.14.05--Tomorrow--2 Timothy 2:11-13) There’s an old adage that a little knowledge can be a very dangerous thing. Often what we think we know, based only on a scattering of a tidbit of knowledge here and there, can prove to be our undoing when we base our actions largely on ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Lutheran

Steve Lyons Will Be Remembered As The Player Who ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2006

Steve Lyons will be remembered as the player who dropped his pants. He could be remembered as an outstanding infielder ... as the player who played every position for the Chicago White Sox ... as the guy who always dove into first base ... as a favorite of the fans who high fived the guy who ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Tags: Sin General, Abandon

I Lost My Boat, But I Preserved My Life

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 23, 2008

I LOST MY BOAT, BUT I PRESERVED MY LIFE An American (Ken Barnes), safely headed toward land after three days adrift, said a driving storm off the tip of South America snapped his masts and rolled his yacht, shattering his dream to make a nonstop, round-the-world voyage. "I lost my boat, but I ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Blessed Are The Persecuted  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Blessed Are The Persecuted Matthew 5:10-12 says, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Tags: Persecution

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dire Warnings?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 24, 2020

Once upon a time. . . . sorry, folks, I couldn’t resist that one. But it wasn’t that long ago that people paid their bills by writing a check and then mailing said item and bill to the address provided. That was true of car insurance, utility bills, credit card bills, among other things. Now, one ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:42-48, Luke 16:19-31

Tags: Hell, Judgment, Rewards, Warnings

Denomination: Baptist

The Man Of God Who Gave Two Messages To A King

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 27, 2020

Text: 2 Chronicles 25:7, KJV: But there came a man of God (ID unknown) to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim. 2 Chron. 25:9: And Amaziah said to the man of God (identity unknown), But what shall we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 25:7, 2 Chronicles 25:9

Tags: Man Of God, Mercenary Soldiers, Talents Of Silver

Denomination: Baptist

Cost Of Giving In To Temptation

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Aug 14, 2024

Illustration: Cost of Giving in to Temptation There is a cost when we give into temptation. Here I have a sample of a wall. This is a wall of sheetrock. Looks good when painted. Most houses are made of this. What do you think would happen if I take this hammer and knock a hole in it? ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Temptation, Character, Damage

Denomination: Church Of God

Consider Little Suzie. Little Suzie Was ...

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Oct 24, 2009

Consider little Suzie. Little Suzie was finishing her prayer one night and said: Dear God, Please take care of mommy, take care of daddy, take care of my sister and my brother, and please, God, take care of yourself, because if you don’t, we’re all sunk. – Amen! Suzie ...read more

Tags: Enduring Trials, Trials And Difficulties

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Cuban Missle Crisis Compared To Spiritual ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 1, 2009

Cuban Missle Crisis Compared to Spiritual Brinkmanship It is October 14th, and the sun is reflecting mirages of water on an Air Force base runway in southern Florida. The silence of that scene is interrupted as a long-winged plane touches down on the runway and taxies to the hanger. A thousand ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1

Tags: Holiness

One Of The Most Disturbing And Powerful Films I ...  PRO

Contributed by Rob Short on Mar 18, 2001

One of the most disturbing and powerful films I have seen over the last couple of years is Steven Spielberg’s movie, Saving Private Ryan. The movie tells the story of an Army captain named John Miller who having survived the carnage of the D-Day invasion at Normandy Beach, portrayed in 28 minutes ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1, Nehemiah 4:1-23, Nehemiah 4:10-23, Nehemiah 4:14

Tags: Lordship Of Christ, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Baptist

I Received An E-Mail The Other Day With The ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Oct 30, 2002

I received an e-mail the other day with the subject reading "How did we ever survive?" I don’t know who authored it. Looking back, it’s hard to believe that we have lived as long as we have. As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags. Riding in the back of a pickup on a ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Today It Seems That All You Have To Do To Sell A ...  PRO

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Mar 13, 2003

Today it seems that all you have to do to sell a product is include some natural herb or mineral with it. Products ranging from shampoo to diet pills have all jumped on the “all natural” bandwagon. Just because something is all natural does not make it better or safe. There is one word in our ...read more

Tags: Sin Deceptive, Sin General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Some Years Ago, There Was A Small Tribe Of ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Mar 24, 2003

: Some years ago, there was a small tribe of Native Americans who lived in the state of Mississippi. They lived along the banks of a very swift and dangerous river. The current was so strong that if somebody accidentally fell in, they would likely be swept away to their death downstream. One day ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness General, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

About A Few Heroes  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 11, 2003

ABOUT A FEW HEROES Some may think its fashionable to proclaim that the age of heroes has passed. That the glory years of towering giants has faded into a mist of myth and fable. Well, if you’re looking for heroes -- look around. Look at your next door neighbor, the woman whom you see playing catch ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Holidays Civic

On December 11, 2005 Tony Dungy, ...

Contributed by Timothy Finch on Mar 6, 2006

Illustration: On December 11, 2005 Tony Dungy, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts was asked about his plans for the remainder of the regular season. His team had just won it’s 13th game in a row to start the season and had clinched its division and home field advantage throughout the playoff, by ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: Baptist

Stowell: How People Go Astray  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 28, 2009

STOWELL: HOW PEOPLE GO ASTRAY Dr. Joseph M. Stowell, in his book, Following Christ, asks the question: HOW DO PEOPLE GO SO FAR ASTRAY SPIRITUALLY? The question was prompted when Dr. Stowell read an article given to him from the local paper the about Tom Wilson who died, gunned down as a member ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12

Tags: Apostasy

What's Important In Life...?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 11, 2011

WHAT'S IMPORTANT IN LIFE...? When I was 13, my dad owned his own business--a tiny shack where he sold chicken, ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries. One day the oil that the chicken was fried in caught fire. In a few minutes the whole place exploded in flames. My dad bolted from the store before ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Tags: Money