In Sermon Illustrations: "Romantic Love"

[108]. A Message From A Poem – Grace Is The Key To Holiness

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 18, 2025

[108]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GRACE IS THE KEY TO HOLINESS This is a poem that has to be read carefully for understanding because of the construct of the poem. The subject is certainly GRACE, but grace can never be in isolation. There is a strong but harmonising relationship with LOVE, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:9, Revelation 22:21, Ezra 9:8, Ephesians 2:8

Tags: Peace, Holiness, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Grace, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Momma, Kiss Me!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

William Gladstone, in announcing the death of Princess Alice to the House of Commons, told a touching story. The little daughter of the Princess was seriously ill with diphtheria. The doctors told the princess not to kiss her little daughter and endanger her life by breathing the child's ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Death, Love, Sacrifice, Children, Agape, Mothers, Fruit Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

David Mains Said, "When Two People Have Settled ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

David Mains said, "When two people have settled in their minds that ’We are going to love each other,’ and they take those vows before God and witnesses, then that puts an end to the practice of comparing. From that day on they are never again to compare. Each is to say, ’The whole of my ...read more

Tags: Grace

Defaced From Family Will

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 14, 2021

I was told by a wonderful woman who had married a negro man after falling in love with him during the 1940s. She met him in Pittsburg, PA, and later moved to Chicago, IL for the safety of their family. Her father was filled with bitterness and anger and defaced her from the will. He disowned her ...read more

Scripture: James 2:8-9, Matthew 22:37-40

Tags: Prince Harry, Racism, Transgression, Respect Of Persons, Royal Law Of Love, Family Will, Meghan Markle, Sin, Bigotry, Brotherly Love, Prejudice, Hatred  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Leadership Magazine Carried A Story About 4 Young ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 14, 2001

Leadership Magazine carried a story about 4 young men, Bible College students, who were renting a house together. One Saturday morning someone knocked on their door. And when they opened it, there stood this bedraggled-looking old man. His eyes were kind of marbleized, & he had a silvery stub of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34, Mark 12:1-17

Tags: Christian Love, Christian Disciplines, Giving, Giving General, Generosity, Good  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

John Bisagno Former Pastor Of Houston’s ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on May 31, 2001

John Bisagno former Pastor of Houston’s First Baptist Church tells the story of his coming there to candidate for the position of pastor many years ago. He said that as he entered the auditorium it was dimly lit, with just a few people huddled together. They were singing some old slow funeral type ...read more

Tags: Celebration, Church General, Church Body Of Christ, Excitement, Love Of The Disciples  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A High School Girl Wrote The Following Letter To ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Jun 19, 2001

A high school girl wrote the following letter to a friend: I attended your church yesterday. Although you had invited me, you were not there. I looked for you, hoping to sit with you. I sat alone. A stranger, I wanted to sit near the back of the church but those rows were all packed with ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8-9, Colossians 2:8-10

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Church, Christian Love, Influence, What Is Evangelism?, Testimony  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Wesleyan

Cleveland Stroud Had Coached The Blue Collar ...  PRO

Contributed by Lance Ladd on Aug 14, 2001

Cleveland Stroud had coached the Blue Collar Bulldogs for 18 years before his basketball team made it to the state championship. Stroud recalls that "it was the perfect night" when they won. "A night you dream of." He was carried around the gym on the shoulders of his triumphant players and their ...read more

Tags: Leadership General, Integrity, Honesty, Faith, Christian Love, Character, Truthfulness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

James Calvert (1813-1892) Was A Zealous ...  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 7, 2002

James Calvert (1813-1892) was a zealous missionary to cannibals on the Fiji Islands. His faithful work bore fruit in the lives of those accustomed to taking the life of others. Years later and English earl visited the Fiji Islands and was critical of a chief’s conversion to Christianity. "You’re a ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:15, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tags: Born Again, Christian Love, New Life, New Creation, Joy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

There Was A Woman Who Was Going Through Some Very ...  PRO

Contributed by Robert Garrett on Apr 11, 2005

There was a woman who was going through some very difficult and trying circumstances. She was experiencing major distress in her marriage, her job was very unfulfilling and was causing her heartache. She became so distraught over her circumstances that she felt like just giving up. She felt ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:28-31, Luke 10:1-39, Isaiah 40:28-31, Romans 8:1-4, Psalm 18:1-30  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love Others, Freedom, God In The Hardships, Giving, Choice, Endurance, Slavery  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

God's Algebra!" Romans 8:9-17 Key Verse(S) ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 25, 2005

“God’s Algebra!” Romans 8:9-17 Key verse(s) 16:“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” One of the unchangeable and mysterious laws of mathematics is that whenever you multiply a positive number by a negative number you will always get a negative number. I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:9-17

Tags: Wait, Promises Of God, God's Love, God's Omniscience, Perseverance, Patience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

Faith: Taking God At His Word

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jun 22, 2018

A little girl was walking through the hallway of her home and she came to the place where they had a cellar door, It was one of those trapdoors on hinges, and it was open. She looked down into the darkness, heard a noise down there, and said, “Who’s down there?” And her daddy said, “It’s me, ...read more

Tags: Parents, Trust, Strength, Darkness, Faith, Love, Father, Children, Light  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Gives More Grace

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

"He gives more grace when the burdens grow greater. He sends more strength when the labors increase, To added affliction He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace. When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed 'ere the day is half ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5-6, Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Prayer, Suffering, Will Of God, God's Goodness, Love Of God, Pain, Grace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Waited 42 Years To Marry Her!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 12, 2023

Richard Armstrong, in Make Your Life Worthwhile, reports the story about a man in Wales who sought to win the affection of a certain lady for 42 years before she finally said, "Yes." The couple, both 74, recently became "Mr. and Mrs." For more than 40 years, the persistent, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7

Tags: I Corinthians 13, Quitters, Love, Marriage, Agape, Persistence, Patience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Backhanded Compliments

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 13, 2023

Soon after our last child left home for college, my husband was resting next to me on the couch with his head in my lap. I carefully removed his glasses. "You know, honey," I said sweetly, "without your glasses, you look like the same handsome young man I married." Her husband ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-31

Tags: Compliments, Marriage, Husband, Wife, Family, Words, Growing Old, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keep It Short, Pastor!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 5, 2023

A pastor was scheduled to address a large Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. His wife, who often reminded him to preach shorter sermons, said to him, “I am giving you an envelope in which is a message for you. Open the envelope just before you speak and it will really help ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-31, Ephesians 2:15

Tags: Sermon Introductions, Humor, Pastors, Churches, Husbands, Sermons, Wives, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Solomon's Insightful Judgment: Looking For The Reaction Of Hearts

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 16, 2024

King Solomon, known for his God-given wisdom, faced a challenging situation recorded in 1 Kings 3:16-28. Two women, both claiming to be the mother of the same baby, brought their case before him. Solomon's response was both shocking and insightful. He suggested dividing the baby in two, giving ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:16-28

Tags: Discernment, Prolife, Biblical Wisdom, True Motherhood, Love, Morality, Wisdom  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[031] A Message From A Poem – Before Him Lay The Cross

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 19, 2025

[031] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BEFORE HIM LAY THE CROSS We have a retrospective view of the cross in a very limited understanding, but the Lord’s view in the Garden of gethsemane was a forward one. The anticipation of that ordeal was a dreadful one. That comes out in the description and this ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2, John 3:16-17, Psalm 69:1-3, Psalm 22:13-16, Matthew 26:38-39  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, The Cross, Anticipation, Endurance, Cross, Suffering, Gethsemane, Endure, Calvary  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[116]. A Message From A Poem – Having A Chat With God

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 27, 2025

[116]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HAVING A CHAT WITH GOD There is nothing pretentious here. It is a simple prayer mixed with thoughts of the Lord. This poem is a meditation, one that I hope you can relate to in your life. Some make prayer a sanctimonious affair and it is about as dead as a ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:7, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 1 John 4:19

Tags: Grace, Love, Hope, Prayer, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Chat  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[180]. A Poem Message – Lost Three Things - One Son – The Prodigal Son

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 29, 2025

[180]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LOST ONE SON – THE PRODIGAL SON The third of the lost parables is the son. It is the best know. Gospel preaching has made use of this parable over and over and that is fair enough. However its greater meaning is a wayward son of the family, who entered into a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:18, Luke 15:11-12, Luke 15:11-32

Tags: Repentance, Lost, Love Of The Father, The Prodigal Son, Parable Of The Lost Son  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational