In Sermon Illustrations: "Running From God"

The Shoes From My Father

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Jan 21, 2013

THE SHOES FROM MY FATHER Roy Smith was a preacher of a past generation. In his book Tales I’ve Told Twice, he tells about being at a dress rehearsal for the school play. He was a freshman at the little junior college in the town where his family always lived. He didn’t know how but somehow his ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Baptist

Here Is A Letter From The Book Fearfully And ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Here is a letter from the book Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, by P. Brand. “Dear Lord, I have been re-reading the record of the Rich Young Ruler and his obviously wrong choice. But it has set me thinking. No matter how much wealth he had, he could not-- ride in a car, have any surgery, turn on a ...read more

Tags: Parable Shrewd Manager

In His Book, "Leadership Pain: God’s Classroo...

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

In his book, “Leadership Pain: God’s Classroom for Growth,” Sam Chand writes, “Pain isn’t the enemy. The inability or unwillingness to face pain is a far greater danger.” He then tells the story of Dr. Paul Brand who was treating a four year old named Tanya at the national leprosy hospital in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32

Tags: Pain, Thankful For Pain

Denomination: Methodist

In 1992, A Los Angeles County Parking Control ...  PRO

Contributed by James Wilson on Mar 2, 2001

“In 1992, a Los Angeles County parking control officer came upon a brown El Dorado Cadillac illegally parked next to the curb on street-sweeping day. The officer dutifully wrote out a ticket. Ignoring the man seated at the driver’s wheel, the officer reached inside the open car window and placed ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:10-31

Tags: Sin Separates From God, Forgiveness In Jesus, Lordship Of Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Many People Have Trouble With The Concept Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Nov 22, 2004

Many people have trouble with the concept of total depravity. While not denying they are sinners, many people feel that their sin isn’t bad enough to condemn them. What they don’t understand is that any sin is wholly unacceptable to God. Let’s suppose I invite you over to my house this Saturday ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:6-9, Romans 3:9-20

Tags: Sin Separates From God, Basket, Fish And Loaves, Leftovers

Denomination: Baptist

Remember Eeyore The Donkey From The Winnie The ...

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Oct 21, 2007

"Remember Eeyore the donkey from the Winnie the Pooh stories? He is a sad, droop-eared character who is forever losing his tail and resigning himself to the idea of going through life without it until someone finds it for him and pins it back on. Even then he is never joyful over finding his ...read more

Denomination: Orthodox

Are You All Ears For God?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 28, 2024

A missionary translator was endeavoring to find a word for “obedience” in the native language. This was a virtue seldom practiced among the people into whose language he wanted to translate the New Testament. As he returned home from the village one day, he whistled for his dog and it came ...read more

Tags: Obedience, Voice Of God, Hearing God, Listening, Hearers Of The Word  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Song – God Bless ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Jun 16, 2009

SONG – GOD BLESS AMERICA. An eerie quiet fell over the battlefield near the French city of Verdun. It was Nov. 11, 1918, and the guns were abruptly silent. Some of the soldiers sank to the ground; others stared into space. Some began to shake. The Great War was finished, but the men could not ...read more

Tags: Patriotism

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Lesson From A Short Story

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 27, 2023

Text, Matthew 16:26, KJV: For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Thoughts: In my last year or so of high school, I took a couple of literature classes. For one thing, I liked the teacher, and for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:26

Tags: Hell, Temptations, Souls

Denomination: Baptist

In 1976 A Relatively Unknown Politician From The ...

Contributed by Matthew Sickling on Oct 22, 2007

In 1976 a relatively unknown politician from the small town of Plains, Georgia decided to run for President. His name was Jimmy Carter, and although he had served as the Governor of Georgia, no one else in the country knew very much about him. During that campaign he was asked about his faith and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

[093]. A Message From A Poem – Foraging In The Depths Of Scripture

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 30, 2025

[093]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FORAGING IN THE DEPTHS OF SCRIPTURE This poem deals with getting into the heart of scripture. There are images and techniques and encouragement in these stanzas. I actually make the comparison between a mudskipper that flits across the shallows on the water, and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:27, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Buried Treasure, Inspired, Dig Deep, Eel, Mudskipper, Scripture, Word Of God, Workman  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From One Turkey To Another

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 23, 2019

As a child, my favorite holiday was Christmas, second only to my birthday. These holidays were important because of the gifts I received. Oh, did I look forward to those holidays and all the presents I was going to delight in. And delight, I certainly did to the extreme. Then slowly things ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:10

Tags: Thanksgiving, Hoiliday

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

[006]. A Message From A Poem - A New Creation - From Death Unto Life

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 29, 2024

[006]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - A NEW CREATION - FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE This is an unusual poem that may not appeal to everyone, but it is based on emotions experienced by many who don’t know Jesus in their lives. The first, third and fifth stanzas are the viewpoint of one suffering in his/her ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:20, Ecclesiastes 12:8, Ecclesiastes 12:13

Tags: Solution, No Hope, No Satisfaction, Salvation, Miserable  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hearing God Correctly

Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on Mar 25, 2004

“In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-21

Tags: Hearing God, Soul, Sin

Denomination: Baptist

God's Sunlight

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Aug 28, 2021

How is it that the sunlight gives us such joy? Why does this radiance when it falls on the earth fill us with the joy of living? The whole sky is blue, the fields are green, the houses all white, and our enchanted eyes drink in those bright colors which bring delight to our souls. And then there ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-27

Tags: Feeling God's Present, Not Feeling God's Presents

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Tiger, The Man And God  PRO

Contributed by Danny Thomas on May 21, 2001

The Tiger, the Man and God A man was being chased by a tiger. He ran as hard as he could until he was at the edge of a cliff with the tiger in hot pursuit. The man looked over the edge of the cliff and saw a branch growing out of the side of the cliff a few feet down. He jumped down and grabbed ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will, Faith, Faith General

Denomination: Pentecostal

God Of Second Chances  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jul 15, 2003

Part of a song by Anointed- if you say you’re sorry for all the stuff you do Know that he is ready with a second chance for you Praise the Lord He’s the God of Second Chances You’ll be floored how His love in life enhances You can be restored from your darkest ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, God The Father

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Shemaiah, A Man Of God

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 21, 2020

Text: 1 Kings 12:22, KJV: But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 23 Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying, 24 Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:22-24

Tags: Man Of God, Men Of God, Shemaiah

Denomination: Baptist

Enoch Walking With God

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 31, 2011

ENOCH WALKING WITH GOD Unity Baptist’s pastor shares from His sermon "Faith: Enoch-walking with God in faith" on sermoncentral.com shares: "Picture in your mind, if you will, Enoch, walking with God in the coolness of the evening, just as night and day are meeting and lengthened shadows begin to ...read more

Tags: Intercession

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sarah  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2002

"Sarah" I’m Sarah, I’m sixteen; Last night I failed. I prayed for more strength, So why did I yield? He said he loved me, Brought me flowers and all; Then he took me upstairs And caused me to fall. I feel so ashamed, So dirty inside. He’s taken my heart; ...read more

Tags: Purity, Sin Separates From God, Set Apart, Sexuality, Holiness  (view more)  (view less)