In Sermon Illustrations: "Saving Paul"

Abram And Lot

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Apr 5, 2012

ABRAM AND LOT "Lot, walking by sight, chose on the basis of what appealed to him. His choice was self-seeking and self-gratifying. ... Abram, on the other hand, walking by faith, generously let Lot choose first. ... He had learned that it was not by his own plan that he would come into ...read more

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mom Stats  PRO

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 12, 2012

MOM STATS These statistics are from Moms on their most difficult moments. These results were taken from a nation wide survey of moms with children under six. The "Worst place to have to change a diaper" 47% said a public restroom with no changing table 27% said the worst place to change a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Tags: Mother's Day

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Big Is Your Frying Pan?  PRO

Contributed by Paul Casteel on Jun 9, 2012

HOW BIG IS YOUR FRYING PAN? Adrian Rogers tells the following story, "I heard of a fisherman who was fishing; and, if a fish was over 18 inches long, he just threw it back. And, somebody asked him, 'Why do you do that?' He said, 'Well, I only have an 18-inch frying pan.'" Well, I ...read more

Tags: Men's Day

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When A Couple Is In Conflict, You Find What You ...

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 29, 2012

When a couple is in conflict, you find what you are looking for. If you are looking to find fault with your wife, you will find it! If you are looking to find fault with another church member, you will find it. If you are convinced that someone or a some group of people are snobish, or rude, or ...read more

Tags: Judgment

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Importance Of Having The Right Desires Is ...

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 29, 2012

The importance of having the right desires is illustrated in the Christmas film, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” This film contains a powerful theme of REDEMPTION. Hollywood could not come up with a film like this today! If you remember the story, George’s life is falling apart because he DESIRES ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: Disappointment, Heart's Desires

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Knowing" Christ  PRO

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jan 6, 2013

"KNOWING" CHRIST In today's world of Smart Phones, tablets and instant Internet access, there are many things that we can "know." If someone asks the questions, "how long is the Verrazano Bridge," a nimble person with a 4 G connection and an Iphone can ask Siri, "How long is the Verrazano ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10

Tags: Jesus Christ, Knowing God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's Your Dream Job?

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jan 27, 2013

WHAT'S YOUR DREAM JOB? What would be your dream job? According to http://www.the-top-tens.com/lists/top-ten-dream-jobs.asp here are some dream jobs indicated by a recent survey: Author Jet Pilot Inventor Pro-Athlete Race Car Driver Video Game Tester Chocolate Taste tester Hit Man Pro ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27-30

Tags: Workplace Success

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life Of Pi

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 28, 2013

LIFE OF PI The movie "Life of Pi" is a deeply religious film. The story opens with a discussion between a writer and a man from India who shares a fascinating story. The man has come to Pi because a friend told him that "Pi has a story that will make you believe in God." Pi tells the story of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:38-42

Tags: Apologetics Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Atheists In The Water  PRO

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Mar 31, 2013

NO ATHEISTS IN THE WATER David Harrell wrote a book telling the story of his father, Edgar Harrell. Edgar was one of the 300 survivors of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, the last US ship sunk by enemy contact in WW2. 600 of the 900 men who survived the ship's sinking were stranded in the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:15

Tags: Shipwreck, Death, Dying, Loneliness, Atheism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Day Mom Turned Blue

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 20, 2014

Just after Thanksgiving last year, the family was gathered for a dinner at my house. Mom had just returned from visiting my sisters in New York. She was having trouble with her asthma and was tired and short of breath. While in NY, she felt poor enough to see the Doctor, so naturally, we were ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31

Tags: Mothers Day, Mothers, Motherhood, Celebrate Moms

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finishing The Race

Contributed by Paul Steen on Jul 12, 2014

My wife and I watched as Danny, our youngest son, competed in the Carnival of Champions back when he was in elementary school. He was entered in the half-mile race. It was two laps around the track. When the starting gun sounded, he quickly leapt ahead of everyone and built a sizable lead. He had ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2

Tags: Goals, Finish The Race, Finish Well, Fixing Eyes On Jesus

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Substitute  PRO

Contributed by Paul Steen on Oct 8, 2016

The Moose was in the game to score. He took the handoff at the five-yard line from the quarterback and stunted to the right. The right guard and tackle had split the defenders and there was a slight hole in the line for him. Moose instantly was in the hole. He put his head down and fought through ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:3

Tags: Substitute, Substitute Sacrifice, Our Substitute

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Taking Out The Trash

Contributed by Paul Steen on Dec 12, 2016

When my wife and I got married, we were able to move into a small little house. It was just right for us two kids. We soon realized, however, that we needed to have a discussion about the division of duties. I was the bigger of the two of us and we decided that I would be responsible for taking ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:11-13

Tags: Jesus, Suffering, Rejection, Shame, Trash, Mocked, Outside The Camp, Jesus Suffered  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

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

Keep Away From Sin!

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 24, 2022

Genesis 4 Devotional Part 2 The first children from Adam and Eve grew up having 2 different interests: Abel took care of animals while Cain took care of plants. When it was time to worship God (how did they learn and why did they worship God?), Cain offered firstfruits from the field and Abel ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:6-15

Tags: Love, Sin, Heart, Cain, Relationship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Two Types Of Lives!

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 29, 2022

Genesis 4:6-26 Cain had an unrighteous heart and sinned against God in many ways including taking the life of his brother; but what can we learn from God as He related to Cain, from the following verses: v6-7: God gave instructions how and why to repent. v9: God was specific in confronting in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:6-26

Tags: People, Pride, Godly, Creativity, Ungodly, Provisions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

People Leading To The Flood

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 31, 2022

Genesis 5 Focus is v1…. In v1-2, isn’t God just repeating Himself? – God detailed the 2 types of “man” He created – male and female! What’s significant about v3? – Adam and Eve had other children as alluded to in earlier chapters; v3 indicates that Seth was a special person! Why do you think ...read more

Tags: People, Godliness, Pride, Population, God's Promise, Ages  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

We Owe Our Whole Lives To God!

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Nov 3, 2022

Genesis 6:1-9 Some think that the “sons of God” in this passage are angels; how can we say not? - v3 tells us that these men will die and angels are eternal beings; also, Jesus Himself tells us in the Gospels that angels do not marry! What can we say about Gen 6:2? – God’s creations of people are ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-9

Tags: Love, Thanksgiving, Sin, Life, Jesus Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Not Hearing And Hearing From God!

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Nov 14, 2022

Genesis 8:1-18 Devotional v1: Can God forget things? Why or why not? – God IS Omniscient (all knowing), otherwise, He would not be God! The Hebrew word for “remember" is zakar = to remember, to recall, bring to mind! v1-3: How did God stop the flooding? – stopped rain from the sky, closed ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 8:1-18

Tags: Fear, Wisdom, Obedience, God's Word, Actions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God's View Of People

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Nov 16, 2022

Genesis 8:15-22 Devotional After the flood had dried up, God instructed Noah (v15) and Noah obeyed (v16). Isn’t it interesting that we note birds from the ark but not fish…. Noah, did you keep fish in the ark??? – either he kept fish in the ark or God kept fish in the clouds or God recreated ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 8:15-22

Tags: People, Love, Worship, Sin, God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible