In Sermon Illustrations: "Seek God Early"

Jealous Horses

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 3, 2011

JEALOUS HORSES When we lived in a small town in central Kansas (Ellsworth), we made many trips to the nearest big town, Salina, Kansas on old Kansas Route 140. On one of those trips in the spring (March 12, 1990), we saw a horse at the edge of a luscious, green pasture with his head stuck through ...read more

Tags: Jealousy

Denomination: Evangelical Free

We Require Loving

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 20, 2011

WE REQUIRE LOVING A little girl was making but poor progress toward recovery, though the ailment had been checked and there seemed to be no reason why she should not rapidly improve. But it didn’t happen, and the doctor in charge was keenly interested to know why. She was a very sensitive child, ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Tags: Christian Love

Living Stones

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on May 22, 2011

LIVING STONES I have to tell ya, I’m so proud of my baby girl. She's working on a project for the school’s science-fair by growing citrine crystals in the basement. What normally takes thousands of years to do in nature; chemists have somehow been able to reproduce in a matter of weeks. I think ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ

Denomination: Lutheran

Preach The Whole Gospel

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 3, 2011

PREACH THE WHOLE GOSPEL John Nelson preaching about the influence of John Wesley’s preaching and its effects upon him, said: "This man can tell the secrets of my heart, but he hath not left me there, he hath showed me the remedy, even the blood of Christ. Then was my soul filled with ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Tags: Preaching

Sacred Cows

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Dec 17, 2020

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Sacred Cows, Traditions

Denomination: Baptist

The Goal Of Spiritual Gifts

Contributed by John Bright on Sep 24, 2025

Spiritual Gifts were documented in Class Meetings within the Wesleyan tradition. It was there that members shared their lives – the successes and the struggles. They would search the Scriptures for answers, and they would pray for each other. Those prayers included listening for a Word from the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 12:28

Tags: Small Groups, Class Meeting, Love, Spiritual Gifts

Denomination: Methodist

The Young Pastor Came Before His Congregation And ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 28, 2007

The young pastor came before his congregation and began to preach his sermon. God had placed it on his heart to begin a series on loving God, loving others. He preached his heart out, making points and using illustrations that moved people to tears and emotion. The pastor came to the end of the ...read more

You Are Not Your ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

You are Not Your Own Purchased at the Highest Price Corporate Worship The first step to enjoying public worship services is to understand that Christians are not their own. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Tags: Worship Purpose

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

James 5:13

Contributed by Bruce Ball on May 26, 2009

JAMES 5:13 says that if we are in trouble of any kind, we need to pray. But along with praying we need to pray while believing we will get God’s answers. Maybe not exactly when we want it or how we want it, but we will receive it in His way and in His time. Let me give you an example of praying ...read more

Tags: Prayer Answered

Denomination: *other

Trapped Coal Miners Discover Old ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 14, 2009

Trapped Coal Miners Discover Old Passage In one of the coal mines of the north, the top of the pit fell in while a considerable number of the miners were down below, and the shaft was completely blocked. Those who were in the mine gathered to a spot where the last remains of air could be breathed. ...read more

Scripture: James 4:4-10

Tags: Humility

Faith Healing

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 1, 2011

FAITH HEALING I’ve know people who questioned God’s love for them because God didn’t heal them. I’ve known others who questioned their own faith...they felt like if they’d just had more faith God would have healed them. In fact, I’ve known people who were TOLD by a faith-healer that the reason ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:20-22, Matthew 10:40-42

Tags: Miracles General

Our "In Jesus" Voice

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 28, 2011

OUR "IN JESUS" VOICE I'm always intrigued by the phrase some parents and care-givers use with children: "Now children, we need to use our 'indoor' voices." What Ephesians 4 is saying is that when in the church (not the building) we need to use our "in Jesus" voices. Those voices need to lift up, ...read more

Tags: Encouragement

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Living Word

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

Ravi Zacharias tells of ministering in Vietnam in 1971, and one of his interpreters was Hien Pham, an energetic young Christian. He had worked as a translator with the American forces, and was of immense help both to them and to missionaries such as myself. Hien and I traveled the length of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Scripture, Romans, Living Word, The Bible, Persevering Grace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Solar Powered

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Apr 27, 2021

The other day I was sitting on my back porch. On my porch is a bird bath with a small solar-powered fountain. The fountain only works when the sun is directly on it and, since that day was a clear day, the fountain was operating at full steam. As I was sitting enjoying the day a brief passing ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12

Tags: Spirit, John, Light, Power, Life, Darkness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dr. Elmer Towns, In His Book Praying The Lord's ...

Contributed by Chris Surber on Oct 20, 2007

Dr. Elmer Towns, in his book Praying The Lord’s Prayer for Spiritual Breakthrough, tells the story of a small son was playing with his french fries, dipping the end of one in the ketchup, and then waving it like a baton. His father was enjoying the moment. Mother had gone to a seminar, so for lunch ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Salt Of The Earth  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Salt of the Earth Matthew 5:13 says to Christians, "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." Our Lord is telling His disciples that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13

Tags: Character

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[049]. A Message From A Poem – Christmas With The Shepherds

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 7, 2025

[049]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CHRISTMAS WITH THE SHEPHERDS This is a very simple poem. I was asked to write a poem for Christmas by a friend who was doing religious instruction at a school and it is aimed at younger children. Although I do not agree with the trappings of Christmas as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Tags: Poetry, Poem, Shepherds, Christmas

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[176]. A Message From A Poem – Lord, May I Share My Thoughts With You?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 26, 2025

[176]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LORD, MAY I SHARE MY THOUGHTS WITH YOU? This poem is exactly what it says; my thoughts that I share with God. There is so much I don’t understand and too many problems to solve, but I think we are not meant to do that. We just need simple, uncluttered faith in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 37:28

Tags: Christian Poetry, Guide, Knowledge, Share, Desires, Thoughts  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Paraphrase Of Psalm 19:7-14  PRO

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jun 26, 2006

A PARAPHRASE OF PSALM 19:7-14 BY Lynnea J.H. Tanner “The law of the Lord is without flaw, putting our soul back to wholeness. The things the Lord reveals are unwavering, consistent in their nature, giving great understanding to the unlearned. The basic principles God has laid out are right making ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:7-14

Tags: Bible Influence, Giving

Denomination: Orthodox

My Accident

Contributed by Scott Epperson on Nov 11, 2006

My Accident My life was normal and unexpecting of tragedy when the bumper of a LTD came crashing into my back I had no time to repent like I always figured I would if I would have died it would have been at a moment that I was angry and frustrated and I can't say that I was as comfortable in my ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal