In Sermon Illustrations: "Seeking The Kingdom First"

Humility Is The First Test Of A Truly Great ...

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 11, 2012

Humility is the first test of a truly great ...read more

Tags: Humility

Denomination: Catholic

Homosexuality In First Century Greek Culture

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 24, 2019

Craig Keener writes, “Greek men were commonly bisexual; not only was homosexual behavior approved…but elements of the culture socialized boys in this direction. Men and women were segregated growing up, and male bonds became close. Apparently due to a deficiency in the number of women (which many ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:24-32

Tags: Gay, Homosexuality, Lesbian, Gender, Bisexuality  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Some Thoughts About The First Easter

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 25, 2019

Before the first Easter, the world was under a number of separations: --Political distinctions: various nations, but in that time, Roman Empire. Provinces, leaders --Geographical: some traveled far, others stayed near their home territory; Jewish males had to make three trips to Jerusalem ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 71:20, Daniel 12:1-3

Tags: Easter, The Afterlife

Denomination: Baptist

My Six-Eyed Mother

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

I grew up in Amarillo, Texas. And I remember watching my mom navigate the wonderful world of vision changes as I got older. First she started holding the newspaper at arm's length, squinting like she was trying to read smoke signals. Then came the reading glasses. Those little drugstore ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:22-25

Tags: Faith, Spiritual Blindness, Seeking Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Chris Paul: Forgiving The Murderers

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 23, 2011

CHRIS PAUL: FORGIVING THE MURDERERS In April, 2011, Rick Reilly wrote a moving story about forgiveness from the life of Chris Paul, the all-star basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets. Reilly writes: On the moonless night of November 15, 2002, five boys ran across a park, jumped a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:4

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Ask Seek Knock

After The First World War, The Prince Of Wales ...  PRO

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Mar 21, 2007

After the First World War, the Prince of Wales was invited to visit a military hospital in which there were 36 injured soldiers. He willingly accepted. In the first ward he visited, he went from bed to bed thanking each soldier for his sacrifices for Great Britain and the Empire. As he left ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

After The First World War, The Prince Of Wales ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

After the First World War, the Prince of Wales was invited to visit a military hospital in which there were 36 injured soldiers. He willingly accepted. In the first ward he visited, he went from bed to bed thanking each soldier for his sacrifices for Great Britain and the Empire. As he left the ...read more

Tags: God's Omnipotence

The Enemy Still Lives  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 27, 2002

THE ENEMY STILL LIVES PBS Special covering the events that led up to the "Battle of the Bulge" in WWII revealed some interesting insights. It was the autumn of 1944 and Germany had been beaten back behind its borders. The Nazi war machine was in tatters and repeated bombing raids by the Allies all ...read more

Tags: Satan, Kingdom Of God

In England, Most Radio And Television Stations ...  PRO

Contributed by Robert Fox on Dec 6, 2005

In England, most radio and television stations are run by the government-operated British Broadcasting Service (the BBC). There are some independent stations today, but 40 years ago, the BBC ruled the airwaves alone in England. In 1965, a free-spirit named Roy Bates, decided to set up his own, ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-17

Tags: Death, Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Baptist

He Must Increase And I Must Decrease

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Mar 30, 2023

HE MUST INCREASE, BUT I MUST DECREASE. When you need assurance of Eternity and answer the Gospel call- He must increase and I must decrease! When He bids you take up your cross and be willing then to give all- He must increase and I must decrease! When the storms of life threaten, and you ...read more

Scripture: John 3:22-36, John 20:30, John 1:29

Tags: God First, John The Baptist, Jesus First, Preeminence Of Christ, Exalt Christ, Premience Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Mention It  PRO

Contributed by Mike Leiter on Feb 18, 2002

DON'T MENTION IT Francis MacNutt quotes theologian Walter Wink in his book “Deliverance from Evil Spirits" and writes: "...if you want to bring all talk to a halt in shocked embarrassment, every eye riveted on you, try mentioning angels, or demons or the devil. You will quickly be appraised for ...read more

Tags: Kingdom Of God, Supernatural

Denomination: Vineyard

If Individuals Live Only Seventy Years, Then A ...  PRO

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Jun 6, 2002

“If individuals live only seventy years, then a state, or a nation, or a civilization, which may last for a thousand years, is more important than an individual. But if Christianity is true, then the individual is not only more important but incomparably more important, for he is ...read more

Tags: Death, Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Pentecostal

Helen Adams Keller Who Had No Eyes To See These ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Gibney on Aug 7, 2002

Helen Adams Keller who had no eyes to see these earthly things of life states, “It gives me a deep, comforting sense that "things seen ...read more

Tags: Heaven, Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Young Man Applied For A Job As A Farm Hand. ...  PRO

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Nov 4, 2002

A young man applied for a job as a farm hand. When asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows." This puzzled the farmer, but he took a liking to the young man and hired him. A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm. ...read more

Tags: Workplace, Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Lutheran

How To Testify

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 18, 2011

HOW TO TESTIFY In the court of law before a person testifies they place their hand into the air and swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God. And it is assumed that fallen man by saying that oath will tell the truth when they stand before the judge. But day in and day ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-38

Tags: World, Truth, Kingdom

Secret Service Christians

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 30, 2025

A man was coming out of church one day. The pastor stood at the door to shake hands and gently pulled him aside. “Brother,” he said, “you need to join the Army of the Lord.” The man smiled, “Pastor, I’m already in the Lord’s army.” “Then how come I only see you at Christmas and Easter?” He ...read more

Scripture: John 2:11, Matthew 5:14-16

Tags: Commitment, Discipleship, Kingdom

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Grantland Rice, America’s First Great ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mccutchen on Jan 26, 2001

Grantland Rice, America’s first great sportswriter said it this way: “When Jesus comes to judge us, he will not be so concerned about ...read more

Tags: Leadership General, Christian Disciplines, Basics Of Christianity

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Johnny's First Day Of School The Class Was To Put ...  PRO

Contributed by Byron Sherman on May 9, 2001

Johnny’s first day of school the class was to put their right hands over their hearts & repeat the Pledge of Alliegence. The teacher watched the children as he started the pledge, "I pledge allegiance to the flag..." She stopped when she noticed Johnny’s right hand over the left side of his rear ...read more

Tags: Culture

Denomination: Baptist

Just Before The Outbreak Of The First World War, ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Emmert on May 22, 2001

Just before the outbreak of the First World War, a small ship named the Endurance set sail from Briton with a crew intent on being the first to cross the South Pole. The ship reached Antarctica, but became ice bound in the Weddle Sea. Soon they had to abandon their ship and the 28-man crew took ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4

Tags: Giving, Holy Spirit In Believers, Guidance, Bible Influence, Bible Study  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

To Say The Least, I Was At First Shocked To Read ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 26, 2001

To say the least, I was at first shocked to read the headline, Baby Ate Cocaine Dad Left Nearby. According to the Associated Press a father from Ravenna, Ohio was sentenced to one year in prison for endangering his daughter, who was six-months-old at the time of the incident. He evidently stashed ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1

Tags: Father's Day, Children, Parenting