In Sermon Illustrations: "Sermon Preparation"

How Robinson Crusoe Gives Thanks  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 16, 2004

HOW ROBINSON CRUSOE GIVES THANKS The apostle Paul didn’t say to give thanks “for” all circumstances, but “in” all circumstances. All our circumstances in life are not good, but there will always be something in those circumstances for which to give thanks. When Robinson Crusoe was shipwrecked on ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Tags: Joy, Human Body, Thanksgiving Holiday

Washington's Proclamation  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 16, 2004

WASHINGTON’S PROCLAMATION In 1789, our nation’s first President, George Washington, issued the following proclamation: Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday

I Am Really Content...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 16, 2004

I AM REALLY CONTENT... I am really content — until I start looking through the Sears catalogue. I liked my car — until I saw the new P T Cruiser. I am satisfied with my clothes — until I stroll through American Eagle, or the other Mall stores. I love our home — until I think of what it would ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-16

Tags: Peace, Thanksgiving Holiday

A Heart Focused On God  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 16, 2004

A HEART FOCUSED ON GOD One writer (Warren Wiersbe) wrote a book called Victorious Christian about a woman named Fanny Crosby. Crosby was the author of over 8000 songs including several that we sang today. In fact she wrote so many that she had to write under pseudonymns just so she could get more ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-19

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday, Peace, God In The Hardships

The Most Unhappy Person  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 16, 2004

THE MOST UNHAPPY PERSON In his latest book, Jumping Hurdles, Hitting Glitches, Overcoming Setbacks, Steve Brown writes, “The most unhappy person in the world is not someone who didn’t get what he or she wanted. The most unhappy person is the one who got what he or she wanted and then found out ...read more

Tags: Peace, Thanksgiving Holiday

Standing On The Word  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 21, 2004

Standing on the word I saw my two year old daughter natalie carry my bible by the case’s handle. She dragged it in front of a tall table we have, and as I was about to take it away from her the Lord stopped me and said: "I’m showing you something." She took the bible layed it on the floor and then ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence

Bruce Wilkinson, The Author Of The Extremely ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 22, 2004

Bruce Wilkinson, the author of the extremely popular, Prayer of Jabez, tells about an experience of his that illustrates this truth. I was taking a coffee break during a family conference in Kentucky when Will walked up and stood beside my chair. He was about nine. He asked if I wanted to donate ...read more

Imagine You're A Financial Counselor. Today You ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 22, 2004

Imagine you’re a financial counselor. Today you have two appointments, first with an elderly woman and then a middle-aged man. The woman’s husband died six years ago. She says, “I have no more money. The cupboards are bare. These two dollars are all I have to live on, yet I feel as if God ...read more

Randy Comes To Our Young Adult Ministry Every ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 29, 2004

Randy comes to our young adult ministry every week. He has a speech impediment and usually stands in the corner by himself. When I go to greet him and tell him how glad I am to see him, he says the same thing to me every week. “I almost didn’t come tonight, and I don’t think I’ll be coming ...read more

Tags: Christian Liberty

Leave It Up All Year Long  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 29, 2004

LEAVE IT UP ALL YEAR LONG Not too many years ago newspapers carried the story of Al Johnson, a Kansas man who repented, who came to faith in Jesus Christ. What made his story so remarkable was not his conversion, but the fact that as a result of his newfound faith in Christ, he confessed to a bank ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-12

Tags: Christmas Advent, Repentance

Christmas: A Season Of Stress?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 2, 2004

Christmas: A Season of Stress? The picture the Bible gives us of the first Christmas is one of peace and serenity. You can see it with your mind’s eye: There are the shepherds, gathered around a campfire under a clear, starlit sky, quietly talking among themselves about their flocks, their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Tags: Christmas

I Was Speaking With My Oldest Daughter About ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 2, 2004

I was speaking with my oldest daughter about spreading rumors, and gossip. I explained that gossip was mean and hurtful and not something Jesus Christ would have us do. I was quiet, while I waited for her to speak. Then she said in a quiet voice from the ...read more

Tags: Women

I Was In A Christian Bookstore In St. Louis Not ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 2, 2004

I was in a Christian bookstore in St. Louis not that long ago. I was walking around looking at the different books on the shelves and trinkets that you could buy. I really didn’t see much that I thought was worth my attention, so I started heading to the door. Before I got to the door, however, ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28-30

Tags: Misconceptions

The Birth Foretold  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 6, 2004

THE BIRTH FORETOLD About 500 before Jesus was born - a man named Buddha came along. He established a religion we know of as Buddhism, and many people gathered around him and tried to live by his teachings. But before he was born, nobody ever said: “Hey somebody is going to come along and he will ...read more

Scripture: John 6:24-35

Tags: Birth Of Jesus, Foundation, Disciples, Messianic Prophecies

No Wonder People Don't Believe (In Santa, That ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 6, 2004

NO WONDER PEOPLE DON’T BELIEVE (IN SANTA, THAT IS) In his book, “Still More Hot Illustrations for Youth”, Wayne Rice says this: It is truly heartwarming to know that millions of people around the world believe in Santa. Sure, most are under four feet tall, but still it’s amazing that so many ...read more

Tags: Christmas

The Shock Of Sin  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 6, 2004

THE SHOCK OF SIN In a book called All Thumbs Guide to VCR’s which is a repair guide for amateurs, author Gene Williams begins with a warning. He writes: “Getting a jolt form the incoming 120 volts ac (120 Vac) is more that just unpleasant; it can be fatal. Studies have shown that it takes very ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-16, James 1:14-15

Tags: Sin Deceptive

The Family Man Was A Great Illustration Where ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 10, 2004

The Family Man was a great illustration where money mattered at first, but he later realizes that there is more to his life, and ...read more

Tags: Money

The Mystery Of The Humanity Of Christ, That He ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 14, 2004

"The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14

The Fact Of Jesus' Birth Is The Final And ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 14, 2004

“The fact of Jesus’ birth is the final and immeasurable proof that God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Grace Means That God Is On Our Side And Thus We ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 14, 2004

“Grace means that God is on our side and thus we are victors regardless of how well we have ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8