In Sermon Illustrations: "Spiritual Blessings"

Think Before You Speak

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 6, 2025

Taking a moment to think before you speak is like installing a verbal facemask —it gives you a chance to avoid regrettable word splatter before it happens. Now, let’s be honest—there are four types of people in this world: 1. Those who think before they speak (a rare and majestic ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:27-28, Proverbs 21:23, Proverbs 18:21

Tags: Speak, Words, Think Before You Speak

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Speaking Death Or Life Over Your Marriage?

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 6, 2025

Far too many people spend a lot of time speaking death over their marriages. "Psychologists Cliff Notarous of Catholic University and Howard Markman of the University of Denver studied married couples during the first decade of marriage. Among couples who ultimately stayed together, only 5 ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:20-22

Tags: Marriage, Words, Putdowns

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Crowd Jumps To Its Feet. Many Clench Tissues ...  PRO

Contributed by Everette Pafford on Apr 15, 2002

The crowd jumps to its feet. Many clench tissues or wipe tears on their sleeves. The applause is thunderous, intermingled with cheers and praise to God. Who would have guessed a developmentally challenged teen could invoke such a response? For my son, Christopher Kline, from Madison ...read more

Tags: Jesus Teachings, Children

Denomination: Pentecostal

Enjoy Them All! (07.04.05--Joy Every ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 30, 2005

Enjoy Them All! (07.04.05--Joy Every Day--Ecclesiastes 11:7-10) Only a dozen or so years and then, sweet, sweet retirement. Having worked for over 35 years, my time of hope and sweet happiness is now firmly planted on the horizon. In but a decade or so, I could be retired. No more getting up at ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:7-10

Tags: Finding Fulfillment

Denomination: Lutheran

Thin Slices! (07.15.05--Tomorrow--Deuteronomy ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 13, 2005

Thin Slices! (07.15.05--Tomorrow--Deuteronomy 29:29) Did you ever notice how at least having just a taste of something, a little hint or just a brief encounter with what we were anticipating, can be so much fun? I know a lot about anticipation. Being a bird watcher for many years, I am familiar ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 29:29

Tags: Promises Of God

Denomination: Lutheran

Like Blind Beggars! (08.15.05--Envy!--John 21: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 11, 2005

Like Blind Beggars! (08.15.05--Envy!--John 21: 20-23) “No one has done a better job of portraying envy than Dante, In his Purgatory . . .the envious sit like blind beggars by a wall. Their eyelids are sewn shut. the symbolism is apt, showing the reader that it is one of the blindest sins--partly ...read more

Scripture: John 21:20-23

Tags: Envy

Denomination: Lutheran

Give A Birthday Present To Jesus

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 29, 2007

Give A Birthday Present To Jesus. One year our church celebrated Christmas by giving a birthday present to Jesus. On the first Sunday in December, I asked the congregation to think about what Jesus Christ really meant to them, and to offer a gift on the altar to symbolize their love for Him and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Father's Legacy  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

A Father's Legacy Jim Berg wrote about the state of the family: "The family, which should be the greatest refuge for the child, has become a domestic battlefield where a child is often caught in the crossfire of his parents' warfare. The time and energy that should be spent giving him the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:17-18

Tags: Father's Day

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rejoice With Those Who Rejoice. Easier Said Than Done.

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Jan 23, 2024

Do you ever find it hard to be happy for people when good things happen to them? I do. Someone gets a promotion and instead of being happy for them I’m envious. A friend’s child gets an award and jealousy is my first reaction instead of joy. Why can’t I just be happy when good things happen to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:15

Tags: Gratefulness, Rejoicing, Thanksgiving, Celebrate, Joy, Thanks, Rejoice, Baseball, Grace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[186]. A Message From A Poem – Musings On Being In Heaven

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 5, 2025

[186]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – MUSINGS ON BEING IN HEAVEN This is a lovely poem FOR ME, which is why I wrote it. How much do we think of heaven? I am afraid some are so earth-bound that they give little thought to heaven. Do we know what heaven will be like? Of course we do not. We can only ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, 1 Corinthians 2:9

Tags: The Third Heaven, Jesus, Heaven, Center, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[098]. A Message From A Poem – Genesis Synopsis

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 7, 2025

[098]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GENESIS SYNOPSIS How can you possibly put the book of Genesis into a poem? The answer is, be brief and try not to miss the main events. I had the desire to write a Genesis poem and this is the result. The poem begins of course with Chapter 1 and works to the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:13, Genesis 12:3, Genesis 15:18, Matthew 24:37-38, Genesis 1:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Genesis, Creation, Egypt, Isaac, Nimrod, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Abraham, Noah, Jacob, Adam, Joseph, Cain  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mercy Resting Upon Wrath!" John 8: 12-20 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 4, 2004

“Mercy Resting Upon Wrath!” John 8: 12-20 Key verse(s): 16: “‘But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.’” The young man sat before the bench, head held low, hands hanging loosely at his side. His crime had been serious and parents, ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-20

Tags: Divinity Of Christ, Judgement

Denomination: Lutheran

Is This A Christmas Present Or What?

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 21, 2019

One great blessing of Christmas is presents. Of course, at my age, I am not too interested in what I am getting but rather what I am giving. I cannot think of one thing I really would want. I got everything I need even though some of it may be old and outdated. As long as it works, I'm happy ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6

Tags: Christmas, Holiday

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

[182]. A Message From A Poem – Marys At The Cross (An Easter Poem)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 3, 2025

[182]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – MARYS AT THE CROSS (An Easter Poem) This is an Easter poem about 4 women, precious ones in the life of the Lord during His time on earth. Some people find it confusing to work the Marys out, especially at Easter time. What the Marys speak of is total devotion and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:55-56, John 19:25, Mark 15:40-41

Tags: Jesus Crucified, The Virgin Mary, Christian Poems, Easter Poem, Mary Wife Of Clopas, Easter, Cross, Devotion, Mary Magdalene, Salome  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Durer Brothers: No One Makes It Alone

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 23, 2011

THE DURER BROTHERS: NO ONE MAKES IT ALONE Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table for this big family, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-13

Tags: Giving Yourself

On February 24, 1948, One Of The Most Unusual ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 13, 2001

"On February 24, 1948, one of the most unusual operations in medical history took place in Ohio State University’s department of research surgery. A stony sheath was removed from around the heart of Harry Besharra, a man thirty years of age. When only a boy he had been shot accidentally by a ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, Christmas, Birth Of Jesus

Denomination: United Methodist

On February 24, 1948, One Of The Most Unusual ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 19, 2002

On February 24, 1948, one of the most unusual operations in medical history took place in Ohio State University’s department of research surgery. A stony sheath was removed from around the heart of Harry Besharra, a man thirty years of age. When only a boy he had been shot accidentally by a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:11

Tags: Humility, Hardship Of Life, Emotions

A Safe Place  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Rogers on Feb 25, 2002

A SAFE PLACE Henri Nouwen, the widely read Christian author, was a professor at Yale University Divinity School and later at Harvard. He had a prestigious life filled with honor. But in 1986 he resigned from his job of teaching to become pastor for the Daybreak community of people with ...read more

Tags: Friendship General, Compassion, Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Rhone River Begins Its Journey In The ...  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 9, 2002

The Rhone River begins its journey in the Switzerland Alps, some 5000 feet above sea level. It is one of the most important commercial waterways in France, stretching more than 500 miles in length. The river that glistens and sparkles through France, however, is much different than it was at its ...read more

Tags: God's Forgiveness, God's Love

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Prize Is Worth The Challenge Of The Journey  PRO

Contributed by William Yates on Jun 12, 2002

THE PRIZE IS WORTH THE CHALLENGE OF THE JOURNEY Volleyball was introduced as an Olympic sport in the 1964 Tokyo games. A Japanese women’s team was chosen to represent their nation for the event. Hirofumi Daimatsu, their coach, put the women through a grueling training program that resembled a ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Discipleship, Human Body