In Sermon Illustrations: "Spiritual Encounter"

Revivals Are Born After ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 9, 2009

REVIVALS ARE BORN AFTER MIDNIGHT A. W. Tozer: "There is considerable truth in the idea that revivals are born after midnight, for revivals (or any other spiritual gifts and graces) come only to those who want them badly enough. It may be said without qualification that every man is as holy and as ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:11

Tags: Zeal

The Hope Of 3:16  PRO

Contributed by James Mercer on Dec 8, 2009

THE HOPE OF 3:16 I don’t know about you, but I will be glad to turn the calendar to a new decade in a few weeks. An ongoing war on two fronts, the Great Recession draining our family resources, the growing immorality of our country, tragic accidents and gruesome killers all over the news. The ...read more

Tags: Future

Denomination: Baptist

Process-Oriented God

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 26, 2010

The following thoughts are from Sy Rogers: God is event and process oriented – Most Christians are only event orientated. But the development of a baby is a process caused by one passionate event in the bedroom. Birth is an event but there is a process of growth and maturity. God will not zap a ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Will They Say?

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 23, 2010

WHAT WILL THEY SAY? A minister, a priest and a rabbi die and go to heaven for orientation. They are all asked, "When you are in your casket, and friends, family, and congregants are mourning over you, what would you like to hear them say?" The minister says, "I would like to hear them say that I ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Brethren

A Bankrupt Nation  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 8, 2011

A BANKRUPT NATION John MacArthur in his book “Can God Bless America” states that "America wants God's blessing but not God. Our nation has systematically pushed Him out of the national consciousness--rejecting biblical morality, ignoring His Word, and relying on the political and entertainment ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, Romans 1:18-32

Tags: America

Becoming Contagious Christians

Contributed by C Jordan on Jun 9, 2013

"We as individual Christians and collective churches need to recalibrate our sights on the target God has gen us: spiritually lost people. If people matter to God, then they'd better matter to us, too ... Deep in every true Christian, there is an awareness that we are on this planet for purposes ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: *other

Free Indeed!

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Sep 30, 2023

Once a pastor was speaking on the topic of Spiritual Freedom. He began to wax poetical in his delivery as he repeated over, and over this phrase… “I’m free! I’m free! Praise God I’m free indeed!” After service a little boy shook his hand and said, “Preacher, I’m free! I’m free! I’m free indeed!” ...read more

Scripture: John 8:32, John 8:36, John 8:21-36

Tags: Freedom, Sermons Of Jesus, Pastor Jokes, Laughter The Best Medicine

Denomination: Baptist

I Would Like To Bring In Here The Story Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Kallan on Nov 18, 2002

I would like to bring in here the story of the film “Chocolate” directed by Lasse Hallström [Heinrich Jacob, Der Prediger und Katechet, 6/2002. pages. 849-851]. A small, sleepy, and quiet french city. The inhabitants are lower-middle class, strictly moralistic, tied to tradtion, scrupulous and ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity, Church Body Of Christ, God Brings Hope

Denomination: Catholic

Erich Remarque's Book, All Quiet On The Western ...  PRO

Contributed by Eric Peloquin on Jun 23, 2005

Erich Remarque’s book, All Quiet on the Western Front tells of a remarkable encounter between two enemy soldiers during the Second World War. During the confusion of an infantry attack a soldier plunged into an out of the way shell hole. There he found a wounded enemy. The sight of the man moved ...read more

Tags: God's Love, Promises Of God

Denomination: Assembly Of God

I Saw That Kind Of Wellspring Of Abundant Life ...

Contributed by Steve Miller on Mar 16, 2008

I saw that kind of wellspring of abundant life this week on the internet when I saw Nick Vujicic. He’s a 25 year old man, born without arms or legs, but has a marvelous wellspring of Abundent life like no other I’ve seen… [Play clip from http://lifewithoutlimbs.org/ or read the following excerpt ...read more

Denomination: *other

Parents: How Do You React?

Contributed by Timothy Smith on May 3, 2008

PARENTS: HOW DO YOU REACT? When it came to our children’s younger days in school, they pretty much were raised in a semi-protected environment. They all went to pre-school at our church in Florida. As the minister, they know Daddy was just down the hall; in fact Deb was the Assistant Director. ...read more

Tags: Parenting

Denomination: Christian Church

Little Boy Sees The Parade But Misses The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2009

Little Boy Sees the Parade but Misses the Circus Lowell Ogden tells the story of a little boy who lived out in the country around the turn of the century. He had never seen a traveling circus, and one was coming to his town on Saturday. The lad asked his father for permission to go and his dad said ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Tags: Worship Definition

Authority At The Airport

Contributed by Brad Henry on Oct 25, 2011

AUTHORITY AT THE AIRPORT Someone the other day told me they had a problem with Security at the airport from something they left in their carry on. Then it got me to thinking, which is a bad idea anyway, about my TSA encounter. I had an early morning flight and I got through security at about ...read more

Tags: Authority

Worship: It Takes Time To Warm Up

Contributed by Tim Smith on Jul 1, 2012

WORSHIP: IT TAKES TIME TO WARM UP When I was a kid in Kansas City, we lived next door to a family who owned a publishing company. They had an old 4 door Mercedes that they would let their son drive to school. He was 3 years older than me and also named Tim. On those winter mornings when the ...read more

Tags: Worship General

Denomination: Methodist

Dr Cephas Mashiyach

Contributed by Dr. David Hallum on Sep 28, 2016

Dr Cephas Mashiyach Suppose I were to tell you about a fabulous preacher that I encountered by the name of Dr Cephas Mashiyach? The power of his preaching and his dynamic sermons is unsurpassed. People come from miles around everywhere he goes. Then I told you that Dr Mashiyach was available to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:1-26

Tags: Rejection, Rejection Of Jesus, Acceptence

Denomination: Baptist

Give Thanks

Contributed by Jonathan Meade on Nov 18, 2023

At 16, a mission to Honduras with my father was an eye-opening experience that left an incredible mark on my soul. I found myself in a foreign land, surrounded by poverty and heart wrenching realities that I had never encountered before. One particular night, our bus pulled into a dimly lit gas ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Tags: Thanksgiving, Missions, Gratitude

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Recent Survey Of Discipleship Journal Readers ...  PRO

Contributed by Lynn Floyd on Nov 10, 2001

A recent survey of Discipleship Journal readers ranked areas of greatest spiritual challenge to them: 1. Materialism. 2. Pride. 3. Self-centeredness. 4. Laziness. 5. (Tie) Anger/Bitterness. 5. (Tie) Sexual lust. 7. Envy. 8. Gluttony. 9. Lying. Survey respondents noted temptations were more potent ...read more

Tags: Temptation Resisting, Temptation General, Temptation Pride

Denomination: Baptist

For Many Years British Author C.s. Lewis ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 29, 2002

ILL: For many years British author C.S. Lewis had such a great difficulty in becoming a Christian. Religion in his culture was “faith without power”. A blind religion that required learning without questioning and without a personal experience with the risen Savior. According to his brother ...read more

I Remember When I Was A Young Child Having A ...

Contributed by Martin Wiles on May 5, 2002

I remember when I was a young child having a conversation with my grandmother while we walked down the street one day. I asked her if she was going to heaven when she died, and she replied that she hoped so. Now here is a lady who had probably been in church all her life, held many offices and has ...read more

Tags: Doubt, Faith

Denomination: Baptist

When I Attended Urbana In 1976 Margaret Clarkson ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 19, 2002

When I attended Urbana in 1976 Margaret Clarkson wrote our theme song from this song, Where we sang with 18,000 in the Illinois University gym, Declare His glory, Among the nations, Throughout creation, His triumph sing. Till all earth’s people bow in adoration and Jesus Christ be everlasting ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational