In Sermon Illustrations: "Spiritual Pride"

Life Eternal

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 18, 2009

LIFE ETERNAL Someone named, James Langdon Hill, once said, "Life Eternal! How shall I express my thought of it? It is not mere existence, however prolonged and free from annoyance. It is not the pleasures of the senses, however vivid. It is not peace. It is not happiness. It is not joy. But it is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Tags: Immortality

J. Wilbur Chapman Meets General Booth Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 28, 2009

J. Wilbur Chapman Meets General Booth of Salvation Army A willingness to obey is the first step toward spiritual understanding John 7:17 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. When J. Wilbur Chapman was in London, he had an opportunity to meet General ...read more

Scripture: John 7:16-17

Tags: Obedience

Stowell: How People Go Astray  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 28, 2009

STOWELL: HOW PEOPLE GO ASTRAY Dr. Joseph M. Stowell, in his book, Following Christ, asks the question: HOW DO PEOPLE GO SO FAR ASTRAY SPIRITUALLY? The question was prompted when Dr. Stowell read an article given to him from the local paper the about Tom Wilson who died, gunned down as a member ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12

Tags: Apostasy

A Story From The Book Upon Which The Old Movie ...

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Dec 24, 2009

A story from the book upon which the old movie “The Bridge on the River Quai” was based, is telling. The Irish Republican Army had a ‘buddy’ system called ‘The Mucker System.’ In this system soldiers agreed to ‘muck’ someone else. That meant the other person was more important than ones self – ...read more

Tags: Compassion

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

On Self-Control  PRO

Contributed by Bret Toman on Jan 2, 2010

ON SELF-CONTROL When I’m at the pizza buffet and I’ve already had more than enough to eat, and I know there’s a good chance another slice will make me miserable for the next 3-4 hours and I eat it anyway .... I lack self control. When I decide to stay up late and play video games or surf the ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Baptist

Running The Race

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Mar 3, 2010

RUNNING THE RACE Many of you know that I have fairly poor eyesight. However, my eyesight today is far better than it was when I was a child. The Lord has given me much better eyesight today than I have ever had I my life. When I was a kid, however, my eyesight was terrible. So as I was ...read more

Tags: Goals

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Change Of Words, A Change Of Focus  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 23, 2010

A CHANGE OF WORDS, A CHANGE OF FOCUS Here is a story that I believe show how our journey is made better simply by a change in words. A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign, which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Gratitude

Bad Blood

Contributed by Antonio Silveira on Mar 25, 2012

"BAD BLOOD" "Bad blood" is an English phrase referring to enmity between two (or more) people or groups. This is a reference to the breaking of military covenants. Not too long ago in the 19th century leeches were enjoying a golden age. Millions were raised for medical use as their fame as a ...read more

Tags: Blood Of Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Evil Has Arrived

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 7, 2021

I am afraid that if Paul Revere rode through our towns crying, "The evil is coming! The evil is coming" Church folks would go back to sleep instead of rising to arms and in the morning have him arrested for disturbing the peace. The same works for revival. The call may come and God ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:5, Romans 13:11, Ezekiel 33:6-7

Tags: Candlestick, Awake, Hell, Soul, Sleep, Watchman  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

7 Ways To Build Self-Control

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 27, 2023

To be self-controlled is to restrain ourselves by not giving in to our depraved desires. We can say “no” when everything in us is saying “yes” for all the wrong reasons. We deny worldly lusts when we withhold our consent from them and when we refuse the delight they suggest. God will give us the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Temptation, Character, Fruit Of The Spirit, Discipline, Works Of The Flesh, Self Control, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gossip Test

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 11, 2025

Do I get excited when I hear, “Have you heard…?” Does my heart do a little dance when someone starts with, “You won’t believe what I just found out!” If so, you know the answer—it’s gossip. If you find yourself pulling up a chair and grabbing some popcorn, it’s time to rethink your choices. The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:20

Tags: Prayer, Gossip, Power Of Words, Test

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Dead Man Walking

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 25, 2025

In some of the Maximum-Security Prisons in the United States ... when a prisoner is taken to be executed ... the guard that is leading the procession continual shouts out, ... "Dead man walking". It means, ...to clear the way ... to quiet down ... for this prisoner is on their last walk ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:15, Romans 5:12

Tags: Sin, Cross, Prison, Slave, Dead, Walking, World, Death  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

[097]. A Message From A Poem – Gates Of Hesitation

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 3, 2025

[097]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GATES OF HESITATION This poem tells a story. Jesus told His listeners something – {{Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate for THE GATE IS WIDE and the way is broad that leads to destruction and many are those who enter by it, for THE GATE IS SMALL and the way ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:21, Matthew 12:30, Psalm 1:1-6, Matthew 7:13-14

Tags: Destruction, Hesitation, Narrow Gate, Two Ways, Broad Gate, Gates  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Is Pro - ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

God Is Pro - Choice! He really is! Every day of your life, until you draw your final breath, you will stand at the CrossRoads and be asked to make a choice. Which way will you choose? God has set before you two gates, one wide and one narrow. He has set before you two roads, one broad and one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-21

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The High School That I Went To Was A Big ...

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Nov 21, 2008

-The high school that I went to was a big football, track and wrestling school -All of the best athletes played football -The coach of the team highly encouraged his best players to not play basketball anymore but to concentrate during the winter on lifting weights instead of shooting a ...read more

Tags: War

Denomination: Lutheran

The Story Of Isaac ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2009

THE STORY OF ISAAC WATTS A young boy complained to his father that most of the church hymns were boring and old-fashioned, with tiresome words that meant little to his generation. His father challenged him with these words: "If you think you can write better hymns, why don’t you?" The boy ...read more

Scripture: John 4:23-24

Tags: Worship General

Disunity Stories  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 26, 2011

DISUNITY STORIES A man was stranded on an island. Alone for a number of years. Finally he was located and some people came ashore to rescue him. Before they took him off the island, he wanted to show them around. He took them to his hut and said "This is the home I built with my own 2 hands." Then ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Tags: Divisions

A Mother's Search

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 24, 2015

Longing to leave her poor Brazilian neighborhood, Christina wanted to see the world. Discontent with a home having only a pallet on the floor, a washbasin, and a wood-burning stove, she dreamed of a better life in the city. One morning she slipped away breaking her mother’s heart. Knowing what ...read more

Scripture: John 10:7-10

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness, Mothers, Prodigal

Being Ready

Contributed by Richard L. Brown on Oct 1, 2016

Being Ready Luke 12: 32-38 This illustration is about not being afraid for the return of the Master. When I was a young boy in the Fourth Grade at Yost Elementary School, our teacher, Mrs. Conley, would periodically leave the room and say, “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Just work quietly at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:32-38

Tags: Following Directions, Being Prepared

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Proverbs On The Words That We Speak

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 18, 2024

PROVERBS ON WORDS THAT WE SPEAK The Book of Proverbs shows us the seriousness of our words before the Lord. _________________________________________ "Violence covers the mouth of the wicked" (Proverbs 10:11). "The mouth of the foolish is a present destruction" (Proverbs ...read more

Tags: Lying, Wisdom, Mouth, Words, Speech, Lips  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational