In Sermon Illustrations: "Start Right"

As If I Really Could

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 24, 2023

Have you ever had the feeling that you've been hoodwinked? You can't point out the specifics, but something deep inside suggests you have been. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I had a wonderful vacation at St. Augustine, one of our favorite places to go. Something happened ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:17

Tags: Fixing, Hoodwink

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Ice Cream Solves A Lot Of My Problems

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 24, 2024

Like everybody else, I face problems almost every day. Or maybe I should say, my problem faces me. Every Monday, when I get up, I say to myself, “How many problems will I have this week? How many will I solve?” Unfortunately, myself never replies back. Problems are part of life, but it’s tough ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Tags: Prayer, Problems, Decisions

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Being Sick Is Not My Cup Of Tea

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 27, 2024

I do not have a history of being sick. I rarely even have a headache, but I must confess, I give headaches. The last two weeks have been different for me. I have never experienced such a long stretch of sickness before. One day in the hospital and then two weeks in bed. What kind of experience is ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16

Tags: Sickness, Doctors, Nurses

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What If I Do Have A Brain?

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 1, 2024

After about a month on a health hiatus, things started returning to normal, and then I had a doctor’s visit scheduled for a checkup. I don’t know why they call us patients because I’m not very patient with these doctors. At my visit, the doctor thoroughly examined me but couldn’t find anything ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20

Tags: Brain, Challenges

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Didn’t Know I Loved It That Much

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 16, 2024

One important thing I have learned is that you don’t appreciate something until it’s missing. I’ve learned that by many things that I just took for granted. Last week, for example, I had some problems with my truck, so I had to take it in for service. It took longer than I had expected, but ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Tags: Love, Appreciation

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Whatever Happened To "My Space”

Contributed by James Snyder on May 10, 2025

When I was young, one of my life priorities was “My Space.” I defended it with everything I had. In school, I had to defend “My Space.” Several times, I even had to go to the principal’s office and explain what “My Space” was all about. He didn’t seem to understand, and I had to explain it several ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1

Tags: Space, Violations

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Is That My Grandfather’s Hand?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 26, 2025

This past week, I thought of my maternal grandfather. I haven't thought of him for a long time because he died over 50 years ago. I'm not sure what inspired me to think about my old grandpa. As a youngster, I used to spend summers with him on his farm. He owned a farm up in the mountains ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:6

Tags: Family, Old Age

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

While Crossing The Atlantic On An Ocean Liner, ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Feb 15, 2001

While crossing the Atlantic on an ocean liner, F.B. Meyer was asked to speak to the first class passengers. At the captain’s request he spoke on “Answered Prayer.” An agnostic who was present at the service was asked by his friends, “What did you think of Dr. Meyer’s sermon?” “I didn’t believe a ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, Prayer Answered, Apologetics General

Denomination: Wesleyan

Charles Spurgeon And The Park Street Tabernacle- ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2002

Charles Spurgeon and the Park Street tabernacle- Why did it lose its influence? When Charles Haddon Spurgeon first went to Park Street church in London, he was nineteen years old. There he found a church with a seating capacity of fifteen hundred but with an attendance of under two hundred. Nine ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Great Commission

Investing In Your Passion  PRO

Contributed by Randy Croft on Feb 28, 2002

Investing in Your Passion No one knows this better than Richard Westerfield. At age 22, having studied piano, violin, and voice, he got his first chance to conduct and orchestra. "The moment I picked up the baton, I knew this was what I wanted to do." His parents however, urged him to be more ...read more

Tags: God Brings Purpose, Leadership General, Workplace

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Case Of Christ  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 20, 2002

THE CASE OF CHRIST [Richard] Bandler tells one story about visiting a mental institution and dealing with a man who insisted he was Jesus Christ - not metaphorically, not in spirit, but in the flesh. One day Bandler walked in to meet this man. "Are you Jesus?" he said. "Yes, my son," the man ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection, Lordship Of Christ, Humanity Of Christ

Short-Term Enthusiasm  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 20, 2002

SHORT-TERM ENTHUSIASM The story is told of a minister who was full of energy and enthusiasm for the Lord. One day he went to the hospital to visit one of his parishioners who was critically ill. The minister entered the room and saw the man lying in bed with a whole host of tubes and wires ...read more

Tags: Easter Palm Sunday

I Read A Book Some Time Ago Entitled Wisdom ...  PRO

Contributed by Martin Wiles on May 8, 2002

I read a book some time ago entitled Wisdom Hunter. Randal Arthur, a missionary, wrote it. It told of a pastor who was involved in a denomination that controlled its people with traditions and their interpretations of God’s Word. He became disgusted with that and even turned away from God. Finally, ...read more

Tags: Church Practices, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Baptist

Shine

Contributed by Davon Huss on May 21, 2002

SHINE Dull as dirt You can’t assert the kind of light that might persuade a strict dictator to retire, fire the army, teach the poor origami. The truth is in the proof is when you hear your heart start asking, "What’s my motivation?" And try as you may, there isn’t a way to explain the ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Supernatural, Sermon On The Mount

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Answered Prayer  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jun 26, 2002

AN ANSWERED PRAYER John Maxwell writes in his book, Partners in Prayer; "In the summer of 1876, grasshoppers nearly destroyed the crops in Minnesota. SO in the spring of 1877, farmers were worried. They believed that the dreadful plague would once again visit them and again destroy the rich ...read more

Tags: Prayer General, Prayer Answered, Prayer Supplication, God's Omnipotence

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

20 Signs That You're Getting Old  PRO

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 30, 2002

20 SIGNS THAT YOU'RE GETTING OLD 1. You’re asleep, but others worry that you’re dead. 2. Your back goes out more often than you do. 3. You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room. 4. You buy a compass for the dash of your car/truck. 5. You’re proud of your ...read more

Tags: Family, Finding Fulfillment, Giving Yourself

Denomination: Baptist

A Fly Was Buzzing Along One Morning When He Saw A ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Aug 1, 2002

A fly was buzzing along one morning when he saw a lawn mower someone had left out in their front yard. He flew over and sat on the handle, watching the children going down the sidewalk on their way to school. One little boy tripped on a crack and fell, spilling his lunch on the sidewalk. He ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:29-34

Tags: Temptation Resisting, Temptation

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Corporate Structure  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 29, 2002

THE CORPORATE STRUCTURE A print-and-save guide to how this outfit really works CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARDleaps tall buildings in a single bound Is more powerful than a locomotive Is faster than a speeding bullet Walks on water Talks with God PRESIDENT Leaps short buildings in a single bound Is more ...read more

There Was A Church That Had A Young Lady That Had ...  PRO

Contributed by Dennis Jones on Jun 10, 2003

There was a church that had a young lady that had started attending the church. She had more than a checkered past to say the least. She had turned her life over to the Lord and had dedicated the rest of her life to serving and following Jesus. She had worked very hard to not let her past get in ...read more

Tags: New Creation, God's Provision, God The Father, Forgiveness, Born Again  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Beggar Stopped A Lawyer On The Street In A ...  PRO

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jun 13, 2003

A beggar stopped a lawyer on the street in a large city and asked him for some coins. Taking a long, hard look into the man’s unshaven face, the attorney asked, "Don’t I know you from somewhere?" "You should," came the reply. "I’m your former classmate. Remember, 2nd floor, old Oxford High ...read more

Tags: God's Forgiveness, God's Provision

Denomination: Independent/Bible