In Sermon Illustrations: "Starting The Year"

Preserved And Protected By The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 26, 2022

When my mother used to make jam, I would watch her pour wax over the top of the preserves until it was at the brim of the jar. She would then carefully wipe some wax around the rim itself and place the rubber-lined lid on tight. The wax and the vacuum caused by the cooling preserves would seal that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:13

Tags: Holy Spirit, Preserve, Protection

A Grief Observed

Contributed by Davon Huss on May 20, 2022

C.S. Lewis married when he was older to a woman named Joy. Joy got cancer and died just some years after they were married. Lewis, being a writer, wrote down his thoughts after she died in a journal. He turned that journal in a book called, “A Grief Observed.” The first few pages are somewhat ...read more

Scripture: John 11:35, Psalm 88:9

Tags: Peace, Grief, Loss, Where Is God, Answers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Kidnapped

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Aug 8, 2022

It was December 5 - and I was turning 50 years old. My wife and I went out for dinner with some close friends. During dinner I was informed that we were staying at a hotel by the airport tonight because we had to catch a flight in the morning. Surprise! Happy birthday! Fred, we are taking you on ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1, John 14:1-17, Philippians 4:6-7

Tags: Peace, Birthday

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

People Leading To The Flood

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 31, 2022

Genesis 5 Focus is v1…. In v1-2, isn’t God just repeating Himself? – God detailed the 2 types of “man” He created – male and female! What’s significant about v3? – Adam and Eve had other children as alluded to in earlier chapters; v3 indicates that Seth was a special person! Why do you think ...read more

Tags: People, Godliness, Pride, Population, God's Promise, Ages  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Important Is The Virgin Birth Of Christ?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 6, 2022

Several years ago, Redbook Magazine took a poll of students in Protestant seminaries. They found that 56% of the students in Protestant seminaries studying for the ministry rejected the idea of the virgin birth. The Survey Research Center of the University of California at Berkeley polled the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14

Tags: Mary, Christmas, Bethlehem, Jesus, Incarnation, Virgin Birth, Deity Of Christ, Humanity Of Christ, Liberalism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Redemtion - The Bank Ledgers

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 3, 2023

Hear Gods Word: BIBLE God made him who had no sin ....to be sin for us ... so that in him ... we might become ... the righteousness ... of God. END (2 Corinthians 5:21) Years ago ...... when I was a young banker in Ohio, ... we used large leather-bound ledgers ......where all accounts... were ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 1:3-14

Tags: Blood, Salvation, Redemption, Ledgers

Denomination: Anglican

The Love Of God

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jun 12, 2023

Several years ago, John MacArthur had the opportunity to spend several days traveling with the well-known gospel musicians, Bill and Gloria Gaither. At one point, he asked Bill what, in his estimation, were the greatest Christian lyrics ever written, aside from the inspired Psalms. Without ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1, John 3:16, Romans 5:8

Tags: Jesus, Cross, God's Love, Hymns

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Belt Of Truth

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jul 9, 2023

I need Jesus. I need Him because He is the truth! I need Him because without Him I am weak and unable to fight the battles that constantly throw lies my way. I need to be prepared for the battle by having the armor of God. I need the belt of truth. Rick Burdette, minister with Cornerstone ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:14

Tags: Armor Of God, Belt Of Truth, Jesus Is Truth

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Protect The Purity Of Your Marriage

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 21, 2023

I admire Queen Vashti. In the midst of an unsavory "scene she was brave enough to say no to that which was blatantly wrong, and in resisting this insulting act of indignity, she took a stand against the greatest power in her universe. Good for her! Submission does not mean that a wife is a ...read more

Tags: Submission, Character, Purity, Husbands, Wives, Vashti, Beauty, Esther, Marriage  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Men And A Truck

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Sep 3, 2023

I reworked this old joke and used two of my men. Always ask the permission of those you intend to us, since we know some are thin-skinned. I hope it will put a smile on your lips. HUMOR: Two Men and a Truck Ottis and Carolyn just got settled in his new house this past year. Ottis wanted to do a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23

Tags: Humor, Labor Day, Laughter, Projects

Denomination: Baptist

Be Like The Llama And Face Your Enemy!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 8, 2024

Reports the DENVER POST: "Like many sheep ranchers in the West, Lexy Fowler has tried just about everything to stop crafty coyotes from killing her sheep. She has used odor sprays, electric fences, and 'scare-coyotes.' She has slept with her lambs during the summer and has placed ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Stand, Running, Spiritual Armor, Word, Battles, Lust, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Victory, Defeat, Fear  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Winston Churchill's Resolve

Contributed by David Swanger on Jan 19, 2024

After the Nazis drove the British army from the European continent at Dunkirk and obtained France’s surrender in June of 1940, the Germans were certain that victory in Europe was at hand and that Great Britain would seek a peace agreement. France also believed that was true. French General Maxime ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:62

Tags: Resolve, Commitment

George And Edith Are Getting Married In Their 90's

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 6, 2024

KEEP LOOKING UP and always have a positive attitude, because Jesus is coming back one of these days and that is the blessed hope of the believer. Here is a funny example of looking ahead! George, age 92 and Edith, age 90, are all excited about their decision to get married even though they were ...read more

Tags: Looking Ahead, Positive Attitude, Humor, Second Coming, Rapture, Bride Of Christ, Blessed Hope, Return Of Christ, Hope  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Reason To Give Thanks

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Nov 24, 2024

Do you remember Erma Bombeck, the homemaker who spun humorous anecdotes about suburban family life into a column syndicated to about 700 newspapers, television commentary, speeches across the country and books with titles such as “The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank,” “Just Wait Till ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Thankfulness, Assurance, Erma Bombeck

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Simple Solutions

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 22, 2025

Not all problems are difficult to solve.. Morris went to a psychiatrist. "Doc," he said, "I've got real trouble. Every time I get into bed, I get his weird feeling that there's somebody under it. I look under the bed, to check it out, but then I think there's somebody on ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-13

Tags: Simple, Complex, Obvious, Sense, Solutions, Over Thinking, Complicating The Simple, Clear Thinking  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The False Foundations In The Kinsey Report  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 7, 2002

THE FALSE FOUNDATIONS IN THE KINSEY REPORT Almost 50 years ago, Alfred Kinsey, a quiet Midwestern Zoology professor, published the 1st of 2 volumes that would shake American culture to its foundations. His 1948 book, Sexual Behavior in the Human Male - like its 1953 sequel, Sexual Behavior in ...read more

Tags: Fornication, Addiction, Sexuality, Population, Temptation Sex  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Story Number One  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 13, 2003

STORY NUMBER ONE Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder. Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was his lawyer for a good ...read more

Tags: Parenting

Manna From Heaven--A Thanksgiving Story" ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 26, 2003

“Manna from Heaven--A Thanksgiving Story” Numbers 11: 4-9 Key verse(s): 9 “... When the dew settled upon the camp at night, the manna also came down.” “Goodbye! Thanks for coming. Thanks for everything!” As the caravan of cars and trucks pulled out of the driveway waves were exchanged and a ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday

Denomination: Lutheran

May 5, 2004 "You Can Walk Boy!" John 16: 19-24 ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 4, 2004

May 5, 2004 “You Can Walk Boy!” John 16: 19-24 Key verse(s): 21 “‘A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.’” Why do Christians have to suffer? If I had ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Bearish Schedule--Bullish Timing!" Galatians 5: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 4, 2004

“Bearish Schedule--Bullish Timing!” Galatians 5: 22-24 Key verse(s): 22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Part of the fun of living are those times and events in our lives that happen spontaneously; that ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-24

Tags: Dealing With Conflicts

Denomination: Lutheran