In Sermon Illustrations: "Strivings"

Abound, Then Rebound

Contributed by Danny Presswood on Jan 26, 2009

ABOUND, THEN REBOUND Abundant Love must REBOUND. Rebounding, as every good basketball team knows, is the cutting edge between defense and offense. Whichever team rebounds most successfully becomes the team in control of the ball. The team that rebounds becomes the offense, goes on the move and ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Baptist

I Am Reminded Of Herman Melville's Description Of ...

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 27, 2009

I am reminded of Herman Melville’s description of the pulpit in Moby Dick. It’s actually a description of a real pulpit in the Whaler’s Chapel that a Jewish friend went out of his way to show me in New Bedford, Massachusetts. It reads: Its paneled front was in the likeness of a ship’s bluff bows, ...read more

Tags: Preaching

Denomination: *other

Where Do We Stand?  PRO

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Jul 19, 2011

WHERE DO WE STAND? This past Tuesday morning I had finally settled down into my easy chair to read the daily news paper. As always, I turned to the editorial section of which is one of favorites, besides the daily “Frank and Ernest” cartoon. There I found a very interesting Readers Commentary ...read more

Tags: Faith

Denomination: *other

No More Sin!

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 8, 2023

David Brooks in his book “The Road to Character” says this about sin... Today the word sin has lost it's power and awesome intensity. It’s now used to refer to desserts... fattening desserts. Most people in daily conversation don’t talk much about individual sin. If they talk about human ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23, Romans 1:18-20, Ephesians 2:1-3

Tags: Sin, Salvation, Gospel, Depravity, The Cross  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Spiritual Health Checks (Breaking Of Bread)  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Spiritual Health Checks (Breaking of Bread) There are four signs that show that the child of God is a healthy Christian. One is a heart hungry for God's Word, second is his desire to be involved in Christian fellowship. When the Holy Spirit was poured into the spiritual hearts of believers in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The True Christmas Gift

Contributed by David Rogers on Dec 15, 2008

The True Christmas Gift Twas the night before the birth, when all the world did not know what was about to happen Not a creature was stirring, and all men were napping The rabbis were safe and secure in their knowledge Old Herod, the king, the Lord he refused to acknowledge King Herod was ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Baptist

Perfection Achieved  PRO

Contributed by Larry Turner on Dec 4, 2014

Then Jesus concluded with this commandment. “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Wow, now that is a tough one. Be perfect. I am not like Noah, a righteous man. Wait a minute. He was a drunk. Okay like Abraham. He was a liar. How about Moses, short ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:48

Tags: Holiness, Perfection, Finished Work, Christian Maturity

Denomination: Foursquare

Easter: Freed By Grace

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Easter: Freed By Grace A life connected to the "Ever-Flowing Life of Easter" is a meaningful life and it is a life "Freed by Grace." Romans 11:6 says, "And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace." Ephesians 2:8-10 says, "For it is by grace you have ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:6

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Step Into The Image Of Christ!" Hebrews 5:1-9 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 14, 2005

“Step Into The Image of Christ!” Hebrews 5:1-9 Key verse(s): 8-9:“Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him . . .” Why do we love the Constitution so! A document that is nearly 220 ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:1-9

Tags: Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Lutheran

D.w.i.!  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 4, 2005

D.W.I.! (06.07.05--Family--Eph. 6:1-4) The American family under assault! Did you know that one out of three children in the United States are growing up without a father present in the home or that last year in a number of major U.S. cities more children were born out of wedlock than within? ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Tags: Children, Parenting

Denomination: Lutheran

What Child Has Not Watched With Wonder As Mother ...

Contributed by Manuel Amparo on May 10, 2006

What child has not watched with wonder as Mother wielded a needle and thread? But mothers not only make and mend clothes, they make and mend characters! To do this sometimes requires “needling.” The greatest heritage anyone can receive is the influence of a Christian home. But ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:27-30

Tags: Parenting

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Golden Rule And The Holocaust  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 19, 2009

THE GOLDEN RULE AND THE HOLOCAUST Living the Golden Rule is pretty simple isn’t it? It’s just being considerate, mindful, and thoughtful but sometimes to live the Golden Rule requires great moral courage. It requires a willingness to sacrifice. In March of 1943, Bulgaria which had aligned with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12

Tags: Christian Witness

Doubting (Enter Your Name)

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Jul 30, 2011

DOUBTING (ENTER YOUR NAME) The most famous doubter of all time is Thomas. Through history Judas has been the only disciple criticized more than Thomas. Tradition has given him a new name: "Doubting Thomas." He wanted proof that Jesus was resurrected from the dead. But can you blame him? When the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:6-8, Matthew 21:21, Mark 11:23

Tags: Faith, Doubt, Prayer

Denomination: Baptist

A Peacemaking Church  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 25, 2011

A PEACEMAKING CHURCH I can tell this story because one neighbor has died and the other neighbor no longer lives across the street from our church. Our neighbors endured the disruption of their lives as we built on to our church. I'm sure that contributed to their lack of patience with us. We put ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9, Exodus 32:1-14, Isaiah 32:15-20

Tags: Jesus Teachings

When I Was In The Military Ministry I Knew A ...  PRO

Contributed by Edward Williamson on Nov 6, 2006

When I was in the military ministry I knew a retiree friend that worked at a local antique shop. I ran into him at a local furniture store one day and he proceeded to tell me the secrets to separating the true antiques from the clever reproductions. He showed me a four drawer dresser and he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31

Tags: Authenticity

Denomination: Baptist

In His Book, "Leadership Pain: God’s Classroo...

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

In his book, “Leadership Pain: God’s Classroom for Growth,” Sam Chand writes, “Pain isn’t the enemy. The inability or unwillingness to face pain is a far greater danger.” He then tells the story of Dr. Paul Brand who was treating a four year old named Tanya at the national leprosy hospital in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32

Tags: Pain, Thankful For Pain

Denomination: Methodist

[122]. A Message From A Poem – He Is Coming He Is Coming

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 8, 2025

[122]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HE IS COMING HE IS COMING Here is a poem that meant a lot to me. It is a source of joy to know the Lord is coming again. I am unashamedly a pre-Tribulationist and pre-Millennialist, BUT the poem is not featuring that. It is solely focussed on the Lord coming ...read more

Scripture: John 14:3, Titus 2:12-14

Tags: The Church, Jesus Is Coming, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, He Is Coming  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Groans From Within! (06.09.05--Family--Prov. ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 7, 2005

Groans From Within! (06.09.05--Family--Prov. 11:29) I turned the engine over but oh the groans from within! My old leaf vacuum hadn’t been run in about a year and it was time to put it back into service redeeming the lawn and pathways of the carpet of the beech leaves blown down in a recent storm. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:29

Tags: Children, Parenting

Denomination: Lutheran

Way Cool! (09.26.05--Teach Me To Pray!--Ezra ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Sep 22, 2005

Way Cool! (09.26.05--Teach Me to Pray!--Ezra 8:23) What’s the one thing that we despise, but it is also the one thing we most dearly treasure? The answer? It is prayer. There isn’t one of us who really wants to do it; but, at the same time, there isn’t one of us who, once it is done, does not feel ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 8:23

Tags: Prayer How To, Prayer Answered

Denomination: Lutheran

Are We There Yet? (06.28.05--Direction--John ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 28, 2005

Are We There Yet? (06.28.05--Direction--John 21:11-14 ) WHen I’m There, will I know that I am there? When we finally reach that point in life where all things finally work together and we’ve arrived at our life’s goal, that place where the many years of education, accumulated wisdom and just plain ...read more

Scripture: John 21:11-14

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Lutheran