In Sermon Illustrations: "Studying The Word"

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

How Should A Christian Walk?

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Jul 29, 2025

Have you ever noticed how novelists or movie directors make use of the way a person walks to highlight his or her character? Proud man walks erect, their heads held high. Beautiful women glide or float. Villains slouch, sneak, creep, or swagger. The need to describe different ways of walking has ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1, Isaiah 57:2, 1 John 1:7, Micah 6:8, Psalm 119:106  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Light, Humble, Walk, Worthy, Word  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How We Stop God From Answering Our Prayers

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 24, 2022

Recently, the Lord moved me from Arkansas to Louisiana. I was so happy to leave Arkansas and be released from it – it had felt like an overgrown prison to me. As I drove south on the interstate, I was thanking and praising God for a new start in a new place when He impressed upon me that I could ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:13, James 3:6

Tags: Unanswered Prayers, Preventing God, Words Stout Against Him, Tongue, Power Of Words  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Two Of Our Greatest Presidents Said Some Pretty ...  PRO

Contributed by Lynn Floyd on May 29, 2001

Two of our greatest presidents said some pretty important statements about the Bible. George Washington said, “It is impossible to righteously govern the world without God and the Bible.” President Ronald Reagan said, “Within the covers of one single book, the Bible, are all ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 45:10-17

Tags: Bible Study, Bible Influence, Independence Day

Denomination: Baptist

Sherlock Holmes And Dr. Watson Go On A Camping ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jun 20, 2003

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go on a camping trip, set up their tent, and fall asleep. Some hours later, Holmes wakes his faithful friend. "Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see." Watson replies, "I see millions of stars." "What does that tell you?" asks Holmes Watson ponders ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:6

Tags: Apologetics The Bible, Bible Study, Bible Influence

Denomination: Anglican

When You Become A Sports Spectator Instead Of A ...

Contributed by W F on Sep 21, 2004

When you become a sports spectator instead of a participant, all the wrong things start to happen to your body. Your weight, blood pressure, resting heart rate and cholesterol all go up. And your oxygen consumption, muscular flexibility, stamina and strength all go down. So it doesn’t take too much ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ, Prayer General, Bible Study

Denomination: *other

Why Is It That The Vast Majority Of Christian ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2006

"Why is it that the vast majority of Christian believers remain largely unexposed to Christian learning--to historical-critical studies of the Bible, the content and structure of the great doctines, to two thousand years of classic works on the Christian life, to basic disciplines of theology, ...read more

Tags: Bible Study, Gospel, Grace, Love, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Professor Merrill C. Tenney, Dean Of The Wheaton ...  PRO

Contributed by Clark Frailey on Dec 19, 2000

Professor Merrill C. Tenney, Dean of the Wheaton Graduate School of Theology, is quoted as saying: "Neglect one area of the Scriptures in our teaching and preaching and ...read more

Tags: Gifts General, Bible Influence, Bible Study

Denomination: Baptist

Maybe You’ve Heard About The Preacher Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 16, 2001

Maybe you’ve heard about the preacher who was visiting various classes during the Sunday School Hour to see how they were doing. One Sunday he visited the class of 6th grade boys. They were talking about things in the O.T. He listened for a while & then asked, “Who knows who knocked down the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:29

Tags: Women, Princess, Bible Influence, Bible Study

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

John Stott In Authentic Christianity Noted: "We ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 30, 2001

John Stott in Authentic Christianity noted: "We need to repent of the haughty way in which we sometimes stand in judgment upon Scripture and must learn to sit humbly under its judgments instead. If we come to Scripture with our minds made up, expecting to hear from it only an echo of our own ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Disciplines Scripture, Bible Influence, Bible Study, Security

Unsung Heroes-Those Who Made Copies Of The Scriptures

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 30, 2021

Introduction: sometimes we forget, or take for granted, the easy availability of God’s Word. Retail stores (not just Christian bookstores) sometimes have copies of the whole Bible for a dollar per copy! Secondhand or thrift stores occasionally have donated Bibles and other portions for a very ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 9:1-2

Tags: Baruch, Daniel, Jeremiah, Word Of God, Scribes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are The Meek  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Blessed Are The Meek As you study the character traits described in the Beatitudes, you can't help but realize one thing; these qualities are by no means natural to the human spirit. They are very foreign. Poverty of spirit, true mourning over personal sins against God and meekness does ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5, Matthew 26:36-46, Matthew 15:21-28

Tags: Giving, Truth, Character, Redemption, Words, Meek  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Proclaiming ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Proclaiming God’s Word A Necessity in Corporate Worship Congregational worship opens the door for the Holy Spirit gift of proclaiming God’s Word. Jesus said, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) Knowing exactly what the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:4

Tags: Worship Purpose

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Max Lucado Says, "The Bible Has Been Banned, ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Nov 5, 2004

Max Lucado says, “The Bible has been banned, burned, scoffed, and ridiculed. Scholars have mocked it as foolish. Kings have branded it as illegal. A thousand times over, the grave has been dug and the dirge has begun, but somehow the Bible never stays in the grave. Not only has it survived, it has ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:24-25

Tags: Bible Influence, Apologetics, Bible, Apologetics The Bible, Disciplines, Study  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

There Is A Doctrine That Is Becoming Popular That ...  PRO

Contributed by James Chandler on Apr 3, 2003

There is a doctrine that is becoming popular that teaches that a Christian can reach a point in their lives where sin no longer has an effect on them. They cease to sin. Of course this totally goes against the Word of God. Hopefully, as we grow and mature as Christians sin has less of a hold on ...read more

Tags: Sin Deceptive, Sin General, Word Of God

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Will Of God Is Not This...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2019

THE WILL OF GOD “The will of God is not something you ADD to your life. It’s a course you choose. You either line yourself up with the Word of God…...or you capitulate to the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Will Of God, Living Sacrifice, Commitment, Word Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do Not Hinder Prayer

Contributed by James Dina on Jul 19, 2020

Do not hinder prayer. Those that live without prayer in the world, live without God in their lives. “Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the peoples who do not call on your name.” (Jeremiah 10:25). To restrain prayer is worse than not to pray. The latter indicate only ...read more

Scripture: Job 15:4-5, Psalm 60:11, Psalm 51:15, Matthew 12:37, Isaiah 50:4, James 3:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith, Prayer, Words, Tongue, Hypocrite, Hinder  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Huwag Hadlangan Ang Panalangin

Contributed by James Dina on Jul 19, 2020

Huwag hadlangan ang panalangin. Ang mga nabubuhay nang walang pagdarasal sa mundo, nabubuhay nang walang Diyos sa kanilang buhay. "Ibuhos mo ang iyong galit sa mga bansa na hindi ka nakikilala, sa mga bayan na hindi tumatawag sa iyong pangalan." (Jeremias 10:25). Ang paghihigpit ng ...read more

Scripture: Job 15:4-5, James 3:8, Psalm 60:11

Tags: Faith, Prayer, Words, Tongue, Hinder Prayer  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Is The Bible?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

What is the Bible? "THIS BOOK contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Bible, Truth, Word Of God, Memorize The Scripture

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Purpose Of Preaching

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 25, 2021

Warren Wiersbe, "Preaching must be marked by three elements: conviction, warning, and appeal ("reprove, rebuke, exhort"). To quote an old rule of preachers, "He should afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted." If there is conviction but no remedy, we add to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Comfort, Preaching, Pastors, Conviction, The Word Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational