In Sermon Illustrations: "Take Off"

Do You Know How To Use The Sword Of The Spirit?

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Oct 26, 2020

Many years ago when I was in Army basic training, I spent many hours on the rifle range. Not just an afternoon on the range like many of you who experience Air Force Basic Training. I spent quite literally two-thirds of my training time on the rifle range. I was issued an M-16 assault rifle for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:17, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Word Of God, Armor Of God, Sword Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest Building Disaster In History

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 2, 2022

In 1174, the Italian architect Bonnano Pisano began work on what would become his most famous project: a separately standing eight-story bell tower in the city of Pisa. There was just one “little” problem: builders quickly discovered that the soil was much softer than they had anticipated, and the ...read more

Tags: Foundations, Eternity, Obedience, Rock, Sand, Word Of God, Parables  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Children Have A Great Deal To Say About Love, ...

Contributed by Jim Kane on May 18, 2009

Children have a great deal to say about love, don’t they? We adults have had the experience of “falling in love” and for most, if not all of us, it was a wonderful and overwhelmingly emotional experience. But, not to 7 year old Glenn. He says, "If falling in love is anything like learning how to ...read more

Tags: Love, Marriage Commitment

Denomination: Church Of God

A Mother Dies So Her Boy May Live

Contributed by Dwight L. Moody on Jun 11, 2009

A MOTHER DIES SO HER BOY MAY LIVE When the California gold fever broke out, a man went there, leaving his wife in New England with his boy. As soon as he got on and was successful he was to send for them. It was a long time before he succeeded, but at last he got money enough to send for them. The ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Tags: Atonement

Denomination: *other

Forgiving And Forgetting

Contributed by Davon Huss on Feb 15, 2010

FORGIVING AND FORGETTING Mr. Peale tells a story about a man who suffered from many health problems: headaches, skin troubles, gastric disturbances, insomnia. It did not take Mr. Peale long to discover that one basic cause was the burning anger that he felt toward his brother. The brother, the ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Concept Of Grace

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2022

There is a great article that illustrates the concept of grace written by Charles Stanley. It reads: One of my more memorable seminary professors had a practical way of illustrating to his students the concept of grace. At the end of his evangelism course, he would distribute the exam with the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness

Xmas Or Christmas?

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Dec 15, 2008

Xmas or CHRISTmas ? I used to get annoyed when I saw the word 'Xmas' as an abbreviation for 'Christmas' as it seemed to take something of the wonder out of the story of Jesus coming to our world as a baby in order to become the Saviour of the World. It was all part of the commercialising this ...read more

Tags: Birth Of Jesus

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer And 19th Century Revival

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 10, 2011

PRAYER AND 19TH CENTURY REVIVAL Dr. A. T. Pierson once said, "There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer." Let me recount what God has done through concerted, united, sustained prayer. [J. Edwin Orr. Personal Notes.] Not many people ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:1-13

Tags: Prayer Persistence

When Everything Goes My Way

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 7, 2020

I have had a certain dream many times over the years. Of course, it might lean towards being a nightmare if it does not come true. The dream is that one day in the week; I can have everything go my way. The nightmare part of that dream is that it never tells me which day everything will go my ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Together, Choice, Partnership

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What’s So Peasy About Easy?

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 6, 2021

I am nowhere to be found when it comes to crafts, remodeling, and just plain fixer-uppers. My carpentry skills are nowhere to be found even though I've looked for a long time. If I try to fix something, I make it worse than it was. Fixing is not my strong suit. On the other side of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18

Tags: Eve, Labor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Is Being Sane Too Much To Ask?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 28, 2021

When young, I remember my grandfather often saying to me, "the world wasn't like this when I was your age." Then he would go on a long rant about how things were much different when he was my age. Finally, he would conclude by saying, "It's an insane world out there, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:9

Tags: Sanity, Culture, Generational

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Hallelujah… She’s Baaaaack

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 4, 2021

I have learned that you don't miss something until it is gone. Unfortunately, sometimes, it's too late. Over six weeks ago, or was it nine months, I took my truck in for a regular checkup. I was going away for the week, so I thought I would drop the truck off and let them work on it when ...read more

Scripture: 2 John 1:8

Tags: Stress, Humor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

My Ongoing Grudge With Santa

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 18, 2021

I’ve had sort of a grudge with old Mr. Santa Claus. I was introduced to Santa Claus by my parents, who informed me that he was the one that brought all of my Christmas presents on Christmas day. And I believe my parents. I remember on Christmas Eve we had to go to bed early to give Santa Claus ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32

Tags: Christmas, Gifts

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Manuscript Evidence Of The Bible

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

Do we have any of the originals of the Bible's 66 books? NO. Not 1. But, we do have enough pieces of the cross to build several crosses, and enough other relics to rebuild several sacred objects several times over. Get the point? Anytime something of religious significance survives the ages, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Peter 1:21, Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Apologetics, Truth, Word Of God, Biblical Manuscripts  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bambú Japonés (Translation Below)

Contributed by Kelly Cabrera on Feb 7, 2010

Bambú japonés (TRANSLATION BELOW) No hay que ser agricultor para saber que una buena cosecha requiere de buena semilla, buen abono y riego constante. También es obvio que quien cultiva la tierra no se impacienta frente a la semilla sembrada, halándola con el riesgo de echarla a perder, gritándole ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Christian Church

Was God A God Of Love In The Old Testament?

Contributed by Coz Von on Aug 27, 2017

The Davinci code will tell you that Jesus was married Mary. is it so? NO, NO, AND - mil times NO – NOT! But I want to show you that God did get married. Blasphemy, you say, NOT SO, It’s irreverent, sacrilegious – and not true But He really did! Hear me out. Long, long ago in a land far far away ...read more

Tags: Love, Hosea, Peace, Hope, Long Suffering, Care, Hate, Kindness, Gomer, Love Story  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The Best Selling Book "She Said Yes!" Missy ...  PRO

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 23, 2000

In the best selling book "She said Yes!" Missy Bernall tells the story of her daughter Cassie, one of the students killed at Columbine High School. Cassie grew up in church, she came from a nice family, had friends and a nice life. Then it all changed. When Cassie entered high school (not ...read more

Tags: Parenting, Children

Denomination: Baptist

Who Would Ever Dream Of Amputating His Own Leg? ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Haines on Jan 20, 2001

Who would ever dream of amputating his own leg? Nobody-- unless that person had lost his mind or was faced with the grim choice of losing either his leg or his life. That was Bill Jeracki’s terrible predicament, according to The Denver Post, when he was out fishing alone in the foothills of the ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Death, Mountain, Sermon On The Mount

Denomination: Wesleyan

There’s A New "Reality" Tv Show On Fox ...  PRO

Contributed by Tim Olson on Mar 13, 2001

There’s a new "reality" TV show on Fox Network called "Temptation Island" that is the subject of discussion these days. Many people are very upset about it and various groups are fighting against it. Temptation Island is a short-order unscripted series in which four unmarried couples travel to ...read more

Tags: Marriage Commitment, Faith, Temptation Sex

As A Boy Growing Up In The Country I Had Heard ...  PRO

Contributed by Johnny Carver on May 12, 2001

As a boy growing up in the country I had heard scary stories about a snake called a "Black Racer" that would chase you. These stories kept me very alert as I walked up and down the gravel roads around where we lived. One day mom asked me to go to the neighbors house and borrow an iron because ours ...read more

Tags: Direction, Fear And Worry, Perspective, Obedience, Sin Fall Of Man  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal