In Sermon Illustrations: "Take Up Your Cross"

Greater Love Hath No Man That This, That A Man ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2006

"Greater love hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). "When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son" (Romans 5:10). When nations are engaged in deadly strife, it is common for patriots to declare that he who gives his life for ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

An Observation About A Pair Of Hard Hats

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 15, 2024

Text: 2 Samuel 3:33-34, KJV: 33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? 34 Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him. Have you seen any roadside memorials? It ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 3:33-34

Tags: David, Death, Joab, Abner

Denomination: Baptist

You Know It Is Going To Be A Bad Day When...  PRO

Contributed by Jonathan Busch on Nov 6, 2002

You Know It Is Going To Be A Bad Day When... There is a ’60 Minutes’ crew your driveway when you look out the window. You put both contact lenses in the same eye. Your birthday cake collapses from the weight of the candles. Your income tax rebate check bounces. Your ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life, Temptation General

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jehovah ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 27, 2009

JEHOVAH SHAMMAH I like what Charles Spurgeon once said, "Whatever your difficulties and trials and sorrows, all is well with you if God is your delight, and His presence your joy." When you feel abandoned or afraid, address Him as Jehovah Shammah. When ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Tags: Trials And Difficulties, Trials

Colonel John Chapman, Commander Of The Joint ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Mccool on Apr 21, 2003

Colonel John Chapman, commander of the Joint Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Agency at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, said: "Survival is a matter of will. You will not survive or be rescued unless you have the will, ...read more

Tags: Endurance, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Pentecostal

A.w. Tozer Said "Let (The Average Man) Be Forced ...

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Jan 30, 2007

A.W. Tozer said “Let (the average man) be forced into making a choice between God and money, between God and men, between God and personal ambition, between God and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Holy Spirit Finds Modesty So Rare That He ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"The Holy Spirit finds modesty so rare that He takes care to record it. Say much of what the Lord has done for you, but say little of what you have done ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

A.w. Tozer Said "Let (The Average Man) Be Forced ...

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Feb 2, 2008

A.W. Tozer said “Let (the average man) be forced into making a choice between God and money, between God and men , between God and personal ambition, between God and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

There Was An Outstanding Episcopal Priest Named ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Apr 8, 2009

There was an outstanding Episcopal priest named Samuel Shoemaker, who lived in the first half of the last century. This was his statement: "It would take a theologian with a fine-toothed comb to find the Holy ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit General

Denomination: Pentecostal

Andrew Murray Said,

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 9, 2009

Andrew Murray said, “We can never have more faith than we have humility.” He continues, “As long as we take glory from another, we do not seek ...read more

Tags: Humility

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Woman Named Ruth Went To Her Mail Box And There ...

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jul 10, 2007

A woman named Ruth went to her mail box and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter: Dear Ruth: I’m going to be in your neighborhood ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Unsung Heroes-Claudius Lysias

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 22, 2023

Introduction: He was a high-ranking officer in the Roman army, mentioned only a couple of times in Scripture. We don’t know if he ever became a Christian, but we do know that he saved the life of Paul the apostle at least twice! Text: Acts 24:22-23, KJV: 22 And when Felix heard these things, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:22-23

Tags: Paul, Persecution, Claudius Lysias

Denomination: Baptist

[080]. A Message From A Poem – Faithfully He Is Watching

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 12, 2025

[080]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FAITHFULLY HE IS WATCHING The poem here you will read is one of my top favourites. It resonates so much with me. It just flowed and when it does that it is joyous. I truly hope you can relate to it. This poem was written on the day I received notification that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:6, Job 1:21

Tags: Watching, God Hears, Forsake, Poem, Orphans, Cares, Abandoned, Faithful, Friendship, Deliverance, Merciful, Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Seed You Sow Today Will Not Produce Crop ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"The seed you sow today will not produce crop till tomorrow. For this reason, your identity does not lie in your current results. This is not ...read more

Scripture: John 4:35-38

Tags: Action, Success, Identity, Progress, Patience  (view more)  (view less)

Do Not Pray For Easy Lives. Pray To Be Stronger ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your ...read more

Tags: Strength

[205]. A Message From A Poem – One Hair Here And One Hair There

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 17, 2025

[205]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – ONE HAIR HERE AND ONE HAIR THERE Well, well, well! How many of us are bald? How many are heading that way? I remember when I was a kid my mother used to say to me, “Tell the barber to thin out your hair.” There used to be some sort of clippers that would do ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:20-21, Luke 12:7, 2 Kings 2:23

Tags: Numbered, Glorious Bodies, Alopecia, Falling Out, Hair, New Bodies  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[062b]. A Message From A Poem – Does Suffering Cancel Out A God Of Love?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 14, 2025

[062B]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DOES SUFFERING CANCEL OUT A GOD OF LOVE? THE POEM AS IT IS WILL NOT FIT IN THE ILLUSTRATION SPACE AVAILABLE. I HAVE SPLIT IT INTO THREE PARTS. THIS IS THE SECOND PART THE INTRODUCTION FOR THE POEM IS IN PART 1. PART 2 SECTION B - PART 1 (THE CHRISTIAN ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 45:6-7, John 3:16, Exodus 34:6-7

Tags: Hurt, Pain, Love, Compassion, Comfort, Suffering, Tragedy, God Of Comfort, God Of Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Thought You Loved Me  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 9, 2008

I Thought You Loved Me Girls, picture this. It is a warm summer day. The birds are singing happily. The wind is blowing gently. You and that special guy are sitting outside in the sun just thrilled to be together. You have been dating now for two whole weeks and you have never known a more ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Tags: Action

Amazing Things Happen  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 24, 2004

AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN When God sends forth the Spirit amazing things happen: barriers are broken, communities are formed, opposites are reconciled, unity is established, disease is cured, addiction is broken, cities are renewed, races are reconciled, hope is established, people are blessed, and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4, Joel 2:10-14, Revelation 3:17-22

Tags: Lukewarm, Kingdom Of God, Holy Spirit General

We Christians Too Often Substitute Prayer For ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 8, 2006

“We Christians too often substitute prayer for playing the game. Prayer is good; but when used as a substitute for obedience, it is nothing but a blatant hypocrisy, a despicable Pharisaism...To your knees, man! and to your Bible! Decide at once! Don’t hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God, ...read more

Tags: Prayer How To