In Sermon Illustrations: "Tender Hearted"

It's Not About Repentance

Contributed by Cameron Conway on Aug 2, 2010

IT'S NOT ABOUT REPENTANCE Today it's not about repentance; it's about our feelings. It's not about prayer; it's about going out for coffee. It's not about revolution; it's about the status quo. It's not about sanctification and righteousness; it's about making money. It's not about ...read more

Tags: Discouragement, Disappointment, Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Foursquare

The Origin And Cause Of Our Redemption Is The ...

Contributed by Mark Haines on Mar 21, 2011

The origin and cause of our redemption is the [inexpressible] love of God the Father, who willed to redeem us by the blood of His own Son; the grace of the Son, who freely took our curse upon Him, and imparts His blessing and merits to us; and the Holy Spirit, who communicates the love of the ...read more

Tags: Atonement

Denomination: Wesleyan

Jesus Is Coming To Dinner

Contributed by Charles Jones on Sep 3, 2011

JESUS IS COMING TO DINNER One of the greatest compliments an individual can pay to another is to invite him/her home to dinner. The Church reminds the world today that Jesus is coming again and the world should get its house in order, for the master of the universe is coming to dine in the hearts ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37

Tags: Second Coming

Denomination: Pentecostal

Am I Still Your Child?

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Dec 6, 2011

AM I STILL YOUR CHILD? What if Lynne and I adopted a child and brought him/her into our home. That child might be so thankful that every day they might ask, "Can I mow the lawn today, can I do the dishes for you, do you need a foot massage?" That would be great, but it would break my heart to ...read more

Tags: Adoption

Weak Prayer, Weak Faith  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 7, 2013

WEAK PRAYER, WEAK FAITH Bill Hybels, "I used to make excuses for my faint-hearted prayer life. I don’t have any good models of persevering prayer, I told myself. I have too many responsibilities to fulfill, so I don’t have the time to pray properly. But God convinced me that I was not being honest ...read more

Scripture: James 4:2

Tags: Prayer Persistence

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Kyle Idleman On Waiting Until Later

Contributed by Kevin Karhoff on Mar 19, 2013

I suspect there are a lot of fans who feel okay about a half-hearted relationship with Jesus, because they have every intention of one day going all in and being completely committed. They don’t feel convicted about not following Jesus because in their minds they know that one day they will. They ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:59-60

Tags: Surrender, Jesus Christ, Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Understanding Mercy

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 4, 2023

There was a young soldier in Napoleon’s army who committed an offense worthy of death. The day before he was scheduled for the firing squad, the young man’s mother went to Napoleon and asked him to show mercy for her son. Napoleon harshly replied, “Woman, your son does not deserve mercy.” “I know,” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7, Micah 6:8, Matthew 9:13, Luke 10:25-37, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 18:23-35  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Kindness, Mercy, Forgiveness, Compassion, Leadership, Relationships, Merciful  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

My Name Is Gossip

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 11, 2025

I am more deadly than a shell from the howitzer. I win without killing. I tear down homes, break hearts, and wreck lives. I travel on the wings of the wind. No innocence is strong enough to intimidate me, no purity pure enough to daunt me. I have no regard for truth, no respect for justice, no ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:20

Tags: Gossip, Power Of Words

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Doctors Are Always Right

Contributed by James Snyder on May 21, 2022

Last year I suffered what is referred to as a heart attack. I got to the hospital in time, so there was no any major damage. I had one artery known as the "Widow Maker" that was 90% blocked, which seemed to be a very serious thing. Who knew I even had a heart, but doctors are always ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Tags: Medical, Doctors

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

A Professor At Southwestern Baptist Theological ...

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Oct 9, 2007

A professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary from bygone days was called home to be with the Lord. H. C. Brown. I have some of his books on preaching. His words and works continue to live in the hearts of preachers everywhere. H. C. Brown from the time of 10 years of age was afraid. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

On The Pharisees

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 11, 2014

Who are the Pharisees? In 332 BC, Alexander the Great conquered the Middle East, bringing Greek culture and philosophy to Israel. By 200 BC, Greek philosophy and its worldview called Helenism were significantly impacting Jewish young men. More and more of them were abandoning the Hebrew faith and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-2

Tags: Pharisees

Denomination: Methodist

Grandma Minnie's Roses

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are travelling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind." - Henri Frederick Amiel Grandma Minnie never had much. She grew up poor and learned early the art of survival. A very ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Tags: Gift, Cheerful Giving, Encouraging Others

Denomination: Charismatic

I Think You've Seen Jesus.

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Nov 15, 2010

"I THINK YOU'VE SEEN JESUS." The real putting off and putting on is not so much about our determination to make improvements but about giving ourselves over to our Lord to do the real work in our lives. In the children's book The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, there is a particularly bad boy named ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

[021] A Message From A Poem - Artificial People Living Artificial Lives

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 26, 2024

[021] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ARTIFICIAL PEOPLE LIVING ARTIFICIAL LIVES They say you can’t trust funeral directors, real estate agents (relators) and used car salesmen. That may be a generalisation but I think it does contain an element of truth. Anyway, moving to the core of the subject here ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:3

Tags: False, Fake, Artificial, Pretence, Artificial Lives, Hypoctites, Rolex, Play Actor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Was A Member Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Scott Bradford on Nov 15, 2002

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court for 30 years. At one point in his life, Justice Holmes explained his choice of a career by saying: "I might have entered the ministry if certain clergymen I knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers." So where is the ...read more

Tags: Joy, God Brings Hope, Emotions

Denomination: United Methodist

This Prayer Was Found In The Clothing Of A Dead ...  PRO

Contributed by Gary Macdonald on Dec 13, 2002

This prayer was found in the clothing of a dead child at Ravensbruck concentration camp. O Lord, remember not only the men and woman of good will, but also those of ill will. But do not remember all of the suffering they have inflicted upon us: Instead remember the fruits we have borne because of ...read more

Tags: Prayer Adoration

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Free Gift  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 3, 2003

Salvation is a "Free Gift" from God. Although "Free" it does not mean everyone has it. If the local harware store was handing out free snow shovels today, does that mean you have one, no. You have to go to the hardware store and ask for one of those free snow shovels, and then when it is in your ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:4-14

Tags: God's Forgiveness

Closing Video Illustration: When The Titanic ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 2, 2003

Closing Video illustration: When the Titanic sinks from the Movie Titanic! The Clip shows you the end result of pride and arrogance toward God. If you want to end up like the Titanic stay prideful in your self and reject God. But if you want to be set free and rescued from your sinking ship choose ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian, Repentance

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Doctor Goes To A Party One Night And Sees One ...

Contributed by Lynn Floyd on Sep 22, 2003

A doctor goes to a party one night and sees one of his patients out on the dance floor with a beautiful woman. The doctor goes up to his patient and asks, “What are you doing?” The patient responded, “I’m just following your advice!” “What advice?,” the doctor replied. “You told me to find a hot ...read more

Tags: Communication General

Denomination: Baptist

I Was Talking The Other Day, With A Christian ...  PRO

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Nov 17, 2003

I was talking the other day, with a Christian counselor in our community. She said she has her doctorate in counseling and has studied all the different techniques and methods for counseling, but has found that the only one that works is Christian counseling. All the others may treat a few ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity, Grace

Denomination: Baptist