In Sermon Illustrations: "Texas"

Our Weakness

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 13, 2021

When I was in my early 20s and a student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, I was, believe it or not, in pretty good shape. I jogged regularly. I was a karate student. I went to the gym 4-5 times a week. I truly was in good shape. Now that I’m older, I’m realizing that I’m not what I used to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:29-31

Tags: Weakness, God's Strength, God Sustains

Denomination: Baptist

Everybody Ought To Know!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 17, 2023

I had a friend who pastored in Texas years ago who was going door-to-door to invite people to church and to know Christ. The pastor knocked on one door and an elderly woman answered. He said, “I am here to invite you to our church and to tell you about Jesus Christ. “ The woman said ...read more

Tags: Demons, Rebellion, Lucifer, Spirits, Hell, Satan, Devil, Spiritual Warfare, Angels  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prophecies Of The Messiah

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 21, 2020

The Bible Passes The Prophecy Test! There are literally thousands of prophetic predictions made in the Bible. Some of these prophecies are quite dramatic in nature. For instance, Isaiah mentions Cyrus the Persian King, by name, 125 years before he was born. Not a single one prophecy made in the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Bible, Messiah, Christmas, Jesus, Prophecy, Inspiration, Inerrancy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When A Thief Was Surprised At Church!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 13, 2023

When I was pastoring in Texas, something strange happened one Christmas that I will never stop laughing about. Because it was a Christmas holiday, we were at home with our family taking a break from our normal ministry schedule. We did not go to the church campus for the weekend. But, while we ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:10-11, Proverbs 3:9-10, 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Tags: Pastors, Tithing, Robbing God, Stealing, Surprises, Church, Giving, Humor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rejoice With Those Who Rejoice. Easier Said Than Done.

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Jan 23, 2024

Do you ever find it hard to be happy for people when good things happen to them? I do. Someone gets a promotion and instead of being happy for them I’m envious. A friend’s child gets an award and jealousy is my first reaction instead of joy. Why can’t I just be happy when good things happen to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:15

Tags: Joy, Thanks, Rejoice, Baseball, Gratefulness, Rejoicing, Grace, Thanksgiving, Celebrate  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When I Think Of Risk, I Think Of The Story Of ...  PRO

Contributed by David Simmons on Jan 18, 2001

When I think of risk, I think of the story of Lucinda Williams who was a Missouri woman who moved to Dallas back in the mid-1800’s. When she moved to Dallas, she asked her landlady if there was a Baptist church in town. The landlady said there was no Baptist church in town and she hoped there ...read more

Tags: Endurance, Leadership General

Denomination: Baptist

The Strangle-Hold Of Wealth  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 11, 2004

THE STRANGLE-HOLD OF WEALTH There was an article in the Wednesday, June 26, 2002 issue of the Colorado Springs Gazette by Michelle Singletary titled “How Much is Enough in the Pursuit of Money?” She began by writing about Karen Hughes, counselor to President Bush, who decided to leave the White ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Tags: Parable Sower And Seed

Our Faith In The God Of Creation Is Not Blind Or ...

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jan 16, 2007

Our faith in the God of Creation is NOT blind or without reason. As Believers we don’t need to fear looking at the evidence around us. Allan Rex Sandage is the leading Observation Cosmologist in the world by pretty much all accounts. He spent his career quantifying the expanse of the universe, ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Shall Never The First Time That I Was Able To ...  PRO

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Aug 29, 2007

I shall never the first time that I was able to take communion. For years, I had sat back and took far too much heart and thought into those who took on communion “unworthily.” The first time that I took communion was the Thursday of the preceding Easter Sunday of 1990. I was at Texas Bible ...read more

Tags: Authority, Prayer And Fasting

Denomination: Pentecostal

She Prayed, They Cheered

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 18, 2007

She Prayed, They Cheered Recently, in Houston, Texas, a 16-year-old girl backed down from her decision to lead in voluntary prayer before a high school football game. She had been elected by other students at the school to pray before each of the Santa Fe Indians’ home games. The problem was that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Relationships And Bats

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 9, 2010

RELATIONSHIPS AND BATS In the Spring, Marylu and I spent a day at one of our State Parks, McCormick's Creek (my personal favorite). But we could not go into the cave there because of a deadly disease that is annihilating bats. 2. This week, an AP story broke: "A mysterious illness is ...read more

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Bats

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 10, 2010

In the Spring, Marylu and I spent a day at one of our State Parks, McCormick's Creek (my personal favorite). But we could not go into the cave there because of a deadly disease that is annihilating bats. This week, an AP story broke: "A mysterious illness is threatening the bat population in ...read more

Tags: Law

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Enticed By A False Prophet

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 26, 2021

Shortly after Jeanie and I were married, we were fresh out of Bible College and I was doing some teaching. The associate pastor of our church approached us in private with a very flattering word. He said that God had told him to gather an elite circle of you couples for him and his wife to mentor. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:29, 1 John 2:27

Tags: Prophecy, False Prophets, Deception

Denomination: Charismatic

He Had A Gun To His Head When He Called My Office...

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 7, 2022

When I was pastoring in Texas, an unknown man called our church office and asked for the Senior Pastor. The call was transferred to me and I quickly discovered that I had a frantic man on the line whom I didn’t know. He told me how horrible his life was and how he couldn’t stand living in “hell ...read more

Tags: Desperation, Jesus, Salvation, Rescue, Witnessing, Suicide  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Boxer To Preacher

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Mar 22, 2025

George Foreman died in March 2025 at age 76. Foreman was a heavyweight boxer for the USA in the 1968 Olympic Games - winning the Gold medal. He later became a professional Boxer and world Champion. In 1977 after a fight with heavyweight Jimmy Young, Foreman had a crisis experience. He thought he ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, Luke 19:1-10

Tags: Salvation, Gospel, Born Again

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Colt Mccoy Story

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 23, 2010

THE COLT MCCOY STORY College football experienced a masterpiece national championship game featuring the number one ranked Crimson Tide from Alabama against the undefeated ballers from the University of Texas. The Longhorns, led by their Heisman nominated quarterback Colt McCoy hoped to prove to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Tags: Father's Day

We'll Stay Out Of The Way  PRO

Contributed by Bob Hager on Apr 26, 2001

WE'LL STAY OUT OF THE WAY The Call to Worship had just been pronounced starting Easter Sunday Morning service in an East Texas church. The choir started its processional, singing "Up from the Grave He Arose" as they marched in perfect step down the center aisle to the front of the church. The ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25, John 17:6-19, John 11:1-25, John 11:1-44, John 4:23-24, John 20:26-29, Mark 8:33  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Easter Resurrection, Indifference, Hope, Wholehearted

Denomination: Methodist

The Monarch Mystery  PRO

Contributed by Michael Elmore on Jan 17, 2002

The Monarch Mystery. The ability to find home evokes legends of Rover or Fido who, when owners have moved from one coast to the other, have made a 3,000-mile trek to find their owners in a location to which they’ve never been before. At least the dogs make it back home. But not the monarch ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

Tags: Creation, God's Omniscience, New Creation

Denomination: Methodist

Worship  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on Apr 9, 2002

ILLUSTRATION The Call to Worship had just been pronounced starting Easter Sunday Morning service in an East Texas church. The choir started its processional, singing "Up from the Grave He Arose" as they marched in perfect step down the center aisle to the front of the church. The last lady was ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection, Church Practices

Denomination: Pentecostal

Back In 1992 When The Dallas Cowboys Were ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on May 20, 2002

: Back in 1992 when the Dallas Cowboys were preparing to play the San Francisco 49rs for the NFC Championship in San Francisco, the Cowboys had a pep-rally at Texas Stadium. The audience cheered wildly for each player when he was introduced. The fans carried banners. They painted their faces and ...read more

Tags: Worship Purpose

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational