In Sermon Illustrations: "The Crown Of Thorns"

As A Very Young Man, My Mother Sent Me This Poem ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

AS A VERY YOUNG MAN, MY MOTHER SENT ME THIS POEM WHICH SHE CLIPPED FROM THE SUNDAY PAPER AND I HOPE IT EFFECTS YOU, AS IT HAS ME FOR SOME FORTY YEARS NOW: "LORD, HELP ME TO LIVE FROM DAY TO DAY IN SUCH A SELF-FORGETFUL WAY THAT EVEN WHEN I KNEEL TO PRAY MY PRAYER SHALL BE FOR OTHERS. HELP ME IN ...read more

Tags: Heaven

C.s. Lewis Had These Incisive Comments About The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

C.S. Lewis had these incisive comments about the Christian walk: "The Christian way is different: harder, and easier. Christ says, ’Give me all. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want you. “I have not come to torment your natural self, but to ...read more

Tags: Prayer How To

One Stormy Night A Boat Could Make No Headway, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

One stormy night a boat could make no headway, and while the captain was struggling to get into port, a nervous passenger said to him: "Do you think we will get in all right?" He replied: "This is a leaky old boat, and we may go down; and the boilers are not in very good condition, so we may go up. ...read more

Tags: Anger

I Met The Late Dr. Larry Burkett, President And ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2008

I MET THE LATE DR. LARRY BURKETT, PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF CROWN FINANCIAL MINISTRIES IN 1979 BEFORE HE BECAME SO POPULAR. HIS TEACHING ON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TRANSFORMED MY PHILOSOPHY OF STEWARDSHIP, EVEN THOUGH AT FIRST, I THOUGHT HE WAS HAD LOST HIS MIND!! IN HIS BOOK: YOUR POTENTIAL FINANCIAL ...read more

A Death Blow To Self-Centered False Gospels  PRO

Contributed by Michael Wiley on Nov 12, 2008

John MacArthur writes: This passage...strikes a death blow to the self-centered false gospels that are so popular in contemporary Christianity. It leaves no room for the gospel of getting, in which God is considered a type of utilitarian genie who jumps to provide a believer's every whim. It ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When We Come Together

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 30, 2011

WHEN WE COME TOGETHER Dr. J. Vernon McGee told a story about a little community where there were three churches on the same corner, a Presbyterian church, Methodist church and Baptist church. One Sunday night, all the windows were open and they could hear each other singing. They didn't get along ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Tags: Unity

Beautiful America

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Jun 29, 2024

BEAUTIFUL AMERICA Oh my, what a lovely country. Americans, we are blessed. The wonders of this country could never be overstressed! Tall, majestic mountains boast glistening snow-crowned heads. Blue mysterious oceans gleam with sparkling water spreads. Green, luscious grassy meadows, refreshing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Isaiah 18:1-2, Philippians 3:20

Tags: America, Patriotic, Independence Day, Poems About America

Denomination: Baptist

A Story Of Hudson Taylor

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

Hudson Taylor began the study of medicine as well as Greek, Hebrew, and Latin. He realized, however, that the most important preparation of all must take place in the realm of his own soul. In China he would have to depend utterly upon his Lord for protection, supplies -- everything. Lest a ...read more

Scripture: John 14:13-26

Tags: Trust, Hudson Taylor

Denomination: Anglican

Read The Story About A City Slicker Who Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

READ THE STORY ABOUT A CITY SLICKER WHO WAS VISITING RELATIVES ON A FARM AND THE FARMER GAVE A WHISTLE AND HIS DOG HERDED THE CATTLE INTO THE CORRAL, THEN LATCHED THE GATE WITH HER PAW. "WOW, THAT’S SOME DOG. WHAT’S HER NAME?" SAID THE CITY BOY. B. THE FORGETFUL FARMER THOUGHT A MINUTE, THEN ...read more

Tags: Heaven, Forgetfulness

Martin Luther's Depression And The Hymn

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 10, 2009

Martin Luther’s Depression and the Hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" The year 1527 was the most trying year of Martin Luther’s life. On April 22 he was preaching in Wittenberg when he became dizzy and fainted. Over the next several months he dealt with debilitating depression and sickness. It had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Tags: Affliction

Out-Of-Whack Priorities

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 26, 2011

OUT-OF-WHACK PRIORITIES USA Today ran an article on October 25th, 1995 that is a great illustration about priorities. It reads... "Ronald Warwick, captain of the luxury cruise ship Queen Elizabeth II, questioned a passenger who paid full fare for his dog to join them on an around-the-world ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Tags: Worldliness

I Recently Read An Insightful Story That Would ...  PRO

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Feb 8, 2012

I recently read an insightful story that would serve as a good reminder for us both as we prepare to part ways. The story is about a group of climbers who set out to scale a large mountain in Europe. The view boasted a breathtaking peak of snowcapped rocks. On clear days the crested point reigned ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Tags: Complaining, God Brings Purpose

Denomination: Baptist

There Is A Story Told Of Three Little Girls Who ...  PRO

Contributed by William Wyne on Sep 8, 2003

There is a story told of three little girls who are enjoying an evening of play. They started playing the game of counting their money; the object was to see who had the most and the winner would be crowned queen for the day. The first little girl counted thirteen pennies, the second counted ...read more

Tags: Faith General, Examples Of Faith

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost Of Dodging Duty

Contributed by Robert Garrett on Aug 8, 2005

ILLUSTRATION “THE COST OF DODGING DUTY” I have read of a king who placed a heavy stone in the road and hid to see who would remove it. Men of various classes came and worked their way around it, some loudly blaming the king for not keeping the highways clear, but all dodging the duty of getting ...read more

Tags: Fulfillment

Denomination: Baptist

The Olympic Scandal Of '67

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Aug 10, 2008

The Olympic Scandal of '67 In the year AD 67 the Olympics were held and six events were won by a quite prestigious competitor. The events were: Heralds (a trumpet blowing competition - the winners were then enlisted to announce the athletes) Tethripon (four horse chariot) Foals Tethripon (four ...read more

Tags: Disciplines General

Denomination: Mennonite

A Stinging Blow For Good  PRO

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Mar 2, 2010

A STINGING BLOW FOR GOOD Always remember that God knows what he is doing with us, even if we don’t know. Many years ago there was found in an African mine the most magnificent diamond in the world’s history. It was presented to the King of England to wear in his crown. The king sent it to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Tags: Affliction

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Wrote: "Marriage Is ...

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Aug 26, 2010

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: “Marriage is more than your love for each other. It has a higher dignity and power, for it is God's holy ordinance, through which he wills to perpetuate the human race till the end of time. In your love you see only your two selves in the world, but in marriage you are a ...read more

Tags: Marriage Commitment

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Century Plant

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Feb 10, 2012

THE CENTURY PLANT Abraham has now reached the Century mark! He is 100 years old and Sarah is 90. A common sight in America's Southwest desert is the century plant. It's unique. The century plant (Agave Americana) thrives in rocky, mountainous, desert sites. It has dramatic, splayed leaves that ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Communion: In Remembrance

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Aug 11, 2012

COMMUNION: IN REMEMBRANCE A man was working in his backyard one day, when his neighbor began talking to him over the fence. He said, "Yeah, my wife and I went to one of those seminars yesterday, you know, where they teach you ways to improve your memory and such." His neighbor commented, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-21, James 1:19

Tags: Lord's Supper

Denomination: Baptist

Living The Full Christian Life

Contributed by Chris Surber on Oct 24, 2008

Living the Full Christian Life As believers, we have received a great inheritance and legacy. In Acts 17:11, Luke writes, "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of

Denomination: Christian Church