In Sermon Illustrations: "The Lord Is Close"

Dr. James Dobson Relates A Story Of An Elderly ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeffery Russell on Dec 24, 2007

Dr. James Dobson relates a story of an elderly woman named Stella Thornhope who was struggling with her first Christmas alone. Her husband had died just a few months prior through a slow developing cancer. Now, several days before Christmas, she was almost snowed in by a brutal weather system. She ...read more

Tags: Grief, Adoption, Loneliness, Provision

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Can Still Arrive When You Least Expect ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Feb 20, 2008

Christmas can still arrive when you least expect it, sometimes in the most unexpected manner. Dr. James Dobson relates a story of an elderly woman named Stella Thornhope who was struggling with her first Christmas alone. Her husband had died just a few months prior through a slow developing cancer. ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

Christmas Can Still Arrive When You Least Expect ...

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Feb 20, 2008

Christmas can still arrive when you least expect it, sometimes in the most unexpected manner. Dr. James Dobson relates a story of an elderly woman named Stella Thornhope who was struggling with her first Christmas alone. Her husband had died just a few months prior through a slow developing cancer. ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

An Observation About A Billboard Worker

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 24, 2024

Text: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, KJV: 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. How many of you have seen anybody changing the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, John 15:5

Tags: Assistance, Billboards, Clergy Appreciation Month

Denomination: Baptist

That Poor Young Boy!", Thought The Older ...  PRO

Contributed by Joshua Moran on Jan 31, 2005

"That poor young boy!", thought the older gentleman. The sanctuary was somewhat inactive as music was playing quietly, and the building seemed to be sheltering the people from the bitter cold of a New England winter. A young boy had just walked in with only a tattered sweatshirt, dirty jeans, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44

Tags: Giving General, Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Pentecostal

[357]. A Message From A Poem – Zapped And Gone

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 31, 2026

[357]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – ZAPPED AND GONE It is most annoying when you have an outdoor bar-b-que (barbeque) and you keep getting attacked by mosquitoes. Sometimes you get an invasion of moths in the tropics and even flying beetles. We all know about insect repellent and creams and they ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:10, 1 Timothy 3:7, Revelation 9:11

Tags: Sin, Apollyon, Satan The Destroyer, Christian Poems, Zapped, Bug Zappers, Insect Zappers, The Snare Of The Devil  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[326]. Poem - Victory Through Sorrow’s Deep Sea – Easter Poem – Part 1

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 27, 2026

[326]. POEM - VICTORY THROUGH SORROW’S DEEP SEA – POEM FOR EASTER – PART 1 SPECIAL NOTE – This poem is too long for SermonCentral’s limited space for Sermon Illustrations, so I have had to cut it in half but don’t really want to do that. THIS IS PART 1. This is a serious poem. It covers the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:13-16, Psalm 69:14-15, Isaiah 53:6-7

Tags: Easter, Suffering, Victory, Gethsemane, Sorrow, Calvary, The Cross, Golgotha, Man Of Sorrows, Jesus Before Pilate, The Crucifixion, Easter Message, Christian Poems, Poem For Easter, Jesus Dies For Sins, The Lamb On The Cross  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In A Movie Classic - National Lampoon's Vacation ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Apr 30, 2004

In a movie classic - National Lampoon’s Vacation - Chevy Chase - otherwise known as Clark Griswold - leads his family across the country to their dream vacation at Wally World. Along the way, Clark gets lost several times. One time happened to be in St. Louis. After several wrong turns, the ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Lutheran

Minister The Word  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Nov 28, 2010

MINISTER THE WORD There are valid ministries which are pleasing to the Lord such as, missions, youth ministries, local church services and ministerial alliances. However, there are two ministries that are often set on the back burner. The ministry of truly preaching the whole council of God's ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:4

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Would Jesus Buy?

Contributed by Ken Pell on Dec 4, 2011

WHAT WOULD JESUS BUY? Some of you are familiar with the name, Morgan Spurlock. He produced the documentary "Super-Size Me." He has produced another lesser-known production titled "What Would Jesus Buy?" Please note: I am not recommending the movie it is a bit distasteful but it makes a good point. ...read more

Tags: Christmas Advent

Denomination: Nazarene

Easter, Redemption

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Easter, Redemption The apostle Paul wrote about this redemptive work of Christ upon the Cross and victory that is available to the children of God through the resurrection of Christ. He writes, "So you are no longer a slave..." (Galatians 4:7) Jesus said, "So if the Son sets you free, you will ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:7

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Vacation: Willing To Follow

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2008

VACATION: WILLING TO FOLLOW In a movie classic - National Lampoon's Vacation - Chevy Chase - otherwise known as Clark Griswold - leads his family across the country to their dream vacation at Wally World. Along the way, Clark gets lost several times. One time happened to be in St. Louis. As time ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Sin Of Achan

Contributed by John Bright on Oct 3, 2025

We struggle with someone suffering for the actions of another. In that day, they were not so individualistic as we are in this Western World. Whenever I share the Sin of Achan from the book of Joshua, modern folks like to protest. Here’s the story: The Israelites are given a great victory over ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:5, Joshua 7:24-26

Tags: Sin, Consequences

Denomination: Methodist

Letting Go Of The Branch!" Luke 1:5-15 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 31, 2005

“Letting Go of the Branch!” Luke 1:5-15 Key verse(s) 13“But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.” Trusting in God is fine, as long as it is something you believe He can do. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-15, 1 Kings 17:8-16

Tags: Doubt

Denomination: Lutheran

Unsung Heroines-Anna The Prophetess

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 24, 2022

Introduction: Only a few women were considered true prophetesses in the Bible. Isaiah’s wife was called one of these (Isaiah 8:3), and Miriam, Moses’ sister, was another (Exodus 15:20). Deborah was not only a judge, but also a prophetess (Judges 4:4) and Huldah was the prophetess who gave Josiah’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:36-38

Tags: Jesus Christ, Anna, Prophetesses

Denomination: Baptist

Unsung Heroes: Elijah’s First Servant

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 26, 2024

Introduction: One of the least-known unsung heroes was Elijah’s first servant. He’s only mentioned in a couple of Scripture passages, but he was faithful to Elijah. We need more such men with that spirit even today. First, this servant is not named, and besides that, we don’t know anything about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:41-46

Tags: Elijah, Servants, Unsung Heroes

Denomination: Baptist

[086]. A Message From A Poem – For All Christians - The Three Rs

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 22, 2025

[086]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FOR ALL CHRISTIANS - THE THREE Rs There are 9 poems in this Trilogy series. This poem is part of a Trilogy - three sets of three. The first set is addressed to MEN, the second to ALL CHRISTIANS and the third is SPECIFIC. This is the second one in the second set ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:17-18, Romans 5:10-11, Luke 1:68, Ephesians 1:7

Tags: Righteousness, Poetry, Relationship, Poems, Reconciliation, Redemption  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Open War Is Upon You

Contributed by N A on Jun 21, 2006

QUOTE: (From Waking the Dead by John Eldredge) "In the second film of The Lord of the Rings trilogy - The Two Towers - there is a king who is reluctant to go to war. Theoden...is fearful and timid. An army is marching through his lands, an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: *other

Indeed, If We Consider The Unblushing Promises ...  PRO

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 25, 2001

"Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around about drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is ...read more

Tags: Kingdom Of God, Knowing God's Will, Bible Influence

Denomination: Baptist

David Wilkerson Once Noted In A Message He ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Jun 7, 2001

David Wilkerson once noted in a message he delivered: “I believe there is nothing more dangerous to a Christian than to carry a resentment against God. Yet I am shocked by the growing number of believers I meet who are peeved at the Lord. They may not admit as much-but deep inside, they hold some ...read more

Tags: Emotions, Anger

Denomination: Evangelical Free