In Sermon Illustrations: "The Lord Is Close"

Here's The Bad News

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Feb 23, 2007

Here’s the bad news It’s the fact that none of us can ever be worthy; it’s the truth that no one can ever earn or merit God’s grace or favor that is the bad news of the gospel. It has been a universal disease of humanity that we want to be worthy. When we have toiled through the heat of the day and ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

There Was Once A Missionary On Furlough With Her ...

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 16, 2008

There was once a missionary on furlough with her husband and family after an unusually tiring stint of service. She had been looking forward to this time with great anticipation. For the first time she was going to have a place of her own, a new, large townhouse-styled apartment with a patio. She ...read more

Denomination: Other

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

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 31, 2008

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 houses ...read more

Tags: Lordship Of Christ

Christian Code Of Conduct  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 3, 2008

CHRISTIAN CODE OF CONDUCT We should all commit ourselves to a code of conduct that glorifies the Lord no matter where we are at in life. Why? Because it will benefit those around us and make God look good. Here are few dimensions to the Christian Code of Conduct: (This code was adapted from a ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Favorite Story About The Holy Spirit Is The ...

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 12, 2008

My favorite story about the Holy Spirit is the story C.S. Lewis told about a college student who wrote to him. The young man was an atheist. And he was very concerned, because he had made friends with some Christian students. They were enthusiastically witnessing to him about Jesus, and it had ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit General

Denomination: Baptist

Rejoicing In Pain  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 3, 2011

REJOICING IN PAIN Richard Stearns, the president of World Vision, visited a church in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, nearly a year after the devastating earthquake. The church's building consisted of a tent made from white tarps and duct tape, pitched in the midst of a sprawling camp for thousands of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Tags: Gratitude

This Is Going To Be A Wonderful Day

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 18, 2016

Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. I love the story of the lady that was in a terrible battle with cancer. She made a choice: THIS IS GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL DAY. She decided she was going to MAKE THE CHOICE TO BE THANKFUL and LOVE LIFE ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:24

Tags: Positive Attitude, A Good Day, Thankfulness

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Biblical Principles Of Work

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 15, 2019

1) Work is ordained by God. It was His creative invention from the beginning. By working, we resemble God. Like God, you have the ability to work, make plans, implement them, and be creative. Additionally, God gave us the task of ruling over and taking care of His creation (Genesis ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:28

Tags: Work, Business

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Call God A Liar With Joy

Contributed by John Allen on Mar 11, 2024

There is a sin committed by many Bible-believing Christians, a sin that borders on the curse of Revelation 22:19, taking away from the words of the Bible. More specifically, it is a common sin of the enemy: Redefining the words of Scripture. What word? Joy. A well-meaning Christian says, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, Matthew 13:44

Tags: Happiness, Joy

[006]. A Message From A Poem - A New Creation - From Death Unto Life

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 29, 2024

[006]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - A NEW CREATION - FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE This is an unusual poem that may not appeal to everyone, but it is based on emotions experienced by many who don’t know Jesus in their lives. The first, third and fifth stanzas are the viewpoint of one suffering in his/her ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:20, Ecclesiastes 12:8, Ecclesiastes 12:13

Tags: Solution, No Hope, No Satisfaction, Salvation, Miserable  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Last Week, Bernie Came To The Church Door. He ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Oct 9, 2002

Last week, Bernie came to the church door. He showed up about five minutes before I was getting ready to leave for an appointment, and my first response to his arrival was, oh, no, not now. Bernie had been drinking – I could smell it on his breath. He was sweating profusely and was a little bit ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13-20

Tags: Fellowship

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unsung Heroes: The Four Great Men Of Samaria

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 11, 2022

Introduction: There was war between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, where Israelites on each side fought, died, were captured and who knows what else. In this battle, the northern kingdom of Israel had won a great victory and were headed back home, loaded with the spoils of war. But that joy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 28:12-15

Tags: Ahaz, Pekah, Unsung Heroes, Oded, Captives  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[198]. A Message From A Poem – O Forest, How You Weep In Pain

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 13, 2025

[198]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – O FOREST, HOW YOU WEEP IN PAIN This is a serious poem and I like it very much. Like most of my poems it comes out of some personal experience. If this was a musical composition it would be in a minor key. The summary is, “O forest, how you weep in pain, but ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-23, Amos 4:7-8

Tags: Signs Of The Times, Christian Poems, Rainforest, Tropical Rainforest, Forest, Barren, Dryness, Drought, Weeping, Barrenness, Pain, World, Sin, Persecution  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[200]. A Message From A Poem – On The Emmaus Road – Easter Poem

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 13, 2025

[200]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – ON THE EMMAUS ROAD – EASTER POEM The greatest bible study in history happened on the road leading to Emmaus. The reason why the disciples, who were still in shock, did not understand the events that were unfolding rapidly before them, was that they did not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:35, Luke 24:30-31, Luke 24:32, 2 Timothy 3:16, Luke 24:13-35, Luke 24:27  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Scripture, Easter, Bible Study, Cleopas, The Emmaus Road, Breaking Of Bread, Burning Hearts, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In My Home Town There Was A Company That ...  PRO

Contributed by Daniel Birchfield on Dec 4, 2001

In my home town there was a company that purchased some land and began to build what was to become a large grocery store. The foundation was laid, the frame of the building was erected, then, for some unknown reason, all work stopped. For years the unfinished building stood as a sort of ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ

Denomination: Baptist

One Day A Lady Criticized D. L. Moody For His ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Mar 15, 2002

One day a lady criticized D. L. Moody for his methods of evangelism in attempting to win people to the Lord. Moody’s reply was "I agree with you. I don’t like the way I do it either. Tell me, how do you do it?" The lady replied, "I don’t do it." Moody retorted, "Then I like my way of doing it ...read more

Tags: Great Commission, Evangelism How To

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Swindoll's Observation: Moses  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Apr 4, 2002

Swindoll’s observation, MOSES p. 107) I believe there are many who have not responded to God’s call on their lives--many who may miss opportunities to flame brightly for Him, like a radiant city shining on a hilltop. I speak to so many who are waiting for some kind of curious sign in the heavens, ...read more

Tags: Moses, Faith, Discipleship

Denomination: Methodist

Eighteen Reasons To Praise God  PRO

Contributed by Michael Gibney on May 19, 2002

EIGHTEEN REASONS TO PRAISE GOD- 1. HE GAVE US A PRIVILEGE TO PRAY 2. HIS DEEDS AMONG MEN 3. HIS WONDROUS AND MARVELOUS WORKS 4. HIS HOLY NAME 5. HIS STRENGTH 6. HIS WONDERS 7. HIS JUDGMENTS IN THE EARTH 8. HE IS THE LORD OUR GOD 9. HIS CREATION 10. HIS SALVATION 11. HIS GLORY 12. HIS ...read more

Tags: Worship Purpose

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Was A Great Theologian Who Came To The Usa ...  PRO

Contributed by Ed Wood on Jun 6, 2002

There was a great theologian who came to the USA from England and was being interviewed by a group of seminary students. The question was asked, “What is the most profound thought that ever occupied your mind.” The answer was, “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” You may go ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17

Tags: Amazing Love, Ultimate Gift, Unconditional Love, Love For God

Denomination: Baptist

Kurt Warner's Testimony: "Before Accepting Jesus ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 6, 2002

Kurt Warner’s testimony: “Before accepting Jesus as my Lord I lived my life for only me. I never asked God what he wanted for my life. I was living only for what I wanted. When I was 25 years old I realized I was nothing without Jesus and that I was separated from Him because of sin. I asked Jesus ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational