In Sermon Illustrations: "The Lord Is Close"

A Lesson From A Pair Of Mildewed Shoes

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 22, 2020

A number of years ago I received a three-year assignment to Okinawa, Japan, as part of my Air Force experience. Hardly anybody I knew had much knowledge of that part of the world, so we really had no idea what to expect. We were in for a number of surprises! We lived in a motel, basically, for a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33-34

Tags: Shoes, Life's Problems

Denomination: Baptist

I Am Not But I Shall Be

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 22, 2021

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2) The one thing about getting older is that you get to look back on more things each year and have more to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:2

Tags: Forgiveness, Change, Transformation, Failure

Denomination: Baptist

Please Come Back Home.

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 14, 2021

PLEASE COME BACK HOME... Max Lucado, in his book, No Wonder They Call Him Savior, tells the story of Maria and her daughter, Christina that touches the heart and shows the mercy of God. Longing to leave her poor Brazilian neighborhood, Christina wanted to see the world. Discontent with a home ...read more

Tags: Repentance, Prodigal Son, Going Home, Prodigals, Wayward Children, Evangelism, Parenting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Price Has Been Paid For You

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Aug 28, 2024

The story is told of a young man who left the old country and sailed to America to make a new life in the new world. Before he left, his father pressed some money in his hand. It wasn't much, but it was all he had. He hoped it would tide the boy over until he found a job. His mother handed him ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:13-14

Tags: Good News, Barriers, Intimacy With God, Missing Out

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"a Candle In The Window: Embracing Hope This Advent"

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Dec 22, 2024

As the evening wore on and the fire crackled gently in the hearth, Old Thomas gathered his family close, the soft glow of the candle illuminating their faces. It was a time for connection, reflection, and the cherished rituals of Advent that had been passed down through generations. “Now, let’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Tags: Love, Hope

Denomination: Methodist

Global Gift Dilemma

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 4, 2025

Global Gift Dilemma Simple Gifts, Joyful Hearts I enjoy Christmas not just because it commemorates Christ’s birth and allows us to share that meaningfully with others. I appreciate the spirit of giving, but as my wife and I grow older, we’ve become more careful about our spending. We now keep ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22, Matthew 1:21, John 1:1-14, Isaiah 9:6, Micah 5:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ideas, Gifts, Frugal, Lists, Christmas, Wisdom  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Welsh Revival Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 2, 2009

Welsh Revival of 1904-1905 Modern world history also records times of revival due to the hearing of God’s Word undergirded with prayer. The little nation Wales once become known as “The Land of Revival.” It has its own unique spiritual heroes such as Saint David of the Celtic Church – William ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:4-7

Tags: Revival

Lessons From A Gps  PRO

Contributed by Coz Von on Jul 13, 2016

A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov 16:9, 3:6. I’m sure you’ve driven a car with a Global Positioning System (GPS). A number of years ago I settled into the passenger’s seat of a fully equipped ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:9

Tags: Gps, Eternally Lost, Divine Direction, Heart For The Lost, Parable Lost Son  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Numbers Of The Bible  PRO

Contributed by Stephen Schwartz on Dec 17, 2001

Numbers of the Bible” One The number one is for God. We must begin with number one or we cannot have number two or any other number. Mathematically speaking we cannot get anywhere without the number one. We must begin with God. Two The number two is for man. Man as an individual. God made ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21, Matthew 17:1-9

Tags: Future, God's Omniscience, Kingdom, Tomorrow

Denomination: Methodist

Last Week I Read In The Advice Column In The ...  PRO

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Jun 6, 2002

Last week I read in the advice column in the paper about a couple who was celebrating 50 years of marriage. The husband wrote that someone commented, ¡§Ken, 50 years is a long time.¡¨ He immediately responded: ¡§Not nearly as long as it would have been without her.¡¨ I couldn¡¦t get the man¡¦s ...read more

Tags: Unity

Denomination: Baptist

Indescribable Christ  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2002

INDESCRIBABLE CHRIST Dr. S.M. Lockridge was the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, San Diego CA from 1953 - 1993. He entered heaven in 2000. He is well-known for a passage out of his sermon titled “He’s My King”: “He’s enduringly strong, He’s entirely sincere, He’s eternally steadfast. He’s ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:1

Tags: Miracles Of Jesus, Peace, Jesus Christ, Trinity

I Served A Church That Had A Wonderful Young ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 8, 2004

I served a Church that had a wonderful young married couple. He was 30, she was 26 and they had two beautiful children. The oldest would come up and set with me while I was preaching. The husband worked for the State and had a good job that he enjoyed. She worked for a large nationwide company ...read more

Scripture: John 10:14

Sin Separates. Sin Divides. Sin Brings Death To ...  PRO

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Sep 23, 2004

Sin separates. Sin divides. Sin brings death to relationships and destroys fellowship. God unites. God brings oneness and unity. On the day of Pentecost, God reversed the Babel process, and with one language from heaven, He demonstrated that all in Him will be sharers of one divine ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:11

Tags: Gifts Tongues

Denomination: Orthodox

Earth In The Bargain!" Revelations 22: 20-21 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 26, 2005

“Earth in the Bargain!” Revelations 22: 20-21 Key verse(s): 21:“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” The surest way to become hopeless is to simply open your eyes in the morning and look around you. Everything seems to be falling apart. Huge deficits, world terrorism, train, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:20-21, Revelation 22:20-21

Tags: Second Coming, Knowing Christ

Denomination: Lutheran

Filled To The Brim! (07.05.05--Joy Every ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 3, 2005

Filled To The Brim! (07.05.05--Joy Every Day--Ecclesiastes 5:1-9) When I was younger I remember being moved on more than one occasion, either by laziness or a predisposition to want to do something more “rewarding” on a Sunday morning, to prompt my dad with this question: “Why do we have to go to ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1-9

Tags: Worship Benefits, Worship Purpose

Denomination: Lutheran

The New Guideposts Christmas Treasury (3) Tells ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

The New Guideposts Christmas Treasury (3) tells a story of a little girl was wasn’t easy to love. Her name was Phyllis, and her Sunday School Teacher tells this story about her: "Phyllis wasn’t an easy child to love...sometimes I did wish she wasn’t in the particular Sunday School class that I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Tags: Christmas, Children

Third, Are We Willing To Tell Others About Jesus ...

Contributed by Don Jones on Mar 29, 2008

Third, are we willing to tell others about Jesus no matter what the cost? A recent statistic said 3 out of 4 people had not heard the gospel. Are you committed enough to tell others about what Jesus has done for you? If not, why? Is it shame or are you focused on other things in life. Jesus ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Ministering To ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Ministering to Christ In The Midst of Disaster “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom… For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited Me in, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:34-40

Tags: Unconditional Love

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Heaven, A Real Place

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Heaven, A Real Place Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Heaven

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joy

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Joy In Galatians 5: 22 we read that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is joy. The Greek word means an inner gladness, a deep pleasure which comes from an inner assurance and confidence that God does all things for His good purposes. This joy is not the same as the joy found in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22, Matthew 2:1-23

Tags: Fruit Of The Spirit

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational