In Sermon Illustrations: "The Lord Is Close"

John Mentions Three Areas Of Sin Here. I Want To ...

Contributed by Jasper Rains on Oct 18, 2009

John mentions three areas of sin here. I want to take a moment and dig a bit further to see what each of these sins really mean. I wan to try and help you see what John is telling us is of the world and will lead to death. • Lust of the flesh: Putting our desires first. – Sex, pleasures • Lust of ...read more

Tags: Wages Of Sin, Sin Wages Of

Denomination: Baptist

History Of Calvinism

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 23, 2010

HISTORY OF CALVINISM In 1610, just one year after the death of James Arminius (a Dutch Seminary professor) five articles of faith based on his teachings were drawn up by his followers. The Arminians, as his followers came to be called, presented these five doctrines to the State of Holland in the ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:24-25, Ephesians 1:3-5

Tags: Warning, Calvinism

The Christmas Scout

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

THE CHRISTMAS SCOUT In spite of the fun and laughter, 13 yr. old Frank Wilson was not happy. It was true, he had received all the presents he wanted, and he enjoyed the traditional Christmas Eve reunions with relatives for the purpose of exchanging gifts and good wishes but Frank was not happy. ...read more

Tags: Christmas Eve

Denomination: Methodist

All God Has: A Testimony  PRO

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jun 30, 2014

The day I turned 18, I left home. I had saved some money, and despite my parents' strong objections, I packed a few things in my Volkswagen and headed for California. Just outside of Needles, California, a man at a rest stop pulled a gun, took my wallet, and drove off with my car. I had not been in ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-3

Tags: God The Father, Fathers Day, Knowing God

Denomination: Baptist

The Devastating Power Of Criticism

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 25, 2014

"Go where you’re celebrated, not where you’re tolerated." - Author Unknown I know a number of people whose lives have been profoundly affected by the criticism of others. For some, it was being cruelly taunted at school by their peers, for others, a close family member who criticized or ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:15

Tags: Criticism, Judgemental, Evil Tongue

Denomination: Charismatic

Sudden Tragedy

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.” - Arthur Golden, Memoirs of a Geisha In the early hours of a January morning in Texas years ago, a man was jolted awake to a nightmare; his friend was rushing ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Tragedy, Adversity, Fire, Enduring Trials

Denomination: Charismatic

Truly Amazing Grace

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

Timothy Paul Jones in his book, Proof writes about his middle daughter who had been previously adopted by another family. He was sure this couple had the best of intentions, but they never quite integrated the adopted child into their family of biological children. For one reason or another, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:1-8

Tags: Grace, Sin, Chosen, Rebellion, Adoption  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Sold: Ten Percent Of Apple Computer For $800

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 25, 2018

I’d like to begin this morning with a story. It involves these men [photo of Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs]. You probably recognize them: Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. The two men who founded Apple Computer. Right? Well, no, actually that’s not completely accurate. Here is a photo of the original ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-20

Tags: Perseverance In Faith, Treasure In Heaven

Denomination: Baptist

Stoyan's Father By Nik Ripken

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 14, 2019

When Stoyan was twelve, they imprisoned his protestant pastor father. His father remained in custody for ten years. “At first,” he said, “they held him in a secret police place in our city.” “Every morning one of the guards would take some of his own human waste and spread it on the piece of toast ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:13, 1 Peter 1:3

Tags: Persecution, Hope, Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Proud People Vs Broken People

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 20, 2022

Proud people focus on the failures of others. Broken people are overwhelmed with a sense of their own spiritual need. Proud people have a critical, fault-finding spirit; they look at everyone else’s faults with a microscope but their own with a telescope. Broken people are compassionate; they can ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23, Galatians 2:20

Tags: Humility, Revival, Repentance, Pride, Brokenness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Man's Life Provides A Dramatic Answer To The ...  PRO

Contributed by James Dunn on Mar 12, 2002

One man’s life provides a dramatic answer to the question, can God indeed bring positives out of troubled times? This young man’s name is David, and he is an awesome picture of God’s using difficulties for good. For years he viewed trials as something that affected only his external world, and any ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 2:6, 2 Samuel 6:6

Tags: Growth In Christ, Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Baptist

You Shall Be Clean  PRO

Contributed by Charles Scott on Dec 16, 2007

YOU SHALL BE CLEAN 2 KINGS 5__1—14 There was a commander from the land of Aram by the name of Naaman. He was a great warrior, brave and strong against the country’s foes. A great warrior, Naaman. He had oniy one problem, but a huge one—he was a leper. He had contracted that terrible disease. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14

Denomination: Anglican

Getting Away With It Is Half The Fun

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 19, 2020

I must admit I don't get away with very much, and I never have. It's not that I never try. It's just that whenever I try to get away with something, it always backfires. I wish there were a class somewhere entitled, "How You Can Get Away with Anything." I certainly would sign ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 32:23

Tags: Sin, Humor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What’s So Bad About A Knucklehead?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 26, 2023

Dr. James L. Snyder As I got older, the least little thing brought back memories from a lifetime ago. From some of the memories, I must have had an incredible boyhood. Too bad I can't live it again. I might improve those memories. Who knows. For some reason, I remembered the word ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Crazy, Knucklehead

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Making Decisions Is The Hardest Part Of My Life

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 3, 2024

If it were not for decisions, my life would be perfect. After all these years, I still wrestle with decision-making. I admit that I often don’t make good decisions. I'm not sure, so don't repeat this, but I think The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage knows this and uses it to her ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Decisions, Choices

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Six Major Heresies Confronting The Church Today

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 11, 2024

Since that very moment in the Garden of Eden when a single bite shattered the harmony of the world, man has tried to make his own way, be his own master, and set up his own kingdom. It's nothing new. Nevertheless, if we want to be faithful followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-4

Tags: Scripture, Discernment, Truth, Legalism, Word Of God, Last Days, New Age Movement, Hyper Grace, Emerging Church, Doctrine, Heresy, False Teachers, Pastors, Universalism, Prosperity Gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[179]. A Message From A Poem – Lost Three Things - Lost One Coin

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 27, 2025

[179]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LOST THREE THINGS - LOST ONE COIN In this trilogy of poems we are looking at three objects lost – a sheep, a coin and a son. All three were loved and precious and the owners knew stress at the lost. When each was found it resulted in great rejoicing. These three ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 11:8, Genesis 6:6, Luke 15:8-10

Tags: Lost And Found, Rejoicing, Heart Of God, The Heart Of God, Grieved, Christian Poems, Parable, Lost, Lost Coin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Regret For Not Witnessing  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Nov 21, 2001

In Decision magazine, Peggy DesNoyers writes: My job as a psychiatric home-health nurse brought me in touch with many people who were hurt or angry and who were searching for answers to problems in their lives. I knew that Jesus was the answer, but I couldn’t bring myself to talk to them about ...read more

Tags: Great Commission, Sharing My Testimony, Sharing Your Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Was Once A Governor Of Pennsylvania Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 18, 2002

There was once a Governor of Pennsylvania who was known as a hard man when it came to offering pardons to people on death row. He had never granted a stay of execution and had never pardoned anyone. One day, a woman came to his office and was able to persuade the secretary to let her in to see the ...read more

An Old Lady Spent Much Of Her Summer Setting And ...  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 27, 2002

An old lady spent much of her summer setting and swinging in the old swing hanging on her front porch. Her husband had been dead several years and she had withdrawn from all but the closest family. Her lonely time grew and grew?? One spring day, the old lady went out in the garage and dug the old ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1, John 11:1-44

Tags: Disappointment

Denomination: Assembly Of God