In Sermon Illustrations: "The Lord Is Close"

Testing The Genuine

Contributed by Joel Sumagaysay on Mar 19, 2013

TESTING THE GENUINE All sorts of things are tested to prove that they are genuine. When you go to a bank and give a $20 bill to the cashier, she holds it to a special light. Why would she do that? Because she is testing it to make sure it is genuine. During the time when the Philippines was not ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19

Tags: Faith, Truth, Testing, Miscellaneous

Denomination: Baptist

Grandpa Croaked!  PRO

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 1, 2014

GRANDPA CROAKED! A little girl crawled up in the lap of her Grandpa and cuddled close. Then she looked into Grandpa’s face with those big blue eyes of hers and said, "Grandpa, can you please make a sound like a frog?" Grandpa thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Ribbit. Ribbit." ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27

Tags: Death, Children, Heaven, Misunderstandings

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Freedom

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 11, 2020

Freedom: “You feel you were hedged in you dream of escape; but beware of mirages. Do not run or fly away in order to get free: rather dig in the narrow place which has been given you; you will find God there and everything. God does not float on your horizon, he sleeps in your substance. Vanity ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:39

Tags: Freedom, Future, Self

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Maturity

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 27, 2020

Automatic behaviour is the hallmark of immature people bent on survival, they accept few challenges and experience little growth. Immature people react with a small part of themselves to a small part of the world. They limit themselves by paying attention only to what is close-up, by focusing on ...read more

Scripture: John 12:24

Tags: Maturity, Immaturity

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Rationalizing (Justifying)

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 1, 2022

Morris Siegel, the owner of a small Kosher New York deli, was being questioned by an IRS agent about his tax return. He had reported a net profit of $60,000 for the year. Why dont you people leave me alone? the deli owner said. I work like a dog, everyone in my family helps out, the place is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Tags: Honesty, Shrewd, Deceit, Cover Up, Rationalizing, Quick On Feet  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Great Quotes On Thanksgiving

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 21, 2019

GREAT CHRISTIAN QUOTES ON THANKSGIVING 1. God says to give thanks in everything. That doesn’t mean you need to give thanks FOR everything. You don’t need to give thanks FOR that bad day. Or FOR that bad relationship. Or being passed over at work. Financial hardship. Whatever it is – you are not ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving, Gratitude, Great Quotes

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unsung Heroines-Huldah, The Prophetess

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 10, 2022

Introduction: When King Josiah of Judah heard the Word of God from Shaphan, he immediately tore his clothes and asked a group of men to “inquire of the LORD”. These men found Huldah, a prophetess, and God gave His message to them through her. Text: 2 Kings 22:14-20. KJV: 14 So Hilkiah the priest, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 22:14-20

Tags: Judgment, Josiah, Huldah, Unsung Heroines

Denomination: Baptist

A Prayer For Deliverance  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 26, 2005

A Prayer for Deliverance 1. Personally affirm your faith in Christ: “Lord Jesus Christ, I believe You are the Son of God and the only way to God – that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again so that I might be forgiven and receive eternal life.” 2. Humble yourself: “I renounce all ...read more

Then God Will Give You Salvation By Jesus Here ...

Contributed by Richard Francis on May 10, 2008

Then God will give you salvation by Jesus here are four easy steps: 1. God Loves You! The Bible says, "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" The problem is that . . . 2. All of us have done, said or thought ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grasping ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Grasping Forms of Worship Corporate Worship Takes Many Forms Psalm 122:1, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’" The Holy Spirit moved the writer of Hebrews 10:25 to write, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 122:1

Tags: Worship Purpose

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Fathers: Succeed With Humility  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

"Christian Fathers: Succeed With Humility" The Bible gives four Christian character traits that can build a lasting legacy for the Lord. The fourth is to succeed with humility. Colossians 3:21 says, "...as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:21

Tags: Father's Day

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The True Christmas Gift

Contributed by David Rogers on Dec 15, 2008

The True Christmas Gift Twas the night before the birth, when all the world did not know what was about to happen Not a creature was stirring, and all men were napping The rabbis were safe and secure in their knowledge Old Herod, the king, the Lord he refused to acknowledge King Herod was ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Baptist

Persecution In Uganda, Story Of Kefa ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 2, 2009

Persecution in Uganda, Story of Kefa Sempangi Kefa Sempangi (whose story is told in the book A Distant Grief, Regal Books) was a national pastor in Africa and barely escaped with his family from brutal oppression and terror in his home country of Uganda. They made their way to Philadelphia, where ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16-24

Tags: Persecution

Parachute Illustration

Contributed by David Goering on Nov 2, 2019

SCRIPTURE: James 2:19 "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." ILLUSTRATION: Two men are on a plane, an announcement comes over the loud speakers and says "This plane is going to crash, please put on the parachute that is under ...read more

Scripture: James 2:19

Tags: Faith, Salvation, Repentance

I Have Never Met A Soul Who Has Set Out To ...  PRO

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 17, 2002

I have never met a soul who has set out to satisfy the Lord and has not been ...read more

Tags: Fulfillment, Growth In Christ, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Mennonite

Oh, This Is A Reality, Not A Fable, That The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 8, 2006

"Oh, this is a reality, not a fable, that the Lord Jesus Christ is our friend. And we should not be satisfied till we ...read more

Tags: God Brings Purpose

Those Who Are Serious About Living A Pure And ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

Those who are serious about living a pure and effective life before the Lord will find more strength ...read more

Tags: Family

St. Augustine, A Bishop In The Early Church ...

Contributed by Herman Abrahams on Aug 14, 2007

St. Augustine, a bishop in the early church said, "Our hearts are restless o’ Lord, ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

All Things Bright And Beautiful, All Creatures ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and ...read more

Tags: Creation

Its Always A Privilege To Sit Down And Explain ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Its always a privilege to sit down and explain how forgiveness, cleansing, and power can be individually ours ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To