In Sermon Illustrations: "The Third Heaven"

A Young Girl Grows Up On A Cherry Orchard Just ...  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 10, 2002

A young girl grows up on a cherry orchard just above Traverse City, Michigan. Her parents, a bit old-fashioned, tend to overreact to her nose ring, the music she listens to, and the length of her skirts. They ground her a few times, and she seethes inside. "I hate you!" she screams at her father ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Tags: Forgiveness, God's Love, God's Forgiveness, Welcome Home, Parable Prodigal Son, New Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Religion Professor Named Dr. Christianson ...  PRO

Contributed by West Garner on May 8, 2006

A Religion Professor named Dr. Christianson taught a required survey of Christianity course at small college. Every freshman was required to take the course regardless of his or her major. Although he tried hard to communicate the gospel, students viewed the class as nothing more than a waste of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-22

Tags: Quicksand, Evangelism How To, Brother, Stand, Shoulder  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Firestorms

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 10, 2011

FIRESTORMS I was at Boy Scout Camp when I discovered the terrible damage a fire storm could do to my life. It was a lazy afternoon very hot and dry. John and I were sent back to camp to start dinner for the guys. When I got back to camp, I discovered that the camp fire looked as if it had gone ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-22, 1 Samuel 11:3-7

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Of A Famous Person Being Filled And ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 8, 2012

Illustration of a famous person being filled and empowered with the Holy Spirit from Evangelist John Rice's book called, How Great Soul Winners Were Filled with the Holy Spirit published in 1949. He wrote this book to show how its the Holy Spirit's power which empowered the great men of faith of ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

That Was Lee Risler’s Problem According To ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 26, 2001

That was Lee Risler’s problem according to the Associated Press1. Mr. Risler, a 53-year-old sandal maker, was driving from his high desert home in Lucerne Valley, California to Hermosa Beach to sell his wares at a craft fair, when the accident occurred. For some reason, Risler’s van veered off ...read more

Tags: Repentance, Creator, Elohim, Evangelism The Lost, Sin Separates From God  (view more)  (view less)

All Bets Are Off!" Matthew 28: 1-7 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2004

“All Bets Are Off!” Matthew 28: 1-7 Key verse(s): 5&6 “The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.’” “When the game begins, all bets ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Work With It!" Romans 12: 1-8: Key Verse(S): 6 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 10, 2004

“Work With It!” Romans 12: 1-8: Key verse(s): 6 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” “All things being equal!” Where that may be the rallying cry of today’s philosophical democratically-driven culture, it wasn’t the impetus for justice in the Brunner household as I was ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8, Mark 1:21-28

Tags: Family, Parenting

Denomination: Lutheran

The Hidden Mud And Leaves!" Ephesians 6:10-17 ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 14, 2004

“The Hidden Mud and Leaves!” Ephesians 6:10-17 Key verse(s): 10: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” We moved to Beech Springs valley some sixteen summers ago now. We had been looking for a place that could afford us peace, quiet and some room for our growing family to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Tags: Battle, Doubt, Enemy, Stand, Strong  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

How Dare You Accuse Me!" 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 8, 2005

“How Dare You Accuse Me!” 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 Key verse(s): 57:“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” How dare you? Indignation. Though I have few hairs left on this bald pate, the few that I have will come to attention pretty quick should my dignity be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:55-58

Tags: Greed, Sin Exposed, Sin General, Submission

Denomination: Lutheran

Kick Me!" Matthew 28:1-10 Key Verse(S): 6:"He Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 24, 2005

“Kick Me!” Matthew 28:1-10 Key verse(s): 6:“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” Getting pulled into a practical joke is not much fun; especially when you walk in so innocently and depart with egg all over your face. I remember that my two brothers and I always had a pretty good time ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Lutheran

Pastor Jim Cymbala, In His Book Fresh Wind, Fresh ...  PRO

Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Sep 10, 2007

Pastor Jim Cymbala, in his book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, tells how God answered fervent prayer on behalf of his daughter. He writes: “Our oldest daughter, Chrissy, had been a model child growing up. But around age sixteen she started to stray,…not only from us but also away from God. In time, she ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

A History Of Thanksgiving ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 22, 2008

A HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING DAY In 1604 King James came to power in England. We hear his name often, as the most trusted version of the English Bible was translated during his reign – the King James Version. He was relatively tolerant of other religious opinions, except those that openly criticized ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday

When Christina And I Were Recently In Florida We ...

Contributed by Chris Surber on Feb 24, 2009

When Christina and I were recently in Florida we visited Disney World for a few days. It was a great time though we did have a few interesting experiences. On the first day at Disney we awoke early to dine with several of the characters. After breakfast with Goofy we headed to Hollywood Studios ...read more

Tags: Persecution

Denomination: Christian Church

100 Names For Jesus In The Bible

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 19, 2016

Advocate (1 John 2:1) Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18) Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13) Amen (Rev. 3:14) Apostle of our Profession (Heb. 3:1) Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2) Author of Life (Acts 3:15) Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2) ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Scripture, Jesus, Salvation, Names Of Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Was One Of Those Weeks

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 19, 2019

At my stage in life, I have experienced a gazillion weeks. I thought about actually counting how many weeks I have lived, but I don’t have that many fingers or toes. It doesn’t matter how many weeks it is. I have lived enough weeks to know, when you think you have experienced everything there is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:23

Tags: Victory, Week Work

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What Did We Know Before Facebook?

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 25, 2020

To paraphrase one of my favorite humorist, Will Rogers, “All I know is what I read on Facebook.” I must admit that I also get information from Facebook. I can keep up with my family and friends, know what they are doing, and know what they are saying. The information there, whether true or not, is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:14

Tags: Gossip, Secrets

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What’s Time Got To Do With It?

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 18, 2020

After so many weeks, I haven't been able to keep track of them, one day seems just like the other day. Today reminds me of yesterday, and yesterday may be the same as tomorrow. I know I am used to being confused, but I have exceeded my limit on this time aspect. The Gracious Mistress of the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

Tags: Humor, Time

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Unsung Heroes—barzillai The Gileadite, Part 2

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 3, 2020

Introduction: the revolt was over, Absalom was dead, and David was ready to go back to Jerusalem. It seems David had come to regard Barzillai the Gileadite with much respect, maybe even admiration. David wanted him to go to Jerusalem but in a classic speech, Barzillai graciously said, “thanks but ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 19:31-40

Tags: David, Barzillai The Gileadite

Denomination: Baptist

Unsung Heroes: The Shepherds Of Bethlehem

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 14, 2020

Introduction: the Christmas story, the birth of Jesus Christ into this world, is one of the most beautiful ever told. Many believers and others are more or less familiar with Mary and Joseph traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and how Jesus was born in an inn and laid in a manger because there ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Tags: Mary, Birth Of Jesus, Shepherds, Unsung Heroes

Denomination: Baptist

What's All These Gadgets For?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 14, 2021

Without any hesitation, I will gladly admit that I am on the short side when it comes to gadgets. For me, most of them do not make any sense at all. Instead, I like things simple and easy. As for the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, she is obsessed with gadgets. She loves them almost as much as ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:7

Tags: Frustration, Wisdom, Humor, Instruction

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance