In Sermon Illustrations: "Times"

Doctors Are Always Right

Contributed by James Snyder on May 21, 2022

Last year I suffered what is referred to as a heart attack. I got to the hospital in time, so there was no any major damage. I had one artery known as the "Widow Maker" that was 90% blocked, which seemed to be a very serious thing. Who knew I even had a heart, but doctors are always ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Tags: Medical, Doctors

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Unsung Heroines-Rizpah

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 3, 2022

Introduction: Rizpah is only mentioned in a couple of places in the Bible. We don’t know much about her aside from this tremendous act of love she demonstrated in this story. Text: 2 Samuel 21:8-11, KJV: 8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:8-11

Tags: Famine, Gibeonites, Rizpah, Unsung Heroines

Denomination: Baptist

Sir Forgets-A-Lot To The Rescue

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 17, 2022

Contrary to the idea that the older you get, the more you forget, it has never been my experience. I have forgotten things for as long as I can remember. I even forget things that never actually happened. It runs in our family, though it came to me legitimately down through the generations. A nut ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:12

Tags: Blessing, Forgetting

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What Would My Life Be Without A Cookie.

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 21, 2023

This past week was about as crazy as they get. When I think it can't get any crazier, somebody hears me and makes it crazier just for me. One morning I had to go across town to get some office supplies and other things. I try to ensure that when I go, it's for several things, not just ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:16

Tags: Cookie, Refreshing

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Ugly Isn’t For Sissies

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 4, 2023

Over the years of marital bliss, we’ve not had many disagreements. She likes broccoli. I like Apple Fritters. We’ve never been able to come to any agreement with that. But, outside of that, everything has been rather smooth. There’s one controversy that has plagued our house for the last few ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

Tags: Appearance, Mirror

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Cookie Monster Has Returned

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 11, 2023

Sitting in my office working on some projects, I was suddenly surrounded by a familiar aroma. This surprised me because I had no idea what was happening. That aroma was familiar, but I couldn't identify it. I’m like that most of the time. My nose doesn't work quite like The Gracious ...read more

Scripture: James 4:17

Tags: Stealing, Cookies, Sneaking

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I’ll Tell You When I’ve Had Enough

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 15, 2024

It was evening, and the day was just about over. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I were chilling in the living room, watching TV. It is always lovely when the day ends, and you can relax. Doing nothing can become a habit. I’m not sure what we were watching on TV; it really doesn’t ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-8

Tags: Pleasure, Desires, Ice Cream

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

So What If I’m Crazy?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 17, 2024

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and her wonderful husband are celebrating 53 years of marital bliss this year. What an accomplishment! It doesn’t seem possible that we have been married 53 years. After all, we don’t look that old! At least she doesn’t. It’s amazing how time flies; if ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Unity, Relationships, Crazy

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It All Boils Down To One Thing

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 23, 2024

Of all the things I have learned, one has made a difference in my life. I hear stories about how married couples are unhappy. Today, something must be wrong with you if you haven't been divorced and remarried five times. I always figure that the person who has been married five times ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Marriage, Relationships

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Journey Of 1,000 Miles Begins With An Apple Fritter

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 12, 2025

Life has many paths, and I have discovered that traveling any of them takes a lot of energy. Unlike The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, my energy comes from those wonderful Apple Fritters. I can't remember the first time I had one, but I vividly remember the last time. Trying to get ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Agreement, Discussion, Apple Fritters

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

How Much Sleep Is Too Much?

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 19, 2025

I have noticed recently that sleeping has become a very important part of my life. This just snuck up on me overnight. When I was young and living at home, I tried to come up with excuses and reasons for not going to bed at night. My parents had an early bedtime schedule that they enforced rather ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:2

Tags: Sleep, Energy

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Who Has The License To Drive Me Crazy?

Contributed by James Snyder on May 24, 2025

I will confess that I am crazy, but I didn’t get there by myself. Somebody has been driving me crazy. When I use the word “somebody,” I mean a lot of people. I didn’t always know I was crazy until a few years ago The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage looked at me and said, “Are you crazy or ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:9

Tags: License, Crazy

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It’s My Pain I’ll Use It If I Want To

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 1, 2025

When I think I've turned a page to a new chapter in my life, I realize there is nothing new in life. I'm referring to pain. I cannot remember a time in my life when I didn't have some pain. In the years of my naivety, I never imagined that when I got older, I would experience more ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18

Tags: Tylenol, Pain, Doctors

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Walter Cronkite Or God?" Joshua 1:1-9 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 21, 2005

“Walter Cronkite or God?” Joshua 1:1-9 Key verse(s): 5:“No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Why is the world such a fearful place? It seems these days people are afraid of more ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Tags: Promises Of God, God's Omniscience

Denomination: Lutheran

On The Other Hand?" Mark 13:9-13 Key Verse(S) ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Apr 26, 2005

“On The Other Hand?” Mark 13:9-13 Key verse(s) 13:“‘All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.’” Often times what determines whether or not we are standing tall in this life is measured by the depth of our convictions. There was a time not so long ago ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:9-13

Tags: Faith General, Doubt

Denomination: Lutheran

Grace  PRO

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Aug 18, 2004

Grace The boy stood defiantly. “Go ahead, give it to me.” The principal looked at the young rebel and asked, “How many times have you been here?” The child sneered rebelliously, “Apparently not enough.” “And you have been punished each time?” the principal responded. “Yeah, I been ...read more

Tags: Chosen, E, God The Father, Grace, Set Apart  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Building A Deck

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Aug 12, 2008

BUILDING A DECK I have been building a deck in my backyard this summer, right now I am placing the finishing touches on it. Before I built my deck, I looked through different deck plans, and compared the different kinds of deck materials and figured out pretty much what I needed. Then I went to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23

Tags: Ministry, Motivation, Pride

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ideal ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 9, 2008

THE IDEAL PASTOR The ideal pastor is difficult to find. But if your church is fortunate, you may be able to secure his services. Since he is the ideal pastor, it won’t cost very much - he lives by faith. Yet he can be counted upon to tithe heavily and still be able to afford a large house in which ...read more

Tags: Preaching

The Pitcairn Bible

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 25, 2008

The Pitcairn Bible The story of the Mutiny on the Bounty has been told many times and has been made glamourised by the 1962 film starring Trevor Howard and Marlon Brando in the lead roles. But the one part of the story that is not so well known is the transformation on Pitcairn Island of the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14, Matthew 8:5-13

Tags: Born Again

Denomination: Anglican

Several Years Ago I Worked During The Summer As A ...

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Nov 18, 2008

Several years ago I worked during the summer as a chaplain in a large hospital in Dayton. Part of my responsibilities was to be “on call” every other weekend for a 24 hour period. We had to remain at the hospital but be available if and when a need arose for a chaplain. Many times the need was ...read more

Tags: Blood Of Christ

Denomination: Church Of God