In Sermon Illustrations: "Today"

Back In The 1880's Nietzsche Declared That "God ...  PRO

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 23, 2000

Back in the 1880’s Nietzsche declared that "God is dead," and before the turn of the Twentieth Century, Shaw and Wells chimed in saying the 20th Century would mark the end of the world’s "religious phase." Yet, today a church now meets in Russia’s Museum of Religion and Atheism-the former center ...read more

Tags: What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Baptist

During His Years As Premier Of The Soviet Union, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 7, 2001

During his years as premier of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev denounced many of the policies and atrocities of Joseph Stalin. Once, as he censured Stalin in a public meeting, Khrushchev was interrupted by a shout from a heckler in the audience. "You were one of Stalin’s colleagues. Why didn’t ...read more

What Is Servanthood? It’s A Question We ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 30, 2001

What is servanthood? It’s a question we have to answer because today the concept has largely been abandoned by our culture. In his book, The Jesus Style, Gayle D. Erwin described servanthood this way: "A servant’s job is to do all he can to make life better for others - to free them to be ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45, Mark 10:34-45, Colossians 1:24-25

Tags: Help, Volunteer, Volunteerism, Service, Servanthood, Servant  (view more)  (view less)

Can It Be That The Average Person Spends ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on May 3, 2001

Can it be that the average person spends one-fifth of his or her life talking? That’s what the statistics say. If all of our words were put into print, the result would be this: a single day’s words would fill a 50-page book, while in a year’s time the average person’s words would fill 132 books of ...read more

Tags: Communication General, Disciplines Meditation

Denomination: Baptist

Eleven Years Ago, Walter Levine Was Diagnosed ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Haines on Jan 19, 2002

Eleven years ago, Walter Levine was diagnosed with multiple myeloma – a type of bone cancer. Today he dedicates his life to helping others beat the disease. He says, “Ninety-nine percent of everything you do in life is attitude. If you have a relationship with God and you have the right ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Servanthood, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Group Of Academics And Historians Has Compiled ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 19, 2002

A group of academics and historians has compiled this startling information: Since 3600 BC, the world has known only 292 years of peace! LESS THAN 1% (.08) OF THIS TIME WAS IN PEACE. During this period there have been 14,351 wars large and small, in which 3.64 billion people have been killed. The ...read more

Tags: Second Coming

Worship  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 1, 2002

Worship Isaac Watts wrote fifty-two books, twenty-nine of them on theology. But he is best remembered for his hymns. He wrote more than seven hundred, and even today the average modern hymnal will have twenty or more of his songs--276 years after they were written. When he died he was reciting one ...read more

Tags: Church Practices, Worship General

There Was A Tool Company That Manufactured Drill ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 10, 2002

There was a tool company that manufactured drill bits. Faced with financial losses, company executives gathered to discuss the problem of declining demand for drill bits. The CEO challenged his people: "How can we revive the bit market?" After an embarrassing long silence, one member of the team ...read more

If The Apostle Paul Were Asked What He Would Do ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jan 1, 2002

If the apostle Paul were asked what he would do with all of the present problems of fear, unemployment, and hardship in America today he would no doubt say, "You are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. Do not be overcome (by over-reacting, over-emphasizing, over-spiritualizing, ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Diety Demonstrated  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 3, 2002

DIETY DEMONSTRATED "The Easter event, so they affirm, demonstrated Jesus’ deity; validated his teaching; attested the completion of his work of atonement for sin; confirms his present cosmic dominion and his coming reappearance as Judge; assures us that his personal pardon, presence, and power ...read more

Imagine If The State Of Oklahoma Had To Save ...  PRO

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on May 20, 2002

Imagine if the State of Oklahoma had to save money by having only one major state university. So OU and OSU were merged together as one school on one campus. Compromise by calling them the OKLAHOMA COWBOYS and make their sports teams dress in orange tops and red bottoms. Do you think there ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:7

Tags: Racism, Unity, Compassion

Subtlety Of Pride  PRO

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jul 14, 2002

SUBTLETY OF PRIDE Paul W. Powell once observed: “Pride is so subtle that if we aren’t careful we’ll be proud of our humility. When this happens our goodness becomes badness. Our virtues become vices. We can easily become like the Sunday School teacher who, having told the story of the Pharisee and ...read more

Tags: Humility, Temptation Pride

Denomination: Baptist

In His Book The Walking Drum, Author Louis ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 8, 2002

In his book The Walking Drum, author Louis L'Amour makes this assertion: Up to a point a man¡¦s life is shaped by environment, heredity, and movements and changes in the world about him. Then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he ...read more

When Former President Gerald Ford Visited ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2002

When former President Gerald Ford visited Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma several years ago, he had breakfast with some student leaders. As one of the students stepped out of an elevator, her heel caught on the carpet and she crashed into Ford. She repeatedly apologized as he ...read more

Reagan's Prayer  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 5, 2003

REAGAN’S PRAYER "If I had a prayer for you today, among those that have all been uttered, it is that one we’re so familiar with: ’The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.’ Thank ...read more

Tags: War, Leadership General

A Few Things Said About Lazy People

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 8, 2003

Here are a few things said about lazy people: “He always does an honest day’s work—of course, it usually takes him a week to do it.” “He’s so lazy they named a shoe after him—the loafer.” “He’s so lazy, if he woke up with nothing to do today, he’d go to bed with it only half done.” ...read more

Tags: Workplace, Workplace Integrity

Denomination: Charismatic

Video Illustration: The End Of The Movie The ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 23, 2003

Video Illustration: The end of the movie The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. It’s were the three have a show down in the cemetery court yard. This scene paints a picture for us today on how we are to deal with the Bad and the Ugly of the church. The truth is we are in a duel with both. But the Good ...read more

Tags: Church General, Church Discipline

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Is Said That When The Famous Missionary, Dr. ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jan 6, 2004

It is said that when the famous missionary, Dr. David Livingstone, started his trek across Africa he had 73 books in 3 packs, weighing 180 pounds. After the party had gone 300 miles, Livingstone was obliged to throw away some of the books because of the fatigue of those carrying his baggage. As he ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Undertakers

Contributed by Herman Abrahams on Jan 8, 2004

Undertakers Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court for 30 years. His mind, wit and work earned him the unofficial title of "the greatest justice since John Marshall." At one point in his life, Justice Holmes explained his choice of a career by saying: "I might have ...read more

Tags: Joy

Denomination: Charismatic

I Think One Of Our Big Problems Is That Many Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Jul 19, 2004

I think one of our big problems is that many of us are just “going through the motions” when it comes to living out our commitment. It’s not demonstrated in our lifestyles.. Before the DC Talk song, “What if I stumble”the lyrics say something very profound: “The greatest single cause of atheism in ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Discipleship

Denomination: Christian Church