In Sermon Illustrations: "Too Literal"

Following In The Steps Of Christ

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 6, 2009

FOLLOWING IN THE STEPS OF CHRIST "Believers will never suffer for others' salvation, including their own. But they will suffer for Christ's sake, and His example is their standard for a God-honoring response. The word translated 'example' is hupogrammon, which literally means 'writing under' and ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Orthodox

No Picture Exists  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 3, 2011

NO PICTURE EXISTS On a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is a portrait of a man with this inscription underneath. "James Butler Bonham--no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-8

Tags: Jesus Christ

Pouring Out Like Sweat  PRO

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 8, 2011

POURING OUT LIKE SWEAT Several years ago, Gatorade had an ad with Michael Jordan where he was covered in orange drops of sweat. The image says clearly that Michael Jordan is so full of Gatorade that it is literally pouring out of him like sweat. That’s an appropriate image of the Holy Spirit in ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-24

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers

Denomination: Methodist

Baptism Long Ago

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Apr 23, 2012

BAPTISM LONG AGO Centuries ago the circumstances of one's baptism would come on Easter eve at midnight. In the semidarkness, he or she would disrobe and descend into the waters to be immersed three times, in the name of the Father, then the Son, and finally the Holy Spirit. The newly baptized ...read more

Tags: Baptism

This Sunday School Teacher Was Not One Of The ...

Contributed by Don Jones on Jan 7, 2007

This Sunday school teacher was not one of the ordinary type. Mere literal instruction on Sunday did not satisfy his ideal of the teacher’s duty. He knew his boys, and, if he knew them, it was because be studied them, because he became acquainted with their occupations and aims, visiting them during ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Denomination: Baptist

I Have A Friend Who Started This Church In The ...

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Jul 1, 2009

I have a friend who started this church in the lower 48 that was so successful that they had a difficult time finding a place to meet for Sunday services. They had so many people showing up on Sunday they were literally standing in the parking lot waiting for a seat in the next service. The church ...read more

Tags: Prayer Answered, Prayer General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Need Models

Contributed by Greg Nance on Dec 15, 2011

WE NEED MODELS Peter tells us not only that Jesus Christ is the model but what are the tools and pieces to put together so that this model is complete and working for God's glory and our security in our lives. I remember getting a model car for a birthday present when I was about 12. It was a ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Think Of Eric Liddell. The Movie Chariots Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

I think of Eric Liddell. The movie Chariots of Fire depicts how his sister Jenny tried to persuade Eric to give up his running, and go to China with her to be a missionary. He said, "No, God has made me fast and called me to run." It would have been wrong at that point to be a missionary. Of ...read more

Tags: Discipleship, Commandments Sabbath, Workplace

Denomination: Baptist

After A Forest Fire In Yellowstone National Park, ...  PRO

Contributed by James Botts on Sep 10, 2002

After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Startled by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 17:8, Isaiah 53:1, Psalm 91:4

Tags: God's Provision, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Baptist

A Group Of Bible Scholars Have Unanimously ...  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on May 26, 2003

A group of Bible scholars have unanimously agreed that Jesus had a human father, but they are uncertain who it was. Thus, according to these scholars, Jesus was not born of a virgin, was not conceived by the Holy Spirit, was and is not literally the Son of God, but is in the same category with ...read more

Tags: Apologetics Jesus

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

March Of 1981, President Reagan Was Shot By John ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Apr 6, 2005

March of 1981, President Reagan was shot by John Hinckley, Jr. , and was hospitalized for several weeks. Although Reagan was the nation’s chief executive, his hospitalization had little impact on the nation’s activity. Government continued. On the other hand, suppose the garbage collectors in this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-44, Acts 20:7-12

Tags: Gifts General

Denomination: Baptist

I Remember When I Was A Young Marine Going ...

Contributed by Chris Surber on Apr 14, 2007

I remember when I was a young Marine going through basic training in San Diego, California. One of the most challenging parts of the training was a several mile hike wearing full equipment with a rifle and a rucksack (backpack) in excess of 26 pounds, which culminated in climbing to the top of a ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

The King James Version Translates This Verse ...

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Jul 24, 2007

The King James version translates this verse saying, “Our righteousness is as flighty rags.” The word translated there as “filthy rags” literally means, “menstrual cloth.” Forgive my bluntness but God says the best thing you have ever done, apart from Him, stinks like that. When we do things, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When We Give Good Gifts, We Think Of Christmas. ...

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Oct 8, 2007

When we give good gifts, we think of Christmas. There is a lady that my Dad knows who literally spends well over $500 on her child (that is one child) for Christmas. She doesn’t make a lot of money. She is an hourly employee in a service industry job. Translation: She makes at best a little of ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

I Have Often Heard Commercials From Banks And ...

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 10, 2007

I have often heard commercials from banks and mortgage companies that have literally made me angry: “you can have that vacation you’ve always dreamed of, that living room suite you’ve always wanted, that new garage you’ve meant to have. We’ll lend you the money you need." Yeah, for a fee. "Don’t ...read more

Denomination: Other

Consistent Life

Contributed by George Mansfield on Jan 1, 2008

CONSISTENT LIFE I recently heard of four scholars who were arguing over Bible translations. One said he preferred the King James Version because of its beautiful, eloquent old English. Another said he preferred the American Standard Bible for its literalism, the way it moves the reader from ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

His Son Gave His Life On 911

Contributed by Steve Ely on Sep 22, 2010

Lee Lelpi is a retired firefighter, a New York City firefighter. He gave 26 years to the city. But on September 11th, 2001 he gave much more. He gave his son, Jonathan. His son was a firefighter as well. When the Twin Towers fell, Jonathan was there. Firefighters are a loyal clan. When one ...read more

Tags: Love For God

Denomination: Pentecostal

Poll On Salvation

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 1, 2010

POLL ON SALVATION 56% say a good person can earn their way into Heaven. 44% say if a person does not consciously accept Christ as savior, they will be condemned to Hell. 44% say all people experience the same outcome after they die, regardless of their religious beliefs. 34% say there are some ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: *other

Is The Bible Relevant?

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 19, 2013

IS THE BIBLE RELEVANT? "As far as reliability is concerned, it's only fair to note that the Bible contains the best documented text of any volume in human history. Perhaps the most amazing support comes from the Dead Sea scrolls which were discovered in 1947 after lying in the Qumran caves for ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In 1949, Following The Defeat Of Nazi Germany In ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Black on Jan 30, 2003

In 1949, following the defeat of Nazi Germany in WW II and the re-organization of Europe, the nation of Germany was divided into East & West. In the East a communist government was set up under the influence of the Soviet Union. In the West a free, democratic government was set up and benefitted ...read more

Tags: Political Freedom

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ