In Sermon Illustrations: "Trials And Difficulties"

Jars Of Clay

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 23, 2008

JARS OF CLAY In his book "Disappointment with God," Philip Yancey offers a powerful metaphor for the church: I have a bright, talented, and very funny friend in Seattle named Carolyn Martin. But Carolyn has cerebral palsy, and it is the peculiar tragedy of her condition that its outward ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Speaking In Tongues Has Continued On Through The ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 9, 2008

Speaking in tongues has continued on through the history of the church and reveals why it is not to be forbid even today: Early Church history reveals this gift as legitimate and being practiced (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossolalia#Church_History_.28A.D._100_to_500.29) 1. For the ...read more

Tags: Gifts Tongues

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Was Blind, But Now I Can See  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2009

I WAS BLIND, BUT NOW I CAN SEE There were two boys who grew up together. They were close friends as children, but as they entered their teen years their paths began to diverge, and they ended up in very different places. Ernie was always in trouble. He began by shoplifting small things from stores ...read more

Scripture: John 9:25

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers

Married But Not Engaged

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 6, 2010

MARRIED BUT NOT ENGAGED Years ago, Julie and I began to have difficulty in our marriage. I was spending all my time pastoring a small Church, and our relationship was being neglected. It suffered to the point where I needed to take time out of ministry, and we needed to do some repair work. That ...read more

Tags: Divorce

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Peter Pan

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Mar 2, 2019

Peter Pan and The Hope Of Heaven… St. John’s is the oldest of all the cities in North America. Embedded in this 400-year-old city are many stories. Bowering Park is one of the oldest parks in St. John’s. It was established by a grant of land from the Bowering family in 1911 on the 100th ...read more

Tags: Heaven, Grief

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When We Raise Our Hands, God Will Intervene

Contributed by Saumiman Saud on Feb 18, 2025

WHEN WE RAISE OUR HANDS, GOD WILL INTERVENE Heavenly Father, I have just realized how Almighty You are, even though I have known this for a long time. Forgive me, Father, for often facing various problems relying only on myself. It turns out that I am limited and have no strength of my own. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:11

Tags: God, Raised Hands

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Saint Arnold Janssen And His Mission Relevance Today

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Feb 1, 2024

Saint Arnold Janssen and His Mission Relevance Today (The Feast Day is on 15th January) Scripture: Mark 1:14-20 The 19th century saw the birth of a visionary priest Saint Arnold Janssen, who devoted his life to evangelization and the promotion of the Christian faith. The following words will ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Tags: Saint Arnold Janssen, The Society Of The Divine Word

Denomination: Other

Mr. Horatio G. Spafford Was A Successful Lawyer ...  PRO

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Mar 8, 2002

Mr. Horatio G. Spafford was a successful lawyer in Chicago and a member of the Fullerton Avenue Presbyterian Church in that city. In the financial crisis of 1873, he lost most of his property. In the stress and strain of the times, he prevailed on his wife and four daughters to take a trip to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:23-26

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: Baptist

But Sometimes I Think The Church Has Forgotten ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

But sometimes I think the church has forgotten how to celebrate How to party Maybe it is because we have forgotten what Jesus has done for us. Or maybe because the stories the Bible have gotten old and we haven’t been around any new believers to remind us of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. That ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:16-26

Tags: Worship Benefits

A. First You Jump Out Of An Airplane With A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

A. FIRST YOU JUMP OUT OF AN AIRPLANE WITH A HUNDRED POUNDS OF GEAR, INTO THE MIDDLE OF A BURNING FOREST, AND YOU CHASE THE FIRE AND FIGHT IT BY HAND -- USUALLY WITHOUT WATER OR, FIRE RETARDANT AND YOU DO IT BECAUSE YOU’RE A SMOKE JUMPER B. MIMI SCISSONS, A 37-YEAR-OLD SMOKE JUMPER STATIONED IN ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

Spiritual Health Checks  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Spiritual Health Checks (Devoted to Prayer) There are four signs that show that the child of God is a healthy Christian. One is a heart hungry for God's Word, second is his desire to be involved in Christian fellowship, third he observes "Communion," and four he is devoted to prayer. (Acts ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42

Tags: Church Discipline

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Little Ones To Him Belong

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Feb 21, 2009

LITTLE ONES TO HIM BELONG Author Keith Miller tells of an outgoing 40-year-old woman who was part of a sharing group he led. Here is her story: "When I was a tiny little girl, my parents died, and I was put in an orphanage. I was not pretty at all, and no one seemed to want me. But I longed to ...read more

Tags: Adoption

Denomination: Wesleyan

There’s No Way He Should Have Been On The ...

Contributed by Brian Buriff on Mar 1, 2010

THERE’S NO WAY HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE MEDAL STAND A. 19 Yr-Old Speed-Skater JR Celski. 1. Going into final turn the 1,500-meter short-track speed skating final 2. J.R. Celski was fifth – skating behind Apolo Ohno who was in 4th 3. The South Korean skaters had a firm grasp on the gold, ...read more

Tags: Sports

Denomination: Church Of God

Minister The Word  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Nov 27, 2010

MINISTER THE WORD There are valid ministries which are pleasing to the Lord such as, missions, youth ministries, local church services and ministerial alliances. However, there are two ministries that are often set on the back burner. The ministry of truly preaching the whole council of God's ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:4

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Eating A Bald Eagle  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 4, 2011

EATING A BALD EAGLE A forest ranger is making rounds in a remote part of the wooded reserve when he comes across an unkempt man, sitting at a make-shift campfire, and, to the ranger's astonishment, eating a fish and a bald eagle. The man is consequently put in jail for the crime. He was soon ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:9-10

Tags: Hypocrisy

Trust The Prayer

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 2, 2021

A TRUSTING PRAYER Did you hear about the young preacher that graduated Bible School? He accepted a small country church to be the pastor. It was the only church that would have him. He was the only candidate that would go to the small church. So they were matched up pretty well. His first ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:7, Isaiah 40:28-31

Tags: Trust, Prayer

Denomination: Assembly Of God

[116]. A Message From A Poem – Having A Chat With God

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 27, 2025

[116]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HAVING A CHAT WITH GOD There is nothing pretentious here. It is a simple prayer mixed with thoughts of the Lord. This poem is a meditation, one that I hope you can relate to in your life. Some make prayer a sanctimonious affair and it is about as dead as a ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:7, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 1 John 4:19

Tags: Grace, Love, Hope, Prayer, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Chat  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

His Name Is Bill. He Has Wild Hair, Wears A ...  PRO

Contributed by James Westervelt on Feb 5, 2002

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is intelligent. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college. Across the street from the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-15, 1 Timothy 2:10, Philippians 2:5-10

Tags: Evangelism, Brotherhood, Body Of Christ, Christian Love, Compassion, Humility, Grace, Outreach, Welcome  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

His Name Is Bill. He Has Wild Hair, Wears A ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Hughes on Feb 17, 2003

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant, kind of esoteric, and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college. Across the street from the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:27

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Fathers Need To Pray For Their ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jun 9, 2003

Christian fathers need to pray for their children. When we pray for our children, we are asking God to help, guide and protect beyond our abilities to do so. All human fathers have limits. But, our Heavenly Father is not limited by any means! And when we pray to our Heavenly Father for wisdom ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

Tags: Parenting, Stress

Denomination: United Methodist