In Sermon Illustrations: "Trials Mature Us"

C.s. Lewis Defends The Faith

Contributed by Mark Haines on Apr 5, 2011

C.S. LEWIS DEFENDS THE FAITH C. S. Lewis is probably best known today as the author of The Chronicles of Narnia because that series of children's books have been made into movies. Lewis wrote many other books, including one entitled, Mere Christianity. In that book he tries to explain and ...read more

Tags: Atonement

Denomination: Wesleyan

Maclaren On Facing Death

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 2, 2011

MACLAREN ON FACING DEATH The great 1800s Scottish preacher Alexander MacLaren said: "Many of us cling to life with a desperate clutch, like some poor wretch pushed over a precipice and trying to dig his nails into the rock as he falls. Some of us cling to it because we dread what is beyond, and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:20-23

Tags: Death Nearness

Do You Fear What You Need Not Fear?

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 11, 2012

DO YOU FEAR WHAT YOU NEED NOT FEAR? A friend told me a story of some hunting dogs that he had. They were good hunting dogs that he used when he went to hunt pigs in the mountains. He shared however, that the dogs, as tough as they were, were deathly afraid of chickens. I couldn’t believe it, so I ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:14-18

Tags: Satan

Pushing The Outhouse  PRO

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 10, 2013

PUSHING THE OUTHOUSE A young boy lived in the country. His family had to use an outhouse, which the young boy hated. It was hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and always smelly. The outhouse was located near the creek so the boy decided that he would push it into the water. After a spring ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, John 8:1-11

Tags: Repentance, Discipline, Consequences, Outhouse

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Way In The Manger

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 14, 2022

THE WAY IN A MANGER To the tune of “Away in a Manger.” The Way in a manger, Was God’s only Son, He came down to save us From sin, we had done. The world was made ready, This child to receive. God’s Gift sent from heaven to all who believe. The Angels around Him looked down at His bed, The little ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-12, Luke 2:1-2, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6-7, Micah 5:2, Galatians 4:4-5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Nativity, Christmas, Christ's Birth, Carols, Hymns, Christmas Music, Christmas Poems, Poems About Christmas  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven, Not Earth Is My Home.

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Jul 4, 2023

In his book, "The Treasure Principle" Randy Alcorn says that the greatest deterrent to giving is the illusion that Earth is our home. He tells the following story. Suppose your home is in France and you're visiting America for three months, living in a hotel. You're told that you ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:13, 2 Corinthians 5:20, Luke 12:15, Revelation 19:7-9

Tags: Rewards, Treasures, Money, Heaven, Home  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Joy In The Circumstances Of Life

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Dec 4, 2023

The ingredients of our life can lead to joy if we look at them from God’s viewpoint. I am reminded of the family that sat down to a meal with their grandpa and dad, an old farmer. The farmer was asked to ask the blessing on the breakfast of biscuits and gravy. They bowed their heads as the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-11

Tags: Circumstances, Joy

Denomination: Baptist

Seizing Opportunity

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 16, 2024

The ancient allegory of 'Occasio' or 'Opportunity' is represented by a unique statue. This figure is often depicted as a youth with a peculiar hairstyle: lush and long in the front but completely bald at the back. The imagery is profound in its symbolism. The long lock of hair at ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:10

Tags: Moment, Decisive, Hesitation, Consequence, Fleeing, Opprotunity, Commitment, Action, Seize  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Sun And The Wind

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 16, 2024

One day, the Sun and the Wind argued over who was stronger. They see a man walking with a coat and decide to settle their dispute by seeing who can make him remove his coat. The Wind blows fiercely, but the harder it blows, the tighter the man clutches his coat. Then, the Sun gently shines its warm ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:1

Tags: Persuade, Fables, God's Warmth, Gentleness, Gentle  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Charles Spurgeon Said, We Need Our God; He Is To ...  PRO

Contributed by Tj Tipton on Mar 29, 2001

Charles Spurgeon said, We need our God; He is to be had for the seeking; and He will not deny Himself to any one ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost, Church Practices, Worship General

Denomination: Pentecostal

We Must Be Wary Of Defining Friendship With God ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2001

We must be wary of defining friendship with God in terms of our relationships with one another. Friendship is a divine idea, and it must, therefore, ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13-15, John 15:14-15

Tags: Friendship General, Church Small Groups

Rudyard Kipling Wrote, "Lo, All The Pomp Of ...

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 10, 2002

Rudyard Kipling wrote, “Lo, all the pomp of yesterday, is one with Ninevah and Tyre. Judge of the nations, spare ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness General, God's Judgment

Denomination: Congregational

Mother Theresa Once Said ‘you Will Never Know ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Hamilton on Oct 26, 2002

Mother Theresa once said ‘you will never know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have’. Many ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

You Know Frank Sinatra's Famous Song, "I'll Do It ...

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Nov 12, 2000

You know Frank Sinatra’s famous song, "I’ll do it my way." That’s the philosophy of self and of this ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Denomination: Baptist

By Following The Model Of Those Who Have Gone ...

Contributed by Nelson Emeonu on Nov 3, 2005

“By following the model of those who have gone before us, we can do more than survive. We can ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Anglican

Women Comprise A Record 34% Of Those Currently ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 10, 2006

Women comprise a record 34% of those currently studying in U.S. and Canadian theological schools. (Foster ...read more

Tags: Church General

Nevada Is The Fastest-Growing State, According To ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Nevada is the fastest-growing state, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, with 2.2 million inhabitants. (Foster ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Urgency

At Sundry Times, And In Diverse Manners, God Was ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 9, 2006

“At sundry times, and in diverse manners, God was pleased to speak to our fathers by the prophets, before he spoke to us in these ...read more

Tags: God The Father

Within The Covers Of One Single Book, The Bible, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 17, 2006

Within the covers of one single book, the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems that face us today--if only we ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence

An Estimated 11 Million Undocumented Migrants ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 17, 2006

An estimated 11 million undocumented migrants currently live in the U.S.; up to 750,000 yearly enter ...read more

Tags: War