In Sermon Illustrations: "Trials Mature Us"

Good Pilots Do What It Takes To Get Their Passengers Home.

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Jul 9, 2018

A good pilot does what it takes to get his passengers home. A good example of this, is the story of a flight when the attendant told everyone to take their seats because of impending turbulence. It was a rowdy flight; the folks weren’t quick to respond; so she warned them again. “The flight is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:3-11

Tags: Listening To God, Hearing From God, Gods Voice

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

You Can Keep Your Fork

Contributed by Paul Steen on Dec 24, 2018

A woman had been diagnosed with cancer and had been given three months to live. Her doctor told her to start making preparations to die. So she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:20, Revelation 22:12, Colossians 1:27, Titus 1:2

Tags: Citizenship, Heaven, Future, Hope

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Satan Want's To Fill You With Sin

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 15, 2019

Deep Implanted Sin (Eph.:10-13) Illus. The enemy leader is in his command center discussing his battle strategy with those under his command. The enemy is very upset about the latest move by the rebellion forces. They have been attacking in vital areas. Never in this struggle has the rebellion ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:10-13

Tags: Sin, Deception

Denomination: Pentecostal

Unforgettable Bombs - All We Can Do Is Pray?

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Sep 30, 2019

Elmer Bendiner, a crewmember in a World War II B-17 bomber, the Tondalayo, was barraged by flak from Nazi antiaircraft guns. That was not unusual, but on this particular occasion, the gas tanks were hit. Later Elmer reflected on the miracle of a 20 mm shell piercing the fuel tank without touching ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11, James 5:15, Psalm 34:15

Tags: Prayer, Power In Prayer, Intersession, Watchman Prayer

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

William Wilberforce

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 13, 2021

Jesus is the supreme example. He cares so much about completing His mission on earth that he lets himself be killed. That total commitment to God’s will literally costs Him His life. It also saves it, as the resurrection proves. There are many examples from history of persons who have proved ...read more

Scripture: John 12:25

Tags: Glory, Die, Hate, Lose

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Want To Walk On Water?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jun 30, 2021

MANY PEOPLE WANT TO WALK ON THE WATER, WITHOUT THE INVITATION ON GOD’S SON: COME… Matthew 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. Pastor Chou of Korea wrote a book on prayer. He tells in his book “THE FOURTH DIMENSION” about 4 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:28-29, Matthew 14:30

Tags: Abuse, Walk On Water

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Twice Mine

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 22, 2022

A little boy made a sailboat by his own hands and took it out to the lake and sailed it by himself. But, sadly, a strong wind came over the lake and took the little sailboat away from the boy to the other side of the lake. The little boy looked and looked for his boat but could not find it. He ...read more

Tags: Salvation, Gospel, Redemption, Born Again, Redeemed, Second Birth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Commitment Or Surrender What's The Difference

Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on Jun 26, 2023

Adrian Rogers tells the story of his meeting with Josef T’son who had suffered greatly under communism. Adrian said: “Josef, tell me about American Christianity.” Josef responded: “Adrian, I had rather not.” “No, I want to know.” “Well, Adrian, since you have asked me, I’ll tell you. The key ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:9

Tags: Commitment, Surrender, Serving Christ

Denomination: Baptist

What Have They Done For You Lately

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Oct 4, 2023

I heard an illustration from Pastor Tony Evans that I altered some to fit us here in Arkansas • We love our Razorbacks, we make time for our Razorbacks • Especially Razorback football • Me and my wife love football • But, have you ever thought about how much time we devote to football? • The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11

Tags: Razorbacks, Ask, Seek, Knock

Denomination: Baptist

Solomon's Insightful Judgment: Looking For The Reaction Of Hearts

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 16, 2024

King Solomon, known for his God-given wisdom, faced a challenging situation recorded in 1 Kings 3:16-28. Two women, both claiming to be the mother of the same baby, brought their case before him. Solomon's response was both shocking and insightful. He suggested dividing the baby in two, giving ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:16-28

Tags: Discernment, Prolife, Biblical Wisdom, True Motherhood, Love, Morality, Wisdom  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Epiphany

Contributed by Richard L. Brown on Jan 11, 2025

When I was in High School, I had a teacher named Miss Mary Bartram. She taught English and Literature. One day she read a poem to us by Robert Frost, entitled “The Road Not Taken”. She read it with such commitment and passion that I believe she changed a lot of lives that day, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Tags: Faith, Choice

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God Moved Christian Across Pond To Save Him From Drowning

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 25, 2025

God Moved Christian across Pond to Save Him from Drowning One of my favorite miracle stories is from Jan Ramsey. My wife Mary used to work at Lakeshore School with Jan. She was a member of First Baptist in Swartz. Jan gave this prayer testimony about her dad, James, and I think he was 81 at the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Tags: Nathan The Prophet, Solomon's Temple, Mother's Womb, Omniscience, Omnipotence, Omnipresence, King David, Fearfully Made, Wonderfully Made, Creation, Light, Darkness, Presence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Ring Around The Roses - Ashes, Ashes We All Fall Down - History

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 24, 2026

Ring around the roses, ... pocket full of poses, ashes, ... ashes ... (Slow) we all fall down. Many of us have sung this little rhyme ... with our children, .... our grandchildren ... or have at least heard the rhyme. We have heard or sung ... a number of these old rhymes ... as young children ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7, Job 30:19, Isaiah 61:3, Genesis 3:19, Psalm 103:14, Genesis 18:27  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Dust, Black Plague, Rhyme, Nursery, Roses, Poses, Death, Flowers, Ashes, Disease  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

[319]. A Message From A Poem - Undone Before The Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 24, 2026

[319]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - UNDONE BEFORE THE LORD The second stanza begins this way – “Oh, cancel pride and arrogance, A haughty spirit rising up.” Pride is one great factor why people don’t come in repentance to the Lord. They will not admit a need for salvation; nor will they humble ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:17, Psalm 51:2, Psalm 51:10

Tags: Humility, Pride, Control, Haughty, Christian Poems, Sinful Pride, Undone  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Six-Eyed Mother

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

I grew up in Amarillo, Texas. And I remember watching my mom navigate the wonderful world of vision changes as I got older. First she started holding the newspaper at arm's length, squinting like she was trying to read smoke signals. Then came the reading glasses. Those little drugstore ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:22-25

Tags: Faith, Spiritual Blindness, Seeking Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If You Don't, Someone Else Willd

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Jun 18, 2026

ILLUSTRATION: If You Don't, Someone Else Will There was a fellow at our school who was always saying, “If you don’t, somebody else will.” One day a teacher warned him to stop, but he just said it again. Finally, the teacher snapped, “If you don’t quit saying that, I’m going to smack your face.” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:39-40

Tags: Praise, Glorify God, Praise Worthy

Denomination: Baptist

A Paradigm For Giving.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 24, 2024

A PARADIGM FOR GIVING. 2 Corinthians 8:9. This is the key verse in my sermon on 'The Grace of Giving' (2 Corinthians 8:7-15). The Apostle reminds the Corinthians of what they already know: “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.” How that He was “rich” but made Himself “poor” that we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:9

Tags: Grace, Giving

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Steve Tran Of Westminster, California, ...  PRO

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 23, 2000

When Steve Tran of Westminster, California, closed the door after activating twenty-five bug bombs, he thought he had seen the last of the cockroaches that shared his apartment. When the spray reached the pilot light of the stove, it ignited, blasting his screen door across the street, breaking all ...read more

Tags: Furniture, Anger, Christian Disciplines, Carpenter

Denomination: Baptist

Listen To St. Augustine’s Declaration About ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Goettsche on Oct 18, 2000

Listen to St. Augustine’s declaration about God, You are ever active, yet always at rest. You gather all things to yourself, though you suffer no need. . . . You grieve for wrong, but suffer no pain. You can be angry and yet serene. Your works are varied, but your purpose is one and the same. . ...read more

Tags: God The Father

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Of The Most Powerful Prayers In The Midst Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 29, 2001

One of the most powerful prayers in the midst of suffering I have read was uncovered from the horrors of Ravensbruck concentration camp. Ravensbruck was a concentration camp built in 1939 for women. Over 90,000 women and children perished in Ravensbruck, murdered by the Nazis. Corrie Ten Boom, who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:46, Luke 23:34, Matthew 12:31-32

Tags: God's Forgiveness, Humility, Prayer, Forgiveness For Others, Forgiveness General, Forgiveness, Suffering  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible