In Sermon Illustrations: "Trials Of Life"

Fresh Starts! (10.05.05--Beginning ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 3, 2005

Fresh Starts! (10.05.05--Beginning Again!--Numbers 20:1) A number of years ago my wife had an opportunity to spend several days camping at a church camp with several of her friends. They kept the little ones and the family pets with them. The only thing lacking for the time was husbands. It was ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 20:1

Tags: Hardship Of Life, God In The Hardships

Denomination: Lutheran

My Son Nathan Is Autistic, So He Struggles ...  PRO

Contributed by Lisa Delay on Oct 8, 2005

My son Nathan is autistic, so he struggles everyday with many things most of us take for granted. We, as his family, struggle too along with him. Things like speaking, a change in his environment, certain sounds, interruptions in his plans or routine and a host of other things often cause him great ...read more

Tags: Prayer Hardship, Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Republican, Democrat, And Libertarian Arrive At Heaven

Contributed by Gregory Artz on Aug 31, 2022

A Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, and an unassuming man all arrived at the gates of Heaven. First the Republican spoke to St Peter, “I am sure am glad I made it here, I was sure to give plenty of money to the poor.” St Peter replied, sorry sir, your name is not in the book. Then the Democrat ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 146:1-4, Revelation 20:11-15

Tags: Heaven, Politics, Book Of Life

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Hint Of Heaven

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on May 22, 2025

“At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door. We discern the freshness and purity of morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the splendours we see. But all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumour that it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:42-54, John 14:1-4

Tags: Faith, Heaven, Eternal Life

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Purpose Of The Signs That Jesus Did

Contributed by Boniface Simiyu on May 4, 2026

Rewrite the following: John 20:30-31, "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his ...read more

Scripture: John 20:30-31

Tags: Faith, Life In His Name

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Kentucky Thunderstorm Wipes Out Historic Family ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 12, 2009

Kentucky Thunderstorm Wipes Out Historic Family Pear Tree John Claypool tells the story of a thunderstorm years ago that swept through Southern Kentucky at the farm where his ancestors had lived for 6 generations. There was an old pear tree that had been there for about as long as anyone could ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Tags: Hardship Of Life, Enduring Hardship

Nine Year-Old Girl Transformed By Liver ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 17, 2009

Nine year-old Girl Transformed by Liver Transplant and Change of Blood Type Demi-Lee Brennan had a liver transplant at age 9. She faced a life on anti-rejection drugs like every other transplant patient. Nine months later, however, her red blood cells were being attacked by her own white blood ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Tags: Born Again, Transformed Life

Hardships Further His Kingdom  PRO

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 6, 2011

HARDSHIPS FURTHER HIS KINGDOM Bill Hybels' The Power of a Whisper (p.110-111): "Don't ever buy into the idea that everything God prompts His followers to do will be uncomplicated or low-cost. Sometimes God asks His children to carry heavy loads, as He did with the apostle Paul. But even--and ...read more

Tags: Love, Others, Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Julie Hadden: Precious To God

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 12, 2013

JULIE HADDEN: PRECIOUS TO GOD Julie Hadden, Winner of Season 4 of the TV show the Biggest Loser, told her story in a 2009 issue of Guideposts: I went to the auditions and made it on the show. Our first challenge was a race across California's Mojave Desert. First two contestants to get to the ...read more

Tags: God's Love, Human Life

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Is Secret Of Spiritual Success?

Contributed by Usman Raza on Mar 15, 2015

We all have questions in our mind, and the Lord Jesus put these key factors in my heart: 1- Faith in God and in His presence (Romans 3:22), (Psalm 42:5) 2- Walking with Him in His Fear (Deuteronomy 6:13,Proverbs 14:2) 3- Continuous Prayers not just for yourself but for your ministry, the people ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 12:18-19

Tags: Spiritual Success, Spiritual Life

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Lesson In Hope

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Apr 1, 2017

They still tell the story at William and Mary College of daffy, magnificent President Ewell. For a century and a half, this prestigious Virginia school had been a leader among American universities. Then came the Civil War. In the hard days of reconstruction that followed, William and Mary went ...read more

Scripture: John 11:38-44

Tags: Hope, New Life, Lent

Denomination: Other

Consecration To God--Making A Personal Stand For Jesus

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 14, 2017

I read the story of a young woman who out of curiosity entered a little Presbyterian church one evening. She heard the gospel for the first time and was converted. Later she heard God’s call on her life to go to China as a missionary. She was the only daughter of a multi-millionaire. She was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-50

Tags: Sacrifice, Missions, Consecrated Life

Denomination: Charismatic

The Height Of Hypocrisy

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Jan 14, 2018

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday The Height of Hypocrisy - Forgiveness Offered "Thirty six year old - Derek Paul Smyer pronounced guilty of two counts of murder for arranging the killing of Crystal Taylor and her 21 week old fetus because she would not have an abortion. Derek Paul Smyer was found ...read more

Tags: Abortion, Sanctity Of Life, Abortions

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grace The Free Gift

Contributed by Pastor Norman Bailey, Overseer on Aug 11, 2018

If you went to work everyday and did the job that was required of you, you could demand a paycheck. You can go to your supervisor, and payroll to find out what is going on because you earned the pay that you worked so hard for. We can never work so hard to demand that God save us from sin. It was ...read more

Tags: Love Life, Grace Gift

Denomination: Pentecostal

Love Or Achievement

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Dec 9, 2019

I once heard a woman give a remarkable account of achievement. An early feminist, she gained renown in the male-dominated field of endocrinology. She brushes shoulders with Nobel laureates and world leaders, and has lived as full and rich a life as any I have known. At the end of her story she ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, 1 John 4:7-8

Tags: Love, Success, Meaning Of Life

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ashamed When It Counted The Most

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 18, 2019

Ashamed when it counted the most My two sisters, when they were somewhat younger, liked to play the piano and took lessons for some time. I like music, too, but not all the practicing that went along with it! We found out there was going to be a “recital” where all of the students in their ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 1 John 2:28

Tags: Christian Life, Shame, Rewards

Denomination: Baptist

Relationships

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Sep 13, 2020

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8 Quotes about friends. A friend is one who overlooks your broken fence and admires the flowers in your garden. (Unknown) Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. (Eleanor Roosevelt) Relationships ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8

Tags: Friendships, People In And Out Of Life

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Well ...

Contributed by Joe Bertone on Aug 1, 2012

WELL DONE One mentally challenged young man I heard said, “In this life God places us in His oven. In here it is hot and it hurts. No one likes being in the oven but when life is over, and the bell dings, God takes ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Tags: Endurance, Suffering, Fire, Trial, Well Done, Suffering Joy In  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

If Jesus Is Like My Daddy, I Don't Want Him In My Life.

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 1, 2023

When I was pastoring in Texas, I was asked by one of our AWANA leaders to come to her group and talk to a little girl who really wanted to meet her pastor. She had a question for me. So, I paused what I was doing and found my way to where her group met in our church. The little girl was so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Evangelism, Fear, Children, Parents, Trust, Divorce, Assurance, Promises Of God, Fathers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Little Girl Walking In A Garden Noticed A ...  PRO

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Mar 26, 2001

A little girl walking in a garden noticed a particularly beautiful flower. She admired its beauty and enjoyed its fragrance. “It’s so pretty!” she exclaimed. As she gazed on it, her eyes followed the stem down to the soil in which it grew. “This flower is too pretty to be planted in such dirt!” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Tags: Perseverance, God In The Hardships, Gods Will, Contentment, Purpose, Trial  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist