In Sermon Illustrations: "Troubles"

There's A Difference Between Power And ...

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 16, 2006

There’s a difference between power and authority. Let’s look at a policeman. He has both. He has a uniform and badge. That badge might cause you to behave right – if you respect authority. Those are symbols of the authority that has been entrusted to him by the local government. On the other ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Adrian Dieleman Tells The Story Of One Man's ...

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 28, 2007

Adrian Dieleman tells the story of one man’s transformation: “Oscar Cervantes is a dramatic example of the Spirit’s power to transform lives. As a child, Oscar began to get into trouble. Then as he got older, he was jailed 17 times for brutal crimes. Prison psychiatrists said he was beyond ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

In April, 1988 The Evening News Reported On A ...

Contributed by Jason Cole on Mar 21, 2007

In April, 1988 the evening news reported on a photographer who was also a skydiver. He had jumped from a plane along with several other skydivers and filmed the group as they individually dove out of the plane and opened their parachutes. As the video was being shown of each member of the crew ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Servant's Heart

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Illustration- Servant’s Heart A minister shared how in his church they were in desperate need of a person to teach a junior high boys class. • Those willing to do it came down to a list with one name on it. • When the minister heard the name he said, ‘You have got to be kidding’. He says now ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

When Evangelist D. L. Moody Was Conducting ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

When evangelist D. L. Moody was conducting evangelistic meetings, he frequently faced hecklers who strongly disagreed with him. In the final service of one campaign, an usher handed the famous preacher a note as he entered the auditorium. It was actually from an atheist who had been giving Mr. ...read more

Tags: Sin Bondage To

Only Three Parachutes

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Dec 16, 2007

ONLY THREE PARACHUTES An amusing story about the plane going over the Atlantic Ocean with the only people on board the pilot a scientist, a minister and a back packer. The plane has engine trouble and the pilot goes to the passengers to inform them of the situation. He explains that the plane is ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Is God In Residence?

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 27, 2009

IS GOD IN RESIDENCE? I once saw a poster of a valentine-shaped heart with a castle on top of it. There was a flag with a slogan, oversized and coming out of the top of the castle. The slogan read: "Joy is the banner flown from the heart when the King is in residence." Well, stupid me, I didn’t ...read more

Tags: Joy

Denomination: *other

He Went To Hell For Me

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Mar 12, 2009

HE WENT TO HELL FOR ME Kay Arthur, well-known Christian author and speaker, has influenced tens of thousands. As a young girl, she went to church. She wrote, "I would listen to the messages, and go to Sunday School, but I never really committed my life to Jesus." She grew up and got married, ...read more

Tags: Grace

No Record Anywhere

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 27, 2010

NO RECORD ANYWHERE My friend Dr. Roy Gustafson has the finest illustration of justification I have ever heard. It seems that there was a man in England who put his Rolls-Royce on a boat and went across to the continent to go on a holiday. While he was driving around Europe, something happened to ...read more

Tags: Justification

Denomination: Brethren

I'm That Clown!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 1, 2016

I’M THAT CLOWN It is said that in a great city there was a physician famous for his wisdom. A man came to him one day and said, "Doctor, I want you to see what is wrong with me." The doctor checked him over and said, "Your heart is all right. Your lungs are all right. Your blood pressure is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-12

Tags: Happiness, Joy, Emptiness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trust God With The Splinter

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Apr 28, 2018

Trouble is inevitable. It has spawned the counseling ministry. Therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, support groups dedicate their lives to helping people deal with grief, addictions, abuse, and stress. There are many solutions offered. You can pop a pill or uncork a bottle or take a ...read more

Tags: Trust God, Comfort Of God

Denomination: Baptist

During My Undergraduate Studies Some Years Ago, I ...

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Apr 26, 2009

During my undergraduate studies some years ago, I interviewed a lady whose religious belief was a hybrid of different religions. She spoke of trying to climb to a higher consciousness as her spiritual guide (which was an apparition that looked like an embryo with thousands of tentacles protruding ...read more

Tags: Peace, God's Peace

Denomination: Salvation Army

Love Never Fails

Contributed by Bill Butsko on May 9, 2009

LOVE NEVER FAILS A mother kept a candle burning in the window every night for ten years. One night, very late, a poor wretched woman came in from the street. The aged mother said to her, "Sit down by the fire." The stranger asked, "Why do you keep the light in the window?" The old mother ...read more

Tags: Parable Prodigal Son

Denomination: Christian Church

There Were Two Brothers Named John And Charles. ...

Contributed by Jim Kane on May 18, 2009

There were two brothers named John and Charles. They grew up in a religious home. They believed there was a God. They had religious training. One even became a minister. But it was not until their 30’s or so, did they truly have their hearts, as one of them put it, ‘strangely warmed.’ That heart ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Church Of God

People Seem To Believe Now As Hollywood Has ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

People seem to believe now as Hollywood has taught that the more things and the more money you have the better your life will be. This though is the furthest thing from the truth. "I wish all of this never would have happened." The wife of a record-setting Powerball jackpot winner says she wishes ...read more

Tags: Faith

In His Book "Good Morning Merry Sunshine" Chicago ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 3, 2002

In his book "Good Morning Merry Sunshine" Chicago Tribune columnist Bob Greene chronicles his infoant daughter’s first year of life. When little Amanda began crawling he records: This is something I’m having trouble getting used to. I will be in bed reading a book or watching TV. And I will ...read more

Tags: Worship Definition, Church Practices

No Place For Pain  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 3, 2002

NO PLACE FOR PAIN In his sermon on dealing with trials, Nashville pastor Byron Yawn points out: "For most, especially American Christians, even the remotest suggestion that there could be value in our suffering is viewed as uncaring and insensitive. We have been conditioned by our culture to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Tags: Human Body, Knowing God's Will, Struggles, Trial, Disciplines, Conflict, Apologetics General  (view more)  (view less)

Let Me Close An Excerpt From Sharon Jaynes' Book, ...  PRO

Contributed by Dana Chau on Dec 16, 2002

Let me close an excerpt from Sharon Jaynes’ book, Celebrating a Christ-centered Christmas: An African boy listened carefully as his teacher explained why Christians give presents to each other on Christmas day. "The gift is an expression of our joy over the birth of Jesus and our friendship for ...read more

Tags: Gift, Christmas, Easter Resurrection

Denomination: *other

God Promised Peace To Those Whom His Favor Rests. ...  PRO

Contributed by Dana Chau on Dec 23, 2002

God promised peace to those whom His favor rests. Let me close with the words from a hymn that Annie Johnson Flint wrote: "What God Hath Promised" God hath not promised skies always blue, Flower strewn pathways all our lives through; God hath not promised sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-9, Galatians 6:8-9

Tags: God Brings Hope, Peace, Promises Of God

Denomination: *other

Small Words, Profound Effect  PRO

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jan 12, 2003

SMALL WORDS, PROFOUND EFFECT "The tongue has the power of life and death . . . " That may sound a bit extreme to you; a bit exaggerated. How could mere words kill anyone? But consider this. You’re probably familiar with Karen Carpenter, the popular singer from the seventies who died in 1983 of ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Communication General

Denomination: Baptist