In Sermon Illustrations: "True Funny Story"

Bennie Demerchant: God In Our Desperate Places

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 22, 2011

BENNIE DEMERCHANT: GOD IN OUR DESPERATE PLACES Brother Bennie Demerchant tells the story of an incredibly desperate place in his book Full Throttle in the chapter called "Extinguished Candles." The work in Brazil had been very productive with churches being established and converts being won. But ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:13

Tags: God Brings Hope

[257]. A Message From A Poem – The Bridegroom Prepared His Bride

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 8, 2026

[257]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE BRIDEGROOM PREPARED HIS BRIDE The fact of Christ and His Church is a remarkable story of love. It is the pursuit of a Bride for God the Son. That Bride was purchased from the slavery of sin by the highest price and that was the death of the Lord Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:26-27, Revelation 19:7-9

Tags: Christ Prepared His Bride, Bride For Isaac, Bride For Boaz, The Bride Is The Church, Ruth, Marriage Supper Of The Lamb, The Bride, The Bridegroom  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[253]. A Message From A Poem – The Artist And The Gypsy Girl

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 7, 2026

[253]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE ARTIST AND THE GYPSY GIRL Created faithfully from a tract of the same name. It was around 1998 that I came to have a gospel tract called “The Artist and the Gypsy Girl” and I was quite impressed by it. I wanted to convert the tract to a poem but maintaining ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:19, Acts 4:12

Tags: Pepita, A Gospel Tract, Witnessing, The Gospel Message, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Stenburg, Crucifixion Painting, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Most Recent Issue Of Tim Magazine Was Most ...  PRO

Contributed by Rick Shockley on Jun 29, 2002

The most recent issue of Tim Magazine was most revealing to say the least. Who would ever think that such a nationally known magazine would have this unique subject on its cover page and inside? (Issue: July 1, 2002) “The Bible & the Apocalypse! Why more Americans are reading and talking ...read more

Tags: Jesus Teachings, Second Coming

The Meanest Man In Texas

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 5, 2012

THE MEANEST MAN IN TEXAS Let's finish with the true and amazing story of Clyde Thompson. Clyde's father was a Bible salesman, but when he was old enough to stay home alone, he began refusing to go to church with the rest of the family. Most Sundays, while his family was in church, Clyde was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Tags: Bible Influence

Leaning Over A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 28, 2012

LEANING OVER A CLIFF Writer Parker Palmer tells of his first experience on an Outward Bound course in his book, The Active Life. He says, "I took the course in my early forties, and in the middle of that course I was asked to confront the thing I had fears about since I had first heard about ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Tags: Trust

Where Is Your Faith?

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 25, 2014

“A weak faith is weakened by predicaments and catastrophes, whereas a strong faith is strengthened by them.” – Victor Frankl Rain poured down and thunder boomed one dark night in September in Western Oklahoma. It had been a quiet, pleasant evening at the nursing center, and nurses and residents ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7

Tags: Active Faith, Encourage Others, Courageous Women, Faith Lifestyle

Denomination: Charismatic

Confirm Your Love

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 25, 2014

"It takes time and energy to have an enemy at work." - Gary Chapman Everyone’s mouth dropped open at the rude comment made to the receptionist by the higher ranking female employee. The receptionist was a plain, quiet woman, not dressed very well, who went studiously about her work and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

Tags: Forgive Your Enemy, Power Of The Tongue, Hold Your Tongue, Confirm Your Love

Denomination: Charismatic

[034] A Message From A Poem – Beneath His Wings – My Prayer

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 23, 2025

[034] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BENEATH HIS WINGS – MY PRAYER In this poem there is a little word interplay in each stanza. It is simple to see. The reason for this poem is to express a prayer for personal concerns. I tried to cover a number of points I thought were important. These are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:29-31, Luke 18:10-11, Nehemiah 2:4, Luke 18:13-14, Romans 12:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Prayer, Sincerity, Poetry, Devoted To Prayer, Silent Prayer  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Will Not Vex My Father

Contributed by N A on Dec 5, 2009

I WILL NOT VEX MY FATHER "There is the story of half-a-dozen boys who had severe fathers, accustomed to beat them within an inch of their lives. Another boy was with them who was well beloved by his parents, and known to do so. These young boys met together to hold a council of war about robbing ...read more

Tags: God The Father

Denomination: *other

I ...

Contributed by N A on Oct 5, 2008

ILLUSTRATION: Charles Spurgeon, The Doctrines of Grace do not Lead to Sin. “There is the story of half-a-dozen boys who had severe fathers, accustomed to beat them within an inch of their lives. Another boy was with them who was well beloved by his parents, and known to do so. These young boys ...read more

Tags: Obedience

Denomination: *other

One Of My Favorite Movies Is The Christmas ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Emmert on Mar 5, 2001

One of my favorite movies is the Christmas classic, A Christmas Story, the saga of a little boy named Ralphie Parker growing up in Gary, Indiana of the 1950’s. Ralphie has been drinking Ovaltine for months, saving up box tops so that he could send in a get a Little Orphan Annie Secret Decoder Ring. ...read more

Tags: Emotions, Christmas, Prayer Adoration, Hope

Denomination: United Methodist

Sniper Camp - U.s. News And World Report ...  PRO

Contributed by Scott Weber on Mar 23, 2001

- Sniper Camp - U.S. News And World Report carried this story. The U.S. Marines conduct a secret sniper program in Quantico, Virginia. The school admits 25 men for an eight week course of sixteen hour days. Very few pass. To graduate, each goes on a mock mission into a well defined area where ...read more

Tags: Faith, Discipleship, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

More Than A Century Ago, Two Sportsmen Were ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Mar 30, 2001

MORE THAN A CENTURY AGO, TWO SPORTSMEN WERE SAILING along the coasts of Scotland. They anchored their yacht in the harbor at Iverness and went ashore to roam the beautiful countryside. Soon they became lost. Darkness was approaching and they couldn¡¦t find their way back to the harbor. They ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Denomination: Wesleyan

John Maxwell Tells In His Book, "The Leader ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 16, 2001

John Maxwell tells in his book, “The Leader Within You,” the story of the building of the Great Wall of China. They built it so high that no one could get over it. And they built it so thick that no one could tunnel through it. They built this gigantic wall that still exists today. And then the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:19

Tags: Children, Faith, Parenting

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In The Year 1836, The Republic Of Texas Was ...  PRO

Contributed by James May on Apr 27, 2001

In the year 1836, the Republic of Texas was fighting for its life after some very costly battles with the Mexican General Santa Anna. In the opening days of this campaign to reclaim Texas for Mexico, Santa Anna had to face the Texians, as they were called then, at a lonely mission outpost known as ...read more

Tags: Independence Day, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Gladys Aylward, Missionary To China More Than 50 ...  PRO

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Aug 9, 2001

Gladys Aylward, missionary to China more than 50 years ago, was forced to flee when the Japanese invaded Yangcheng. But she couldn’t leave her work behind. With only one assistant, she led a hundred-plus orphans over the mountains toward Free China. During Glaydy’s harrowing journey out of ...read more

Tags: Examples Of Faith, Ot Characters, God's Omniscience

Denomination: Independent/Bible

At Least 75 Christians Killed In Manila Hotel ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 29, 2001

At Least 75 Christians Killed In Manila Hotel Fire August 20, 2001 By: Stefan J. Bos Eastern Europe Correspondent for ASSIST News Service MANILA, PHILIPPINES -- (ANS) -- An early morning fire that swept through a suburban Manilla hotel Saturday has killed at least 75 people, mostly participants at ...read more

Tags: Sermon On The Mount, Christian Disciplines, Attributes, Doubt

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

According To A Baptist Press Release, 16 Year Old ...  PRO

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Oct 1, 2001

According to a Baptist Press release, 16 year old Jennifer Cody attended a youth camp in July 1987, sponsored by the Southern Baptists. She had missed the registration deadline at The Church on Mill in Tempe, Arizona, where she attended, but a boy canceled his and that made it possible for her to ...read more

Tags: Mothers Love, Grace, Evangelism Fear Of

Denomination: Baptist

I'm So Important  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

I'M SO IMPORTANT Former Secretary of Labor Raymond Donovan tells the story of being on Air Force One. He was in the back compartment of the jet while President Reagan was in the front of the compartment. The phone rang in the back compartment and the voice said, "Mr. Donovan, the president would ...read more

Tags: Emotions, Humility, Temptation Pride