In Sermon Illustrations: "True Meaning Of Christmas"

The Journey Of 1,000 Miles Begins With An Apple Fritter

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 12, 2025

Life has many paths, and I have discovered that traveling any of them takes a lot of energy. Unlike The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, my energy comes from those wonderful Apple Fritters. I can't remember the first time I had one, but I vividly remember the last time. Trying to get ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Agreement, Discussion, Apple Fritters

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Who Has The License To Drive Me Crazy?

Contributed by James Snyder on May 24, 2025

I will confess that I am crazy, but I didn’t get there by myself. Somebody has been driving me crazy. When I use the word “somebody,” I mean a lot of people. I didn’t always know I was crazy until a few years ago The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage looked at me and said, “Are you crazy or ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:9

Tags: License, Crazy

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Heat Is Not Just A Number, It’s An Attitude

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 28, 2025

Dr. James L. Snyder Lately, the temperature in Florida has topped 100°. I saw on the news that the Northeast is also hitting 100°. It's easy to see why everyone wants to come to Florida. If they can't, they wish for some of our heat. Well, good luck with that. We’ll send you all ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Tags: Heat, Sun, Cold, Attitude

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

[162]. A Message From A Poem – Jewels Of God’s Reflected Beauty

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 12, 2025

[162]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – JEWELS OF GOD’S REFLECTED BEAUTY This was a difficult poem to write trying to get it right the way I wanted. It is probably an unusual subject anyway. By jewels, I mean literal jewels. I love gemstones though I have none. Can’t afford them, but my God has so ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:9, Revelation 21:18-21, Revelation 21:16-17, Revelation 21:10-11, Revelation 21:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Christian Poems, Gemstones, Home Of The Bride, Precious Gems, Gems, Colors, Pearls, The Holy City, The New Jerusalem, Christian Poetry, Color, Gold, Pearl  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[178 ]. A Message From A Poem – Lost Three Things - Lost One Sheep

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 26, 2025

[178 ]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LOST THREE THINGS - LOST ONE SHEEP What are the best-known parables the Lord Jesus gave? I suppose there could be some debate about that but for me, I think The Prodigal Son, The Sower and The Good Samaritan. The Lost Sheep is near the top. Two of those I have ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1, Psalm 23:4, Luke 15:3-7, John 10:11, John 10:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Shepherding, The Lost Sheep, The Shepherd Psalm, One Sheep Lost, Sheep, Search, The Good Shepherd  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[230]. A Message From A Poem - Redemption Through Death – No Other Way

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 18, 2025

[230]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - REDEMPTION THROUGH DEATH – NO OTHER WAY The concentration in this poem is “No other way.” Why did heaven’s best, God the Son, have to die? You know I can not answer that. The omniscient God knew from eternity past what was going to happen. I can’t give an answer ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2, Isaiah 53:10, Ephesians 4:8-10, Hosea 11:7-8

Tags: Sin, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Full Atonement, Heart, Salvation, Compassion Of God, The Heart Of God, Overturn, Emotions Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It’s Not A Mess, It’s My Creative Décor

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 24, 2026

The greatest joy I have every morning is not only getting up but also stepping in my office. I step inside, pause for a moment, and look around at all the books on my shelves. I have almost 10,000 books. And yes, I read every one of them. Well, except for commentaries and dictionaries. I love ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58

Tags: Mess, Organize

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Firestorms

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 10, 2011

FIRESTORMS I was at Boy Scout Camp when I discovered the terrible damage a fire storm could do to my life. It was a lazy afternoon very hot and dry. John and I were sent back to camp to start dinner for the guys. When I got back to camp, I discovered that the camp fire looked as if it had gone ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-22, 1 Samuel 11:3-7

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Some Thoughts On The 4b Movement

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 15, 2024

Introduction: Ever since the November 2024 American elections, there seems to be more and more reference to the “4B” movement. That this movement began in South Korea a number of years ago seems to be of little importance to any number of American women. This is especially true of those American ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19, Romans 13:9, Acts 15:29

Tags: Women, Christian Living, 4b Movement

Denomination: Baptist

[098]. A Message From A Poem – Genesis Synopsis

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 7, 2025

[098]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GENESIS SYNOPSIS How can you possibly put the book of Genesis into a poem? The answer is, be brief and try not to miss the main events. I had the desire to write a Genesis poem and this is the result. The poem begins of course with Chapter 1 and works to the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:13, Genesis 12:3, Genesis 15:18, Matthew 24:37-38, Genesis 1:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Genesis, Creation, Egypt, Isaac, Nimrod, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Abraham, Noah, Jacob, Adam, Joseph, Cain  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[132]. Poem Message – "I Am Included” - Song - Solo With Chorus

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 13, 2025

[132]. POEM MESSAGE – “I AM INCLUDED” - SONG - SOLO WITH CHORUS I just love this poem but it was originally meant as part of a Christian musical I wanted to write. I am sad I have not had the time to dedicate to this effort. I have the melody for this in my head but am not able to write ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:8-9

Tags: Joy, Song, Included, Singing, Christian Poetry, Musical, Grace, Mercy, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[148]. A Poem Message – Egypt, Israel And The Reed Sea Victory

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 30, 2025

[148]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – EGYPT, ISRAEL AND THE REED SEA VICTORY This poem resulted from a special touch of the Lord from His word to me in 1997 when passing through an uncertain time, and facing a strong injustice I could not resolve. There are times when we must wait for God’s hand ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:2-3, Exodus 14:10

Tags: Defeat, Haman, Israel At The Reed Sea, Army Of Pharaoh, Army Of The Egyptians, Hamam, Moses, Call, Answer, Egypt, Deliverance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[212]. A Message From A Poem - Everything In Its Season

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 26, 2025

[212]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - EVERYTHING IN ITS SEASON This poem covers a lot of ground. Broadly it is connected with the state of things, being the season of man. God created all of us and we live our lives in this world, but all of us are accountable for our actions. Some of that is ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:18, Genesis 12:3, Joel 3:2, Isaiah 5:20-21, Ecclesiastes 3:1-5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Death, Season, Evil, Curse Israel And Be Cursed, Christian Poems, Charlie Kirk, Israel, Birth, Good, Time For Everything, United Nations, Palestinians  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[297]. A Poem Message – The Wisdom Of The World Is Foolishness With God

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 26, 2026

[297]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD IS FOOLISHNESS WITH GOD {{1 Corinthians 1:26-28 “Consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, but GOD HAS CHOSEN THE FOOLISH THINGS OF THE WORLD TO SHAME THE WISE, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-8, Colossians 2:20, 1 Corinthians 1:18-21, 1 Corinthians 1:20, 1 Corinthians 1:26-28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Christian Poems, Wisdom Of God, Foolish Things, Universities, The Foolishness Of Man, Wisdom Of The World, Christian Poetry, Vain, Wisdom, Philosophy, Foolishness, Humanism, Gnosticism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Knows Where We Are  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 23, 2011

GOD KNOWS WHERE WE ARE Ken Gaub wrote about an experience he had back in the 1990s: "Do you believe that God not only loves you, but knows where you are and what you’re doing every minute of the day? I certainly do after an amazing experience I had several years ago. "At the time I was driving ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-18

Tags: God's Omniscience, Love Your Enemies

Getting Away With It Is Half The Fun

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 19, 2020

I must admit I don't get away with very much, and I never have. It's not that I never try. It's just that whenever I try to get away with something, it always backfires. I wish there were a class somewhere entitled, "How You Can Get Away with Anything." I certainly would sign ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 32:23

Tags: Sin, Humor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Chillin Ain’t What I Thought It Was

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 3, 2020

Last week the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage came up with a brilliant idea. At least, at the time, it seemed brilliant. “Why don’t we,” she began, “take Monday off and just chill?” Since it's been a long time since I did any chillin, I had to ask her, "What do we chill ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Humor, Vacation, Day Off

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What’s Pete Got To Do With Anything?

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 20, 2021

If there's anybody that can be conned, it's Yours Truly. It's not so much that I'm stupid; I'm just naïve. I believe when somebody says something, they mean exactly what they say. So, if you can't swindle me, you might as well hang it up and get a real job. I must ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:12-13

Tags: Blame, Accusations

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Why Do I Have So Many Toes?

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 19, 2021

I must confess that I'm not always obvious to everything that is before me. I admit I miss a lot of things set before me. I don’t do this intentionally. For example, sometimes, when I come home from the church office, I pass the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, and she is waving at me, but ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:25

Tags: Sight, Ignoring

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Great Quotes On Forgiveness

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 10, 2022

When everything in you wants to hold a grudge, point a finger and remember the pain. God wants you to lay it aside. Why? Because, when you release it, you will be set free. - R.T. Kendall Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing that you were the prisoner. - Max ...read more

Tags: Forgiving Others, Forgiveness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational