In Sermon Illustrations: "Turning"

Son Of Sam Serial Killer Is Now A Servant Of God

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 25, 2024

The story of David Berkowitz, infamously known as the “Son of Sam,” is a remarkable tale of redemption and transformation. 1. Background: In the late 1970s, David Berkowitz terrorized New York City as a serial killer. He shot and killed six young people and wounded seven others during a spree ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Colossians 3:1-4

Tags: Conversion, Redemption, Transformation, Prison Ministry, Saul Of Tarsus, Miracle, Forgiveness, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Watch?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 18, 2024

I read the story of a young boy that lived on a farm in the mountains. The grandparents, parents, his brothers and sisters lived in the old farm house. Every time the young boy got a chance he told anyone that would listen: HE WANTED A WATCH. His grandfather had a pocket watch, so did his dad. The ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:37, Isaiah 21:11

Tags: Watch, Ready

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Sovereign God Has Fixed The Time For My Death

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 10, 2024

There is a scene in the Civil War motion picture, "Gods and Generals", that is telling. The movie follows the rise and fall of Civil War hero General Thomas Jackson, and does not try to hide his Christianity. Throughout the picture, Jackson's dependence on God is shown, but never ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:1

Tags: Death, Chosen, Election, Free Will, Calling, Sovereignty Of God, Man's Choice  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When We Raise Our Hands, God Will Intervene

Contributed by Saumiman Saud on Feb 18, 2025

WHEN WE RAISE OUR HANDS, GOD WILL INTERVENE Heavenly Father, I have just realized how Almighty You are, even though I have known this for a long time. Forgive me, Father, for often facing various problems relying only on myself. It turns out that I am limited and have no strength of my own. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:11

Tags: God, Raised Hands

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life Full Of Gratitude

Contributed by Saumiman Saud on Feb 22, 2025

Life Full of Gratitude My Father in Heaven, forgive me if I have been negligent in giving thanks to You, even though the blessings I receive are always abundant. Although I am not wealthy, I am not poor, thanks to God's grace. Thank you, Lord, Thank you. Give thanks in all circumstances; for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Life, Gratitude

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[119]. A Message From A Poem – He Gave His All For Me

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 2, 2025

[119]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HE GAVE HIS ALL FOR ME I wrote this short poem at a time when I heard a News report on the radio. I include that report underneath - [[A Saudi-Arabian woman loved her husband so much that she donated one of her eyes so that he could see. The operation was a ...read more

Scripture: John 20:27, 1 Timothy 2:5-6

Tags: Saudi Arabia, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Scars, Hands And Feet, He Gave Himself, Wounds Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sin Of Achan

Contributed by John Bright on Oct 3, 2025

We struggle with someone suffering for the actions of another. In that day, they were not so individualistic as we are in this Western World. Whenever I share the Sin of Achan from the book of Joshua, modern folks like to protest. Here’s the story: The Israelites are given a great victory over ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:5, Joshua 7:24-26

Tags: Sin, Consequences

Denomination: Methodist

Patriotic Testimony - Sgt. York, Christian Soldier

Contributed by Garris Hudson on May 23, 2016

SERGEANT YORK the Christian Soldier If someone remembers the name Sergeant York, they remark by saying, “That’s the movie starring Gary Cooper, right?” Who is this hillbilly from Tennessee? This is where our story begins. In December 1887, in the hills of Pall Mall, Tennessee, Alvin York was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:16

Tags: Testimony, Christian Soldiers, War Heroes, July 4th

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Memorial Day, A Time For Healing  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 19, 2002

MEMORIAL DAY, A TIME FOR HEALING Memorial Day, perhaps more than any other holiday, was born of human necessity. Deep inside all of us lies a fundamental desire to make sense of life and our place in it and the world. What we have been given, what we will do with it and what we will pass to the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:1-5

Tags: Holidays Civic, Finding Fulfillment, Amos, Prophet

Artesian Forgiveness!" Matthew 5: 43-48 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 30, 2004

“Artesian Forgiveness!” Matthew 5: 43-48 Key verse(s): 46 “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” Here at Beech Springs one of the things that sets these few acres apart is the artesian well that highlights our front yard. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Kindness

Denomination: Lutheran

It Was An Unusually Cold Day For The Month Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Nov 1, 2004

It was an unusually cold day for the month of May. Spring had arrived and everything was alive with color. But a cold front from the north had brought winter’s chill back to Indiana. I sat with two friends in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town squire. The food ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:5-7

Tags: Faith, Christian Disciplines, Choice, Consequences

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

911 Or You!" Obadiah 1: 1-14 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 15, 2004

“911 or You!” Obadiah 1: 1-14 Key verse(s): 10-11: “Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever. On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates you were like one of them.” We ...read more

Scripture: Obadiah 1:1-14

Tags: Poverty

Denomination: Lutheran

How Dare You Accuse Me!" 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 8, 2005

“How Dare You Accuse Me!” 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 Key verse(s): 57:“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” How dare you? Indignation. Though I have few hairs left on this bald pate, the few that I have will come to attention pretty quick should my dignity be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:55-58

Tags: Greed, Sin Exposed, Sin General, Submission

Denomination: Lutheran

Like A Bird In The Hand!" Matthew 8:14-17 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 8, 2005

“Like A Bird in the Hand!” Matthew 8:14-17 Key verse(s): 16-17:“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:14-17

Tags: God's Provision, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Lutheran

Passing Through The Shadows!" 1 Corinthians ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 21, 2005

“Passing Through The Shadows!” 1 Corinthians 11:23-34 Key verse(s): 26:“‘For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes’.” “Smile and the world smiles with you! Cry and you cry alone.” Walking through life with a smile on our faces is something to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-34

Tags: Easter Maundy Thursday

Denomination: Lutheran

Our Jacob's Ladder!" John 20:19-31 Key Verse(S) ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 29, 2005

“Our Jacob’s Ladder!” John 20:19-31 Key verse(s) 19:“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!.’” It’s hard to keep your mind on hope when you are ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Tags: World, Vision, Easter Resurrection, Eagle, Challenge, Breathe, Friend, Hedge, Jesus, May Day, Need  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

Don't Underestimate An Act Of Love

Contributed by Billy Noel on May 18, 2009

DON'T UNDERESTIMATE AN ACT OF LOVE One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must ...read more

Tags: Christian Love

Denomination: Christian Church

Spiritual Gifts Are Like An Orchestra  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 22, 2009

SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE LIKE AN ORCHESTRA When I was in the 5th grade, our entire 5th grade class at Anderson Elementary School was required to take band. At a certain hour of each day we would gather in the band room and attempt to play our instruments. We didn’t really have a choice which ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Leon Lett: A Legacy Of Failure

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 28, 2010

LEON LETT: A LEGACY OF FAILURE Leon Lett. Nice name. It has a bit of a ring to it. However, unless you are a true NFL football fan, it’s probably not a name that rings a bell for you. So let me fill you in on Leon. Leon played in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys from 1991 to 2000 and the Denver ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:36-41

Tags: Mistakes

I Think You've Seen Jesus.

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Nov 15, 2010

"I THINK YOU'VE SEEN JESUS." The real putting off and putting on is not so much about our determination to make improvements but about giving ourselves over to our Lord to do the real work in our lives. In the children's book The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, there is a particularly bad boy named ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed