In Sermon Illustrations: "Used For Bad"

Muller: Scriptures Make Me Happy

Contributed by Mark Tonkery on Jan 27, 2012

MULLER: SCRIPTURES MAKE ME HAPPY George Muller, who established many orphanages throughout England in the 1800’s, once said... "I believe that the one chief reason that I have been kept in happy useful service is that I have been a lover of Holy Scripture. It has been my habit to read the Bible ...read more

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Connecting With The Common Man

Contributed by Perry Greene on May 17, 2012

CONNECTING WITH THE COMMON MAN Sam Walton was in the mid 90s named as one of the richest men in America. You'd never know it! He drove a pickup and lived like a regular person. Asked why he didn't drive a Rolls Royce, he replied, "Where would I put my dogs?" He was successful at least in part ...read more

Tags: Jesus Life

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Look Up In Your Heart  PRO

Contributed by David Tack on Oct 17, 2012

LOOK UP IN YOUR HEART A.W. Tozer reminds us, "You may be still with arthritis so that you can’t even get on your knees to pray, but you can look up in your heart, for prayer isn’t a matter of getting on your knees. Prayer is the elevation of the heart to God and that is all a man needs to praise, ...read more

Tags: Prayer How To

Denomination: Baptist

Is Your Church An Encyclopedia?

Contributed by Perry Greene on Feb 13, 2013

IS YOUR CHURCH AN ENCYCLOPEDIA? There is a story about a man who was walking down the street. He passed a used-book store, and in the window he saw a book with the title, "How to Hug." He was taken by the title and, being of a somewhat romantic nature, went in to buy the book. To his chagrin, he ...read more

Tags: Church, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Elton Trueblood On Family And Parenting

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 24, 2014

Elton Trueblood: "No matter how much a man may be concerned with his work in the world, he should not care about it as much as he cares for his family. This is because we have, in our families, a bigger stake than most of us can ever have in our employment. We can change business associates ... we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:4-12

Tags: Family, Parenting, Fatherhood, Fathers Day, Household, Christian Fathers, Godly Fathers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

John Macarthur: Christ Was Born To Die

Contributed by Davon Huss on Apr 14, 2014

John MacArthur: "The reason that Jesus Christ was born was to die. It greatly concerns me today that there are some who are always talking about the fact that Jesus was a wonderful person who through a set of circumstances got Himself into a mess and wound up getting crucified. However, the Word ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:23

Tags: Foreknowledge, Cross Of Christ, Cross Of Calvary

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Birthdays ...

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Jun 10, 2018

While talking to one of the little ones that came forward during children's hour, I was trying to determine if they were old enough for Vacation Bible School (they were four). So I said, "You are four now, when will you be five?" He looked up with complete confidence and seemed amazed I would ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:13-15

Tags: A Little Child, Stating The Obvious, Unless You Become Like A Child

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Your Cheatin' Heart

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Aug 12, 2020

Ft. Knox guards $13 billion in gold. During WWII, the original Declaration of Independence, the original copy of the U.S. Constitution, the first printing of the copy of the Guttenberg Bible, and the original copy of Magna Carta were all moved to Ft. Knox. The security is updated constantly. Not ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:20-27

Tags: Obedience, Compromise

Denomination: Baptist

Superstition

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 31, 2020

“The number 13, black cats, breaking mirrors, or walking under ladders, may all be things you actively avoid – if you’re anything like the 25% of people in the US who consider themselves superstitious. “…Superstition also explains why many buildings do not have a 13th floor … some airlines such as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:11-20

Tags: Superstition, Occult, Magic

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God The Father In The Old Testament

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 12, 2022

God is only referred to as "Father" fourteen times in the Old Testament's thirty-nine books, and even then, rather impersonally. In those fourteen occurrences of Father, the term was always used with reference to the Nation of Israel, not to individuals. In the entire Old Testament, ...read more

Tags: Old Testament, Grace, Father, Law, Prayer, Lord's Prayer  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Welcome To Your Hut In Heaven!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 20, 2022

A man died and went to heaven.  He was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter who led him down the golden streets.  They passed stately homes and beautiful mansions until they came to the end of the street where they stopped in front of a rundown cabin.   The man asked St. Peter why ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Budget, Heaven, Giving, Stewardship, Tithing, Church Members, Surprises  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Less Important Than We Think

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 22, 2023

In his book, “Being with God,” Pastor AJ Sherrill addresses how the practices of contemplative prayer help the Believer see what’s going on inside: we are so caught up in our inner dramas that we lack the clarity to know what to pray for. Surrendering to the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27) ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-27, Luke 14:7-14

Tags: Love, Humility, Prayer

Denomination: Methodist

Stop Look And Listen

Contributed by David Parks on Oct 11, 2023

Stop Look and Listen Early in the 20th century, with the advent of the automobile, the country's largest railroad became concerned about the many collisions at crossings. The company offered $2,500 for the three best words to use on a warning sign. The top prize winner was paid $833 for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:15-21, Romans 10:17, Psalm 19:1

Tags: Faith, Spirituality, Materialism

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unrealized Dreams

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 3, 2024

The Soybean Car,” a concept developed by Henry Ford -- is an example of an unrealized dream. The car was intended to run on hemp fuel. According to Wikipedia, “The soybean car was a concept car built with agricultural plastic. The New York Times in 1941 states the car body and fenders were made ...read more

Scripture: James 4:14-15

Tags: Uncertainty, Presumption, Assumption, Unrealized Dreams, Humility, Future, God's Will, Goals, Dreams  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Taxes And More Taxes

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

A businessman on his deathbed called his good friend and said, "Luigi, I want you to promise me that when I die you will have my remains cremated." "And what," his friend asked, "do you want me to do with your ashes?" The businessman said, "Just put them in an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:21, Romans 13:6-7

Tags: Government, Taxes, Irs

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Moonlight

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Feb 3, 2026

The moon doesn’t produce light. It has no power source of its own. No battery. No glow stick taped to the back. It simply reflects the sun. That’s us. We don’t generate love through effort, emotion, or religious hustle. We reflect Christ’s love as we remain in Him. When we stay close, obedience ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-10

Tags: Loving Others, Reflections

Denomination: Other

Merely Mode!" Job 38:1-41 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 15, 2005

“Merely Mode!” Job 38:1-41 Key verse(s): 1ff:“Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm.” When tragedies happen, do you marvel at their randomness? Seven people are gunned down in a church on a Saturday evening. A young boy of 15 and an old man of 74. The newspaper headline called it ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:1-41

Tags: God's Forgiveness, God's Provision

Denomination: Lutheran

Nobody Ever Tells Me That!" Ezra 5:1-2 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 5, 2005

“Nobody Ever Tells Me That!” Ezra 5:1-2 Key verse(s) 2b:“And the prophets of God were with them, helping them!” When was the last time that you went out of your way to encourage someone? I’m not talking about the little remark or that wink of an eye. While these things encourage, they are ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 5:1-2

Tags: Christian Love

Denomination: Lutheran

I Will, With God's Help

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Mar 5, 2009

I WILL, WITH GOD'S HELP I read a marvelous story remembered by Reverend Mary Moore Roberson. She writes: "Some years ago, I served on the lay staff of my home parish under the supervision of the priest charged with pastoral care. Barbara took to appearing, first at the door to his office and ...read more

Tags: Mercy

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Secure In My Pocket

Contributed by Larry Turner on Jul 28, 2014

My phone was secure. I had it shoved far down into my pants pocket. There was no way it could fall out; no way could I lose it. I denied it at the time but I saw the signs. They read “Please put any items that you do not want to lose in the bins or lockers before getting on the ride.” I chose to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:35

Tags: Dying To Self, False Confidence

Denomination: Foursquare