In Sermon Illustrations: "Useful To The Lord"

Bitter & Better - The Two 'b's

Contributed by Paddick Van Zyl on Jul 21, 2014

When the water at Marah was bitter, Moses had to cast a tree into the water stream to sweeten the water or make it drinkable. The words: Bitter and Better both start with a B and end with Tter. The only difference is: the letter I and E. Bitter has the focus on I, me, myself, flesh. Better has ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:22-27

Tags: Water, Sweet, Bitter

Denomination: Pentecostal

Follow The Light

Contributed by Tim Baker on Jan 5, 2018

When I flew airplanes regularly landing at night was very different than daylight. I would use the instruments to guide me to the airport over most of the trip, but since I was a VFR pilot I would use my eyes outside of the cockpit to land the plane. In the daylight using your eyes to land was ...read more

Tags: Light, Light And Darkness, Light For Our Path

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Way Of The ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

The Way of the Righteous What They Don’t Do “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-3

Tags: Righteousness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[047]. A Message From A Poem – Christians Who Are And Who Are Not

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 6, 2025

[047]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CHRISTIANS WHO ARE AND CHRISTIANS WHO ARE NOT The main idea in this poem is the contrast between Christians in places of persecution who are committed and real, and the many Christians of the West who are lax and non-committed, who are asleep. It is a shame this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-12, Romans 15:26-28

Tags: Persecution, Support, Sleep, Awake, Voice Of The Martyrs, True Christians  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cirrhosis Of The Giver  PRO

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Jun 23, 2011

CIRRHOSIS OF THE GIVER Many in our day seem to be afflicted with that terrible disease known as Cirrhosis of the Giver. This terrible malady renders the afflicted person’s hand incapable of moving from the wallet to the offering plate. The only known cure is to remove the sufferer from the Lord’s ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-44

Tags: Tithes

Get The Bugs Out

Contributed by Perry Greene on Mar 20, 2012

GET THE BUGS OUT A huge clock was built and placed in the tower of the Pottsdam Garrison Church by the Emperor Frederick the Great of Prussia. This magnificent timepiece would chime out the hymn, "Praise Ye the Lord" every half hour. One day the melody ceased. Repairmen opened the gearbox of the ...read more

Tags: Worship Benefits

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God's Chair

Contributed by Antonio Silveira on Feb 26, 2011

GOD'S CHAIR When I was small, I used to play a game with my friends called musical chairs. Do you remember it? The object of the game was to be in possession of a chair when the music stopped. All through life it often seems we’re caught up in this game. There are different kinds of chairs and in ...read more

Tags: Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Baptist

Crown Of Thorns  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

CROWN OF THORNS Nearly thirty years ago on Saturday night I sat in an indoor arena excitedly watching a beautiful Arabian stallion receive the very high honor of "Legion of Merit." The lights were turned off and a large spotlight appeared at the entrance gate. Music played as this beautiful bay ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:28-30

Tags: Easter Good Friday

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[215]. A Message From A Poem - His Precious Redeemed Ones

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 28, 2025

[215]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - HIS PRECIOUS REDEEMED ONES In my messages and sermons, sometimes I raise the plight of suffering Christians enduring persecution such as we observe in many nations in Africa. It makes me think of these suffering ones and how the Lord views them. They are ...read more

Scripture: John 12:24, Revelation 2:10-11, 1 John 5:4, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 2 Peter 1:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Christ, Jesus, Persecution, Victors, Grain Of Wheat, Christian Poems, Africa, Precious, Put To Death, Redeemed, Believers, Saints  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Many Years Ago, A Scottish Jesuit Priest ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 1, 2008

Many years ago, a Scottish Jesuit priest expressed to John Knox, his great frustration and confusion over the inconsistencies of his life. The following was Knox’s suggested prayer: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and put an end at Thy good pleasure to this my miserable life; for justice and truth ...read more

Many Years Ago, A Scottish Jesuit Priest ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Many years ago, a Scottish Jesuit priest expressed to John Knox, his great frustration and confusion over the inconsistencies of his life. The following was Knox's suggested prayer: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and put an end at Thy good pleasure to this my miserable life; for justice and truth ...read more

Tags: Sanctification

R. G. Lee Told About Walking Down The Street And ...  PRO

Contributed by Ed Wood on Jun 6, 2002

R. G. Lee told about walking down the street and a drunk staggered up to him and said, “Oh, Preacher, I’m one of your converts.” The preacher looked at him and said, “Yeah, you look like one of mine. You certainly ...read more

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Evangelism Fear Of

Denomination: Baptist

A. J. Gordon Once Said, I Have Long Since Ceased ...  PRO

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Oct 20, 2004

A. J. Gordon once said, I have long since ceased to pray, “Lord Jesus, have compassion on a lost world!” I remember the day and the hour when I seemed to hear the Lord rebuking me for making such a prayer. He seemed to say to me, “I ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness General

Denomination: Baptist

Two Ministers In A Small Town Were Openly ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Two ministers in a small town were openly critical of each other’s efforts and constantly opposed one another. After a joint meeting in which they planned a community-wide effort, one took this parting shot at the other, “We’ll just go ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will

Martyrdom Of Missionary Doctor Paul ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 29, 2010

Martyrdom of Missionary Doctor Paul Carlson Don Carson has written a book which is also titled, “How Long O Lord: Reflections on Suffering & Evil.” At the beginning of the book, he recounted this real-life story. A pastor is cutting his front lawn. He looks up from his task just in time to see a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Tags: Missions

Truths To Victorious Living Are:  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Truths to victorious living are: One, recognize the need to be filled with the Holy Spirit so you can live a life that reflects being led of the Holy Ghost. The apostle exhorts you "...to be filled with the [Holy] Spirit." Two, begin mortifying the flesh by confessing sins and claim Christ's ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-9

Tags: Holiness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Fathers: Give Generously  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

"Christian Fathers: Give Generously" The Bible gives four Christian character traits that can build a lasting legacy for the Lord. The third is to give with generosity. 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 says, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Tags: Father's Day

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[294]. A Message From A Poem – The Troubled New Year Begins

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 20, 2026

[294]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE TROUBLED NEW YEAR BEGINS These comments for the poem are being written on 10 February 2026. It is very important Christians understand current events in the world because we are in the very last days of the Church age and the Lord’s coming for His Bride, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Tags: Troubles, The New Year, The Signs Of The Times, Christian Poems, Current Affairs, Start Of The Year  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stand Strong

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 13, 2023

I want you all to think back with me as we begin this morning. Many of us looked forward to leaving high school behind with all of its challenges. Then we began to experience a whole new set of challenges in college or in the workplace. We began wondering what direction we were going to take in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-14

Tags: Dedication, Loyalty

Denomination: Baptist

Dale Jarrett

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 20, 2006

Dale Jarrett I grew up in a Christian home, my parents made sure that we were in church, but as I grew up I got side tracked and didn’t live my life as I should. But things changed when I started driving for Joe Gibbs, here was and is a man that is very strong in the Lord and his influence on me ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan