In Sermon Illustrations: "Valentines Day"

The Only Thing Left Was The Sign

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 14, 2020

A number of years ago, I drove by a small shopping center in a Midwestern city. The display of signs stated there was everything from a bookstore to a pet shop to—my favorite—a hobby shop! I’ve been interested in model trains and aircraft for many years, and thought this would be a good place to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:5

Tags: Forsaken Things, Closed Churches

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Have A "chip On The Shoulder"?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 15, 2020

Hebrew scholar Gensenius, says that the meaning of the Old Testament word for "meekness" involves "a lowly, pious, and modest mind, which prefers to bear injuries rather than return them." Meekness is not only the opposite of pride, but of stubbornness, fierceness, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Meekness, Beatitudes, Anger, Sensitivity, Sermon On The Mount, Chip On The Shoulder, Spirit Controlled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The First Thing Bartimaeus Saw

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 30, 2020

Think of what Bartimaeus saw when he received his sight! Think of the wonders of seeing for the first time a crowd of human beings just like himself, the walls and palm-tree groves of Jericho, the sky, so blue above him, and the hills of Moab in the distance. But that was not the first thing that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-7

Tags: Death, Heaven, Miracles

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shemaiah, A Man Of God

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 21, 2020

Text: 1 Kings 12:22, KJV: But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 23 Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying, 24 Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:22-24

Tags: Man Of God, Men Of God, Shemaiah

Denomination: Baptist

Unsung Heroes—barzillai The Gileadite, Part 1

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 2, 2020

Introduction: Barzillai is one of many in the Bible who is mentioned only a few times, but his deeds more than make up for any lack of coverage. When David fled for his life during Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 15-18), he eventually crossed the Jordan River. Barzillai and some other people met the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 17:26-29

Tags: David, Barzillai, Gilead, Mahanaim

Denomination: Baptist

A New Year's Devotional

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other! In fact, here are some startling stats about typical resolutions for the new year in America: • 27% break their resolutions by the first week of January. • 31% lose their resolutions by the second week of January. • 41% ...read more

Tags: New Year, Blessings, Resolutions, Material Possessions, Prayer For New Year  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Little Light

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 26, 2021

I HAVE A COMPELLING FOCUS TO REACH MY GOD POTENTIAL… MY CANDLE? I FIND THE ROOM SO DARK… WILL MY LITTLE LIGHT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? WILL I CONSIDER MY SEEDS, MY LITTLE CANDLE, THE LIGHT… James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16, James 3:5

Tags: Light, Consumed

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Acorn Theology

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Dec 10, 2021

I love fall. I love the cooler weather. I love the changing colors. I love football. I love fall with this exception—raking leaves. I have a big oak tree out in my front hard and it is amazing how many leaves that tree can produce. I was out raking the other day and not only was I amazed at all ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9, 1 Corinthians 15:58

Tags: Patience, Steadfastness, Parable, Endurance, Autumn, Sower, Seed, Parables, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Two Angry Brothers?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 20, 2022

ACCIDENTLY, COINCIDENCE OR ON PURPOSE? There were two precious brothers. They loved each other. Their parents owned a huge farm. The brothers worked in harmony alongside their mom and dad for years. Suddenly and unexpectedly the father and mother died. One brother went to a lawyer about the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:29

Tags: Anger, Forgive

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Never Quit Growing

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 9, 2022

GROWTH IS ESSENTIAL OR ONE WILL GET STAGNATE AND BEGIN A DECREASE. Growth is essential to long term survival. We must learn to take advantage of opportunities and take risk. GROWTH: improve, increase, develop, mature, progressive development, MATURITY, AGE, SIZE, WEIGHT, HEIGHT. 2 Peter 3:18 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18, Philippians 1:9

Tags: Plan, Growth

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When It Was Dark

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Apr 15, 2022

When It Was Dark I’m not quite sure how to say this. We have always said in the church that our faith was based upon facts. It was a faith built upon evidence that led us to the facts. My friends, something has come to light just this past week that is out now in the professional journals and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Tags: Easter, Resurrection

Denomination: Pentecostal

Unsung Heroines-Susanna

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 20, 2022

Introduction: Susanna is only mentioned once in Scripture, but it’s in a very positive light. She was one of the unsung heroines who ministered to Jesus and the disciples during His days of ministering on this earth. Text: Luke 8:1-3, KJV: 1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:1-3

Tags: Susanna, Unsung Heroines

Denomination: Baptist

Unsung Heroines-Salome

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 23, 2022

Introduction: She’s only mentioned in two verses, and only in one of the Gospels. Her deeds of love for Jesus, though, far outweigh any lack of text. Her name is Salome and she’s another unsung heroine of the Bible. Text: Mark 15:40-41, KJV: 40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:40-41, Luke 24:1-11

Tags: Salome, Unsung Heroines

Denomination: Baptist

The Most Incredible Birthday Miracle

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 21, 2022

I heard a missionary from Brazil tell an amazing story of the faithfulness of God at an Evangelism Conference in Dallas several years ago. He said that there was a woman named Maria in his country who was an unbeliever who was celebrating her 30th birthday. On that day, she looked up to Heaven ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Missions, Prayer, Miracles, Testimony, Will Of God, Waiting On God, Faithfulness Of God, Sovereignty Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Redemption - His Twice

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 3, 2023

A little boy worked diligently to build a sailboat. He took it to the lake and pushed it in hoping it would sail. Sure, enough a wisp of breeze filled the little sail and it billowed and went rippling along the waves. Suddenly before the little boy knew it, the boat was out of his reach, even ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:28, 1 John 1:9, Isaiah 43:25, Ephesians 1:3-14, Matthew 1:21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Salvation, Redemption, Price, Paid, Redeemed  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

We Are Biologically Wired To Trust

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Apr 20, 2023

Henry Cloud in his book, Trust, talks about how we are hard-wired to trust. If you have ever been around a newborn, you may have noticed that newborns do not do much due diligence when they're hungry. They scream with all their might and basically say, "Bring it to me now!" The human ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 13:12

Tags: Trust, Mothers, Infants, Neuroscience

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Probability Of Prophecy Fulfilled

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Aug 27, 2023

There are 61 major prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. If you can find anyone living or dead, who can fulfil only half of these predictions than I have $1000 for you. The following probabilities are taken from Peter Stoner in Science Speaks to show that coincidence is ruled out by the science of ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2, Malachi 3:1, Zechariah 9:9, Psalm 22:16, Zechariah 11:12, Zechariah 11:13, Isaiah 53:7, Isaiah 53:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Probability, Mathematics, Prophecy Fulfilled, Fulfilled Prophecy

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

An Underground Missionary Of Sister Grace Chen's Story.

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Jan 8, 2025

Sister Grace worked as an underground missionary in a country where Christian activities were heavily monitored and restricted. She operated a small sewing business as her cover, which allowed her to build relationships with local women while secretly sharing the gospel. Despite facing constant ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:5-6, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 John 4:19-21, John 13:34-35, Ephesians 5:1-2, John 14:31, John 5:19, Philippians 2:8, Hebrews 5:8-9, John 8:29, John 13:14-15, Philippians 2:3-7, Matthew 23:11-12, Mark 10:45, Philippians 2:5-8, Matthew 11:29, John 13:12-15, Matthew 14:29-31, Mark 11:22-24, Romans 1:17, Acts 10:38, Galatians 5:16, John 14:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Disciples, Church Members, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Power, Divine Love, Christian Living, Daily Christian Walk, Daily Christian Practice, Practical Theology, Biblical Ethics, Spiritual Seekers, Christ Like Character, Sacrificial Service, Personal Transformation, Biblical Obedience, Following Christ's Example, Humble Leadership, Christian Believers, Christian Service, Spiritual Disciplines, Biblical Faith, Spiritual Transformation, Christian Discipleship, Character Development  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Light Of The World

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jan 20, 2025

Did you know that on the 2nd of January first thing in the morning, just the other day, like in the wee small hours this occurred, and the next night this occurred? [Photos of Aurora Australis] The second one is not the sunset, that is 3am at Blockhouse Bay in Auckland, the first is Queenstown. Did ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, John 1:7, Galatians 5:17

Tags: Conflict, Victory, Light Of The World, Feast Of Tabernacles, Divine Light, Victorious Living, The Blood Of Jesus, Aurora Australis, God's Redemption Plan  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

[124]. A Message From A Poem – He’s Leading As My Head

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 8, 2025

[124]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HE’S LEADING AS MY HEAD How many are lost in this world? I don’t mean unsaved, but I mean who don’t know where they are going or what lies ahead, or what life is about; those who feel life is meaningless and has no purpose? I know it is a lot of people. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:15, John 10:10, John 12:46

Tags: Jesus, Direction, Leader, Guide, Life, Meaningless, Leading, Christian Poetry, Christian Poem  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational