In Sermon Illustrations: "What Is Conscience"

I Arrived In The City Of Everywhere Early One ...

Contributed by Danny Presswood on Jan 26, 2009

"I arrived in the city of EVERYWHERE early one morning. It was cold, and there were flurries of snow on the ground. As I stepped from the train to the platform, I noticed that the Baggage man and the redcap were warmly attired in heavy coats and gloves, but oddly enough, they wore no shoes. ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

Why Wait So Long-----I Worked For This Department ...

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Mar 31, 2010

WHY WAIT SO LONG-----I worked for this department store in SF for many years. We had a return policy that went like this: If you are not satisfied with what you purchased return the item for a full replacement or for full store credit. Now that may not sound like an unusual return policy, I’m sure ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness, Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Key To The Gate

Contributed by Justin Lauramore on Nov 12, 2012

THE KEY TO THE GATE Picture this, you have walked for miles and miles. You are tired and ready for a long nap. You walk up towards a town gate. As you stare at a distance you meet a young man that tells you that the gate is locked. You say ok, well I will test this out for myself. As you continue ...read more

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Joe Bloggs Dream - A New Zealand Poem About Salvation

Contributed by John Gullick on Jul 28, 2016

This amazing poem about an imaginary conversion is powerful - it uses New Zealand rural terminology. You need to understand that if you are using it in New York It is called Joe Bloggs dream. It goes like this. Joe Bloggs was just an average bloke, He never went to church. He wasn’t the religious ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17

Tags: Conversion

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Stoyan's Father By Nik Ripken

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 14, 2019

When Stoyan was twelve, they imprisoned his protestant pastor father. His father remained in custody for ten years. “At first,” he said, “they held him in a secret police place in our city.” “Every morning one of the guards would take some of his own human waste and spread it on the piece of toast ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:13, 1 Peter 1:3

Tags: Persecution, Hope, Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rock Soup

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 31, 2020

CONCLUSION: DO YOU EVER FEEL SO ALONE AND EMPTY? We often say the words “I CAN’T.” Maybe the real truth is “I WON’T.” I read a story about a poor little village and the village was so poor and because there was a terrible drought. There was a very old man in the village. He was old and feeble. He ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:3-4, Amos 3:3

Tags: Victory, Encouragement, Share

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Proud People Vs Broken People

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 20, 2022

Proud people focus on the failures of others. Broken people are overwhelmed with a sense of their own spiritual need. Proud people have a critical, fault-finding spirit; they look at everyone else’s faults with a microscope but their own with a telescope. Broken people are compassionate; they can ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23, Galatians 2:20

Tags: Humility, Revival, Repentance, Pride, Brokenness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[286]. A Message From A Poem – The Prodigal’s Return

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 6, 2026

[286]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE PRODIGAL’S RETURN This is a most serious poem, that of a penitent Christian who sinned before the Lord and really let the flag down. Sin is so evil and so deceptive it can catch anyone out, even sincere Christians. Just recently I have written about the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:19, Exodus 34:6-7, Hosea 2:14

Tags: Christian Poems, A Sinning Christian, A Prodigal Returns, Gracious, Confession Of Sin, Prodigal Son, God Is Gracious, Christian Poetry, Fallen Into Sin, Forgiveness, Compassion, Repentance, Restoration  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Charles Colson Told The Following Story In An ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Oct 12, 2005

Charles Colson told the following story in an address at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi: I love the illustration about a man named Jack Eckerd. A few years ago I was on the Bill Buckley television program, talking about restitution (one of my favorite subjects) and criminal ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Wesleyan

There’s Something About A Lazy Summer Afternoon

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 13, 2020

The past week was an unusually quiet week around the parsonage. It enabled me to do something that I have wanted to do all summer long. Nothing. I am not bragging or anything, but I can do nothing right up there with the best of them. The week, as all weeks do, started on Monday. For me, there is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:31

Tags: Humor, Relationship

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It’s My Birthday I’ll Lie If I Want To

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 25, 2020

I’m not a proponent of lying. I don't like it when people lie. If they lie once, how do you know they're not lying again? Lately, I've been thinking about what the definition of a lie really is. Is there some time when telling a lie is the best to do? And, is every lie a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:4

Tags: Truth, Humor, Lies

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Are Homemade Cookies Addictive?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 8, 2020

Some people say we are living in the "new normal." I'm not sure exactly what they mean, and I don't have the time to ask, nor the desire. If the "new normal" is what I have been experiencing in the parsonage for the last several months, I'm all for it. Let it ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:18

Tags: Humor, Negioating

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Being Nice Does Have Its Rewards

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 21, 2020

It was one of those weeks. It seems that every week of mine is "one of those weeks." Just when I think everything was looking fine, I discovered I was looking in the wrong direction. I should know better than thinking. Several problems developed with my vehicle, and I had to take it to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38

Tags: Nice, Relationship

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It Was A Shoofly Pie Moment

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 5, 2020

During holiday seasons, I enjoy indulging in special food. My favorite during this time of year is the Shoofly Pie. Nothing hits the spot quite like this. Although the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage restricts this kind of culinary activity during the rest of the year, I tried to get a pass ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:17

Tags: Politician, Holiday, Shoofly

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Red Isn’t Always The Red I See

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 2, 2021

It is not that I am colorblind; I just am color indifferent. Red and blue and yellow are all the same to me. This, on many occasions, has challenged the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, who is very meticulous when it comes to describing anything or anyone. In remodeling my office at the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:12

Tags: Christmas, Humor, Gifts

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Any Pie à La Mode Is My Kind Of Pie

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 3, 2021

Choices are a very important part of our everyday life. I am what I am today because of choices I made yesterday. I would like to blame someone else, but the truth of the matter is, I am what I am because of my choices. I must confess that there are a lot of bad choices I have made throughout my ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Marriage, Choices

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Where Oh Where Is My Hair?

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 10, 2021

I must confess I sometimes get so busy that certain things have slipped my mind. I don't do this intentionally, but I try to prioritize things in my life. With so many things going on, it is tough to keep up-to-date with everything, even personal items. This is not true with the Gracious ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:29

Tags: Humor, Change

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Splish Splash, I Forgot To Take A Bath

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 8, 2022

If you had the opportunity to speak to the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, she would probably tell you that one of my strengths is forgetting. I'm not sure how far into the subject she would get. When it comes to forgetting, I am outstanding on the back lawn, and my expertise in this area ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:2

Tags: Memory, Forgetting

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Good, The Bad, And The Grouchy

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 23, 2022

Have you ever had a week where everything went just perfect? Neither have I. Every Monday morning, I plan a perfect week, and I try my best to stick to that plan. My problem is simply, I do not know the meaning of the word "perfect." So I asked The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19

Tags: Attitude, Grouchy

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It Never Dawned On Me Until

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 20, 2022

I must confess I am too poor to pay attention at this time in my life. I hope one day I will win the lottery and be able to afford to pay attention. But, of course, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage says that you can’t win a lottery unless you play the lottery. Well, I don’t play the lottery. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Attention, Listening

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance