In Sermon Illustrations: "What Is Holy Spirit"

Gracious Father, I Humbly Beseech Thee For Thy ...

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 8, 2008

“Gracious Father, I humbly beseech thee for thy Holy Catholic Church; fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purge it; where it is in error, direct it; where it is superstitious, rectify it; where anything is amiss, reform it; where it is right, strengthen and ...read more

Tags: Unity

Denomination: Other

Wine Consumption Increased 4% In '07, While ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2008

Wine Consumption increased 4% in '07, while distilled spirits were up 3.2% and beer 1.2%. Distilled spirits sales reached more than 182 million nine-liter cases (their 10th straight year of growth) and wine sales reached 294.4 million cases, the 14th consecutive growth year. After declining sales ...read more

Tags: Alcohol

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

Second Chances

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

David Emory tells the story of baptizing a young father who had a 7 year old and 5 year old. They were close friends of his family and had never been a part of a church. But one Sunday, they came to worship, he gave his life to Christ and was baptized. At the end of the service, after everyone else ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Tags: Sin, Repentance, Woe, Second Chances

Denomination: Methodist

Why Did Jesus Need To Be Baptized?  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 3, 2013

Why would Jesus need to be baptized by John? Well... Jesus' baptism by John was the beginning of Jesus' ministry. Mark 1:1 starts out: "The BEGINNING of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" and then Mark starts telling us about Jesus' baptism by John. In Luke 3:23 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-15

Tags: High Priest, Water Baptism, Jesus' Ministry, Baptism, Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Paul Esheman, The Man Responsible For ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Apr 8, 2002

: Paul Esheman, the man responsible for distributing millions of copies of the Jesus film around the world, tells bout the time that the film was shown at a refugee camp I Mozambique on the southeast coast of Africa. Although most of the people had never heard the gospel, they fell in love with ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The First Sermon I Ever Preached Was In ...

Contributed by Jeff Simms on Nov 12, 2003

The first sermon I ever preached was in Yerington, Nevada in 1988. It stands as the worse sermon in recorded history. There was about 20 people present in that little desert church to hear me. I said everything I intended say in about 5 minutes. Then, I said it again and looked back down at my ...read more

Tags: God's Omniscience

Denomination: Baptist

Philippine Missionary Fellowship, Inc. Is A ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Santos on Sep 23, 2004

Philippine Missionary Fellowship, Inc. is a mission-organization founded in 1957. It is now 46 years old. Members, workers, leaders and sponsors have come and go but the mission of the Lord is continuously growing and doing mightily in the sight of God. At present, there are 260 workers in the ...read more

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Road From Jerusalem To Jericho

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 20, 2022

Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan and said that "a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho", Matoon explains that "It was on this road where the victim was mugged. This road was about 17 miles long and it was a very dangerous path to travel. It was steep. Jerusalem ...read more

Tags: Jerusalem, Jericho, Parables, Kindness, Good Samaritan  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Word Pictures Of Biblical Forgiveness

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 12, 2024

The importance of forgiveness is a constant theme of Scripture. There are no less than seventy-five different word pictures about forgiveness in the Bible. They help us grasp the importance, the nature, and the effects of forgiveness. • To Forgive Is to Turn The Key, Open the cell door, and let ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Tags: Forgiveness, Philemon, Lord's Prayer, Root Of Bitterness, Forgive Us Our Debts, Unforgivenes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Confession To Immersion: The Creed That Formed Christians

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 22, 2026

During the first centuries, when the church endured persecution, the Apostles’ Creed was taking shape. Early Christians used the Nicene Creed as a teaching tool for evangelism and discipleship. Before baptism, candidates learned Christian practices, heard the grand story of Scripture, memorized ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-3, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 10:9-10

Tags: Baptism, Discipleship, Nicene Creed, Persecuted Church, Christian Identity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Unsung Heroes-These Men Of Damascus Saved Saul’s Life!

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 22, 2021

Text, Acts 9:23-25, KJV: 23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. Thoughts: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:23-25, 2 Corinthians 11:32-33

Tags: Persecution, Saul Of Tarsus, Unsung Heroes

Denomination: Baptist

In His Book, When God Whispers Your Name, Max ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 30, 2003

In his book, When God Whispers Your Name, Max Lucado writes: I choose self-control … I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my ...read more

B) Swindoll Says This About His Book Laugh ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 23, 2003

(b) Swindoll says this about his book Laugh Again,”It’s about giving the child within us permission to look at life and laugh again “(11). (i) He adds, “I know of no greater need today than the need for joy. Unexplainable, contagious joy. Outrageous joy…Unfortunately, our country seems to have ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:2

Tags: Joy

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Don't Want To Be One!

Contributed by Christopher Gregas on Sep 8, 2012

I DON'T WANT TO BE ONE! There was a pastor that was giving a "children’s sermon" to all the young children. And as they sate before him, a bright-eyed three-year-old girl listened intently as he explained that God wanted them all to get along and love each other. "God wants us all to be one," he ...read more

Tags: Unity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Jewish Roots Of "tongues"

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 12, 2019

• Talmud taught about power for all people in the Ten Commandments: R. Johanan said: What is meant by the verse, The Lord giveth the word: They that publish the tidings are a great host? — Every single word that went forth from the Omnipotent was split up into seventy languages. The School of R. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8-17, Acts 2:1-20

Tags: Pentecost, Tongues, Languages

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Eternal Life

Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 1, 2020

The eternal life I am talking about is best described by Thomas Guthrie: "Eternal life is deliverance from eternal death, deliverance from the curse of breaking God’s law, and deliverance from the doom of a burning hell. Eternal life is eternal blessedness- the pardon from sin’s guilt, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:12

Tags: Perfect, Eternal Life

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Embracing God's Grace

Contributed by Rev. Randy Barker on Apr 2, 2025

Title: Embracing God's Grace: A Message of Hope from the Churches of Christ in Christian Union Introduction: Dear Friend, We are delighted to share with you the message of God's grace and the transformative power of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In this gospel tract, we will ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8

Tags: Grace, Mercy

Denomination: *other

[085]. A Message From A Poem – For All Christians - The Three Ps

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 21, 2025

[085]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FOR ALL CHRISTIANS - THE THREE Ps There are 9 poems in this Trilogy series. This poem is part of a Trilogy - three sets of three. The first set is addressed to MEN, the second to ALL CHRISTIANS and the third is SPECIFIC. This is the first one in the second set ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 47:5-7, Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 12:11-12, Psalm 57:7-9

Tags: Vital Links, Praise, Prayer, Patience, Poetry, Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Was Hungry And You Formed A Humanities Club And ...

Contributed by Kyle Rye on Apr 29, 2009

I was hungry and you formed a humanities club and you discussed my hunger. Thank you. I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your chapel in the cellar to pray for my release. I was naked and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance. I was sick and you knelt and thanked God for ...read more

Tags: Servanthood

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ