In Sermon Illustrations: "Whole Armor"

The More Excellent Way

Contributed by Christopher Lanham on Jul 22, 2011

THE MORE EXCELLENT WAY I remember a sermon – years ago, in fact I think I may have preached it during my time here as an intern – where my opening illustration was the difference between the way my father chopped wood and the way I chopped it. You may remember the scene – me as a skinny 18 ...read more

Tags: God Brings Purpose

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Winning Of Charlie Stoltzfus

Contributed by Eugene Morell on Jan 28, 2012

THE WINNING OF CHARLIE STOLTZFUS Tony Campolo was a special speaker one week-end and he felt led by the Holy Spirit to tell a story of what happen when he was asked to speak at a Pentecostal college. Before the service began eight men had him kneel so they could lay their hands on him and pray. ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trust

Contributed by Ken Henson on Nov 3, 2018

Proverbs 3:5-8 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding for support. 6 In all your habits acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight 7 Don’t look at yourself as wise—fear God and leave evil 8 It will bring health to umbilical cord and refreshment ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-8

Tags: Not Relying On Self, Belief, Trust, Relying On God

Denomination: *other

The Man Who Rejected A Pardon

Contributed by David Goering on Nov 1, 2019

ILLUSTRATION: The man who rejected a pardon. 1.) I found this true story online. United States v. Wilson, 32 U.S. 150 (1833), was a case in the United States in which the defendant, George Wilson, was convicted of robbing the US Mail in Pennsylvania and sentenced to death. Due to his ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:8

Tags: Forgiveness, Pardon

Tony Campolo Wrote A Book Called "The Kingdom Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Tony Campolo wrote a book called “The Kingdom of God is a Party.” In chapter one, he tells the story of a trip to Honolulu in the mid 80’s. Having crossed far too many time zones from Philadelphia to Hawaii, he found himself awake and needing breakfast at 3:30am local time. He ended up in a greasy, ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

I Want To Read You A Page From The U.s. ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

I want to read you a page from the U.S. Government Peace Corps Manual for its volunteers who work in the Amazon Jungle. The page I’m going to read concerns what to do in case you’re attacked by an Anaconda. The Anaconda is the largest snake in the world. It grows to 35 feet in length and weighs ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

An English Missionary Doctor Named Helen ...  PRO

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Oct 28, 2007

An English missionary doctor named Helen Roseveare, tells this story about an incident she experienced during her time in Zaire, Africa. One night she had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all they could do the mother died, leaving them with a tiny premature baby and ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Third, Are We Willing To Tell Others About Jesus ...

Contributed by Don Jones on Mar 29, 2008

Third, are we willing to tell others about Jesus no matter what the cost? A recent statistic said 3 out of 4 people had not heard the gospel. Are you committed enough to tell others about what Jesus has done for you? If not, why? Is it shame or are you focused on other things in life. Jesus ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Ministering To ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Ministering to Christ In The Midst of Disaster “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom… For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited Me in, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:34-40

Tags: Unconditional Love

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Heaven, A Personal Place

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Heaven, A Personal Place Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Heaven

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus, The Only Way To Heaven  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Jesus, the Only Way to Heaven Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Heaven

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is It Like On The Other Side?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 22, 2022

Kansas City, Missouri is separated from Kansas City, Kansas by the Missouri River. Years ago, there was a farmer who lived on the Kansas side of the river. He had a farm, a wife and a beautiful daughter. The farmer and his family had never been across the river. They had lived their whole life on ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Death, Revelation, Heaven, Hope, Eternal Life, New Jerusalem, Funerals  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Lesson From A Short Story

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 27, 2023

Text, Matthew 16:26, KJV: For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Thoughts: In my last year or so of high school, I took a couple of literature classes. For one thing, I liked the teacher, and for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:26

Tags: Hell, Temptations, Souls

Denomination: Baptist

[003] Message From A Poem – A Simple Farmer’s Ditty

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 13, 2024

[003] MESSAGE FROM A POEM – A SIMPLE FARMER’S DITTY You will note that each line of the poem ends with the “ay” rhyme. The following poem is simple in structure but an attempt to relate to the simplicity of the land. I used to spend my holidays as an early teenager on the land with a farming ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 26:23-25, Ezekiel 14:13

Tags: God Keeps Us, Agrarian Society, Nature, Poem, Farming, Farmers, A Ditty  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[136]. A Message From A Poem – I’m Just Changing Residence

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 17, 2025

[136]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – I’M JUST CHANGING RESIDENCE I have lived in my current home for 45 years. Before that we lived in a home for 10 years. I have only ever owned two homes. Some people change homes like they change clothes. When a Christian dies some say, “He has gone home to be ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-3, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Tags: Point Of Death, New Address, Homes, Absent From The Body, Dwelling Places, Residence, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Heaven, Dying  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[142]. A Message From A Poem – In Our Weakness He Gives Strength

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 25, 2025

[142]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IN OUR WEAKNESS HE GIVES STRENGTH Creatures of dust we are and weak and frail in human strength. Many are the battles we can have and many are the storms that assail us. I do think Christians have a greater measure of these that people in the world because it is ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 12:2, Genesis 2:7, Genesis 3:19, Psalm 34:4, Psalm 27:3, 2 Corinthians 12:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: We Are Frail, A Christian Poem, Strength, Weakness, I Am Weak, Dust Of The Ground, Christian Poetry, Dust Made From Dust  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[157]. A Message From A Poem – Jesus On Trial (Easter)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 7, 2025

[157]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – JESUS ON TRIAL (Easter) This is a more unusual style for me as you will see. The whole poem is set at the trial of the Lord from the time He entered the judgement hall until the sentence was pronounced. In particular the poem will mention Herod, Pilate, Barabbas, ...read more

Scripture: John 10:14-18, Revelation 20:11-12, 1 Timothy 1:15

Tags: Jesus Laid Down His Life, Soldiers, Trial Of Jesus, Crucify Him, The Great White Throne, Christian Poems, Jesus On Trial, Easter, Herod, Pilate, Barabbas, Elders  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[231]. A Message From A Poem - Reflections In Older Life

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 18, 2025

[231]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - REFLECTIONS IN OLDER LIFE This poem was completed in 2020 when I was 77 years old. I don’t think I am unique in any way. I believe as people get older and know that most of their life has already gone, there comes a time for reflection on one’s life. That is what ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:31, Psalm 71:17-18, Isaiah 46:4

Tags: Old Age, The Shepherd, Reflections, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Grey Head, Old  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[241]. A Message From A Poem – Some Thoughts From Ephesians 1

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 21, 2025

[241]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – SOME THOUGHTS FROM EPHESIANS 1 Ephesians is the most doctrinal book in the New Testament along with Romans. There is so much in Ephesians that it is a gold mine with more and more veins the further down you go. In this poem I took some of the marvellous teaching ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-7

Tags: Kind Intention, Adoption, Predestined, Inheritance, Heavenly Places, Spiritual Blessings, Christian Poems, Grace, Glory, Salvation, Redemption  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[257]. A Message From A Poem – The Bridegroom Prepared His Bride

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 8, 2026

[257]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE BRIDEGROOM PREPARED HIS BRIDE The fact of Christ and His Church is a remarkable story of love. It is the pursuit of a Bride for God the Son. That Bride was purchased from the slavery of sin by the highest price and that was the death of the Lord Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:26-27, Revelation 19:7-9

Tags: Christ Prepared His Bride, Bride For Isaac, Bride For Boaz, The Bride Is The Church, Ruth, Marriage Supper Of The Lamb, The Bride, The Bridegroom  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational