In Sermon Illustrations: "Why Christ Came"

In 1 John 4:18, We Are Assured That Love Defeats ...

Contributed by Kelly Mitchell on Jan 10, 2013

In 1 John 4:18, we are assured that Love defeats fear. That’s good news. But be careful not to read that God’s Love, and God’s Love alone drives out fear. It can. It does. However, some things are very difficult to fight alone. Go back and read verse 12 of Chapter 4 as well. There we are ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:18

Tags: Outreach, Finding Fulfillment, Hardship Of Life, Obedience, Missions, Servanthood, Affliction, Opportunity, Fear And Worry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Orphan Train

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Dec 15, 2016

THE ORPHAN TRAIN In the history of the westward migration in the United States, part of the story has been largely passed over. From 1850 to 1930, tens of thousands of those who populated the west were orphans--children from eastern cities who were without parents because of disease or the death ...read more

Scripture: John 14:18

Tags: Adoption, Rebirth, Orphan, Train

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fishers Of Men

Contributed by Rick Palmer on Oct 15, 2018

While fishing in the dark in a very deep canyon can present very obvious problems it can produce some unexpected experiences as well. It was a warm summer night about 2:00 AM, dark would be an understatement as the moon was nonexistent at least in the bottom of our canyon. Trout was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:19, 1 Corinthians 2:2-5, 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, John 16:8

Tags: Spirit Of Truth, Gospel Presentation, Filled With The Spirit, Evangelism, Judgement, Holy Spirit, Sin, Gospel, Righteousness  (view more)  (view less)

Friends And Acquaintances?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 26, 2020

Junior high/middle school basketball is always fun to play, and more fun to watch. These youngsters have acquired some skill—more or less—and it’s still more for fun than for competition. Oh, sure, we wanted to win, and few athletes that don’t want to win will ever get very far in any kind of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:3

Tags: Youth, Book Of Life, Athletics, Friends, Relationship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Mom Left Us More Than Her Insurance Policy

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 2, 2020

Around April 28, 2020, my mother completed her earthly journey and went to be with the Lord. I have to confess, part of me was glad she wasn’t suffering any longer (she had several serious health issues) but of course there was the grief that comes along with losing someone you love. Yes, I know ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:15

Tags: Insurance, Mothers, Inheritance

Denomination: Baptist

An Observation About Aging—and Baseballs

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 7, 2022

Introduction: You just can’t change some facts. Aging is one of those facts! Text: Ecclesiastes 12:1, KJV: 1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; Thoughts: Like most good ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1

Tags: Sports, Aging, Baseball

Denomination: Baptist

[079]. A Message From A Poem – Faithful, Lord, You Are To Me And Us

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 12, 2025

[079]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FAITHFUL, LORD, YOU ARE TO ME AND US [THIS IS WHAT I WROTE IN 2022]. Recently I had to go to Townsville for a major ear operation to address a problem I have had for over a year and which would not be treated at the local Queensland State hospital because they ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:20, Romans 8:27-28

Tags: Problem, Ear Operation, Townsville, Caring God, Faithful, Victory, Help, Poetry, Poem  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[078]. A Message From A Poem – Failure Leads To Hurt And Sorrow

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 12, 2025

[078]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FAILURE LEADS TO HURT AND SORROW This poem was written one Sunday morning while waiting for a church service to start. It flowed quickly. It was around the time I was speaking on a series in the life of Peter. Identify yourselves if you have never failed the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:7-10

Tags: Hurt, Forgiveness, Sin, Failure, Sorrow  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[094]. A Message From A Poem – Forgetting The Past, Look Ahead

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 1, 2025

[094]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FORGETTING THE PAST, LOOK AHEAD Someone posted to a Christian forum I was on, a four line stanza once, that in effect said that you can not go back and fix the past, i.e. to go back and alter the beginning but you can start from here and make a brand new end. I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16, Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: Regret, Hope, Past, End, Failure, Start, Look Ahead  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[114]. A Message From A Poem – Have You Studied A Fish’s Head?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 22, 2025

[114]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HAVE YOU STUDIED A FISH’S HEAD? Perhaps the title of this poem seems strange but the fact of it is not strange. God has put His stamp on all creation. All is so intricately designed and interlocked. Man can not create even a flea yet alone some godless evolution ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:1-2, Genesis 1:20-21

Tags: Symmetry, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, God Is The Creator, Fish Head, Evolution, Design, Perfection, Darwin, After Their Kind  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[229]. A Message From A Poem - Rededication Based On 1 Corinthians 5:7

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 16, 2025

[229]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - REDEDICATION BASED ON 1 CORINTHIANS 5:7 This poem is a penitent’s response to sin in his/her life. I think a lot of us would know David’s prayer and confession in Psalm 51. Christians are not sinless people and the people who have a holiness teaching, and carry it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 John 1:8-9, Galatians 6:1, Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Conviction, Besetting Sin, Falling Into Sin, Christian Poems, Old Leaven, Forgiveness, Sin, Confession, Repentance, Rededication  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[247]. A Message From A Poem – Spiralling Downwards

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 2, 2026

[247]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – SPIRALLING DOWNWARDS There is nothing sadder than to see a light plane on fire and spiralling downwards to the ground. We know that is a tragedy that ends in death. Any spiralling downwards will be a disaster and death. This poem looks at the state of the world ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-3, Zechariah 14:16-17, Zechariah 14:9

Tags: Immorality, Deep, Spiral, Gross, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, World, Night, Evil, Darkness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[341]. A Message From A Poem - When Our Saviour Comes Again

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 29, 2026

[341]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - WHEN OUR SAVIOUR COMES AGAIN I believe in the Rapture. I believe Christians are caught up to meet the Lord. {{1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 “for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:11, Revelation 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Tags: Rapture, Caught Up, The Coming Of The Lord, Come Up Here, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

This Past Thursday, I Had The Opportunity To Ride ...  PRO

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Nov 8, 2004

This past Thursday, I had the opportunity to ride with 2 deputies in the Oviedo area. That night, I rode with a deputy as he patrolled his area and one of the things we did was drive around behind many of the stores and shopping centers to make sure there were no problems there. Of the patrol ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:8, Isaiah 6:9

Tags: Salvation, Repentance, Confession Of Sin

Denomination: Baptist

The Resolutions Of Jonathan Edwards  PRO

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jan 5, 2003

The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake. Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Tags: Discipleship, New Year's Day

Denomination: Baptist

My Son Died, Don't You Care  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 11, 2007

Illustration: My Son Died, Don’t You Care An Unknown author wrote this story: The day is over, you are driving home. You tune in your radio. You hear a little blurb about a little village in India where some villagers have died suddenly, strangely, of a flu that has never been seen before. It’s ...read more

Tags: Difference, Impact

Denomination: Other

Give Me Liberty  PRO

Contributed by Michael Gibney on Aug 7, 2002

GIVE ME LIBERTY March 23, 1775. A man with his eternal perspective addressed the House of representatives and said, “ No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same ...read more

Tags: God's Omniscience, Independence Day

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Even A Snake Has A Heart!  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 2, 2004

“Even A Snake Has a Heart!” 1 John 1: 1-10 Key verse(s): 9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” We recently endured the effects of a fairly major windstorm here at Beech Springs. It happened as we were out of town ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:9-10

Tags: Sin General, Faith

Denomination: Lutheran

Living The Impossible Dream!" Job 40: 1-5: Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 3, 2004

“Living the Impossible Dream!” Job 40: 1-5: Key verse(s): 2 “‘Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!’” Sooner or later everyone reads or hears about Cervantes’ story of Don Quixote. Cervantes is thrown in prison in Seville. Finding himself ...read more

Scripture: Job 39:1-5

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Lutheran

No Wonder People Don't Believe (In Santa, That ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 6, 2004

NO WONDER PEOPLE DON’T BELIEVE (IN SANTA, THAT IS) In his book, “Still More Hot Illustrations for Youth”, Wayne Rice says this: It is truly heartwarming to know that millions of people around the world believe in Santa. Sure, most are under four feet tall, but still it’s amazing that so many ...read more

Tags: Christmas