In Sermon Illustrations: "Wise Decisions"

Washington Bureau: Terry Mattingly's Religion ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

WASHINGTON BUREAU: Terry Mattingly’s religion column for 11/07/2001 It’s hard to miss the Big Idea when an artist puts it right on a painting in bold letters. "He That Believeth Not Shall Be Damned. Not A Crown But Hellfire And Brimstone," wrote Howard Finster, using his unorthodox spelling and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-14

Tags: Basics Of Christianity, Becoming A Christian

The Bet — Anton Chekhov

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 7, 2006

The Bet -- Anton Chekhov We live in a world that knows little about what’s truly valuable. People all around us are pursuing things that have no lasting value. That pursuit is ably treated by Anton Chekhov in his classic short story The Bet. This story gives us great insight into the value system ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:28-38, Matthew 8:5-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Am…  PRO

Contributed by Rev Dr Randall M Deal Sr on Mar 16, 2008

I am… BLESSED when I come in and BLESSED when I go out (Deut 28:6) SAFE wherever I go (Psa 91:11) REDEEMED from the hand of the enemy (Psa 107:2) The SALT of the earth (Matt 5:13) The LIGHT of the world (Matt 5:14) VALUABLE! (Matt 10:31) Exercising my AUTHORITY over the enemy (Luke 10:19) VALUABLE ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Numbers In The Bible  PRO

Contributed by Pastor Cosmos on Jan 13, 2011

NUMBERS IN THE BIBLE Remember to use these keys when dealing whith Bible Prophecy only Many of the numbers in the Bible have deeper prophetic or spiritual significance. Both in the Old and New Testaments, numbers reveal hidden concepts and meanings that commonly escape the casual reader. And ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-2

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Charismatic

God Is With The Righteous

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Feb 19, 2012

GOD IS WITH THE RIGHTEOUS Listen to a partially embellished STORY of the SERVANT who escaped to Abraham... The sun was just rising in the east. Abram's entourage had grown significantly since Lot departed. They had settled in the land of Mamre the Amorite, finding water and shade in the forest, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 14:1-16

Tags: Sin Bondage To

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith

Contributed by John Hardwick on Aug 1, 2015

Faith, as a mustard seed, is when it’s raining enough to need the windshield wipers once a minute, but not enough to set it on auto. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Tags: Faith, Amazing Love

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Wasn't Supposed To Live...

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 13, 2024

I believe that God called me to preach in the summer of my freshman year in high school. He gave me a dream about one of my best friends who was somewhere in eternity screaming in pain: He was crying out to me, "You never told me. You never told me! Larry, you talked to me about baseball. ...read more

Tags: Pastors, God's Call, Miracle, Fathers, Preachers, Death, Healing, Prayer, Purpose, God's Will, Testimony  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[057]. A Message From A Poem – Delusion Has Ascended On Mankind

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 12, 2025

[057]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DELUSION HAS ASCENDED ON MANKIND Delusion, often created through “inclusion”, is a serious subject today because there is so much of it around. All this has kicked off through the widespread media. “We don’t know who to believe,” is a common saying in our days. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:20-21, Malachi 2:17, Colossians 2:4, James 1:22, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11, 2 Timothy 3:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Media, Climate Change, Liars, Delude, Deluded, Evil, Deception, Lies, Delusion, Deceive  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Could Have Turned Around  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 26, 2001

He could have turned around A 20-year-old man was arrested by the Omaha Police on the “suspicion of robbery and giving police false information,” which was one of many wrong turns for this young man. His first wrong turn was the desire to make some quick, easy money for whatever reason. His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:14, Proverbs 29:6

Tags: Sin Wages Of, Sin Deceptive, Repentance

Dennis E. Mannering Was Teaching A Class For ...  PRO

Contributed by Sheila Crowe on Sep 27, 2002

Dennis E. Mannering was teaching a class for adults, when he did the "unpardonable." He gave the class homework! The assignment was to "go to someone you love within the next week and tell them you love them. It had to be someone you have never said those words to before or at least haven’t shared ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Tags: God

Denomination: United Methodist

Mud-Gazing?" Luke 12:13-15 Key Verse(S) ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 3, 2005

“Mud-Gazing?” Luke 12:13-15 Key verse(s) 13:“Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Do you sing because you are happy; or are you happy because you sing? You’ve met the person. They always seem to have a positive attitude about nearly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-15

Tags: Peace, Joy, Christian Love

Denomination: Lutheran

The Lord Gave Me This Message This Past Tuesday, ...

Contributed by William Noel on Dec 31, 2006

The Lord gave me this message this past Tuesday, while at a home school choir concert. · I have to admit, the style of music that they sing is not what I normally listen to. · Also, since Sis. Noel takes the kids to their weekly rehearsals, I didn’t know anyone there. · And to top it off, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:16

Denomination: Baptist

The Father Loves You

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jun 15, 2008

THE FATHER LOVES YOU The memory of one particular evening when my wife and I lived in Florida remains fresh in my mind. We were invited by some friends to listen to their children's contemporary Christian band play some of their new songs at the "Coffee Spot" in New Port Ritchie, Florida. It's ...read more

Tags: God The Father

Denomination: Christian Church

Purpose In Your Heart

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 9, 2009

PURPOSE IN YOUR HEART Wilma was born prematurely. This produced complications that resulted in her contracting double pneumonia (twice) and scarlet fever. But the worst was a bout with polio which left her with a crooked left leg and a foot twisted inward. Metal leg braces, stares from ...read more

Tags: Perseverance, Endurance

A Good Name: The Case Of Butch O'hare

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 9, 2011

A GOOD NAME: THE CASE OF BUTCH O'HARE His name was Butch O'Hare, one of the heroes of World War II. He was a fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific. One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:1

Tags: Character

Sold: Ten Percent Of Apple Computer For $800

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 25, 2018

I’d like to begin this morning with a story. It involves these men [photo of Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs]. You probably recognize them: Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. The two men who founded Apple Computer. Right? Well, no, actually that’s not completely accurate. Here is a photo of the original ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-20

Tags: Perseverance In Faith, Treasure In Heaven

Denomination: Baptist

George Floyd

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 11, 2020

God can use you to make a difference in our broken world no matter your past. Just commit your way to the Lord like Jephthah did and depend on His Holy Spirit. When I think about Jephthah, I think about George Floyd, who was recently murdered in Minneapolis. George was a towering 6-foot by 6-inch ...read more

Scripture: Judges 11:1-3, Judges 11:29, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Tags: Transformation, Grace Of God, George Floyd

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Racism And The Gospel

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jan 1, 2023

Benjamin Watson, who plays for the NFL New Orleans Saints posted the following on his Facebook page: "At some point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday Night Football, the news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying to figure out how I felt, I decided to write it down. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28, John 3:16, James 5:16, Romans 3:23, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Sin, Gospel, Hope, Racism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[062b]. A Message From A Poem – Does Suffering Cancel Out A God Of Love?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 14, 2025

[062B]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DOES SUFFERING CANCEL OUT A GOD OF LOVE? THE POEM AS IT IS WILL NOT FIT IN THE ILLUSTRATION SPACE AVAILABLE. I HAVE SPLIT IT INTO THREE PARTS. THIS IS THE SECOND PART THE INTRODUCTION FOR THE POEM IS IN PART 1. PART 2 SECTION B - PART 1 (THE CHRISTIAN ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 45:6-7, John 3:16, Exodus 34:6-7

Tags: Hurt, Pain, Love, Compassion, Comfort, Suffering, Tragedy, God Of Comfort, God Of Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[102]. A Message From A Poem – God Sends No One To Hell

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 9, 2025

[102]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GOD SENDS NO ONE TO HELL The Introduction for this poem is longer than average. So as not to be misunderstood, the title of the poem does not mean God has no control over hell. He certainly does but just so that you don’t miss the message of the poem, I need to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:4, Revelation 19:20, Matthew 25:41, Isaiah 30:33, John 3:16, Mark 9:47-48, Revelation 20:14, Matthew 25:31  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Hell, Gehenna, Lazarus, Poetry, Sheep And Goats, The Second Coming, The Lake Of Fire, Christian Poems, Wheat And The Tares  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational