In Sermon Illustrations: "Work"

The Sign In The Window Read: "Boy Wanted". Young ...

Contributed by Ed Wood on Jun 29, 2005

The sign in the window read: “Boy Wanted”. Young John Simmons, though he was lazy, saw his opportunity and applied. He was quickly hired by elderly Mr. Peters. The pace was leisurely so he enjoyed the job. Toward the middle of the afternoon however, he was sent up to the attic — a dingy place full ...read more

Tags: Responsibility, Servanthood, Hard Work, Little Things

Denomination: Baptist

A Man Dies And Goes To Heaven. Of Course, St. ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 8, 2005

A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the pearly gates. St. Peter says, "Here’s how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you’ve done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. ...read more

Tags: Salvation, Work, Kingdom Of God, Heaven, Grace  (view more)  (view less)

An Illustration About Ephesians 2:9

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 30, 2022

The author of this illustration is G. M. Landis. I have no idea who this person is or was. I had bought a Bible at a thrift store and the piece of paper with this illustration was inside the front cover (this was a hardcover Bible). The illustration itself appears to have been written for a daily ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:9

Tags: Grace, Salvation, Works, G M Landis

Denomination: Baptist

Saving Private Ryan Tells Us About Our Need For Grace

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 24, 2022

Saving Private Ryan is one of my favorite World War II movies. Three out of four brothers are killed in action, and then a search is launched to find the fourth, Private James Ryan, so that he is not killed, leaving his mother childless. Eight men are sent out to find Private Ryan, who is missing ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Death, Grace, Fear, Salvation, Legalism, Works  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You've Got To Earn This!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2022

Saving Private Ryan is one of the best World War II movies. Three out of four brothers are killed in action, and then a search is launched to find the fourth, Private James Ryan, so that he is not killed, leaving his mother childless. Eight men are sent out to find Private Ryan, who is missing ...read more

Tags: Salvation, Gospel, Merit, Works, Grace, Law  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Holy Office?

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 21, 2023

When a Christian – the temple of the Holy Spirit – walks into an office at IBM, IBM becomes a spiritual place. Tim Downs, Finding ...read more

Scripture: John 4:31-38, Colossians 3:23

Tags: Work, Tim Downs, Finding Common Ground

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When I Grow Up

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Jun 26, 2023

A photographer was snapping pictures of first graders at an elementary school, making small talk to put his subjects at ease. “What are you going to be when you ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:1-3, Ecclesiastes 2:17, Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: Rest, Stress, Responsibility, Work, Busyness, Weariness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

W.e. Vines Defines True Saving Faith

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 13, 2024

W E Vines defines genuine saving faith as consisting of the following: (1) A firm conviction which produces full acknowledgment of God's revelation of Truth - (2 Thess. 2:11 -"in order that they all may be judged who did not believe [pisteuo] the truth, but took pleasure in ...read more

Scripture: John 1:12, 2 Thessalonians 2:11

Tags: Believing, Faith, Salvation, Truth, Assurance, Works  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Was Born On Christmas Day In 1948 And When I ...

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Jul 25, 2011

I was born on Christmas day in 1948 and when I was around 10 years old my hero was Superman. I can remember watching it on our black and white TV. It was a very popular show back then and kids like me looked up to this man of steel that was as the advertisement says, "Faster than a speeding bullet, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:16

Tags: Faith, Believe, Work, Superman, Faith General  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Perfection Achieved  PRO

Contributed by Larry Turner on Dec 4, 2014

Then Jesus concluded with this commandment. “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Wow, now that is a tough one. Be perfect. I am not like Noah, a righteous man. Wait a minute. He was a drunk. Okay like Abraham. He was a liar. How about Moses, short ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:48

Tags: Holiness, Perfection, Finished Work, Christian Maturity

Denomination: Foursquare

During The Great Depression A Good Man Lost H...

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 9, 2015

During the Great Depression a good man lost his job, exhausted his savings, and forfeited his home. His grief was multiplied by the sudden death of his young wife. The only thing he had left was his faith. One day as he combed the neighborhood looking for work he stopped to watch as men did ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:12-15

Tags: Faith, Suffering, Pruning, Works Tested By Fire

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faking It

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 8, 2021

One of my wife’s third graders was wearing a Fitbit watch, which prompted my wife to ask, “Are you tracking your steps?” “No,” said the little girl. “I wear this for Mommy so ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1-13

Tags: Deception, Torah, Works Righteousness, Religious But Lost

Denomination: Independent/Bible

St. John Of The Cross (1542-1591) Said, "A ...  PRO

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 25, 2001

St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) said, "A Christian should always remember that the value of his good works is not based on their number and excellence, but on ...read more

Tags: Faith Vs. Works, Doing God's Will, Christian Love

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Some One Has Said, There Are Three Kinds Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Apr 17, 2001

Some one has said, there are three kinds of givers -- the flint, the sponge and the honeycomb. To get anything out of a flint you must hammer it. And then you get only chips and sparks. To get water out of a sponge you must squeeze it, and the more you use pressure, the more you ...read more

Scripture: Job 7:1-7, Genesis 23:1-20, Genesis 23:1-12, Genesis 26:1-23

Tags: Giving General, Dirty, Church Practices, Labor, Work  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

You Cannot Go On Being A Good Egg Forever. You ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 10, 2001

You cannot go on being a good egg forever. You must either hatch or ...read more

Tags: Faith Vs. Works, Apologetics General, Commitment To Christ

Sophomore  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on May 24, 2002

Do you know the meaning of the word "sophomore?" The word sophomore comes from two Greek words "sophos" and "moros." "Sophos" means to be wise. "Moros" is the word from which we get the world "moron." "Moros" means stupid, blockhead, or fool. So the word "sophomore" means wise fool. And ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-28

Tags: Mother Theresa, God's Omniscience, Faith Vs. Works

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Percentage Of American Adults Who Preferred ...

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 11, 2001

The percentage of American adults who preferred no religion in 1991 was 7 percent and that figure doubled to 14 percent in 1998, say Michael Hout and Claude S. Fischer, professors of sociology at the University ...read more

Tags: What Is Evangelism?, Apologetics General, Faith Vs. Works

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is There A Difference?  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mavis on Jul 26, 2002

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE? In their recent book "Unveiling Islam," Emir and Ergun Caner, former Sunni Muslims cite the major differences between Islam and Christianity as the "personalness" of God, and "grace as opposed to works." "Jesus Christ ... is ultimately personal and wants to have a ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Tags: World Religions, God's Forgiveness, Faith Vs. Works

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My 4 Year Old Daughter Heard Me Talking About A ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 20, 2002

My 4 year old daughter heard me talking about a national tragedy with my wife. I made the comment that there truly was evil in this world. My daughter suddenly perked up and said, "Daddy...Evil can only be replaced by good." Thrilled that my daughter had picked up such a profound idea and sure ...read more

Tags: Faith Vs. Works, God's Provision, Christian Love

Francois Fenelon Was The Court Preacher For King ...  PRO

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 27, 2002

Francois Fenelon was the court preacher for King Louis XIV of France in the 17th century. One Sunday when the king and his attendants arrived at the chapel for the regular service, no one else was there but the preacher. King Louis demanded, "What does this mean?" Fenelon replied, "I had published ...read more

Tags: Church Practices, Faith Vs. Works, Worship Definition

Denomination: Mennonite