In Sermon Illustrations: "Worldly Goods"

What Side Have You ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 26, 2009

WHAT SIDE HAVE YOU CHOSEN? C.S. Lewis said, "When the author walks onto the stage, the play is over. God is going to invade, all right; but what is the good of saying you are on His side then, when you see the whole natural universe melting away like a dream and something else comes crashing in? ...read more

Tags: Second Coming

The Late Great Presbyterian Clergyman And ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

The late great Presbyterian clergyman and Christian author, Rev. James Russell Miller (1840 - 1912), once wrote: "Too many people are not faithful in little things. They are not to be absolutely depended upon. They do not always keep their promises. They break engagements. They fail to pay their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Tags: Character

Online Fraud ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 16, 2009

ONLINE FRAUD STATS Americans reported $240 million in online fraud losses in ’07 to the FBI (an increase of $40 million from ’06). Median dollar loss in ’07 per complaint was $680. Men lost on average $1.67 to every dollar women lost. Men accounted for 75.2% of reported perpetrators and 57.6% of ...read more

Tags: Technology

Meliorism

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 16, 2009

MELIORISM Have you ever heard of Meliorism? Here is what one person said about it. "I am neither an optimist nor a pessimist. I am a Meliorist. Meliorism cancels out optimism as being too bright, too airy; and rejects pessimism as being too dull, too heavy. Take life as it is, says the meliorist, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2

Tags: Author, God Brings Purpose

A Number Of Years Ago Jim Carry Stared In A Movie ...

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 20, 2009

A number of years ago Jim Carry stared in a movie that considered this very idea. In the movie “Liar, Liar”, Jim Carry plays a lawyer who is particularly good at stretching the truth. After promising, and then breaking his promise, to show up at his five-year-old son’s birthday party, the son ...read more

Tags: Lies

Denomination: Baptist

Biblical Truth

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Mar 3, 2009

BIBLICAL TRUTH Both George Gallup and George Barna, eminent pollsters and close church observers, have noted declining biblical literacy in the church. The majority of born-again Christian do not believe in absolute truth. 60% of Americans can’t name five of the Ten Commandments. 50% of high ...read more

Tags: Bible Truth

Denomination: Pentecostal

If Billy Goes To Hell, Do You Care?

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 10, 2019

Billy was born in 1972 into a family of drug abusers. His mother died of an overdose when little Billy was three years old, His father was wanted in Tennessee for selling drugs. Little Billy was slipped into Tennessee to live with relatives. In all reality little Billy spent his life looking for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Tags: Hell, Compassion

Denomination: Pentecostal

Eat Twinkies Together

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 23, 2019

A Harvard study of 7,000 people found that the most isolated people were 3 times more likely to die than those with strong relationships. Reporting on the study, John Ortberg writes that “people who had bad health habits (such as smoking, poor eating habits, or alcohol use) but strong social ties ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:15

Tags: Church, Relationships, Synergy

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Flu

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Feb 21, 2020

After one of our members came down with the flu, was in intensive care for 10 days, we became very aware of how easily it is passed, especially to our elderly members. Which brought about these thoughts. 1) You are 70% Less likely to get the flu (or pass it) if you wash your hands properly. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 40:30-32, Leviticus 14:8-9, Matthew 15:17-20

Tags: Wash, Avoiding Sin, Coronavirus, Covid19, Influenza A, Spreading The Gospel, Wash Hands  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

10 Reasons To Study The Scriptures

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

TEN REASONS TO STUDY THE SCRIPTURES 1. Will strengthen your personal life (1 John 2:14). 2. Will strengthen your assurance of salvation (1 John 5:13). 3. Will strengthen your confidence in your relationship with God (1 John 5:14). 4. Will undergird the effectiveness of your prayers (John 15:7). 5. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Scripture, Truth, Bible Study, Word Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Wise Heart

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jul 15, 2021

Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. KJV This does not mean you sugar coat the Word, but rather choose words or actions that do not offend in such a way no one wants to listen. Too many times Christians are rude and crude not ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:21

Tags: Wisdom, Speech, Lips, Sweetness, Prudent  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A Funny Story About Complaining

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

A FUNNY STORY ABOUT COMPLAINING As per his oath of silence, a monk is only allowed to say two words every year. After his first year, he comes before the head abbot to speak his two words: “Better food.” The head abbot understands and obliges the monk, hiring a new chef and improving the food ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14

Tags: Complaining, Murmuring, Griping, Than Ksgiving

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The Fulness Of Time, God Sent His Son

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 19, 2022

•When God sent His Son into the world, the ancient world benefited from several conditions that made it far easier to spread the news of the good new of salvation. Some of those conditions were: • Roman Law - This protected Paul and others as they traveled the Roman world and preached the ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Bethlehem, Rome, Prophecy, History, Sovereignty Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Before You Yield To Temptation

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 9, 2024

Dr Warren Wiersbe has some excellent words we all need to keep on the "front burner" of our mind so that we have our loins (minds) girded for action (before) the next time we are tempted to commit some flagrant, presumptive, abominable sin against our Holy, Holy, Holy God. BEFORE you ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Tribulation, Yield, Trials, Lust, Deception, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Lies, Sin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Swift To Hear

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 28, 2024

Ropes suggests that the phrase “swift to hear,” used in James 1:19 (tachus eis to akousai), relates primarily to the hearing of or the ready obedience to the Word (referring to 1:18). It is not just an imperative concerning normal social interaction or communication. It is, in fact, ...read more

Tags: Listening, Worship, Discipleship, Obedience, Prayer, Word Of God, Hearing God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wearing A Fresh Shine On His Shoes, A Suit His ...  PRO

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 23, 2000

Wearing a fresh shine on his shoes, a suit his wife gave him on graduation day and a determined look on his face, Brian stood outside his new office. It wasn’t the corner office, but it looked pretty good to him. The smell of new leather from his chair and the warm glow of sunshine streaming ...read more

Tags: Parenting, Graduate, Graduation, Shine

Denomination: Baptist

Here Is A Parody Of Luke's Account Of The Birth ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Nov 13, 2001

Here is a parody of Luke’s account of the birth of Christ, that really underscores just how far our world has let the true meaning of Christmas slip away from them. "And there were in the same country children keeping watch over there stockings by the fireplace. And lo! Santa Claus came upon ...read more

Tags: Birth Of Jesus, Christmas

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do You Remember Bubba Smith? He Retired ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 13, 2001

ILL. Do you remember Bubba Smith? He retired from professional football a few years ago. Then, after he retired from playing football, Bubba Smith started making beer commercials. He was the guy who tore the top off of beer cans, & engaged in the argument about whether it is less filling or ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-37

Tags: Christian Love

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The True Story Is Told Of Two Drunks Who Were ...  PRO

Contributed by Ethan Muse on Apr 2, 2004

The true story is told of two drunks who were sitting in a bar late one night and having an argument about who had the best wife. As they were arguing, the first drunk decides to prove that his wife is the best, so he invites his friend home with him. They arrived at the house at 1:00 in the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-24

Tags: Marriage Obligations

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Two Horses  PRO

Contributed by Bob Soulliere on Jan 12, 2007

Two Horses ~ Author Unknown Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. >From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:46-48

Tags: Value Of Life, Life, Accountability

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ