Sermons on Rope Illustration:

Why Doesn't God Prevent Evil? Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jul 12, 2013

How can a good God allow human suffering to continue? The story of Joseph provides a powerful illustration that suffering has a purpose, even when we can't see it at the present time.

“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Has Got Your Tongue? Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Oct 7, 2015

Controlling the tongue. Why is it so hard? Is the control of the tongue a valid indicator of our spiritual condition? James give us some illustrations that are very useful in defining the ravages of an out of control tongue.

Let’s ponder on this for a moment before we plunge into today’s Scripture. 1 Samuel 2:2 “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides You; there is no Rock like our God.” If you are a son or daughter of God you are one of the most privileged souls in the ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Nazarene

The Belt, The Bush, And The Bowl

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Oct 4, 2011

This message comes from Jeremiah 13, 17, and 18 dealing with three non verbal illustrations God gave to Jeremiah to aid him in his prophecies. The visuals included a belt, a bush, and a bowl.

The Belt, the Bush, and the Bowl Jeremiah 13, 17, 18 CHCC – October 2, 2011 Props: white linen / dirty torn linen -- dead plant / living plant --clay bowl INTRODUCTION: I’ve heard people say that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament. They ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Truth About Trembling Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Dec 13, 2009

Christmas provides an illustration of how people react to idea of God. During the Christmas season many will admire the baby Jesus who was born in a stable. The problem is that very few lives are changed by this celebration.

Purpose: To establish the awesome holiness of Christ. Aim: I want the listener to submit wholeheartedly to Christ. INTRODUCTION: How can we be sure that we will have the help and the blessing of God on our lives and on our church? Isaiah answers that question for us in today’s text. The answer is ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 66:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Healing Power Of Prayer

Contributed by Adrian Rogers on Mar 27, 2012

James explains to us how to pray for healing: There’s the confession that precedes it. There’s the intercession that provides it, there’s the illustration that proves it.

Introduction I want you to take your Bibles tonight and turn with me to the fifth chapter of the book of James. That wonderful book of James that deals with such practicalities, things that we need to know and learn and to hear over and over again. Tonight I want to speak to you on the ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Hard Thing / Difficult Situation Series

Contributed by Pastor Dr. Tim Awotide on Apr 5, 2023

Elijah told Elisha that was a HARD THING, a double portion of the anointing is a HARD THING. 2 Kgs 2:9. But then a Window was created for the actualisation of that request and that window is illustrated with the word "NEVERTHELESS".

2 Kings? ?2:8-15? ?KJV. “And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Sermon On The Mount (Part 19) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Feb 3, 2020

In our passage today, Jesus illustrates the power and provision of prayer. But we'll see that it isn't always as simple as, 'ask and you shall receive'.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (part 19) Matt. 7:7-12 In our passage today, Jesus illustrates the power and provision of prayer. It was almost time for the 'Old Fashioned Revival Hour' radio program to go on the air. The broadcast was coming from a tin-roofed building in Waterloo, Iowa. As Dr. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-12, Luke 18:1-8, Jeremiah 29:12-13, Psalm 37:4, 1 John 3:21-23, 1 John 5:14-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Christian's Duty Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 26, 2021

Verse 10 contains the only recorded instance in Scripture where our Lord used the word duty. He taught us all that is necessary to know about duty by a simple illustration and application.

In his book Merely Colossal, Arthur Mayer tells of how he hired a stunt man to be buried alive as a publicity stunt for a film he was promoting. The stunt man knew how to breathe in such a way that he could stay buried for 24 hours and not suffocate. After the papers made a big splash about a man ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:7-10

Maintaining Readiness

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Nov 26, 2019

Jesus shares illustrations to show that his return will be sudden and unexpected. His call on us is to be ready at any moment. The First Sunday of Advent reminds us that Jesus came, and Jesus is coming again!

Matthew 24:36-44 Maintaining Readiness The military has a readiness system of green, amber and red, to illustrate threat levels we might face at any given time. When you go on base or on post, you’ll see a Force Protection Condition, or FPCON, ranging from normal to delta. Likewise, the president ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44, Acts 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

Josh's Journey Through Silence: Spirituality In The Making

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jan 4, 2021

This is a narrative sermon that illustrates how people often struggle with spirituality due to life's situation. It follows this narrative for developing a sensitivity to those who struggle to find meaning on their spiritual journey.

Following the pastoral prayer, the minister of music prepared to lead the people in a hymn of praise. As the pastor reflected upon the worship service and the sermon he was to preach his mind drifted to the text for his sermon. It was the first passage of scripture he had heard read from the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Married For The Glory Of God

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 28, 2024

Marriage belongs to God because God created it and has defined it. God's purpose for the marriage of a man and woman is to bless them and their family and to illustrate the relationship between Christ and the church.

Introduction: A. Today, I am going to talk about being married for the glory of God. 1. Two weeks ago, I shared a sermon called “Single for the Glory of God” in which I talked about the importance of serving God as singles, whether that singleness is short-term or long-term. 2. Last week, we were ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7-8, Genesis 2:18-25, Genesis 1:27-28, Ephesians 5:23-27, Revelation 19:7-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"A Fruit Called Kindness”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Sep 29, 2021

Kindness is a "fruit" of the Spirit. Both salvation and sanctification (walking in holiness) doing good deeds are both obtained by faith and the work of the Holy Spirit. Illustration from Max Lucado on Kindness

In Jesus Holy Name October 3, 2021 Text: Ephesians 4:32 “A Fruit Called Kindness” They sat on opposite sides of the room, a man and a woman, bidding on an adorable puppy at a school auction. Others dropped off, but not this duo. Back and forth until they’d ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Lutheran

The Fruits Of The Spirit (June 30, 2013)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Nov 4, 2021

Someone once asked a question that I am sure that we could all relate to given that it has happened to you. Does our lifestyle illustrate a walk that bears God’s name?

THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT Text: Galatians 5:1, 13-26 Galatians 5:1 - Galatians 5:13 -26  For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.  (13)  For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:13-26

Denomination: United Methodist

The Cost Of Discipleship

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jun 27, 2019

This sermon looks at the rejection of the Samaritans, and examines the excuses of the three would be disciples. This sermon has some illustrations to draw the hearer back in, and helps to apply the text to the life of the hearer in their baptismal identity.

Sometimes you just need to learn the value of a dollar. I remember when my nephew Kaden was learning this at the Wisconsin Dells. We were downtown, where all the shops were, and he was given a dollar earlier in the day. Thinking that was enough money to buy something in a tourist trap, he began ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Lutheran

The Resurrection: How Will You Respond?

Contributed by James Wallace on Apr 30, 2019

Do you have the kind of faith that saves? An examination of the faith of the first eyewitnesses to Jesus' resurrection graphically illustrates what kind of faith saves, and what kind of faith does not.

The Resurrection: How Will You Respond? Matthew 27:27—28:10 He is risen! He is risen indeed! So Christ is risen! But I want to ask you a question this morning. Do you think of Christ's resurrection as just an interesting and unique fact of history—that God intended it just as a point ...read more

Denomination: Bible Church