Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: successful, effectual, efficacious, productive, constructive, fruitful, functional, potent, powerful, convincing, compelling, strong, forceful, forcible, weighty, plausible, sound, valid, well founded, telling, operative, in force, in effect, in operation, official, signed and sealed, virtual, practical, essential, actual, implied, implicit, unacknowledged, tacit

Antonyms: ineffective, weak, invalid, theoretical, ineffectual, useless, inefficient, worthless, unproductive, futile, unsuccessful, fruitless, impotent, inadequate, incompetent, abortive, vain, powerless, pointless, inept, unavailing, inefficacious, unable, incapable

Showing 1 to 50 of 211 results

1. The Most Important Job in the World

2 Timothy 1:5

Illustration

James W. Moore

Dr. Tony Campolo is a well-known and highly-respected, inspirational speaker. Years ago Tony Campolo spent much of his time traveling around the world on speaking tours. Meanwhile, his wife, Peggy, chose to stay home and give herself and all that she has to the "Bringing Up" of their two children, Bart and Lisa. On those rare occasions when Peggy did travel with Tony, she found herself engaged in conversations with some of the most accomplished, impressive, influential, sophisticated people in the world. ...

2. Saved Alone

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

In the year 1873, Horatio Spafford, a Christian lawyer from Chicago, placed his wife and four children on the luxury liner Ville de Havre sailing from New York to France. Spafford expected to join them in about three or four weeks after finishing up some business, but with the exception of his wife he never saw them again. The trip started out beautifully. But on the evening of November 21, 1873, as the Ville de Havre proceeded peacefully across the Atlantic, the ship was suddenly struck by another vessel ...

3. What In The World Did You Do Today?

John 3:1-17

Illustration

One afternoon a man came home from work to find total mayhem in his house. His three children were outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room ...

4. Extending Christ’s Love

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Illustration

King Duncan

Some of you may be familiar with a story Fred Craddock once told about Dr. Oswald Golter. Dr. Golter was a missionary to China more than 60 years ago. After World War II he was asked to leave that country. So his missionary society wired him a ticket and Dr. Golter made his way to India to catch a ship home to America. While he was there he noticed that there were many Jews living in the area--in attics and sheds and barns. They were there because India was one of the few countries in the world that ...

5. The Highest Priority

Luke 10:38-42; Matthew 6:33

Illustration

Arthur E. Dean Windhorn

Have you ever been in a hurry and buttoned up a long overcoat with lots of buttons and when you were done, found out that the coat was uneven? What went wrong? I'll tell you what went wrong. When you don't get the first button in the right hole, all the rest are out of sequence too, right?! That's a parable about life. Jesus said it this way in the Sermon on the Mount: "Seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well." (Matthew 6:33) If the Lord is not the high ...

6. Having to Wait

John 9:1-41

Illustration

Three women die and all three reach Heaven at the same time. There they meet St. Peter. He tells them he has some other important business to transact and asks them to wait outside. Finally he returns and calls the first woman into his office. He apologizes for making her wait so long. "Oh, I don't mind at all," the woman says. "I'm so thrilled just to be here in Heaven." St. Peter is delighted by her attitude. "Well, then, if you can just answer one question for me, we can finish processing your papers. ...

7. What is Love?

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Illustration

John R. Steward

What is love? It is difficult for most people to define love very well other than it is a feeling that they experience. Someone has said that love is a verb. That is what Beno Fischer found out many years ago. Beno Fischer is a survivor of the Nazi concentration camps of World War II. During that terrible ordeal, Beno encountered a man who begged him to "trade my cold soup for his cube of bread." He really did not want to do it because he himself was very hungry. But it was apparent that this other man was ...

8. An Inventory of Blessings

Luke 17:11-19

Illustration

Perhaps Daniel Defoe gave us some good advice through his fictitious character Robinson Crusoe. The first thing that Crusoe did when he found himself on a deserted island was to make out a list. On one side of the list he wrote down all his problems. On the other side of the list he wrote down all of his blessings. On one side he wrote: I do not have any clothes. On the other side he wrote: But it's warm and I don't really need any. On one side he wrote: All of the provisions were lost. On the other side ...

9. The Authority of the Church

Matthew 16:13-20

Illustration

Brett Blair

Dr. W. A Criswell, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas Texas, said on one occasion on an airplane flight he found himself seated beside a well known theologian. He desperately wanted to start a conversation and they got to talking. The man told Dr. Criswell about how he had recently lost a little boy through death. Dr. Criswell listened as he told his story: He said he had come home from school with a fever and we thought it was just one of those childhood things, but it was a very virulent form ...

10. Whose Boy Are You?

2 Tim 1:5; Eph 6:1-4; 2 Ki 4:8-37

Illustration

Brett Blair

One of the great preachers of our time is Dr. Fred Craddock. Craddock tells a story about vacationing with his wife one summer in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. One night they found a quiet little restaurant, where they looked forward to a private meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests. Craddock leaned over and whispered to his wife, "I hope he doesn't come over here." He didn't want anyone intruding ...

11. Tossing Sticks in the Air

Matthew 7:21-29

Illustration

King Duncan

An elderly Scottish woman was making her way through the countryside. Each time she came to a crossroads she would toss a stick into the air. Whichever way the stick came down was the direction she went. At one intersection, however, an old man saw her toss her stick into the air not once, not twice, but three times before resuming her journey. The old man was curious. "Why are you throwing your stick like that?" he asked. She squinted and replied, "I'm letting God direct my journey by using this stick." " ...

12. Christmas Is about Finding

John 1:1-18

Illustration

I suppose when you get done slicing and dicing it, Advent is about seeking and Christmas is about finding. Which works, sequentially. But which doesn't always make sense, experientially. Because when you've lived as long as I have, things tend to get jumbled together. I've got 60 years of seekings and findings ... and losings ... and reseekings ... and refindings. Except, as I remember it, the surprise was on John, in that Jesus found him. I guess it's like that, sometimes. To those who wait for it long ...

13. Our Need for Prayer and Communion with God

1 John 4:8

Illustration

Digma.com

Back in the thirteenth century, the German king, Frederick II, conducted a diabolical experiment intended to discover what language children would naturally grow up to speak if never spoken to. He thought it would be German. Some things are just obvious, right? So King Frederick took babies from their mothers at birth and placed them in the care of nurses who were forbidden to speak in their hearing. But a second rule was imposed, as well: the nurses were not allowed to touch the infants. To his great ...

14. A Higher Priority

John 6:56-69

Illustration

Brett Blair

At the Olympic games in Paris in 1924 the sport of canoe racing was added to the list of international competitions. The favorite team in the four-man canoe race was the United States team. One member of that team was a young man by the name of Bill Havens. As the time for the Olympics neared, it became clear that Bill's wife would give birth to her first child about the time that Bill would be competing in the Paris Games. In 1924 there were no jet airliners from Paris to the United States, only slow- ...

15. What Is Unique About Christianity?

John 10:22-42, Ephesians 2:1-10

Illustration

Brett Blair

The story of Jesus sitting and debating the Law with rabbis reminds me of another debate that took place in a comparative religions conference, the wise and the scholarly were in a spirited debate about what is unique about Christianity. Someone suggested what set Christianity apart from other religions was the concept of incarnation, the idea that God became incarnate in human form. But someone quickly said, "Well, actually, other faiths believe that God appears in human form." Another suggestion was ...

16. Dime Store Wisdom

Luke 9:51-62

Illustration

Maxie Dunnam

"Many years ago a young man went to work at a hardware store. He found all sorts of junk that took up space but did not sell well. This clerk asked the owner to allow him to put it all on one table and sell each item for 10 cents. He did so and had a successful sale. Later he did the same thing, and had another successful sale. The clerk approached the owner and suggested that they open up a store specializing in items that cost only a nickel or dime. The owner thought it was a bad idea and refused. The ...

17. Are You Really Listening?

1 Pet. 3:12; Psalm 46:10; John 9:31

Illustration

Eric Ritz

In his book Directions, author James Hamilton shares this insight about listening to God: "Before refrigerators, people used icehouses to preserve their food. Icehouses had thick walls, no windows, and a tightly fitted door. In winter, when streams and lakes were frozen, large blocks of ice were cut, hauled to the icehouses, and covered with sawdust. Often the ice would last well into the summer. One man lost a valuable watch while working in an icehouse. He searched diligently for it, carefully raking ...

18. The Language of God

Matthew 5:13-16

Illustration

Billy D. Strayhorn

There was a mother mouse who decided to teach her children about the world. So she gathered all of her little mice and set out for a walk. They walked down the hall and turned to the right. Then they went down the hall and took another right. And suddenly they found themselves in front of the family cat dozing in the sunlight. The mother mouse was scared. But she didn't want to give in to her fright. So she signaled to the children to be very quiet and to follow as she began to tip toe quietly and slowly ...

19. Take a Bow

Illustration

Dr. Ernest Mellor

Recently my wife and I sat charmed at an outdoor performance by young Suzuki violin students. After the concert, an instructor spoke briefly on how children as young as two, three and four years old are taught to play violin. The first thing the children learn, he said, is a proper stance. And the second thing the children learn even before they pick up the violin is how to take a bow. "If the children just play the violin and stop, people may forget to show their appreciation," the instructor said. "But ...

20. Letters of Instruction

Illustration

Charles Swindoll

Imagine, if you will, that you work for a company whose president found it necessary to travel out of the country and spend an extended period of time abroad. So he says to you and the other trusted employees, "Look, I'm going to leave. And while I'm gone, I want you to pay close attention to the business. You manage things while I'm away. I will write you regularly. When I do, I will instruct you in what you should do from now until I return from this trip." Everyone agrees. He leaves and stays gone for a ...

21. A Letter to Donatus

Mark 8:36-38; 2 Cor 11:16-33

Illustration

Saint Cyprian

This seems a cheerful world, Donatus, when I view it from this fair garden under the shadow of these vines. But if I climbed some great mountain and looked out over the wide lands, you know very well what I would see; brigands on the high road, pirates on the seas, in the amphitheaters men murdered to please the applauding crowds, under all roofs misery and selfishness. It really is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. Yet, in the midst of it, I have found a quiet and holy people. They have ...

22. The Fast Lane Religious Leaders

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

An ethics professor at Princeton Seminary asked for volunteers for an extra assignment. At two o'clock, fifteen students gathered at Speer Library. There he divided the group of fifteen into three groups of five each. He gave the first group of five envelopes telling them to proceed immediately across campus to Stewart Hall and that they had fifteen minutes to get there. If they didn't arrive on time it would affect their grade. This he called the "High Hurry" group. A minute or two later he handed out ...

23. Persons of the Robe

Illustration

Stan Cosby

E. Stanley Jones once told a story about a custom of the people on the Island of Formosa hundreds of years ago to offer human sacrifices. A kindly emperor, however, by the name of Goho, changed all that. According to his law, only animals, not humans, were to be sacrificed. But there was a terrible drought and the crops failed altogether. Once again the people clamored for a human sacrifice. “Very well,” said Goho, “tomorrow morning at dawn go into the forest and find your victim for sacrifice. He will be ...

24. REMEMBER YOUR BAPTISM

Illustration

John H. Krahn

... , South Africa, Captain M. F. Wells found a diamond weighing one and ...

25. The Lost Is Found

Luke 15:11-32

Illustration

Richard A. Jensen

It was the biggest tragedy in Pastor Dave's life. Kathy, his daughter, had always been a problem child. There were medical problems. There were behavioral problems. Life was not easy with this daughter. And then one day -- when she was 23 years old -- Kathy simply disappeared. She was gone and no one could find her. Weeks went by. Pastor Dave was racked with worry. Months went by. Pastor Dave was sure that she must be dead by now. What chance did she have in the world all alone? She needed her medicine. ...

26. This Is Where I Found Christ

Mark 5:21-43

Illustration

James W. Moore

There is a beautiful old story about Zacchaeus, the tax collector. It tells how in later years, he rose early every morning and left his house. His wife, curious, followed him one morning. At the town well he filled a bucket? and he walked until he came to a sycamore tree. There, setting down the bucket, he began to clean away the stones, the branches, and the rubbish from around the base of the tree. Having done that, he poured water on the roots and stood there in silence, gently caressing the trunk with ...

27. Three Secrets of a Life Well Lived - Sermon Starter

2 Tim 3:10 - 4:8

Illustration

Brett Blair

"I understand your church is looking for a pastor. I should like to submit my application. I am generally considered to be a good preacher. I have been a leader in most of the places I have served. I have also found time to do some writing on the side. I am over fifty years of age, and while my health is not the best, I still manage to get enough work done to please my congregation. As for a reference, I am somewhat handicapped. I have never served in any place more than three years, and the churches where ...

28. Found!

Lk 15:1-32

Illustration

King Duncan

Norman Vincent Peale once told about addressing a Methodist conference in Atlanta, Georgia along with a fine preacher, Bishop Noah Moore, and Pierce Harris, a much-loved local pastor. In his message Peale said that he believed that Jesus Christ could come into a life and change it, no matter how hopeless it seemed. After the service, when he and the other guest preachers were gathered in the minister's office, they were told that a man wanted to see them. A somewhat disreputable-looking man, they were ...

29. Wouldn’t It Be Great?

Mark 12:28-34

Illustration

David Beckett

Wouldn't it be great if I won a million dollars? Well, maybe it wouldn't be so great. Not everyone has the same idea of a great time. One person's wish may be another's nightmare. Take, for example, the story of three men who were sailing together in the Pacific Ocean. Their vessel was wrecked and they found themselves on an island. They had plenty of food, but their existence was in every way different from what their lives had been in the past. The men were walking by the seashore one day after they had ...

30. The First and Last Things

Luke 23:26-43

Illustration

Brett Blair

H.G. Wells had the reputation as the apostle of scientific materialism and the deadly foe of organized faith. So it's surprising that in one of his most successful but least known novels Mr. Britling Sees It Through, he made a rather startlingly confession, or at least it appears to be a confession. It is generally thought that the character Mr. Britling is a surrogate for Wells. The character expresses a simple but clear faith, leaving no doubt as to the meaning. At first, his religious views are ...

31. Fear - Sermon Starter

Matthew 14:22-36

Illustration

Brett Blair

In the story of creation found in the Book of Genesis, we read where Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit, something which had been specifically denied them. Knowing that God is searching for them, they attempt to hide. It is a scene perhaps reminiscent of many of our childhoods when we had done something that we were not supposed to and we literally hid from our searching parents. Finally God finds them, as we know that He will, for, after all, where can we go to hide from God? God asks them ...

32. Lost in Translation

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

During a Pastor's Conference at Mt. Hermon Conference Center, Chuck Swindoll of the Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, California shared this story on the things that are sometimes lost in translation: It seems that some years ago the people of Texas were being plagued by a Mexican bandit who continuously slipped across the border and robbed their banks. His name was Jorge Rodriguez. He had become bolder and more successful, and yet they could never capture him before he hightailed it back across the ...

33. Acceptance Changes Lives

Luke 7:36-50

Illustration

King Duncan

A child psychologist told about a boy who was brought to him who was labeled "incorrigible." The child was supposed to be "uncontrollable." He was moody, and at first wouldn't even talk to the psychologist. There simply seemed to be no "handle" with which to take hold of him. The boy's own father, said, "This is the only child I've ever seen who doesn't have a single likeable trait, not a single one." The psychologist realized this was his starting point. He started looking for some one thing he could ...

34. Competitive Kids

Mark 10:35-45

Illustration

Erskine White

Do we learn from children how not to be so competitive - how to be happy with our own gifts and achievements and not to be so obsessed with what the next person has? Well, consider the plight of poor Charlie Brown (in Peanuts), who is walking with his friends on the way to school one morning. It is "show and tell day," and Lucy is asking Linus if he remembered to bring anything for the class to see. "Yes, I did," says Linus, as he unfolds some papers. "These are copies I drew of the Dead Sea Scrolls," ...

35. God's Waters Never Run Dry

John 4:1-26

Illustration

Moody’s Stories, D. L. Mody

DL Moody teels the following story: I remember being in a city where I noticed that the people resorted to a favorite well in one of the parks. I said to a man one day: “Does the well never run dry?” The man was drinking of the water out of the well; and as he stopped drinking, he smacked his lips, and said: “They have never been able to pump it dry yet. They tried it a few years ago. They put the fire-engines to work, and tried all they could to pump the well dry; but they found there was a river flowing ...

36. Who Do You Say He Is?

Mark 8:27-38

Illustration

Herb Miller

If I told you to pull out a piece of paper and write on it who you say Jesus is what would you write? We all have some answer; we all have some images of Jesus. Some of them are the images we learned as children in Sunday school which have proved troubling and we don't' have anything to replace them with. Sometimes we dismiss Jesus on the basis of what we knew about Jesus at age six. Some of us have never examined the evidence for ourselves. One of my main goals in preaching is to gain a fresh hearing for ...

37. Living Water for a Thirst Soul - Sermon Starter

John 4:1-42

Illustration

Brett Blair

One of the commencement traditions at Harvard University is Senior Class Chapel. On the morning of their graduation, seniors gather in Memorial Church to hear the minister offer words of solace and encouragement as they leave "the Yard" to take their places in the world. The 1998 senior class heard the unvarnished truth from the Rev. Peter Gomes, minister at Harvard and the author of several books on the Bible, including The Good Book and Sermons. In his gentle ringing tones, that call to mind a cross ...

38. God Is Like a Shepherd

John 10:1-21

Illustration

Frederick Buechner

'God's in His Heaven, all's right with the world,' Robert Browning wrote, and the psalm is not saying that any more than you or I can say it either. Whoever wrote it had walked through the valley of the shadow the way one way or another you and I have walked there too. He says so himself. He believed that God was in his Heaven despite the fact that he knew as well as we do that all was far from right with the world. And he believed that God was like a shepherd. When I think of shepherds, I think of one man ...

39. Revived Through Service

John 15:9-17

Illustration

I read about one occasion when Sadhu Sundar Singh and a companion were traveling through a pass high in the Himalayan Mountains. At one point they came across a body lying in the snow. Sundar Singh wished to stop and help the unfortunate man, but his companion refused, saying, "We shall lose our lives if we burden ourselves with him." But Sundar Singh would not think of leaving the man to die in the ice and snow. As his companion made his farewell, Sundar Singh lifted the poor traveler onto his back. With ...

40. Oh, How The Mighty Have Fallen! - Sermon Starter

Luke 2:39-56

Illustration

Brett Blair

I am holding in my hands a copy of one of the world’s most revolutionary documents. In it are found these immortal words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. . .” Of course, that document, the Declaration of Independence, is the charter of the American Revolution. Though we have not yet lived up to it, it has been the vision that inspires us. The only document I know that is more revolutionary is in our Bible. It is called the Magnificat and is found in Luke, chapter 1 ...

41. A God Smothered in Tradition

Matthew 22:15-22

Illustration

Brett Blair

We try to make God like us and thus limit him. We smother him in tradition. We think: God can be present only in the mass. The Word of God can be found only in the King James version of the Bible. Church music can be played only on an organ. When traditions become dogma they lose their power and their meaning. A young girl watching her mother getting ready to bake a ham, noticed that she cut off both ends. "Why do you cut off both ends of the ham," she asked. "Well, I don't know. My mother always did it. ...

42. Sleeping When the Wind Blows

Mark 4:35-41

Illustration

Keith Wagner

God also works through other people to assure us in the midst of difficult times. A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows." This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him. A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened ...

43. It's Better Higher Up

Mark 9:2-9

Illustration

Joel Leyrer

The famous preacher D.L. Moody told about a Christian woman who was always bright, cheerful, and optimistic, even though she was confined to her room because of illness. She lived in an attic apartment on the fifth floor of an old, rundown building. A friend decided to visit her one day and brought along another woman a person of great wealth. Since there was no elevator, the two ladies began the long climb upward. When they reached the second floor, the well-to-do woman commented, "What a dark and filthy ...

44. Differences of Opinions

Illustration

King Duncan

Dr. Eugene Brice tells a delightful but disturbing story about a minister who returned to visit a church he had once served. He ran into Bill, who had been an elder and leader in the church, but who wasn't around anymore. The pastor asked, "Bill, what happened? You used to be there every time the doors opened." "Well, Pastor," said Bill, "a difference of opinion arose in the church. Some of us couldn't accept the final decision and we established a church of our own." "Is that where you worship now?" asked ...

45. Messages From God

Matthew 3:13-17

Illustration

Brett Blair

A few years ago there were billboards scattered throughout the United States with messages from God. Some guy had purchased the space and conducted an advertising campaign for God. Actually, the person responsible for these "Messages from God" chose to remain anonymous. The Smith Agency in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, launched the advertising campaign in September 1998. Andrew Smith, the agency's president, said that an individual simply appeared in their office one day and hired them on the spot. He said that ...

46. Parable of the Talents Retold

Matthew 25:14-30

Illustration

Unknown

A retelling of the talents parable: Once there was a king who had three sons, each with a special talent. The first had a talent for growing fruit. The second for raising sheep. And the third for playing the violin. Once, the king had to go overseas on important business. Before departing he called his three sons together and told them he was depending on them to keep the people contented in his absence. Now for a while things went well. But then came the winter, a bitter and cruel winter it was. There was ...

47. It’s Ok to Be Extravagant – Sermon Opener

John 12:1-11

Illustration

James W. Moore

A few years ago there was a true story about a man in New York City who was kidnapped. His kidnappers called his wife and asked for $100,000 ransom. She talked them down to $30,000. The story had a happy ending: the man returned home unharmed, the money was recovered, and the kidnappers were caught and sent to jail. But, don't you wonder what happened when the man got home and found that his wife got him back for a discount? Calvin Trillin was the writer of this story. He imagined out loud what the ...

48. The Sun Will Rise

Lk 2:21-40

Illustration

King Duncan

Bruce and Darlene Marie Wilkinson in their book The Dream Giver for Parents tell about a teenager who noticed that his father worried himself nearly to death, trying unsuccessfully to be everywhere and do everything to protect his child from life's difficulties. This young man wrote his father the following note: "I am sure you remember, Dad, how you used to tell me stories when I was young and was afraid or insecure. Well, I have noticed that you are often worried about what might become of me when you're ...

49. Importance Is Relative

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

George had a friend with an inflated opinion of himself. As a friend should, George decided to help his friend lose this quirk. Subtly, George mentioned that he knew Johnny Carson. The friend said, "Oh, yeah, prove it." In a few minutes they were in front of a large house near the beach. After knocking, out came Johnny Carson saying, "Come on in, George, and bring your friend." On the way home the friend grudgingly said, "OK, so you know Johnny Carson." Obviously, this was not enough, so George said ...

50. The Weaver

John 18:28-40

Illustration

It had started as one play, produced by the high school students for a parish summer gathering. But the talents of that particular group were gaining attention - even outside the congregation. John had watched his spouse, the congregation's pastor, marvel at the imagination of the writers. "You must come and see this production Sunday evening, John," said Karenza. And so he did. The play was set in a single room. It was Pilate's headquarters where he had addressed Jesus about his kingly aspirations. The ...

Showing results

Showing 1 to 50 of 211 results

1. The Most Important Job in the World

2 Timothy 1:5

Illustration

James W. Moore

2. Saved Alone

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

3. What In The World Did You Do Today?

John 3:1-17

Illustration

4. Extending Christ’s Love

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Illustration

King Duncan

5. The Highest Priority

Luke 10:38-42; Matthew 6:33

Illustration

Arthur E. Dean Windhorn

6. Having to Wait

John 9:1-41

Illustration

7. What is Love?

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Illustration

John R. Steward

8. An Inventory of Blessings

Luke 17:11-19

Illustration

9. The Authority of the Church

Matthew 16:13-20

Illustration

Brett Blair

10. Whose Boy Are You?

2 Tim 1:5; Eph 6:1-4; 2 Ki 4:8-37

Illustration

Brett Blair

11. Tossing Sticks in the Air

Matthew 7:21-29

Illustration

King Duncan

12. Christmas Is about Finding

John 1:1-18

Illustration

13. Our Need for Prayer and Communion with God

1 John 4:8

Illustration

Digma.com

14. A Higher Priority

John 6:56-69

Illustration

Brett Blair

15. What Is Unique About Christianity?

John 10:22-42, Ephesians 2:1-10

Illustration

Brett Blair

16. Dime Store Wisdom

Luke 9:51-62

Illustration

Maxie Dunnam

17. Are You Really Listening?

1 Pet. 3:12; Psalm 46:10; John 9:31

Illustration

Eric Ritz

18. The Language of God

Matthew 5:13-16

Illustration

Billy D. Strayhorn

19. Take a Bow

Illustration

Dr. Ernest Mellor

20. Letters of Instruction

Illustration

Charles Swindoll

21. A Letter to Donatus

Mark 8:36-38; 2 Cor 11:16-33

Illustration

Saint Cyprian

22. The Fast Lane Religious Leaders

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

23. Persons of the Robe

Illustration

Stan Cosby

24. REMEMBER YOUR BAPTISM

Illustration

John H. Krahn

... , South Africa, Captain M. F. Wells found a diamond weighing one and ...

25. The Lost Is Found

Luke 15:11-32

Illustration

Richard A. Jensen

26. This Is Where I Found Christ

Mark 5:21-43

Illustration

James W. Moore

27. Three Secrets of a Life Well Lived - Sermon Starter

2 Tim 3:10 - 4:8

Illustration

Brett Blair

28. Found!

Lk 15:1-32

Illustration

King Duncan

29. Wouldn’t It Be Great?

Mark 12:28-34

Illustration

David Beckett

30. The First and Last Things

Luke 23:26-43

Illustration

Brett Blair

31. Fear - Sermon Starter

Matthew 14:22-36

Illustration

Brett Blair

32. Lost in Translation

Illustration

Editor James S. Hewett

33. Acceptance Changes Lives

Luke 7:36-50

Illustration

King Duncan

34. Competitive Kids

Mark 10:35-45

Illustration

Erskine White

35. God's Waters Never Run Dry

John 4:1-26

Illustration

Moody’s Stories, D. L. Mody

36. Who Do You Say He Is?

Mark 8:27-38

Illustration

Herb Miller

37. Living Water for a Thirst Soul - Sermon Starter

John 4:1-42

Illustration

Brett Blair

38. God Is Like a Shepherd

John 10:1-21

Illustration

Frederick Buechner

39. Revived Through Service

John 15:9-17

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40. Oh, How The Mighty Have Fallen! - Sermon Starter

Luke 2:39-56

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Brett Blair

41. A God Smothered in Tradition

Matthew 22:15-22

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Brett Blair

42. Sleeping When the Wind Blows

Mark 4:35-41

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Keith Wagner

43. It's Better Higher Up

Mark 9:2-9

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Joel Leyrer

44. Differences of Opinions

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King Duncan

45. Messages From God

Matthew 3:13-17

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Brett Blair

46. Parable of the Talents Retold

Matthew 25:14-30

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Unknown

47. It’s Ok to Be Extravagant – Sermon Opener

John 12:1-11

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James W. Moore

48. The Sun Will Rise

Lk 2:21-40

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King Duncan

49. Importance Is Relative

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Editor James S. Hewett

50. The Weaver

John 18:28-40

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