Sermon Illustrations

Many Americans must have wondered what all the William Bennett gambling fuss was all about, if you can believe Gallup's most recent annual survey on America's values and beliefs. That survey indicates that most Americans don't see gambling as inconsistent with moral living. The survey shows that 63

Corrie Ten Boom used to tell the story about a proud woodpecker who was tapping away at a dead tree when the sky unexpectedly turned black and the thunder began to roll. Undaunted, he went right on working. Suddenly a bolt of lightning struck the old tree, splintering it into hundreds of pieces.

A word of warning from dermatologist Michael Kalman: "Today's deeply tanned beauties are tomorrow's wrinkled prunes." As I read that warning, I thought about sin. Sin is kind of like getting a tan. It may look great today, but tomorrow's a different story.

Dr. A.T. Pierson once wrote, "In a paper mill what a contrast between the heap of filthy rags at one end and the pure and spotless white paper at the other! What a trial the rags go through before they emerge in this new form! Torn to pieces and ground to pulp, bleached with chloride of lime til

When Leonardo da Vinci was painting the "Last Supper," he had an intense, bitter argument with a fellow painter. Leonardo was so enraged that he decided to paint the face of his enemy into the face of Judas. That way the hated painter's face would be preserved for ages in the face of the betraying d

In 1971, UCLA head coach Pepper Rodgers had a disastrous season that started with four straight losses. He later said things were so bad he had trouble finding any friends. "My dog was my only true friend," he says. "I told my wife that every man needs at least two good friends - and she bought me a

Spiritual experiences are not unique to Christians. A surprising majority of Americans for example, acknowledge that spirituality is an important part of their lives. A Newsweek poll taken a few years ago revealed that 58 percent of those who responded felt a need to experience spiritual growth.

Too Late The little boy was making his way to his desk when the teacher stopped him. "You're late," she said. He looked a bit tearful. "I was late when I left home," he said. "But why didn't you start earlier?" the teacher asked. "Because," said the little boy, "it was too late to start early."

"Christianity may well be facing the greatest challenge in its history: a series of powerful and growing seductions that are subtly changing biblical interpretations and undermining the faith of millions of people. Most Christians are scarcely aware of what is happening, and much less do they unders

Are you going through a hard time? Maybe these words from a song sung by Kristine Wyrtzen will help you like they helped me. The song is called "The Fire." I've been through a fire that had deepened my desire, to know the living God more and more. It hasn't been much fun, but the work that is h