“The He withdrew from them…and knelt down and prayed” (Luke 22:41). The story is told of an overworked mother of eight who lived in the 1700s. In her house jammed with children it was extremely…
Sermon Illustrations
“John the Baptizer appeared…proclaiming a baptism of repentance” (Mark 1:4). Someone has said that “The world is a kind of spiritual kindergarten where millions of bewildered infants are trying to spell ‘God’ with the wrong…
“Yahweh, hear my voice as I cry! Pity me! Answer me!” (Psalm 27:9). Tired of just “hanging around,” an elderly man took part-time employment as a messenger. His job was to make pick-ups of legal…
“All these will I bestow on You if you prostrate yourself in homage before me” (Matthew 4:8). A New York City pastor tells of the time when his parish was presented with a large supply…
“Pray constantly” (I Thessalonians 5:17). In the book For the Love of God, author Dr. Wayne Dyer writes about prayer: I find God by giving myself time every day — through prayer, or meditation, or…
“A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends” (Luke 15:13). One of the attractions for dog owners is that “man’s best friend” is ever loyal, now matter…
“And the Lord will guide you continually” (Isaiah 58:11). Prayer is positioning ourselves to receive guidance! Often we are like the young man who wanted to point his life in a new direction. He went…
“Lord, teach us to pray…” (Luke 11:1). It was Sunday evening, and the sexton came to lock the church. When he entered, he saw that three persons were still there. All three were on their…
“Pray without ceasing” (1Thess. 5:17). The big blizzard of ’96 caused many businesses, schools and other institutions to close down. As the storm grew in intensity, a cardboard sign was posted on a downtown New…
“Blessed be Yahweh, for He hears the sound of my petition” (Psalms 28:6). Just one week before his first communion, eight-year-old Torre attended Church with his grandparents. After the service, they each took a few…
“Lord, teach us to pray…” (Luke 11:1). A mother heard her son saying his night prayers. He was telling God what he planned to do the next day and how God could help him do…
“My helper, My Savior, Yahweh, come without delay” (Psalms 70:5). Two businessmen were struggling to resolve severe financial problems. One was a rich man: big business; the other a relatively poor man: small business. The…
So they set off and went from village to village, proclaiming the Good News and healing everywhere (Lk. 9:6). ALL DISEASE IS ULTIMATELY RELATED TO A LACK OF LOVE. The truth is, love heals! So…
“Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest; whoever wants to rank first among you must serve the needs of all.” (Mark 43-44). Some years ago, a religious periodical published the story…
It is said that once, when Thomas Edison stood on the beach and looked out at the ocean’s incoming waves, he literally wept because, as he saw it, such vast amounts of throbbing energy were…
“They sold their goods and possessions and shared out the proceeds among themselves” (Acts 2:45). The story is told of a tourist's visit to a 19th century European clergyman (who was looked upon by his…
“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12). Legend has…
“Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth…but store up treasures for yourselves in heaven…for wherever your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). Ernest Hemingway used to give things away…
“Sell your possessions and give alms” (Luke 12:33). Celebrated actress, Helen Hayes, said that the most painful period of her life came after her nineteen-year-old daughter died of polio. She said that gathering up the…
“God blessed then, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply’” (Genesis 1:28). From the “good old days” in an oil-rich Texas boom-town, comes the story of a local tycoon who presented his fellow citizens with a…