Bob from church? You might be afraid of all kinds of things, but if one of your kids were in danger, you’d be fearless. Today, many want to gain the world at the "mere" expense of their souls. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up. He assured them that they would hardly notice it if at all. If they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken. But she's always smiling and helping others. But the woodcutter never even looked up. The Blind Girl (Change) There was a blind girl who hated herself purely for the fact she was blind. Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. No time for prayer....no time for the Word. Now the Elder is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. JOHN GOLDINGAY Preaching on the stories in Scripture justified. "But, Lord, he's hyperactive. Now go get washed up for dinner." He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. Ouch! Jack began to read: I would dull the minds of Christians, and make them believe that prayer is not important, and that faithfulness and obedience are optional. "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!" A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow. The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practice by. "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?" Open your mouth and say the positive things you are thinking. Later she told God she had covered the day with prayer, and it felt like it all had gone terribly wrong. Paula's felt heavy: She was raising four small boys without a father. Anybody can be joyful when things go well. Happiness is up to you. "There is more," He said. Don used his giving to tell the dragon that he belonged to God and that everything he had came from God. I will teach them that expensive clothing doesn't make a person valuable in My sight." He asked quietly. "Seventy-one. You can choose what you let your mind dwell on. . I may spend the rest of my life doing things that don’t seem at all successful. Would you be comfortable taking Christ with you to see the movie? As we draw near to Him, we ask Him to love through us. Just be faithful. The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket. It contained all the dirt and evil of my life: my pride, my selfishness, the depression that constantly tormented me. Arthur Gordon was cleaning out the family home when he came across something he found to be of great value. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. Stories are a great teaching tool (That’s why we teach you how to use them in Preaching Rocket, our step-by-step sermon prep and delivery system. Instead she was taken to a little lake. Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). It's money. A great tool to … They can’t be serious all of the time--our church leaders can crack a joke or two. One Sunday morning during service, a 2,000-member congregation was surprised to see two men enter, both covered from head to toe in black and carrying sub-machine guns. The shadow of his body in the shape of a cross. Story behind the song (5) Sufferrings (1) Surrender (5) Teaching (3) Tears (1) Testimonial life (8) Thanks Giving (3) tithe (1) Truth (2) Walking with Jesus (19) Worry (2) Silence. I would convince people that character is not an issue when it comes to leadership. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. I mean, what if you fall off the elephant? Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again. Let's not allow the enemy to distract us... Instead of diving, he knelt down and asked God to come into his life. He was probably a truly terrible person. "How shall we do this?" They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me. thought the second tree. But this can be a hard thing to do! It’s called Preaching Rocket. Years passed. Quickly she showered again, but now there was no time to do her hair. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. Inspirational Christian Stories Good stories that inspire simply living for Christ and illustrate Christian truths. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall. I opened my burden. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct." "Tempt them to spend, spend, spend then borrow, borrow, borrow. Know what I mean?" The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. We talk too much, love too seldom and lie too often. "I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. He was sure the brownies would be superb. My burden now seemed lighter than before. A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. I know we don't suffer like people in some countries or even the homeless here in America. Even with all these explanations for the rating, the father wouldn't give in. Squeeze a tube of toothpaste and then try to put the toothpaste back in. Joan was married to a wealthy businessman. By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive, to keep the TV, VCR, CD's and their PC's going constantly in their homes. The tired man awakened. The little tree shuddered. Dale and Bruce though that maybe they were boring him. Sometimes God “stirs things up” so that, through our responses, we can showcase His transforming grace and joy. You work at it. A young woman confessed to an older man that she had a problem saying too much about people. I would compel people to express their most depraved fantasies on canvas and movie screens, and I would call it art. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand. These are short, easy to preach sermons. "Overstimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still small voice. Who else would live out in the woods away from people? I hate all my clothes. "My child, people look at your outward appearance, but I look at your heart. Have them return from their recreation exhausted, disquieted, and unprepared for the coming week. "They're all too heavy, Lord" I said. "My child, everyone in the world has a burden. When you are troubled, call to Me and I will help you and show you things you cannot imagine now." Curious to hear this bold student's response, the professor granted it, and the student stood up and asked the following questions of his classmates: He told her to go buy a bird and pluck out its feathers one by one as penance for her sin. You can try it for free HERE). "We want to see the famous paintings. First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO. A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. You truly are the luckiest person on the face of the earth! Words cannot be recaptured once they’ve escaped our lips. In fact, the person would probably harm him. "The son! Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. Someday I may really hurt him...." "My child," He said, "If you trust Me, I will renew your strength, if you allow Me to fill you with My Spirit, I will give you patience." I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. With a swoop of his ax, the first tree fell. Known worldwide for his scholarly works on theology and history, James Ussher was also known to those blessed enough to hear him preach as a gifted and passionate orator. … He focused on the joys not the losses. But they're important. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We are in a continuing series from what Bible students call ¡§the great … I tested several. Be careful how you live. We've been to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. "Please, Jack, in the car." The first tree said. The gentle thunder of His voice compelled me. "Hand Me that last brick." 10 New Preaching Stories You Can Use In Your Sermons #1. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" By now people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. "I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space, we've done larger things, but not better things, we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. God said, No. As they drove away from the hotel, she and Bruce asked the man where he worked, and he mentioned a Christian organization. The father hung the portrait over his mantle. I didn't realize...." "Yes, Lord, I will call on You." Sermon Story: Frances Ridley Havergal The Things Which Are Behind Christ Liveth In Me Thou Art Coming Jewels - We Are Precious To God Give Me Thy Strength Christ, Our Life Devotional: "It Is Well" There Is … The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and the sturdy wood. Bob" Free to hug his daughters. That’s the work of the Spirit. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. One is well worn, but cherished with pride (Not the Bible, but the TV Guide) Look at the verse at the top: “Pleasant words… are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” That’s a lot of power, and it doesn’t cost anything. "I know what you mean. The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on it's way to the ocean. It isn't granted, it is earned. Jack convinced himself that the person who lived in the cabin was a menace to society, so when the door opened, Jack punched the man in the nose and ran away. Doing what we are called to do is the point. Many parents are hard put to explain to their youth why some music, movies, books, and magazines are not acceptable material for them to bring into the home, for their youth to see, or hear. The young man held out his package. I give you blessings. The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: "I want to hold treasure. Matthew 28:18-20. Ask God for help and try again. This is what I want you to do, angels. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river. God said, No. Yes, there was the scene where a building and a bunch of people got blown up, but the violence was just the normal stuff. Fortunately, the same goes for kind words, too. Some are true stories, and some are fiction stories… She hopped in her car, and it wasn’t long before she realized it was overheating. The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. This way of using stories is very common indeed (especially with children, and in family services), whereas in scripture it is much less … Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. He would tell stories people understood to help them grasp something they didn’t understand. These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce, of fancier houses, but broken homes. The Word of God is seldom read. I reached to pick up my burden. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. "I'll give $10 for the painting." It's thin, and I can't make it look nice. It is perfect for me." She knew she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through with the wind and the rain. It’s nearly impossible to do. Immediately, the choir fled, the deacons fled, and most of the congregation fled. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who Is Jesus Christ And What Can He Do For Me. I turned away, holding it close. Jesus and others in the Bible used stories frequently to impart truths that may have otherwise not been understood. "Why?" The man was silent. Day 26 – Miracle story … Bless someone today. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals. One is used daily to help folks decide. "Any kind of tree will do for me," he muttered. But I do know that it seriously interferes with one of the deepest of all human needs—the desire for acceptance and approval. So let them go to church, let them have their conservative lifestyles, but steal their time, so they can't gain that experience in Jesus Christ. Love Matters. 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