In Sermon Illustrations:

Unsung Heroes: The Shepherds Of Bethlehem

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 14, 2020

Introduction: the Christmas story, the birth of Jesus Christ into this world, is one of the most beautiful ever told. Many believers and others are more or less familiar with Mary and Joseph traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and how Jesus was born in an inn and laid in a manger because there ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Tags: Mary, Birth Of Jesus, Shepherds, Unsung Heroes

Denomination: Baptist

Have You Stopped Listening To God?

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Dec 14, 2020

Speaking of Jesus the Christ: "What is uncertain is not the “coming” of Christ but our own reception of him, our own response to him, our own readiness and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9, Luke 2:8, Luke 2:14

Tags: Coming Of Christ, Go Forth Meeting Christ

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Three Feet Away

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Dec 14, 2020

During the gold rush, a man from Ohio traveled to California. It had taken him months to get there. He had to get a claim and register it and buy tools before he could start mining. The Ohioan had been mining for months. Finally after all the hard work and finding nothing quit his claim. He was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Tags: Don't Give Up, Success Isn't Far Away

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Christmas Is More Than Jingle, Jingle

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 12, 2020

I have been trying lately to remember my first Christmas. I know my memory isn't perfect, but I thought maybe I could bring up some old memories of my first Christmas. Unfortunately, I couldn't think of a thing about that first Christmas of mine. Of course, it might be that I was only five ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:6-7

Tags: Christmas, Holiday

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Face The Music

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 8, 2020

Many years ago a man conned his way into the orchestra of the Emperor of China, though he could not play an instrument or read music. Whenever the group practiced or performed, he would just hold his flute against his lips, pretending to play, but not making a sound. For years he received a good ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-3

Tags: Sin, Judgment, Pride, Luke 18, Ii Timothy 3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Humble And Proud Of It!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 8, 2020

Paul W. Powell once observed, “Pride is so subtle that if we aren’t careful we’ll be proud of our humility. When this happens our goodness becomes badness. Our virtues become vices. We can easily become like the Sunday School teacher who, having told the story of the Pharisee and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-3

Tags: Pharisees, Religion, Humility, Pride

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tests Of True Humility

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 8, 2020

Tests of True Humility - this is "tricky" 1. Do you feel joy when others are honored? 2. Do you honestly and openly admit sin? 3. Do you seek truth from others regarding your weaknesses? 4. Do you accept criticism graciously? 5. Do you turn all worry, anxiety and concern over to the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-3, 1 Peter 5:5-11

Tags: Godliness, Humility, Honesty, Brokenness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Floating Pumpkins

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 8, 2020

Satan will use the same type of tactics that hunters use in Africa. The story is told of a certain African tribe that learned an easy way to capture ducks in a river. Catching their agile and wary dinner would be a feat indeed, so these hunters formulated a plan. The tribesmen learned to go ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Peter 5:6-9

Tags: Sin, Deception, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Sexual Sins  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Deceitfulness Of Sin

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 8, 2020

One of the largest freshwater turtles is the alligator snapping turtle. Found primarily in the southeastern United States, these massive turtles have been known to weigh close to 250 pounds. They are carnivorous, and while their diet is primarily fish, they have been known to eat almost anything ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-3, Luke 18:9-14, Romans 3:23

Tags: Sin, Deception, Temptation, Deceit

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pharisees Don't Care

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 8, 2020

The corrupt heart of the zealous devotion of the Pharisees is illustrated by a group of modern day Orthodox Jews (early, 1992), who let three apartments in an Orthodox neighborhood in Israel burn to the ground while they asked a rabbi whether a telephone call to the fire department on the Sabbath ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-3

Tags: Pride, Selfishness, Last Days, Pharisees, False Religion, Lovers Of Themselves  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's Too Late To Do Anything!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 8, 2020

Here is an illustration of these two basic approaches to righteousness: SAVIOR or SELF? An Englishman by the name of Ebenezer Wooten had just concluded a preaching service in the village square. The crowd had dispersed, and he was busily engaged in loading the equipment. A young man approached ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Salvation, Righteousness, Witnessing, Works, Grace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Mary Almost Turned Back

Contributed by John Allen on Dec 8, 2020

Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been rightly regarded as one of the godliest people in history. But she was also human, subject to the same doubts we have. Why, after the biggest announcement in history, does she "hurry away" from her family? Why did she go by herself? Why did she stay ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-56, Matthew 1:18-25

Tags: Mary, Christmas

It Is Natural To Seek Pleasure

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 8, 2020

“Every creature in the universe is programmed to pursue pleasure. The wolf seeks meat, the bear seeks warmth. That is an indisputable fact, and that's the way God wants it. “Human were created for pleasure, too. But unlike other creatures, humans have the ability to tap into their spiritual ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17, Ecclesiastes 9:9, Ecclesiastes 2:24, Ecclesiastes 2:25

Tags: Recreation, Fun, Humor, Balance, Pleasure, Enjoyment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Inventing Our Own Words

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 8, 2020

The right word can make a difference. Sometimes the right word needs to be invented. 2. Here are some suggested new words: CARPETUATION (kar pet' u a shun)n. The act, when vacuuming, of running over a string or a piece of lint at least a dozen times, reaching over and picking it up, examining ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 25:11

Tags: Vocabulary, Thesaurus, Words, Creativity, Language, Terminology  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Christmas Disappointment

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 8, 2020

One Christmas my husband put an assortment of beauty products in my stocking. I tried one of the facial masks, and was about to wash it off when my eight-year-old son, Callum, walked in. I explained to him that it was a present from his dad and it would make me beautiful. He patiently waited by my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-18

Tags: Christmas, Children, Cute, Honesty, Gifts, Christmas Present  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Give Thanks In Everything

Contributed by James Dina on Dec 6, 2020

"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18) If it is the will of God that we should give thanks in everything, then we should reduce our complain lest we go against His will. COMPLAINING IS CONTRARY TO THANKSGIVING. In ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Thanksgiving, Complain

Denomination: Pentecostal

It Was A Shoofly Pie Moment

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 5, 2020

During holiday seasons, I enjoy indulging in special food. My favorite during this time of year is the Shoofly Pie. Nothing hits the spot quite like this. Although the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage restricts this kind of culinary activity during the rest of the year, I tried to get a pass ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:17

Tags: Politician, Holiday, Shoofly

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Royalty Clothed In Rags

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 2, 2020

“This is the way the Savior came into the world. He did not lay aside His deity; He laid aside His glory. There should have been more than just a few shepherds and angels to welcome Him—all of creation should have been there. Instead of collecting taxes, that fellow Caesar should have been in ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12

Tags: Christmas, Birth Of Christ, The First Coming Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do It Again, Lord!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 2, 2020

There’s a story of a group of college students who went to visit the home of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church. They noticed there were indentions on the floor of his room where he knelt to pray each day. After the tour, the class loaded on their bus. When the teacher counted, there was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Tags: Prayer, Revival, Billy Graham, Evangelism, Holy Spirit, America  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Warning To America

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 2, 2020

“If America upholds God's eternal standards and follows His unchanging ways, then it will be blessed with His favor...His protection...His prosperity....but if America should depart from the ways of God, if it should disregard His eternal standards, then the smiles of heaven, the blessings of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14, Isaiah 43:1-2

Tags: Israel, America, Revival, Judgment, Repentance, Warnings To America  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational