In Sermon Illustrations: "Appreciation Day"

On The Pharisees

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 11, 2014

Who are the Pharisees? In 332 BC, Alexander the Great conquered the Middle East, bringing Greek culture and philosophy to Israel. By 200 BC, Greek philosophy and its worldview called Helenism were significantly impacting Jewish young men. More and more of them were abandoning the Hebrew faith and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-2

Tags: Pharisees

Denomination: Methodist

It Felt Like Abuse...but, Lesson Learned

Contributed by Pastor Randall Timblin on Jan 18, 2017

So there I am. I’m sitting on the couch...with my eyes closed...attempting to nap. I hadn’t felt good all day. Because my wife is out of town visiting her elderly parents, our dog, who is lovesick for her, spends his entire day and night in our bedroom, in some doggie blankets, placed on the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:28

Tags: Relationship To God, Great Expectations

Denomination: *other

Igdaliah, A Man Of God

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 21, 2020

Text: Jeremiah. 35:4, KJV: And I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan, the son of Igdaliah, a man of God, which (was) by the chamber of the princes, which (was) above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the door: Thoughts: Igdaliah ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 35:4

Tags: Man Of God, Men Of God, Igdaliah

Denomination: Baptist

My Life: Crazier Than It Has To Be

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Nov 18, 2020

Last Friday was a crazy day. But I made it crazier than it had to be. High winds blew through the region the night before leaving hundreds without power including the church building – well, sort of. One of our assistants called me when she got in the office and said the lights were out, which ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:20

Tags: Faith, Trust, Hope, Worry, Wait, Waiting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Faith Of Stonewall Jackson

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 8, 2021

There is a scene in the Civil War motion picture Gods and Generals that is telling. The movie follows the rise and fall of Civil War hero General Thomas Jackson, and does not try to hide his Christianity. Throughout the picture, Jackson's dependence on God is shown, but never more strikingly ...read more

Tags: Courage, Will Of God, Civil War, Sovereignty Of God, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cost Of Redemption - Hosea Buys Back Gomer

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 27, 2022

One man started the bidding: “12 pieces of silver!” “13!” Said Hosea. “14 pieces of silver!” Hosea’s bid was “15!” The low bidders were beginning to drop out, but one man continued bidding: “15 pieces of silver and five bushels of barley!” Hosea said, “15 pieces of silver, 5 bushels of barley and a ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 3:1-5, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Romans 8:38

Tags: Hosea, Redemption, Covenant Love

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Evidence For The Resurrection Is Reliable And True

Contributed by Timothy Lueking on Apr 3, 2023

It was the middle of the 1800s and a man by the name of Simon Greenleaf was teaching a class on evidence of law at Harvard University. Greenleaf was considered by many to be the greatest expert on evidence of law the world has ever known. He had been praised for his knowledge and when it comes to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Matthew 28:1-10, 1 Peter 1:3

Tags: Easter, Resurrection, Evidence, Reliability Of Truth, Jesus The Risen Savior  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Get Rid Of Your Pastor!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 9, 2023

What a blessing it is to have a pastor who loves the Lord, who teaches the Word, and who leads his "flock" aright. I thank God we have a man like that in the church which I attend. In these days of apostasy, when there is such a tragic departure from an emphasis on the Word, how we ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-11

Tags: Ministry, Pastors, Apostasy, Man Of God, Churches, Division, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dying For Treasure

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 11, 2023

Have you ever heard about a man named Forrest Fenn? Forrest Fenn was a pilot in the US Air Force, earning the rank of Major and awarded the Silver Star for his sermon in Vietnam, which flew 328 combat missions within a year. After his service to his country, he ran an art gallery where he made his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Tags: Money, Treasure

Denomination: Brethren

Fake News Or Truth?

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Sep 30, 2024

Donald Trump has often spoken of what he calls, “fake news” when describing what he considers biased reporting. And it is true that most reporting about Trump is negative, while his opponents receive more favorable treatment. But did you know that the phrase “fake news” was first coined by ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:6-12

Tags: Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Fake News, Sure Witness, Jesus Is Son Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Sovereign God Has Fixed The Time For My Death

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 10, 2024

There is a scene in the Civil War motion picture, "Gods and Generals", that is telling. The movie follows the rise and fall of Civil War hero General Thomas Jackson, and does not try to hide his Christianity. Throughout the picture, Jackson's dependence on God is shown, but never ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:1

Tags: Death, Chosen, Election, Free Will, Calling, Sovereignty Of God, Man's Choice  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Portfolio For Nobody

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

It was 2017. I had just left a software development company. Cassy was working as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens, and we were living in Lubbock, Texas. I started doing freelance graphic design, photography, videography, motion graphics, all of that. But the whole time I felt like I needed to be ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:2, Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Faith, Calling

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Water Baptism  PRO

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Jun 7, 2001

Dr. M.R. DeHaan put it this way: In the early days of the church. . . , baptism was a declaration that the believer was definitely identifying himself with that group of people who were called Christians and were despised and hated. To be a Christian meant something. To identify yourself with those ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Tags: Baptism, Call Of The Disciples, Bridge

Denomination: Baptist

We Can Get Ourselves In Trouble Fast  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 4, 2001

We can get ourselves in Trouble Fast A burglar broke into a house one day. As he was stealing the valuables he heard a voice out of the darkness that said, "Jesus is watching you". He almost choked. He stoped and looked around and then he shook of his fear and went on stealing some more. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 28:13-28

Tags: Sin Exposed, Sin General, Sin Punishment Of

The Citizens Of Feldkirch, Austria, Didn’t ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Sep 14, 2001

The citizens of Feldkirch, Austria, didn’t know what to do. Napoleon’s massive army was preparing to attack. Soldiers had been spotted on the heights above the little town, which was situated on the Austrian border. A council of citizens was hastily summoned to decide whether they should try to ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, God's Omnipotence

Denomination: Baptist

Pastor Brenda Snedden Tells The Story Of Trying ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 13, 2001

Pastor Brenda Snedden tells the story of trying to rid a mouse in her bedroom with the contents of a fire extinguisher. White powder goes everywhere in the bedroom but the mouse survives the attack. Her husband finally arrives home and walks into the bedroom with a look of shock on his face. She ...read more

Tags: Peace, God's Omniscience

Denomination: Church Of God

He Sent His Son  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mavis on Dec 10, 2001

HE SENT HIS SON Pastor Clifford S. Stewart of Louisville, Kentucky, sent his parents a microwave oven one Christmas. Here’s how he recalls the experience: “They were excited that now they, too, could be a part of the instant generation. When Dad unpacked the microwave and plugged it in, ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, Humanity Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Every Last One—crucified!  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 15, 2001

EVERY LAST ONE-- CRUCIFIED! At one point early in Julius Caesar’s political career, feelings ran so high against him that he thought it best to leave Rome. He sailed for the Aegean island of Rhodes, but en route the ship was attacked by pirates and Caesar was captured. The pirates demanded a ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection, Crucifixion, Cross

I Can't Remember  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 1, 2002

I Can’t Remember A few years ago, rumors spread that a certain Catholic woman was having visions of Jesus. The archbishop decided to check her out. ’Is it true, m’am, that you have visions of Jesus?’ asked the cleric. ’Yes,’ the woman replied. ’Well, the next time you have a vision, I want you ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-26

Tags: God The Father, Forgiveness For Others

The Evangelist, Lieghton Ford Was Speaking At An ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Apr 11, 2002

The evangelist, Lieghton Ford was speaking at an open-air crusade in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Billy Graham was to speak the next night and had arrived a day early. He came incognito and sat on the grass at the rear of the crowd. Because he was wearing a hat and dark glasses, no one recognized him. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:24

Tags: Evangelism How To, Sharing My Testimony

Denomination: Wesleyan