In Sermon Illustrations: "Approved Workers"

The Name Stradivarius Is Synonymous With Fine ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hodges on Jun 16, 2001

The name Stradivarius is synonymous with fine violins. This is true because Antonius Stradivarius insisted that no instrument constructed in his shop be sold until it was as near perfection as human care and skill could make it. Stradivarius said, "God needs violins to send His music into the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:28

Tags: Workplace Integrity, Peace, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

God's Testing  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 16, 2002

God’s Testing As the Union Pacific Railroad was being constructed, an elaborate trestle bridge was built across a large canyon in the West. Wanting to test the bridge, the builder loaded a train with enough extra cars and equipment to double its normal payload. The train was then driven to the ...read more

Tags: Doubt, Endurance

The Statue Of Liberty Was Built In The Late ...

Contributed by Ray Searan on Feb 21, 2007

The statue of Liberty was built in the late 1800’s. The craftsmen who worked on it paid as much attention to the details on the top of the stature as they did to the rest of the statue though at that time there was no way for anyone to ever notice it; no planes flew at that time, no high rises, ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Bridge Won't Break

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 2, 2007

The Bridge Won’t Break As the Union Pacific Railroad was being constructed, an elaborate trestle bridge was built across a large canyon in the West. Wanting to test the bridge, the builder loaded a train with enough extra cars and equipment to double its normal payload. The train was then driven to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Running For Dinner Or For Life

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 14, 2008

Running For Dinner Or For Life The reason you do what you do is all important. There is an old fable about a dog that boasted of his ability as a runner. One day he chased a rabbit and failed to catch it. The other dogs ridiculed him on account of his previous boasting. His reply was, "You must ...read more

Tags: Goals

Denomination: Other

Following World War Ii Some German Students ...

Contributed by Steve Ely on Oct 1, 2008

Following World War II some German students volunteered to help rebuild a cathedral in England, one that had been badly damaged by the Luftwaffe bombings. As the work progressed, they weren’t sure how to best restore a large statue of Jesus with arms outstretched and bearing the familiar ...read more

Tags: Compassion

Denomination: Pentecostal

Following The Terrible Mexico City Earthquake Of ...

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Mar 10, 2010

Following the terrible Mexico City earthquake of 1985, live satellite coverage carried the news of Mexico’s anguish to a watching world. A pastor was sitting in front of his television set stunned by the extent of the damage. Mountains of broken concrete filled the screen. Rescue workers dug ...read more

Tags: Sin General

Denomination: Baptist

Greed In Panama

Contributed by Perry Greene on Sep 15, 2011

GREED IN PANAMA Many years ago, a major American company had trouble keeping employees working in their assembly plant in Panama. The laborers lived in a generally agrarian, barter economy, but the company paid them in cash. After a week’s work, the average employee would have more cash than he’d ...read more

Tags: Greed

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Quotes From The Book The Light And The Glory

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 5, 2006

Quotes from the book The Light and The Glory. i. Marshall states, “Before the voyage had begun, Columbus had been a beggar before God, all his hopes hanging on Ferdinand and Isabella’s approval…BUT…Columbus chose the three things the world prizes most (after his successful journey) money (his ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Usa Today September 13, 2007 ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 17, 2007

Illustration from USA TODAY September 13, 2007 edition page 11a “Live and Let Live – Public opinion polls reflect what many people see in their daily lives: When it comes to gay rights, issues of race and beyond, the USA has become a more tolerant nation over the past 25 years.” (See ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jonathan Edwards On Freedom Of The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 30, 2009

Jonathan Edwards on Freedom of the Will “If any think it is a more perfect definition of the Will to say that it is that by which the soul either chooses or refuses, I am content with it; though I think it enough to say, it is that by which the soul chooses: for in every act of will whatsoever, the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Tags: Thought

Boss: Mark Dever On The Four Aspects Of ...

Contributed by Tim White on May 7, 2011

BOSS: MARK DEVER ON THE FOUR ASPECTS OF LEADERSHIP B=Boss. The leader "reproves, rebukes, and exhorts with all longsuffering and doctrine." There is a delicate balance in local churches between pastoral authority (Hebrews 13) and congregational authority (Matthew 18). The pastors must exercise ...read more

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Baptist

Before I Became A Counsellor, While I Was Still ...

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 16, 2010

Before I became a counsellor, while I was still going to school, I worked as a family support worker. Essentially I would pick up kids from troubled homes who social workers were involved with but hadn’t taken the children away yet, and I would spend a couple hours with them and take them back ...read more

Tags: Parenting

The Year Of The Yes  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 23, 2010

THE YEAR OF THE YES Playwright Maria Hedley had her fill of terrible dates. Most of the dates she went on she thought the guys would be great candidates but they were totally unsatisfying. She got sick of her own taste and decided that fate couldn’t mess up her love life anymore than she could, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

Tags: Kindness

Falling After Dark

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2011

FALLING AFTER DARK There is a story told about a construction worker. This construction worker was employed on a high-rise building project, which required him and others to work after dark. He was busy on the edge of one of the walls which was many stories high, when he suddenly lost his balance ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Tags: Fear And Worry

The Power Of Kindness: A Tale Of Compassion And Humility.

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Sep 22, 2023

Once upon a time, a lady worked at a meat distribution factory. One day, when she finished with her work schedule, she went into the cold room to inspect something. But in a moment of misfortune, the door accidentally closed and she was locked inside. Although she screamed and knocked with all her ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:27, Matthew 25:40, Galatians 6:2, 1 John 3:18, James 2:14-17, Luke 6:31, Proverbs 11:25, 1 Peter 4:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Humble, Respect

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Somebody Else  PRO

Contributed by Richard White on Sep 25, 2002

There was a clever young guy named Somebody Else There was nothing this can’t do He is busy from morning till late at night Substituting for you You’re asked to do this or do that And what is your ready reply Get Somebody Else to do that job He’ll do it much better than I SO much to do in this ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Called To Be Faithful  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 5, 2001

CALLED TO BE FAITHFUL Mark Hatfield tells of touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visiting the so-called "House of Dying," where sick children are cared for in their last days, and the dispensary, where the poor line up by the hundreds to receive medical attention. Watching Mother Teresa ...read more

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Gave The Call?  PRO

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 24, 2003

Illustration: I worked in a hog-slaughtering factory for a year when I first came to plant this church. The boss’s adult son used to walk around wearing a white hat and barking orders at everyone but none of the workers respected him the way they did his dad. They knew he was just a pretender. If ...read more

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Mennonite

Just Getting Out Of The Driveway Was A Major Feat ...  PRO

Contributed by Guy Glass on Mar 26, 2004

Just getting out of the driveway was a major feat during last year’s snow and ice storms. One co-worker was relating how he used his seven-year-old son’s baseball bat to smash the slick coat of ice on his driveway. He got cold and went inside for a cup of coffee before attempting to clear the car. ...read more

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Baptist