In Sermon Illustrations: "Approved Workers"

At A Recent Gathering Of Seminary Professors, One ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2006

At a recent gathering of seminary professors, one teacher reported that at his school the most damaging charge one student can lodge against another is that the person is being "judgmental." He found this pattern very upsetting. "You can’t get a good argument going in class anymore," he said. "As ...read more

Tags: Truth

Jesus—not Hate But Hope  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 31, 2003

JESUS- NOT HATE BUT HOPE "Jesus. It’s a little name. A small word. Say this little name in public, however, in a way other than an obscenity, and stand back and watch the fireworks. This little name is like a tiny detonator that triggers a nuclear warhead. You can say "God," and you won’t get a ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 14:23-29

Tags: Apologetics Jesus, Universalism, Lordship Of Christ

In The Movie "Shawshank Redemption," An Old ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 10, 2005

In the movie “Shawshank Redemption,” an old prisoner, Brooks Handlin, acts unreasonable and threatens to take another prisoner’s life. They find out that the reason Brooks has reacted this way is that he’s scared. Scared because his parole has been approved. You see those outside of Shawshank see ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-3

Tags: Heaven

Denomination: Christian Church

Do Not Conform Any Longer To The Pattern Of This ...

Contributed by Doane Brubaker on Aug 28, 2007

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will (Rom 12:2, NIV). The word we translate "transformed" is metamorfousthe. Does that sound ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Mennonite

How Many Christians To Change A Light ...

Contributed by Michael Carbaugh on Jun 11, 2009

How Many Christians to Change a Light bulb? CHARISMATICS: Only 1 - Hands are already in the air. PENTECOSTALS: 10 - One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness. PRESBYTERIANS: None - Lights will go on and off at predestined times. ROMAN CATHOLICS: None, they only use ...read more

Tags: Change, Light And Dark

Denomination: Baptist

Older Brother Takes The Blame And Dies For ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 28, 2010

Older Brother Takes the Blame and Dies for Younger Brother The story is told of two Chinese brothers who lived in Chinatown just after the turn of the century. One brother, the eldest of the two, was a very honest and hardworking individual, while the younger brother was rebellious, and often ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: Christian Love, Substitute

Say, "Yes"

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

Bob Goff tells of his love for playing practical jokes on his buddies. His friend Doug made the mistake of telling him where he was celebrating his 10th wedding anniversary and the penthouse suite he had prepaid for. A few days later, he and his wife checked into the hotel as Doug and his wife. ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:1-16

Tags: Risk, Risk Taking, Say Yes To God

Denomination: Methodist

Conflict Results When We Perceive That Our ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 12, 2001

Conflict results when we perceive that our rights or needs are being violated in some way. Most of you probably remember the horrible tragedy that occurred in Massachusetts this past December. On the morning of December 26, 42 year old software tester, Michael McDermott, entered Edgewater ...read more

The Land Of Persia Was Once Ruled By A Wise And ...  PRO

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 9, 2001

The land of Persia was once ruled by a wise and beloved Shah who cared greatly for his people and desired only what was best for them. One day he disguised himself as a poor man and went to visit the public baths. The water for the baths was heated by a furnace in the cellar, so the Shah made his ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, Humanity Of Christ

Denomination: Church Of God

A Christian Railroad Engineer Was Speaking To A ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 20, 2005

A Christian railroad engineer was speaking to a group of fellow workers about heaven. He said, “I can’t begin to tell you what the Lord Jesus means to me. In Him I have a hope that is very precious. Let me explain. Many years ago as each night I neared the end of my run, I would always let out a ...read more

Tags: Heaven

More Than 2 Million Grandparents Are Rearing ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 18, 2006

· More than 2 million grandparents are rearing their grand children. · In ’00, 82% of people 25 and older had graduated from high school and 25% had at least a bachelor’s degree. In ’90, the figures were 75% and 20%. · More than 90% of households owned a car, van or truck in ’00, the highest share ...read more

Tags: What Is Evangelism?

Being Still  PRO

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 25, 2002

BEING STILL Before refrigerators, people used icehouses to preserve their food. Icehouses had thick walls, no windows, and a tightly fitted door. In winter, when streams and lakes were frozen, large blocks of ice were cut, hauled to the icehouses, and covered with sawdust. Often the ice would ...read more

Tags: Prayer Adoration, Prayer How To

Denomination: Mennonite

The Resources We Need

Contributed by Christian Cheong on May 28, 2003

THE RESOURCES WE NEED Federal Express, a speedy postal delivery company, once ran a commercial similar to movie Castaway, in which Tom Hanks played a FedEx worker whose company plane went down, stranding him on a desert island for years. Looking like Tom Hanks in the movie, the FedEx employee ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Largest Church In This Country According To ...

Contributed by David Parks on Jun 2, 2004

The largest church in this country according to its doctrine on sainthood has only one saint born in America, Elizabeth Seton. C. She was decreed to be a saint in December 1974, accepted by the rite of saint-hood september 14, 1975. D. the process: 1. She was first suggested for sainthood by a ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

There's A Story About A Local Fitness Center, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

There’s a story about a local fitness center, which was offering $1,000 to anyone who could demonstrate that they were stronger than the owner of the place. Here’s how it worked. This muscle man would squeeze a lemon until all the juice ran into a glass, and then hand the lemon to the next ...read more

Tags: Cross Agony

Crooked On The Lot  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 28, 2010

CROOKED ON THE LOT The Jewish leaders had rejected salvation. The builders had rejected the very cornerstone of the temple, and stumbled over the rock. Growing up, there was a vacant lot next to our house. One day, a bunch of equipment and workers from Philyaw Construction showed up—and built a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:4-12

Tags: Jesus Christ

Send Us Some Eternity

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Nov 30, 2010

SEND US SOME ETERNITY An English postal worker was in charge of letters inadequately addressed. One Christmas season he discovered a card from his own daughter to Santa. It said, "We're very sad at our house this year. My little brother went to heaven last week. You needn't leave me anything. But ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Capture And Control  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 7, 2011

CAPTURE AND CONTROL Craig Larson talks about being at a lunch party on a warm, Chicago day in early September with a dozen of his fellow workers. The windows were left open, and soon a bee found its way in. After buzzing around for a while, it landed on some food on the table. Then someone took an ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:26, John 8:1-11

Tags: Satan

The Jesus Freaks Are Here

Contributed by Noel Atkinson on Mar 16, 2011

THE JESUS FREAKS ARE HERE I remember doing street ministry a few years ago. I was with an organisation called Drug Arm in the city. We would set up a van and give coffee and doughnuts to drug addicts along with contact phone numbers for the local drug rehabilitation centres. I remember one night ...read more

Tags: Servanthood

Denomination: Baptist

Hostile Heart

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 8, 2012

HOSTILE HEART Beware the hostile heart. That's the warning of Dr. Redford Williams from Duke University's Behavioral Medicine Research Center. He has been saying for years that having a hostile personalities can kill us--most often by heart disease but also by injuries and accidents. Anger speeds ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:20-27

Tags: Heart