In Sermon Illustrations: "Bad Preaching"

The Moral Basis Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 5, 2012

THE MORAL BASIS OF GOVERNMENT Richard Halverson, present chaplain of the United States Senate, wrote: ``To be sure, men will abuse and misuse the institution of the State just as man because of sin has abused and misused every other institution in history including the Church of Jesus Christ, but ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Tags: Government

Thanksgiving Joke

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2019

A lady purchased a parrot whose previous owner had taught him profanity and decided that she would reform him. The parrot learned a number of Christian words and Bible verses to replace the cuss words. However, the owner caught him cussing one day and grabbed him and said, "I'll teach ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving, Turkey, Jokes

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Funny Thanksgiving Joke To Share!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 18, 2021

A FUNNY THANKSGIVING JOKE TO SHARE! A retiree in Florida phones his daughter in New Jersey and says, “Honey, I have bad news for you. Your mother and I have decided that 52 years of marriage is enough. We’re calling it quits and getting a divorce.” His daughter yells, “Are you crazy? What the ...read more

Tags: Sermon Introduction, Funny Stories, Thanksgiving, Humor, Jokes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thanksgiving Humor!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 7, 2022

A lady purchased a parrot whose previous owner had taught him profanity and decided that she would reform him. The parrot learned a number of Christian words and Bible verses to replace the cuss words. However, the owner caught him cussing one day and grabbed him and said, "I'll teach you ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving, Blessings, Lepers, Turkeys, Jesus, Holidays, Healing, Miracles, Gratitude, Leprosy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Singing When I Am Hurt?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 16, 2024

WHEN I AM HURT? GO FIGURE? I LOVE BIRDS. I LOVE TO WATCH BIRDS. EACH FAMILY OF BIRDS HAVE THEIR OWN DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS. In my limited study of birds I ran across WHAT IS CALLED ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG BIRDS. This SINGING BIRD is unique in many ways. This special little bird is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-3

Tags: Hope, Sing, Song In The Night

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Gossip Test

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 11, 2025

Do I get excited when I hear, “Have you heard…?” Does my heart do a little dance when someone starts with, “You won’t believe what I just found out!” If so, you know the answer—it’s gossip. If you find yourself pulling up a chair and grabbing some popcorn, it’s time to rethink your choices. The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:20

Tags: Prayer, Gossip, Power Of Words, Test

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Spiritual Warfare

Contributed by John Bright on Oct 3, 2025

We need to be engaged in Spiritual Warfare. First, we need to acknowledge that there is both a physical realm (fallen) and a spiritual realm (good & bad). This is clear in Ephesians 6, where Paul is describing our battle gear: Ephesians 6:11-12 “11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-12

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Angels, Demons, Physical Realm, Spiritual Realm  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Things Have A Way Of Catching Up With Me

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 31, 2020

I have learned in my life, and probably just one thing: things have a way of catching up with me. I can't get away with anything. It's not that I don't try. There were a few times when I've come pretty close to getting away with something, but it didn't turn out the way I ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7

Tags: Money, Humor, Fraud

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Bob Russell Shared That Several Months Before ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Demastus on Oct 22, 2001

*Bob Russell shared that several months before they moved into their new church building in 1998, their ministry staff met at the new site for a special staff meeting. Most of the building still wasn’t carpeted, and some of the rooms still had no drywall. They handed out hard hats, magic markers, ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-11

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seventeen Years Ago I Was Keenly Interested In A ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Mar 27, 2007

Seventeen years ago I was keenly interested in a widow in our church. Renfro laughed at me for saying she and I had a conversation in which we negotiated whether we could date or not. Listen, if there are things on which you do not agree, either negotiate a lasting change or else keep on ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

I'll Go Back And Tell Them Again.

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 30, 2011

"I'LL GO BACK AND TELL THEM AGAIN." In a book entitled "Jungle Harvest," written by a missionary named Ruby Scott, she describes some of her experiences in reaching a people group known as the Tila Indians who lived in a remote village in the jungles of south Mexico, just north of the Guatemalan ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Tags: Evangelism Urgency

A Name On The Bill Of Rights  PRO

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Oct 4, 2012

A NAME ON THE BILL OF RIGHTS The Black Brigade or Black Regiment were the preachers, because they wore black robes. Black preachers, white preachers — they all wore black robes. And the British specifically blamed the preachers for the American Revolution. That's where the title "Black Regiment" ...read more

Tags: Patriotism

Denomination: Holiness

Conversion Of A Communist

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

Leonard Ravenhill tells the story of preaching an 8-day crusade in a large church in Glasgow, Scotland starting the first day of World War II. That shattered his meetings and no more than 50 people showed, so they started to meet in a side room instead. Despite this, he preached his heart out every ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Tags: Resurrection, Power

Denomination: Methodist

The Bible – For Mature Audiences Only

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Nov 5, 2019

Recently I have been preaching sermons on topics submitted by the members of the church. I thought that was a good idea until someone requested I preach from Genesis 38. It’s not your typical children’s bedtime Bible story. It’s more on the lines of a scandalous storyline for a daytime soap ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness, Sin, Rahab, Samson, Judah, Tamar  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Change You Owe To Jesus  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 21, 2001

THE CHANGE YOU OWE TO JESUS John Wesley was a popular evangelist in early America and often rode from one church to another to preach. On one such journey, stopped by a highwayman who shouted, "Halt, your money or your life." Wesley got down from his horse, emptied his pockets to reveal only ...read more

Tags: Great Commission, Grace, Repentance

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Affluence And Gratitude  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 12, 2002

AFFLUENCE AND GRATITUDE In his new book 'Jesus, Lord of Your Personality,' pastor Bob Russell points out that having a lot doesn’t tend to produce a grateful spirit. "Have you had a taste of the best this world has to offer? You went to Hawaii once on vacation, so now it’s harder for you to enjoy ...read more

Tags: Joy, Mountain, Peace, Season, Finding Fulfillment  (view more)  (view less)

What Submission Isn't, Citation: Jill Briscoe, ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on May 9, 2003

[What Submission Isn’t, Citation: Jill Briscoe, "Hilarious Hupotasso," Preaching Today, Tape No. 117.] Stuart and I brought our families and religious heritages to our marriage. My father, a quiet, gentle man, considered himself head of his home: protector, defender, and provider. My mom was a ...read more

Tags: Women, Marriage Obligations

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Day Out Of The Blue An Old Friend Of Mine ( I ...

Contributed by Jeff Leigh on Jul 23, 2005

One day out of the blue an old friend of mine ( I will call him Keith) phoned me to say he was in town and wanted to catch up. We hadn’t seen each other for over 15 years - I wasn’t a Christian when we were friends. Him and I were hell raisers, we were into anything and everything not good. Anyway ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To, Sharing My Testimony

Denomination: Pentecostal

When I Was A Small Boy, I Attended Church Every ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2006

When I was a small boy, I attended church every Sunday at a big Gothic Presbyterian bastion in Chicago. The preaching was powerful and the music was great. But for me, the most awesome moment in the morning service was the offertory, when twelve solemn, frock-coated ushers marched in lock-step down ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:15-24

Tags: God's Provision

A Visiting Preacher Once Stayed In A House Of A ...  PRO

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Sep 27, 2006

A visiting preacher once stayed in a house of a widow. He’d arrived on the Saturday before he was to preach on the Sunday, and the lady of the house, being that sort of person, had given up her bedroom for the guest. When he got up in the morning he threw back the curtains and looked out on a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:24

Denomination: Baptist