In Sermon Illustrations: "Beautiful"

He's My Dad.

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 24, 2010

"HE'S MY DAD." A group of scientists and botanists were exploring remote regions of the Alps, looking for new species of flowers. One day they noticed through binoculars a flower of such rarity and beauty, that its value to science was incalculable. But it lay deep in a ravine with cliffs on both ...read more

Tags: God The Father

Denomination: Brethren

Math Tests Through The Decades

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 29, 2011

MATH TESTS THROUGH THE DECADES * 1960s test: "A logger cuts and sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is four-fifths of that amount. What is his profit?" * 1970s new-math test: "A logger exchanges a set (L) of lumber for a set (M) of money. The cardinality of Set M is 100. ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:3-4

Tags: Wisdom, Walk, Fire

More Than A Golf Ball

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 27, 2011

MORE THAN A GOLF BALL Curtis Strange, one of the golfers in the Master’s Tournament, teed up on the 12th hole and hit a beautiful shot. It rolled right up and dropped in the cup for a hole-in-one. The crowd went crazy with applause and cheering. Then Curtis Strange did an interesting thing. He ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 13:22

Tags: Character

The Wedding Problem

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jun 22, 2011

THE WEDDING PROBLEM Mary Campbell of Elgin, Illinois that had to say "I do" three times at three different weddings before she finally became Mrs. Randy Peterson. The couple took out their wedding license in Kane County and made all the arrangements for their wedding at a church in Ontarioville. ...read more

Tags: Weddings

Lessons From A Banana Tree

Contributed by Michael Walther on Aug 8, 2011

LESSONS FROM A BANANA TREE I once learned an interesting lessons from a retired pastor who grew banana trees in his backyard. Bananas will grow in our hot and humid Southern Illinois summers. But the season isn't long enough for them to produce much fruit. Some people tried to overcome this by ...read more

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Denomination: Lutheran

How Christians Are Different

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 12, 2011

HOW CHRISTIANS ARE DIFFERENT A Second Century believer, in a letter to his friend, Diognetus, described how Christians are alike and different from others. He wrote, "Though they are residents at home in their own countries, their behavior there is more like transients...Though destiny has placed ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:18-25

Tags: Christian Witness

Jewish Blessings

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 19, 2011

JEWISH BLESSINGS David Stern relates in hid Jewish NT Commentary, pp.115-116 that there are many blessings given by the Hebrew people. There are blessings for wine (Matthew 26.27-29); for bread (14.19); The Talmud (circa 5th century CE) had specific formulas for dozens of blessings that the people ...read more

Tags: Blessing

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Are You Holding Onto?

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Mar 18, 2016

Props: trophies, on large nice trophy for the main story. These are some nice trophies. This one was earned by my daughter through playing softball. She was so proud as they called her name up to receive this trophy. This is from a contest that one of them had worked hard for. This large ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-20

Tags: Sin, Treasure, Materialism

Denomination: Church Of God

It All Started With An Apple

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 24, 2025

In my backyard I have two apple trees. They grow low to the ground and in July the apples are plentiful but small and green. Harvest is not until late September here in Ontario. But the low hanging branches present an enticing temptation to pick the apples. One beautiful morning I noticed an ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:7-25, Romans 6:1-4, Romans 3:21-31

Tags: Original Sin, The Fall, Sin, Obedience, Temptation, Adam  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sherlock Holmes And Dr Watson

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jun 3, 2026

Story: Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. They set up their tent and fell asleep. Some hours later, Holmes woke his faithful friend. "Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see." Watson replied, "I see millions of stars." "What does that ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-12

Tags: Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson

Denomination: Anglican

The Most Important Part Of Christmas

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 8, 2023

What is the most important part of Christmas? What do we celebrate each year? Is it the change of heart we notice in people? Is it the spreading of Christmas cheer? Is it wishing for falling snow flakes? Is it picking out a Christmas tree? Is it the laughter of little children? Is it people singing ...read more

Tags: Christmas Poems, Poems, Poetry About Christ's Birth, Christmas, Birth Of Christ, Reason For The Season  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Your Two Dirty Pennies Are An Insult

Contributed by David Goering on Aug 14, 2018

Suppose somebody befriended you in your town and offered to buy you a big beautiful house, and told you that you could choose the house you wanted. Then when he was handing you the title deed you reached in your pocket and pulled out two pennys, and when you did they accidentally fell out of your ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Free Gift, It Is Finished, Salvation, Righteousness, Good Works  (view more)  (view less)

[074]. Poem Message – Excerpts Certain Psalms Part 5 – Psalms 9, 27, 100

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 4, 2025

[074]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – EXCERPTS FROM CERTAIN PSALMS PART 5 – PSALMS 9, 27, 100 {{Psalm 59:16-17 “As for me, I SHALL SING OF YOUR STRENGTH. Yes, I SHALL JOYFULLY SING OF YOUR LOVING-KINDNESS in the morning, for You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 59:16-17, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 9:9, Psalm 100:3, Psalm 100:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Gates, Light, Praise, Salvation, Thanks, Stronghold, Trouble  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gospel Perspective On Thanks  PRO

Contributed by Rex S. Wignall on Nov 28, 2002

The Gospel Perspective on Thanks Because of the great sacrifice Jesus made for each of us on the cross, Christians should have an additional, very personal perspective on thanks. Max Lucado shares this moving story of sacrifice to remind us what Jesus has done in giving His life for us: It’s ...read more

Tags: Joy

Denomination: United Methodist

Once Upon A Time There Was A Young Boy Named ...

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Oct 14, 2010

Once upon a time there was a young boy named Philip. Philip was born with Downs Syndrome. He was a pleasant and happy as most Downs children are--but he grew increasingly aware of the difference between himself and other children. Philip went to Sunday School at a Methodist church. His teacher, ...read more

Tags: Resurrection, Passion Of Christ

Denomination: Methodist

[096]. A Message From A Poem – From Earth To Heaven

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 3, 2025

[096]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN This poem is one of rhyming couplets and the theme is “now on earth, but looking towards being in heaven with the Lord.” Do you love the world? Well my answer is yes and no. I absolutely love the world, that is, the creation in the world. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:2-3, Hebrews 6:19, Romans 3:11-18, Psalm 8:3, Psalm 19:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Creation, Glory, Heaven, Hope, Poem, The World, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Was Once A Very Pious Monk With The Name ...

Contributed by Jelle Horjus on Nov 1, 2005

There was once a very pious monk with the name John, who spend most of his days in meditation and prayer. He was old, and had a beautiful long, white beard. No one else in the monastery had such a beautiful beard. Now and then, between his bible reading and praying, he used to take out a small ...read more

Tags: Sin Bondage To, Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Baptist

A Preacher Had Once To Illustrate The Free Nature ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 18, 2002

A preacher had once to illustrate the free nature of God’s gift of salvation. They stood in the pulpit one morning held up a poinsettia plant and said: “Whoever wants this beautiful Christmas poinsettia may have it. All you have to do is take it.” They stared at me. I waited. And waited. ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Forgiveness In Jesus, Salvation

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

B. Brian J. Waldrop Relates This Slice Of Life: ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 24, 2004

b. Brian J. Waldrop relates this slice of life: "Flipping through the channels of my TV the other morning, I stopped to watch a painter skillfully painting a desert landscape. As the man proceeded to color the canvas in deep browns, reds, and yellows, the picture really started to look good. I felt ...read more

Tags: Humility, Faith, Endurance

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Was Once A Missionary On Furlough With Her ...

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 16, 2008

There was once a missionary on furlough with her husband and family after an unusually tiring stint of service. She had been looking forward to this time with great anticipation. For the first time she was going to have a place of her own, a new, large townhouse-styled apartment with a patio. She ...read more

Denomination: Other