In Sermon Illustrations: "Best Christmas Gift"

Worthless Slaves

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Aug 16, 2009

WORTHLESS SLAVES Rewards from God are never merited as something God owes us but come as a free gift from his grace. Jesus brought this home at another time with a short story. Suppose you had a slave plowing the fields. Now when that slave came in, would you say, "Sit down and I’ll get you some ...read more

Tags: Grace

Denomination: Lutheran

I Simply Came To Give...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 21, 2010

"I SIMPLY CAME TO GIVE..." In the middle of President Lincoln’s Presidency, an elderly lady made an appointment to see him. As she entered his office, he inquired, "How can I be of service to you, Madam?" The lady answered, "Mr. President, I know you are a very busy man, and I have not come to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Tags: Gratitude

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

What A Waste...?

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jul 8, 2011

WHAT A WASTE...? When I lived in another city, I became acquainted with an organization called the Wycliffe Bible Translators. In fact, we had a man come speak to our church. I’ll never forget the impression he made on me. He had a PhD in linguistics. He was an incredibly well-educated and gifted ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43, Matthew 13:1-9

Tags: Servanthood

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Object Lesson: Lego Bricks

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 26, 2012

OBJECT LESSON: LEGO BRICKS When you came in you received Lego building blocks of differing sizes and shapes. I’ve got a challenge for you; I want you to build something with your Lego blocks but there is one condition, you cannot use anybody else’s Lego block. Now what can you build with one Lego ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

God's Sovereignty Is The Basis Of Our Prayers.

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Apr 19, 2018

"In prayer, you ask for things and give thanks for things. Why? Because you recognize that God is the author and source of all the good that you have had already, and all the good that you hoped for in the future. This is the fundamental philosophy of Christian prayer. The prayer of a Christian is ...read more

Tags: Sovereignty Of God, Prayer

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Romans Road To Salvation

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 24, 2019

The Romans Road to Salvation 1. I consider myself a good person. All have sinned & fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 2. Is sin that big of a deal? The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 3. Why would Jesus die in my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23, Romans 10:9

Tags: Salvation, Gospel, The Cross

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Man In History Who Refused His Own Pardon

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 18, 2021

In the early 1800’s, President Andrew Jackson issued a full pardon to George Wilson, a man sentenced to be hanged for his crime. However, believe it or not, George Wilson refused the pardon from President Jackson. But could he legally refuse the President’s pardon? Supreme Court Justice John ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12

Tags: Salvation, The Gospel, Pardon, How To Be Saved, Choices, Receiving Christ, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

O In Peter Schaeffer's Play ...

Contributed by David Rumley on Oct 28, 2009

o In Peter Schaeffer’s Play Amadeus o Story of Salieri  Makes a prayer before God…  I would offer up secretly the proudest prayer a boy could think of. “Lord, make me a great composer! Let me celebrate your glory through music – and be celebrated myself! Make me famous through the ...read more

Tags: Salvation, Assurance Of Salvation

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Can't Believe A Single Word He Says!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 4, 2023

A guy sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog for Sale." He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees an old black mutt just sitting there. "You talk?" he asks. "Yep," the mutt replies. "So, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:15

Tags: False Teachers, Lies, Liars, Discernment, Truth, Preaching, Last Days  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Good Man Wants To Get Into Heaven

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Jul 21, 2024

I was recently at the gym having a conversation with someone I just met. Within a matter of 10 minutes, I realized that this man was a better man than me. He had volunteered in more countries than I could count in 10 minutes of our conversation. He was a teacher, he served the poor in many ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16, Romans 3:23

Tags: Grace, Justification, Good Works, Works Righteousness

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The King Who Humbled Himself

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 1, 2025

In John's Gospel, Jesus shared these words: BIBLE "If I your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also should wash each other's feet." Jesus did this as an example. Then Jesus took the bread and the cup and set another example. "Do this, in remembrance of me." ...read more

Scripture: John 13:14, Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:27

Tags: Body, King, Visit, Humbled, Blood  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

They Took It Away!

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 3, 2020

My parents used to operate a true “Mom and Pop” grocery store before I started school. I still remember some of the good times—and some of the bad times, too, unfortunately—from those days gone by. Some of the items they had for sale were plastic models. These were mostly Revell, Lindberg, or ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:22, 1 John 5:18

Tags: The Will Of God, Take It Or Leave It

Denomination: Baptist

Charles Spurgeon Once Told Of Sitting In A Nice ...  PRO

Contributed by Tim George on Mar 7, 2001

Charles Spurgeon once told of sitting in a nice restaurant. As he ate he kept noticing a rather angry looking man across the dining room who scowled at him every time he looked his way. Finally Spurgeon decided to go over and speak to the man to see what his problem was. However, as he stood he ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27, James 1:22-25

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Baptist

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, Love Of The Disciples, Peace

Denomination: Baptist

Bruce Larson, In His Book, Wind And Fire, Points ...

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Jun 4, 2005

Bruce Larson, in his book, Wind and Fire, points out some interesting facts about sandhill cranes. "These large birds, who fly great distances across continents, have remarkable qualities. They choose leaders who best handle turbulence. And then, all during the time one bird is leading, the rest ...read more

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Christian Church

According To A Recent Poll Of 997 Adults (For ...

Contributed by W F on Sep 4, 2005

According to a recent poll of 997 adults (for Britain’s Woolwich building society), 34 per cent of women think an investment in bricks and mortar is the best measure of a secure long-term relationship. Only 13 per cent still believed in the merits of an engagement ring. We want to be secure and we ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: *other

A Young Preacher-To-Be, Having Passed His ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 19, 2006

A young preacher-to-be, having passed his doctrinal examinations, faced his trial sermon. In a cavernous auditorium sat three ministers and 75 others who came to listen. When he stepped into the pulpit, the vast room and the searching, critical eyes caused him to falter. Two weeks later his name ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:8-16

Tags: Promises Of God, Rejection, God's Love

Denomination: Lutheran

When A Calvinist Says That All Things Happen ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2006

When a Calvinist says that all things happen according to the predestination of God, he speaks the truth, and I am willing to be called a Calvinist. But when an Arminian says that when a man sins, the sin is his own, and that if he continues in sin, and perishes, his eternal damnation will lie ...read more

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation

The Other Night At Worship, My Son, John Austin, ...

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Apr 25, 2006

The other night at worship, my son, John Austin, asked Sheryl, "Mom, why does everybody call daddy, Brother Mitchell?" As Sheryl did her best to explain to him how we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and that we are all God’s children, John Austin’s brain was working. When she was through ...read more

Tags: Creation

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ