In Sermon Illustrations: "Boring Sermons"

Understanding Mercy

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 4, 2023

There was a young soldier in Napoleon’s army who committed an offense worthy of death. The day before he was scheduled for the firing squad, the young man’s mother went to Napoleon and asked him to show mercy for her son. Napoleon harshly replied, “Woman, your son does not deserve mercy.” “I know,” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7, Micah 6:8, Matthew 9:13, Luke 10:25-37, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 18:23-35  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Kindness, Mercy, Forgiveness, Compassion, Leadership, Relationships, Merciful  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Where Are The Nail Prints In Your Hands?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 4, 2023

During the Middle Ages there was a popular story which circulated about Martin of Tours, for whom Martin Luther was named. It was said that Satan once appeared to St Martin in the guise of the Savior himself saying that he was Jesus. Martin was ready to fall to his feet and worship this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Tags: Temptation, Blood Of Jesus, Atonement, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Cross  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Look Different

Contributed by John Bright on Sep 23, 2025

These folks to whom Peter is writing used to look like everybody else. They were a part of the world, so they partied and did all the other things average folks did back then. The Roman world in which Christianity first spread was highly sexualized, and many of the practices today that are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:3-4

Tags: Change, Sexuality, Gender, Roman World

Denomination: Methodist

Chuck Swindoll In His Book, "Hope Again," Tel...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 22, 2008

Chuck Swindoll in his book, "Hope Again," tells the answer Dr. Bruce Waltke, his Hebrew professor, gave Chuck Swindoll when he asked his professor about some “whys” in his life. His professor answered: “Chuck, I’ve come to the place where I believe only on very rare occasions does God tell ...read more

Tags: Knowing God's Will

As We Read This Text, According To Dr. Schmit, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2008

As we read this text, according to Dr. Schmit, and I quote, "We know that we too are individual members of a large flock of faithful disciples who seek to live as citizens of the kingdom of heaven. In other words, the work we do is never ours alone to accomplish. We do our part and trust that God ...read more

Tags: Church General

The Law Of Nature

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2008

Lewis ended the essay I quoted saying this: "These, then, are the two points I wanted to make. First, that human beings, all over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it. Secondly, that they do not in fact behave in that way. ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian

Henry Wingblade Used To Say That Christian ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2008

Henry Wingblade used to say that Christian personality is hidden deep inside us. It is unseen, like the soup carried in a tureen high over a waiter’s head. No one knows what’s inside—unless the waiter is bumped and he trips! Just so, people don’t know what’s inside us until we’ve been ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

The Law Of Nature

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 27, 2008

C. S. Lewis ended an essay saying this: "These, then, are the two points I wanted to make. First, that human beings, all over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it. Secondly, that they do not in fact behave in that way. They ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity

There Is A Story About A Little Girl Who Proudly ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

There is a story about a little girl who proudly wore a shiny cross on a chain around her neck. One day she was approached by a man who said to her, "Little girl, don't you know that the cross Jesus died on wasn't beautiful like the one you're wearing? It was an ugly, wooden thing." To which the ...read more

Tags: Jesus, Children, Change, Sanctification

When David Hume, The Infidel, Was Criticized For ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

When David Hume, the infidel, was criticized for going to listen to John Brown, the godly Scotch minister, he replied: “I don’t believe all that he says, but he does, and once a week I like to hear a man who believes what he says. That man preaches as though he thought the Lord Jesus Christ was ...read more

Tags: Worship General

Writing In His Book, A Work Of Heart, Dr. Reggie ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 26, 2009

Writing in his book, A Work of Heart, Dr. Reggie McNeal, director of the leadership development for the Southern Baptist Convention says, "Common wisdom maintains that children are given to parents so parents can instruct them. The truth is, God gives children to parents to teach parents things ...read more

Tags: Parenting

The Late Great American Jurist, Judge, Author, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

The late great American jurist, judge, author, and Christian apologist, Simon Greenleaf (1783 - 1853), once said: "There should be a readiness on our part, to investigate with candor to follow the truth wherever it may lead us, and to submit, without reserve or objection, to all the teachings of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15

Tags: Apologetics General

I ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2009

I CHEATED... Davy Troxel said: My 8-year-old son came home from school with a stuffed animal he had won at the class Valentine party. "How did that happen?" I asked. "Well," he explained, "the teacher put all our names together, then picked one out. I cheated, though," he said, looking ...read more

Scripture: John 16:24

Tags: Prayer General

Unexpected ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 23, 2008

UNEXPECTED ANSWERS Sometimes our prayers get answered in very unexpected ways. How exciting that is! Can you remember when you had prayer answered in a way that you never thought of? I would even say that if most of our prayers are answered in a predictable way, we are not praying for the right ...read more

Tags: Prayer Answered

Let Me Share With You The Story Of A Lesser Known ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 2, 2008

Let me share with you the story of a lesser known man, Rev. John Perkins. According to Philip Yancey in his book "Soul Survivor", John Perkins, a black minister in the South "lived through the worst nightmares of the civil rights movement"(Philip Yancey, Soul Survivor, p 31). Perkins started a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43, Matthew 13:14-40

Tags: Hatred

Hospitality To Strangers  PRO

Contributed by Susan Babb, Osl on Oct 9, 2008

A. Friend – some years ago B. Sunday worship service, church like ours C. Service begun – member of congregation began worship, no pastor yet D. Man dressed shabbily in a heavy overcoat and wild hair and who could of used a bath came into service 1. Trouble finding a seat, pretty ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:35-45, Hebrews 13:2

Tags: Love, Acceptance, Compassion, Hospitality, Christlikeness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Do Not Keep On ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

DO NOT KEEP ON BABBLING Dr. Clarence Bass, professor at Bethel Theological Seminary, early in his ministry preached at a church in Los Angeles. He thought he had done quite well as he stood at the door greeting people as they left the church. The remarks about his preaching were complimentary. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Tags: Prayer How To

Home For Christmas  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 24, 2002

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their "flying machine" off the ground. Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: "We have actually flown 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas." Katherine hurried to ...read more

Tags: Christmas Advent, Christmas, Second Coming

Alex Grant, Pioneer Missionary To The Straits ...  PRO

Contributed by Eric Peloquin on Jun 23, 2005

Alex Grant, pioneer missionary to the Straits Settlements and China, once got up in a meeting in Singapore, and read solemnly Habakkuk 3:17— “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines, the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall...yield no meat: the ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-18

Tags: Joy, Faith

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Muslim In Africa Became A Christian, And Some ...

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jul 19, 2004

A Muslim in Africa became a Christian, and some friends asked him, “Why have you done such a thing?” He answered, “Well, it’s like this: Suppose you were going down the road and suddenly the road forked in two directions. You didn’t know which way to go; and there at the fork were two men - one ...read more

Tags: Confession Of Sin

Denomination: Pentecostal