In Sermon Illustrations: "Brennan Manning"

Patience Is A Virtue

Contributed by Pastor Randall Timblin on Aug 20, 2018

My Mother always used to say, 'Only Fools rush in, son!' As I grew and matured, I heard that a lot less because I started to see the wisdom in what she had said and the foolishness in which I, as a young man, was a prime example. Matter-of-fact, if you had looked up foolishness, you would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Tags: Patience, Rushing

Denomination: *other

How Will You Face Death?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 13, 2019

Voltaire, one of history’s best known atheists, often stated that “by the time I’m buried, the Bible will be non--existent.” His last words were: “I am abandoned by God and man; I shall die and go to hell alone.” His condition had become so terrible that his associates were afraid to approach ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Tags: Death, Heaven, Atheists, Hell

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Guy In The Glass

Contributed by Davon Huss on Feb 15, 2020

“The Guy in the Glass,” source unknown. When you get what you want in your struggle for self and the world makes you king for a day, Then go to the mirror and look at yourself and see what that guy has to say. For it isn’t your father, mother or wife whose judgement upon you must pass. The fellow ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:3

Tags: Clear Conscience, Pure Motives

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prepared

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Nov 5, 2020

Almost every Sunday morning I begin my sermon with a cute or funny story. This morning I start with a sad story. Bob and Betty were 2 of my dearest friends in Indiana. A strong, loving example of what a married couple should be. However, this couple was always at least 15 minutes late for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Tags: Faithfulness, Preparedness, Prepared

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Parrot Named Moses

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 14, 2021

A PARROT NAMED MOSES A thief broke into a beautiful suburban house and was looking around for things to steal when he heard a voice say, “Better be careful…Jesus is watching you!” He stopped for a moment and heard it again… The surprised thief froze in his tracks and looked around, shining the ...read more

Tags: Moses, Humor, Jesus Is Watching, Sermon Opener

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Are Not Built For Mountain Tops

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 6, 2022

We have all had times on the mount, when we have seen things from God’s standpoint and have wanted to stay there; but God will never allow us to stay there. The test of our spiritual life is the power to descend; if we have power to rise only, something is wrong. It is a great thing to be on the ...read more

Tags: Miracles, Transfiguration, Mountains, Valleys

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Inspect Versus Expect

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 13, 2023

There was a young boy who was notorious for cleaning according to what his parents would inspect, but not necessarily what they would expect. In other words, he would do things like fold and put away the dirty laundry, and put away the dirty dishes thinking they were clean. Things looked tidy on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Tags: Expectations, Cover Up

Denomination: Baptist

Going To The Movies With Penguins!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 27, 2023

A truck driver was hauling a load of 500 penguins to the zoo. Unfortunately, his truck broke down, so he waved down another truck and offered the driver $500 to take the penguins to the zoo. The next day, the first truck driver picked up his repaired truck. When he drove into town, he couldn’t ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Evangelism, Communication, Missions, Purpose, Great Commission, Mission  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's Later Than It's Ever Been!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jun 6, 2023

A young boy was playing in his grandmother’s house near a large grandfather clock. Noontime was approaching, and when both hands of the old timepiece reached 12, the chimes began to ring. As he always liked to do, the boy counted each gong as it sounded. This time, however, something went wrong ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18

Tags: Second Coming, Rapture, Time, Return Of Christ, End Times, Prophecy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Are Sinners. (The Ache In The Human Heart)

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 4, 2023

There is in each of us a dis-ease, a sense of unfulfillment of some high destiny unmet, of some lofty vow broken and shattered. We are sinners! We long for some word of forgiveness which will make us whole. We sense we have a homeland, but we are exiles. We perceive that we are of royal ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1

Tags: Depravity, Disobedience, Sin

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Devil Never Takes A Day Off

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 7, 2023

Not long ago, ... a minister shared... a conversation ...he had ... with one of his ...parishioners. He said that one day ... a church member ... called him up on the telephone, ... and angrily said ... I phoned you Saturday, ... but I could not get you. The pastor explained that it was his day ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:9-10, Mark 2:23-28, Exodus 34:21, Matthew 11:28

Tags: Sabbath, Rest

Denomination: Anglican

God Can Turn Evil To Good

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 26, 2023

Myra Wattinger was 40 years old and living in Pasadena, Texas when she experienced a traumatic event in her life. She was raped and then became pregnant. She did not feel that she could take care of a child, so she placed an ad in the Houston Post newspaper at the time she gave birth to a baby ...read more

Tags: Sovereignty, God's Will, Testimony, Providence, Rape, Preachers, Miracles  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Rabbinic Understanding Of Palm Sunday

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

In the Talmud, you can see how the Rabbis tried to harmonize some of the prophesies of the Old Testament, including Palm Sunday. They did not understand the two comings: R. Alexandri said: R. Joshua b. Levi pointed out a contradiction. it is written, in its time [will the Messiah come], whilst it ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11, Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19

Tags: Palm Sunday, Triumphant Entry, Two Comings, Jewish Understanding

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Do It Scared

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 20, 2025

Let me share from an email I got from the Navigators about their summer outreach with college students: “This past summer, the students had over 700 gospel conversations with strangers. From those discussions, 22 people gave their lives to Christ and were connected with local churches. For one ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15

Tags: Evangelism, Scared, Outreach

Denomination: Methodist

Be Faithful

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 1, 2026

DO WE UNDERSTAND FAITHFULNESS? Have you heard RHONDA VINCENT’S STORY OF FAITHFULNESS? Rhonda and her family were under contract at SILVER DOLLAR CITY TO DO 5—ONE HOUR MUSIC PROGRAMS A DAY. One day it was raining real hard. No one was in the crowd. No one, but the contract was for 5 shows. Rhonda ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:2

Tags: Faithfulness, Choices

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Open Door

Contributed by Samuel Shamaun on Jan 20, 2026

A man once stood outside a house, knocking on the door. He knocked again and again, but no one answered. Finally, he noticed there was no handle on the outside of the door. The door could only be opened from the inside. This illustration reflects the way Jesus approaches our hearts. The Bible says ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Tags: Salvation, Hope

Denomination: Pentecostal

Looking For A Loophole. W C Fields Story

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 3, 2026

It is a difficult thing... to look in the mirror of our soul... and see where we really stand ... in our relationship with God. Some hold back ... from a total commitment to Jesus... and in a way, ... are looking for a loophole ... to make them acceptable ... before God. (Pause) W. C. Fields ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-34, John 14:6

Tags: Spirit, Battle, Commitment, Flesh, Loophole  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

An Atheist Defends Evangelism In Africa

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 30, 2008

AN ATHEIST DEFENDS EVANGELISM IN AFRICA I would like to conclude by reading you an article – that Andrew sent to me - from the Sunday Times dated 27th December 2008 written by Matthew Parris: December 27, 2008 (full article) As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God Missionaries, not aid ...read more

Tags: Christian Witness

Denomination: Anglican

Unwanted Items-The Unwanted Salary

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 11, 2025

Unwanted items-the unwanted salary Introduction: Have you ever been so angry with your employer that you threw your pay away? Something like that happened in the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20)! (Full disclosure: Sermon Central has previously accepted a message on this text in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-15

Tags: Jesus, Money, Unwanted Things

Denomination: Baptist

In January, 1995, According To An Article ...  PRO

Contributed by Tony Miano on Jan 20, 2001

“In January, 1995, according to an article written by Gary Thomas, J. Robert Ashcroft had fewer than forty-eight hours to live, but he was holding on to life, hoping to see his son, John Ashcroft, sworn into the U.S. Senate the following day. [John Ashcroft, as we all know by now, is in the ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness General, Workplace Evangelism

Denomination: *other