In Sermon Illustrations: "Call To Salvation"

What Are We Voting For?

Contributed by Dan Thompkins on Jan 11, 2008

WHAT ARE WE VOTING FOR? A parishioner had dozed off to sleep during the morning service. “Will all who want to go to heaven, please stand?” the pastor asked.” – All stood, except the sleeping parishioner. After they sat, the pastor continued, “Well, will all who want to go to the other place ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:29-30, Mark 9:43-48

Tags: Death, Heaven, Salvation

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Changed At Easter?  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 16, 2008

What Changed at Easter? Quest Study Bible notes this about the question, "What changed at Easter, this pivotal point in history?" "The resurrection vindicated Jesus' claims about himself, that he was the Son of God in the flesh, the fulfillment of God’s dealings with humankind. No longer would ...read more

Tags: Salvation, Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Light Of The World

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 25, 2008

A boatman and a scholar were once travelling on a boat. During the journey, the scholar asked the boatman, "Do you know philosophy?" "No," he replied. "Do you know psychology?". "No." "What about geology?" "Nope!" "I suppose you don’t know accountancy, huh?" "No, not at all." "Hm... ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12

Tags: Light, Salvation, Pride

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Albert Einstein - Ticket For The Journey

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Dec 22, 2008

Albert Einstein, the great physicist, was once travelling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of each passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn’t find his ticket, so he reached in his other pocket. It ...read more

Scripture: John 14:3

Tags: Heaven, Salvation, Destination

Denomination: Independent/Bible

If You Are Going To Be Jesus' Apprentice Only ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

If you are going to be Jesus’ apprentice only one essential condition must be met: you must spend time with the person you are mentoring. You can’t do discipleship at arms length or through distance learning. Most Christians don’t think in terms of this lifestyle of apprenticeship. They spend ...read more

Tags: Salvation, Doing God's Will

Getting The Gospel Right!

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 18, 2022

Martin Niemoeller was a German Pastor during the Nazi era and was imprisoned multiple times for his opposition to Hitler. Niemoeller understood that Hitler was distorting the gospel to serve his political agenda. In April 1945 American forces liberated northern Italy where Niemoeller had been ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:9, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Faith, Salvation, Gospel

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Redemption Through His Blood - Yellow Fever Story

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 3, 2023

There is a story...that may help Illustrate redemption...what Christ ...has done for us. In 1927, ...in West Africa... a blood specimen was taken from a native man named Asibi, ...who was sick ...with yellow fever. A vaccine ...was made ...from this original strain of the virus... obtained from ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7, 1 Peter 1:18, Hebrews 9:22

Tags: Blood, Salvation, Redemption

Denomination: Anglican

Misapplied Scriptures: "God Is No Respecter Of Persons”, Acts 10:34

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 25, 2023

Introduction: “God is no respecter of persons!” How many times have we heard that during an invitation? It’s sad, but this is another verse that’s been misapplied over the years. Text: Acts 10:34, KJV: 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34

Tags: Salvation, Peter, Cornelius

Denomination: Baptist

An Observation About Eternity

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 5, 2024

Text, Ecclesiastes 3:11, American Standard Version: He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end. Every day we live takes us one day closer to the end of our ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Tags: Hell, Eternity, Salvation

Denomination: Baptist

Sharing Your Personal Testimony

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 19, 2025

Preparing Your Personal Testimony - Sharing how you came to know God personally is one of the most powerful ways you can help friends grasp how much God loves us. If someone asked you to share today, would you find it challenging to explain how you came to believe in God, or what he means to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15

Tags: Evangelism, Salvation, Testimony

Denomination: Methodist

John Maxwell—in His Book " Be A People ...  PRO

Contributed by Robert Jones on Dec 29, 2000

John Maxwell—in his book “ Be a people person”-----states—“Until I am committed, there is a hesitancy, a chance to draw back. But the moment I definitely commit myself, then God moves also, and a whole steam of events erupt. All manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings, persons, and material ...read more

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Commitment To Christ, Faith

Denomination: Baptist

If You Want To Follow Jesus," Remarked The ...  PRO

Contributed by Barry Hidey on Jan 12, 2001

"If you want to follow Jesus," remarked the activist priest Berigan, "you had ...read more

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Commitment To Christ, Discipleship

Denomination: Methodist

In 1981 The Movie, Chariots Of Fire, Won The ...  PRO

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

In 1981 the movie, Chariots of Fire, won the Academy Award for Best Picture. This Hollywood film told the true story of a devout Christian, Eric Liddell, in a very positive way. I want to just show you a clip of the film. Eric has decided he must forfeit his chance to run in the 200 meter dash at ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11

Tags: Faith, Commandments Sabbath, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

A Man Visited His Longtime Friend, A British ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeeva Sam on Mar 20, 2001

A man visited his longtime friend, a British military officer stationed in an African jungle. One day when the friend entered the officer’s hut, he was startled to see him dressed in formal attire and seated at a table set with silverware and fine china. The visitor asked why he was all dressed up ...read more

Tags: Holiness, Church Purpose Of, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Methodist

Most People Joining Our Churches Become Exactly ...  PRO

Contributed by Dennis Clark on Apr 12, 2001

Most people joining our churches become exactly like the ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

A Year Or So Ago Time Magazine Published A Review ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 16, 2001

A year or so ago Time Magazine published a review of the movie, “The Birdcage.” The review said that while the movie is based on the plot of Robin Williams & Nathan Lane playing a homosexual couple, & Gene Hackman playing a conservative politician who messes up their gay lifestyle, that the movie ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Romans 1:18-32

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Holiness, Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Counterfit Bills Are Never Made In Odd ...  PRO

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on May 25, 2001

Counterfit bills are never made in odd denominations($3 or $8 or $12) but are meant to imitate the real thing. At first glance they seem real, you may have passed them along without knowing it. But there is always something bogus about them, some blur or omition, something that doesn’t exactly ...read more

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Growth In Christ, Repentance

When Someone Becomes Really Great At What They ...  PRO

Contributed by Justin Meek on Jun 6, 2001

When someone becomes really great at what they do, it almost always because they spent years dedicating themselves to it. Pete Rose didn’t just wake up one day as a great ball player, he dedicated his life to being a great ball player. Tori Murden didn’t just hop into a boat one day out of the blue ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Discipleship, Call Of The Disciples, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Baptist

A Former Dean Of St Paul's Cathedral, W R Inge, ...  PRO

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Jun 16, 2001

A former Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, W R Inge, famously observed that any church which enters into a marriage with the spirit of the ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Call Of The Disciples, Universalism

Denomination: Baptist

A Famous Actor Was An After Dinner Speaker At A ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 9, 2001

A famous actor was an after dinner speaker at a big function and when he stood up to speak, he invited his audience to choose a poem for him to recite. There was a long silence until a retired clergyman raised his hand and asked for Psalm 23. The actor was slightly taken back, but agreed to do ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-7

Tags: Parable Lost Sheep, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Anglican