In Sermon Illustrations: "Called Out"

When He Speaks, Things Happen

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Dec 7, 2011

WHEN HE SPEAKS, THINGS HAPPEN Some people call the President of the United States "the most powerful person in the world." But more then one President would disagree. President Nixon couldn't even get some ugly temporary builds removed ...read more

Tags: God's Omnipotence

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Feb 9, 2012

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT "Those poor in spirit are called "blessed" by Jesus, not because they are in a meritorious condition, but because, precisely in spite of and in the midst of their ever so deplorable condition, the rule of the heavens has moved redemptively upon and through them by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Tags: Blessing

Denomination: Baptist

The Selfishness Test

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Nov 6, 2019

Psychologists have a test for selfishness – it's called the narcissism test – they read people statements like these: “I like to be the center of attention” “I show off if I get the chance because I’m extraordinary” “Somebody should write a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Humility, Pride, Selfishness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[097]. A Message From A Poem – Gates Of Hesitation

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 3, 2025

[097]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GATES OF HESITATION This poem tells a story. Jesus told His listeners something – {{Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate for THE GATE IS WIDE and the way is broad that leads to destruction and many are those who enter by it, for THE GATE IS SMALL and the way ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:21, Matthew 12:30, Psalm 1:1-6, Matthew 7:13-14

Tags: Two Ways, Broad Gate, Gates, Destruction, Hesitation, Narrow Gate  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In Football They Have A Huddle, The Goal ...  PRO

Contributed by John Hamby on Dec 11, 2000

“In football they have a huddle, the goal of the huddle is to give you thirty seconds to call the play, that is why they give you a huddle.(At a professional football game there may be ) Sixty thousand people watching you huddle, they don’t mind you taking thirty seconds to call the play. They ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6, Genesis 3:16-17

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Great Commission, What Is Evangelism?, Pure

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Came To A Village And Found A Man There Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Hughes on Jun 4, 2003

Jesus came to a village and found a man there who was blind. He laid hands on Him and prayed over the man, and he was healed completely. The townspeople were so appreciative that they built a church, and they called it the first church of laying on of hands and healing. So, Jesus goes to the next ...read more

Tags: Miracles Of Jesus, Unity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Someone's Consistent Help  PRO

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Sep 20, 2008

Be Someone's Consistent Help Paul, in his letter to the Hebraic Christians, makes this point: "…exhort one another daily, while it is called Today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." [Hebrews 3:13] I will be the first to admit that when it comes to the inner-workings ...read more

Tags: Christian Love

Denomination: *other

Pastor Li De Xian (Shee-An) Was Arrested 13 Times ...

Contributed by Rick George on Oct 29, 2009

Pastor Li De Xian (Shee-an) was arrested 13 times in six months for "illegal preaching" to his congregation of 100. During his first arrest he was drug outside, brutally beaten, repeatedly kicked in the stomach and groin before his congregation. Upon arrival at the police station, he was beaten ...read more

Tags: Persecution

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jingle Bells At A Funeral?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 22, 2022

Several years ago, a pretty well-known singing group made a monster mistake at a funeral service. This group traveled all around the USA singing and sharing Christ. One of the men in their home church back in Texas told them that he prayed for them, supported them greatly and loved to hear them ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:9

Tags: Christmas, Communication, Confession, Confusion, Embarrassment, Funerals  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Weak Will Shame The Wise

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Jun 19, 2008

THE WEAK WILL SHAME THE WISE We have to come to the realization that life is much more than brokenness. According to God’s word, we are vessels of honor which contain the power and glory of the Christ. I, too, have had a problem with such thinking throughout the years. How can I, a vessel of honor ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:21

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Denomination: *other

All Things New

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Jun 16, 2009

ALL THINGS NEW Years ago, I had the classic New Jersey car accident: I was hit from behind as I stopped for someone in a crosswalk. The guy actually got out of his car threw up his hands and exclaimed, "What the blank are you stopping for?" I got out of my car and motioned to the crosswalk, "I ...read more

Tags: Born Again

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The Name Of Jesus Stop!

Contributed by Steve Malone on Sep 7, 2022

Telemachus was a monk in the 4th century. One day in prayer, He felt called by God to leave immediately and head to Rome. So he put his possessions in a sack and headed out. Upon arriving in Rome, he was immediately caught up in the crowd. The crowd was immense and excited. Soon ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Tags: Courage, Martyrs, Peacemakers, Telemachus

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Monkey Business

Contributed by David Dunn on Jan 15, 2026

I want to tell you a story about monkeys. This story takes place in a country called India. When I was about your age, I lived with my parents and my brothers and sisters in India. In that country they have monkeys. The monkeys don’t live in zoos like they do here. They live in the trees—right ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5, Proverbs 15:1

Tags: Mercy, Wisdom

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

A Man Was Watching The News One Night When It ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Sutherlin on Jun 5, 2001

A man was watching the news one night when it was reported that a car was going the wrong direction on the freeway. The man knew his wife was on that freeway and became very concerned so called her on her cell phone. She answered and he said, "Dear, there’s one car going ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:12

Tags: Universalism, Assurance Of Salvation, Sermon On The Mount

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Philip  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 15, 2002

Philip Was born at Bethsaida, in Galilee and was first called by the name of "disciple." He labored diligently in Upper Asia, and suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54. Bibliography Information Foxe, John. "Book ...read more

Tags: People In Acts, Apostles General, Disciples

A Man Who Died In 1997 Has Received A Telephone ...  PRO

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 31, 2003

A man who died in 1997 has received a telephone bill from Sprint at his current abode -- the Hillside Cemetery in Auburn, Mass. "Our clients here don’t usually get mail," said superintendent Wayne Bloomquist. "I wondered if maybe we should start putting ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Tags: Death

Denomination: Independent/Bible

There Is A Legend That The Devil Was Having A ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Aug 20, 2003

There is a legend that the devil was having a yard sale. People were buying articles such as lying, cheating. etc. An article was on the end of the table that had a sign not for sale. What is this item that is not for sale, people ask. The devil said I use this a lot of times and found it to be ...read more

Tags: Emotions

Denomination: Baptist

F.b. Myer Once Said That Three Lights Must Line ...

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 24, 2003

F.B. Myer once said that three lights must line up before God’s will is clear. (1) The inward impulse—what we call the subjective leading of the Lord—the voice of the Lord. (2) The word of God—as revealed in scripture. (3) The trend of the circumstances. Encyclopedia of ...read more

Tags: Knowing God's Will, Doing God's Will

Denomination: Charismatic

I Once Read That Intimacy Could Best Be Described ...

Contributed by Ian Johnson on Dec 15, 2006

I once read that intimacy could best be described as IN TO ME SEE Its Allowing God to look into our heart and God allowing us to look into his! Wow! Imagine that, Looking into the very heart of God, seeing what he see’s. In intimacy we become one with the ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jamie Buckingham Has Said About This "The Tragedy ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Simms on Oct 31, 2004

Jamie Buckingham has said about this “The tragedy of our wilderness experience is not that we have to go through grief and suffering- but that we often miss the blessings from burning bushes.-the things through which God speaks. God still calls us by name and ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, Promises Of God

Denomination: Baptist