In Sermon Illustrations: "Casual Worship"

Earl S. Taylor Witnesses An Eclipse On Mission ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 15, 2010

Earl S. Taylor Witnesses an Eclipse On Mission Field in India There is an old saying that states, “It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” I think that is what Jesus was saying.” That it’s better to come to the light, to come to Him, than to sit in the darkness of our sinful hearts ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12

Tags: Missions

Invalids' Prayers Bring Revival  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 4, 2011

INVALIDS' PRAYERS BRING REVIVAL Max Lucado told of a church in Scotland back in the 1940s that was struggling to keep the doors open. A couple of its members were two older ladies who were invalids and couldn’t get out for worship any longer. But these ladies refused to allow their infirmities to ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-20

Tags: Prayer Persistence, Serving

The Story Is Told Of A Prosperous, Young ...  PRO

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Feb 13, 2012

The story is told of a prosperous, young investment banker who was driving a new BMW sedan on a mountain road during a snowstorm. As he veered around one sharp turn, he lost control and began sliding off the road toward a deep precipice. At the last moment he unbuckled his seat belt, flung open his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:13-15

Tags: Money, Materialism

Denomination: Baptist

Absentees In The Upper Room

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 9, 2014

ABSENTEES IN THE UPPER ROOM Written by Dr. Larry Petton One of the curious questions I have always had concerns the people who actually saw Christ after His resurrection. I would love to have been part of that group to see Jesus in His glorified, resurrected body! But, for some reason, that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-15

Tags: Church, Holy Spirit, Resurrection, Power

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pastor And Leadership Speaker John Maxwell Te...

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 28, 2015

Pastor and Leadership speaker John Maxwell tells the story of his brother who was called to active duty during the Pueblo crisis in Korea. He says he could remember standing in his father’s office when my father found out the news and went to his brother, hugged him and said, “Larry, I’m going to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:33-38

Tags: Perseverance, Conversion

Denomination: Methodist

Kory Wilcoxon- Gary, Who Was In His 50s, Was ...

Contributed by Davon Huss on Apr 25, 2016

Kory Wilcoxon- Gary, who was in his 50s, was mentally disabled, and had the mental capacity of a six- or seven-year-old. He also had one of the worst singing voices I’ve ever heard. His singing was slurred and never close to the right key. And he didn’t have the social development to recognize his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-2

Tags: Make A Joyful Noise, Singing

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Illustration Of Giving

Contributed by John Oscar on Jan 15, 2017

A family came home from church one Sunday and after they had lunch they sent their 6-year-old son off to play. After awhile, his mother realized that they hadn’t heard much from him, which any parent knows is a recipe for disaster. The mother got up from her recliner and walked to the child's ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, Malachi 3:6-12

Tags: Faith, Offering, Giving, Tithe Or Give, Tithes And Offering  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Heizer Creek Baptism

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018

Note: this story happened to me - Jim Butcher of Madison WV. One of my favorite baptism stories comes from a friend of mine who owns a house on Heizer Creek. He had a nice spot on his property to do baptisms and told the nearby country churches they were welcome to use it anytime, which a few of ...read more

Tags: Change, Transformation, Cursing, Baptism

Denomination: Baptist

There Is A Story Told That Is Totally ...

Contributed by Jeffrey Dillinger on Apr 21, 2007

There is a story told that is totally fictitious, but the point is true. The story is that when Jesus went back up into Heaven, the angel Gabriel had a conversation with Jesus. This is just an illustration. He asked Jesus, “What happened while you down on earth? Did they make you king?” Jesus ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Frog Is A Cold-Blooded Animal. That Means That ...  PRO

Contributed by Gerald Albers on Jun 5, 2007

A frog is a cold-blooded animal. That means that he can adjust his body temperature to the temperature of this environment around him. Please kids, do not try this at home. But you can take a frog and theoretically put him in a pot of room-temperature water and he will adjust his body temperature ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Last Year A Former Homeless Man Was Buried At ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Last year a former homeless man was buried at the prestigious St. John’s Episcopal Church, across from the White House. St. John’s is called the “church of presidents” since nearly every U.S. leader since James Madison has worshiped there. In an unusual memorial, former members of Congress and ...read more

Tags: Jesus Teachings

People On A Plane And People On A Pew Have A Lot ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

People on a plane and people on a pew have a lot in common – All are on a journey. Most are satisfied with a predictable experience. We like to say, “It was a nice flight/It was a nice worship service.” We exit the same way we enter, and we’re happy to return next time. A few are not content ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

There Is A Story Told That Is Totally ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

There is a story told that is totally fictitious, but the point is true. The story is that when Jesus went back up into Heaven, the angel Gabriel had a conversation with Jesus. This is just an illustration. He asked Jesus, “What happened while you down on earth? Did they make you king?” Jesus said, ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

While We Are Reviewing The Ten Commandments, Let ...  PRO

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Jul 12, 2007

While we are reviewing the Ten Commandments, let me also give you some “sign language” to remember all ten in order. 1 – Raise your index finger – I am the Lord, your God. You shall have no other gods before me. 2 – Raise your first two fingers – The second looks like the first – but it isn’t. ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Who Is God The Father?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

WHO IS GOD THE FATHER? In 2006, a sociologist at Baylor University released a study done by the Gallup organization that identified four views people had of God. 31.4 percent believe in an "Authoritarian God," a God who is angry at humanity’s sins. 23 percent believe in a "Benevolent God" who is ...read more

Tags: God The Father

What Is ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 13, 2009

WHAT IS SIN? Sin, as defined by a new Ellison Research study, is something almost always considered wrong, particularly from a religious or moral perspective. Out the 30 behaviors studied, adultery was most often described as a sinful behavior by American respondents (81%). Next was racism (74%); ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:9-20

Tags: Sin General

Sharing Love

Contributed by Rob Roy on May 22, 2024

In Irving Illinois a group purchased the old school building and made it into a long term alcohol recovery program. Some of those started coming to worship at the Irving church, two had met there, Matt and Kim, I and not using their real names. My favorite wife, Lisa and I got to know them, ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-19, Mark 12:30-31

Tags: Service, Hope, Blessings

Before The Stones Cry Out

Contributed by Samuel M on Feb 15, 2025

But Jesus answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 19: 40 What if Jesus literally meant it. Stones have a voice and are waiting to burst forth into praise. Before the stones cry out and praise God, let we start praising ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:40

Tags: Faith, Hope

God Moved The Mountain

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Aug 7, 2025

A small church was growing very fast. Every Sunday, more and more people were coming to worship. But there was one big problem—there was no proper parking lot. Many people had to park far away and walk a long distance to the church. The pastor and the church members started praying. They asked God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:20

Tags: Faith, Prayer

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Belly Up To The Bar?" Romans 13: 1-7: Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 18, 2004

“Belly Up to the Bar?” Romans 13: 1-7: Key verse(s): 4a “For he is God’s servant to do you good.” About a decade ago an assembly of Christian leaders came up with this summary of what it means to be a Christian citizen: “It is impossible for a believer to be a good Christian and a bad citizen ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Tags: Men's Day

Denomination: Lutheran