In Sermon Illustrations: "Caught Up"

Strength Through Interconnectedness

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 5, 2020

Years ago, Jeanie and I visited the Redwood National Park in northern California. We stood in awe as we looked up to trees reaching over 350 feet. These trees have endured storms for over 1,000 years. The surprising thing is that their roots are very shallow—only about 10 to 12 feet deep. How does ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-3

Tags: Community, Church, Perseverance, Unity, Cooperation, Difficulties, Storms  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Easter Service Mishap

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 12, 2021

One year, a bunch of friends and I decided to go to a sunrise service at a super fancy church. This church looks like a European cathedral and we were all dressed up for 5 a.m. singing around a huge fire outside and then going inside for service. Everyone had candles and the whole service is by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:38-40

Tags: Easter, Resurrection, Funny, Sunrise Service

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

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

Where Does Santa Get His Naughty Or Nice List?

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 14, 2019

This week the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage approached me with a serious question. As far as I am concerned, life is full of questions, but coming from her, I need to be very careful. I have found out that a question with her is not merely a question. It can be a whole lot more than that ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 2:20

Tags: Christmas, Righteousness

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I May Be A Knucklehead, But I'm Not Insane

Contributed by James Snyder on May 15, 2021

Nobody is perfect except maybe the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage comes close. I've never caught her in some imperfection, or if I had, nobody would know it from me. There is such an obsession today for people to be perfect. And, of course, their definition of perfect is what they are. ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Humor, Family, Agreement

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It’s My Tongue I’ll Wag It If I Want To

Contributed by James Snyder on May 29, 2021

Like everybody else, I have my share of trouble. It’s not that I want to get into trouble, but trouble always seems to be somewhere near where I am at the time. I regret that time when I was first introduced to trouble. Some trouble I can't prevent. It just happens, and no matter what I do, ...read more

Scripture: James 3:5

Tags: Tongue, Trouble

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Ain’t Nothing Better Than A P&j Sandwich

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 5, 2023

I'm not sure what happened to my closely guarded diet during these recent holidays, but I won't ask. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage has been so busy cooking and preparing food that she didn't have time to oversee my diet. I love it when a plan comes together. As usual, I used ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:4

Tags: Thanksgiving, Food

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Truth Is As The Truther Says

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 8, 2025

One thing I have learned in life is that for many people, truth is a relative thing. The truth is what they say it is, and you can't convince them otherwise. I wrestle with telling the truth all the time. If you tell the truth, you do not have to remember what happened. But when you lie, you ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32

Tags: Family, Truth, Lies

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Last Time, I Mentioned The Movie City ...  PRO

Contributed by Craig Simonian on Jun 8, 2001

Last time, I mentioned the movie City Slickers… where Billy Crystal asked Curley what the meaning of life was. He pointed his finger up. “Your finger is the meaning of life?” “No, one thing. One thing is the meaning of ...read more

Tags: God Brings Purpose, Finding Fulfillment

After The Christening Of His Baby Brother In ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 16, 2002

After the christening of his baby brother in church, little Johnny sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, "That preacher said he ...read more

Tags: Parenting, Baptism

7 Year Old Eric's Description Of Heaven: "It's A ...  PRO

Contributed by Troy Mason on Apr 21, 2001

7 year old Eric’s description of Heaven: “It’s a place where there is a lot of money lying around. You could just pick it up, play with it, and buy things. I think I’m going to buy a basketball, ...read more

Tags: Heaven, Children

Denomination: Baptist

In This Year's Hot Holiday Film, "The Santa ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Dec 30, 2002

In this year’s hot holiday film, "The Santa Clause 2," there is a line that made me sit up and take notice. Charley, Santa’s son, says to a cynical principal who later in the story becomes Mrs. Claus, something to ...read more

Tags: Prayer Of Faith, Christmas

Denomination: Church Of God

When William Booth Signed The Guest Book For King ...  PRO

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Apr 7, 2003

When William Booth signed the guest book for King Edward the 7th he summed up his life’s work. “Your Majesty” he wrote “Some men’s ambition is art. Some men’s ambition is fame. ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Urgency, What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Wesleyan

Fritz Peterson, Former New York Yankee, Pictures ...  PRO

Contributed by Ken Kersten on Jan 22, 2004

Fritz Peterson, former New York Yankee, pictures Jesus as a baseball player. He says, “I firmly believe that if Jesus Christ was sliding into second base, he would knock the second baseman into left field to break up the double ...read more

Tags: Jesus Life

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

R. G. Lee Told About Walking Down The Street & A ...  PRO

Contributed by David Hill on Jul 8, 2004

R. G. Lee told about walking down the street & a drunk staggered up to him and said, “Oh, Preacher, I’m one of your converts.” The preacher looked at him and said, “Yeah, you look like ...read more

Tags: Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

In A More Formal, Liturgical Church A Visitor ...  PRO

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Sep 20, 2004

In a more formal, liturgical church a visitor showed up one Sunday and got excited about something the minister said, and declared, “Amen, praise the Lord!” Someone tapped him on the shoulder and whispered, “We don’t praise the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1

Tags: Worship Purpose

Denomination: Congregational

What Are You Like When You Come Back From ...

Contributed by Richard Francis on Jan 4, 2005

What are you like when you come back from church, Moses shone after his encounters with God so much so that he was asked to cover up all that reflected glory. how about you, will you shine like ...read more

Tags: Sharing My Testimony

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Costly Interruptions From Emails, Instant ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Costly Interruptions from emails, instant messages, the Web, and phone are decreasing U.S. business productivity by $588 billion annually finds a Basix study. Interruptions to workflow can cost the average knowledge worker ...read more

Tags: Workplace Balance

Higher Earners: From The Ages Of 18 To 65, The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Higher Earners: From the ages of 18 to 65, the average male college grad earns $2.5 million over his lifetime, 90% more than his high school counterpart. That’s up from 40% more in ...read more

Tags: Workplace