In Sermon Illustrations: "Choice Is Yours"

The Need For Lights

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2008

The Need for Lights Benjamin Franklin wanted to interest the people in Philadelphia in street lighting. He did not call a town meeting nor try to persuade the people by talking about it. He acted upon what he considered a good idea. He hung a beautiful lantern on a long bracket in front of his ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Many, I Am Afraid, Think That Being A Christian ...

Contributed by Dale Krueger on Feb 9, 2009

"Many, I am afraid, think that being a Christian is primarily just a personal individual thing, like something that will benefit me. Even a church can be a very selfish venture if it is meant only to enhance the members. A congregation is not a religious club run for the benefit of the members." ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Lutheran

The Spinning Got ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2009

THE SPINNING GOT HIM A boy entered a grocery store and asked the grocer for a box of Duz detergent. The grocer was puzzled and asked why he wanted a box of Duz. The boy said that he was going to wash his cat. The grocer said, "Young man, you shouldn’t wash your cat with this kind of soap." ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Bbc America Hosts Nutritionist Gillian Mckeith ...

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Apr 10, 2009

BBC America hosts nutritionist Gillian McKeith who works with unhealthy eaters to break lifetimes of bad habits. BBC introduces their webpage with this introduction: Is your fridge stocked full of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats OR is it full of fat-filled, overly salted processed ...read more

Tags: Obedience

Denomination: Salvation Army

Robert J. Morgan Once Told The Story Of A ...

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Jun 2, 2009

Robert J. Morgan once told the story of a preacher who was approached by a man who wanted to join the church. “But,” the man said, “I have a very busy schedule. I can’t be called on for any service, like committee work, teaching, or other such things. I just won’t be available for special projects ...read more

Tags: Servanthood

Denomination: Christian Church

Vengeance Overseas  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 25, 2009

VENGEANCE OVERSEAS The story is told of a soldier who was fighting over in Iraq who received a letter from his girlfriend that said she was breaking up with him. In the letter she also asked for him to return the picture of herself that she had given him, because she needed it for her bridal ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Tags: Anger

I Have Heard That Possums Are Smart Animals. You ...

Contributed by Brandon Park on Jan 31, 2010

I have heard that possums are smart animals. You wouldn’t think so because you hardly ever see one except when it’s dead on the road. There’s a joke that goes, “why did the chicken cross the road? To prove to the possum that it could be done!” But possums, it turns out, are smart. They won’t enter ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Baptist

God-Fanatics

Contributed by David Moore on May 26, 2010

GOD-FANATICS Did you know that an online survey of 20 000 football fans revealed that 51% said they would starve themselves for a week if that would bring victory in the upcoming World Cup to their national squad. More than 40% offered to give up dating for a year, 7% said they would gladly give ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Baptist

The Hundred-Dollar Word

Contributed by Sajeev Painunkal, Sj on Oct 10, 2010

THE HUNDRED-DOLLAR WORD I’m sure you have all heard of Rudyard Kipling. He is the author of famous books like The Jungle Book and Captain Courageous. His writings not only made him famous but also brought him a fortune. A newspaper reporter came up to him once and said, "Mr. Kipling, I just ...read more

Tags: Gratitude

Denomination: Catholic

Stay Focused

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Nov 29, 2010

STAY FOCUSED God's Word. That's what focuses our hearts so that we watch continuously, ready for Jesus. In a way, you might say, God's Word is like my glasses. Without my glasses, I couldn't even begin to catch a football. I wouldn't see it coming. But even with my glasses on, I still need to ...read more

Tags: Meditation

Denomination: Lutheran

The True Reference Point  PRO

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Apr 13, 2011

THE TRUE REFERENCE POINT Nuclear submarines consist of some of the most amazing technology on the planet. These incredible military vessels can stay underwater for ninety days, but every ninety days the submarine must resurface to maintain proper alignment with the North Star. While underwater, ...read more

Tags: Heart

Denomination: Baptist

Proof Of Who He Is

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 14, 2011

PROOF OF WHO HE IS This reminds me of the three lunatics in an insane asylum: The first lunatic said to the second, "Did you know that I'm Napoleon Bonaparte?" Indignantly, the second lunatic replied, "I beg your pardon! It just so happens that I am Napoleon Bonaparte!" The first one said, "Oh ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Know Who I Am?

Contributed by Gordon Curley on May 22, 2011

DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM? A student sat through an exam. The teacher supervising said time up but still the student carried on. The teacher said; "Hand your exam paper in now or I'm not going to accept it." Still the student carried on. Thirty minutes later the student got up and stood before the ...read more

Tags: Pride

Denomination: Brethren

Help Yourself First

Contributed by Brad Henry on Aug 16, 2011

HELP YOURSELF FIRST When an airliner loses cabin pressure the oxygen masks drop. You are told by the flight crew to put the mask on yourself before putting it on your child. You would think the child would be first. But if you pass out before you get the child’s mask on then both of you are ...read more

Tags: Power

A Jealous Wife  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 8, 2012

A JEALOUS WIFE A man worked in an office with several attractive ladies. His wife, constantly jealous, had a list of questions ready every day. Then she would examine his coat. If she found a blond hair she would accuse, "You’re having an affair with a blond woman." If she found a red hair, black ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:19

Tags: Marriage Faithfulness

Why Peter Wanted To Walk On The Water

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 7, 2022

Peter said to Jesus, "Command me to come to You on the water !" He wasn't getting out of the boat until the Lord called him to do that. Don't go and jump out of your boat and then expect a miracle from Jesus if He hasn't called you out of the boat in the first ...read more

Tags: Faith, Fear, Jesus, Obedience, Peter, Miracles, God's Voice  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith Is Resting My Whole Weight On God!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 23, 2023

When missionary John Paton was translating the Scripture for the South Sea islanders, he was unable to find a word in their vocabulary for the concept of believing, trusting, or having faith. He had no idea how he would convey that to them. One day while he was in his hut translating, a native came ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Faith, Revival, Faithfulness, Spiritual Fruit, Fruit Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Whole New Understanding Of Patience

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 22, 2024

Hebrews 12:1 tells us to "run with endurance" the race set before us. George Matheson wrote, "We commonly associate endure or patience with lying down. We think of it as the angel that guards the couch of the invalid. Yet, there is a patience that I believe to be harder -- the ...read more

Tags: Patience, Prophets, Waiting On The Lord, Job, Endurance, Second Coming  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gang Member's Turf

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 9, 2024

We learned that the belt of truth is a belt of truthfulness. It is “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). It is avoiding all forms of lies, hypocrisy, deception, and manipulation because that is the devil’s turf. Gang members in these big cities understand the value of staying on your own turf. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18, Ephesians 4:15

Tags: Safety, Spiritual Warfare, Truthfulness, Lies, Turf  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Fight Club

Contributed by Jay Winters on Feb 9, 2008

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three In One who makes our lives more beautiful than what they could ever be on their own. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, About ten years ago, a movie came out that just about everyone saw. It was called “Fight ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran