In Sermon Illustrations: "Chosen People"

Changing Your Mind About Seatbelts

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Mar 13, 2009

CHANGING YOUR MIND ABOUT SEATBELTS I remember when the seatbelt laws came into effect. People had all kinds of excuses for why they weren’t going to wear one. Some said they felt constrained, and some were afraid they’d have an accident because they thought the strap would somehow stop them from ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: Baptist

Sin Changes You

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Apr 21, 2022

I heard a quote many years ago that I believe is from a movie I do not recommend called 8mm. (it is about human trafficking or some other awful thing). The quote is so true: If you dance with the devil, the devil dont change. The devil changes YOU. We can see this principle illustrated so ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Peter 5:9

Tags: Sin, Temptation, Compromise

Denomination: Charismatic

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

Cheating

Contributed by David Parks on Jan 23, 2023

Cheating now more common Once upon a time in a tiny French village, the townspeople decided to honor their parish priest by each bringing a bottle of wine the following Sunday for the pastor’s empty wine barrel. The pastor was delighted, and he asked all in attendance to join him for a glass of ...read more

Scripture: James 5:12, Matthew 5:37

Tags: Truth, Integrity, Honesty, Cheating, Lying  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Tale Of Two Artists

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Mar 4, 2023

The great Danish theologian Soren Kierkegaard told a parable of 2 artists: One bragged, “I have travelled much and seen much in the world, but I have sought in vain to find anyone worth painting. In every face I have seen one or another fault. Therefore I seek in vain.” The second one, on the other ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31, Matthew 25:40-46

Tags: Art, Creativity, Attitude, Kierkegaard

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Haman Is A Type Of The Antichrist

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 28, 2023

Some Bible students have seen in Haman an illustration of the “man of sin”, or the Antichrist, who will one day appear and ruthlessly rule over humanity (2 Thess. 2; Rev. 13). Haman was given great authority from the king, and Satan will give great power to this wicked world ruler we call the ...read more

Tags: Tribulation, Haman, Man Of Sin, Esther, End Times, Prophecy, Second Coming, Antichrist, Rapture  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Storm To Peaceful Scene.

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jun 6, 2024

Another little me story, I went through a real struggle, mainly of my own making, thinking and due to anger and too much caffeine in Sri Lanka, where I was awake all night and ended up in hospital due to an atrial fibrillation that took 4 days to come right. Why do I share this with you, you are ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Tags: Salvation, Anger, Awareness, Stupidity, Ill Health  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Social Consequences Of Sin

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Oct 13, 2024

Social consequences of sin. Jonathan Edwards in his book “The Nature Of True Virtue” lays out how sin destroys the social fabric. He argues that human society is deeply fragmented when anything, but God is our highest love. If our highest goal in life is the good of our family, then we will tend to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-24

Tags: Virtue, Jonathan Edwards, 10 Commandments, Law, Sin, Idolatry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Listen To The World

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 13, 2025

I also believe we are at a unique time in history where most folks today would identify with these three descriptions: • “Living in darkness” • “Not a people” • “Without mercy” Have you noticed this in folks? They are desperately trying to fit in and be a part of some group. These groups seem ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Tags: Evangelism, Anxiety, Listen, Hoplessness

Denomination: Methodist

Be Found Faithful

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Mar 31, 2025

There is a story of a choir director who was so stressed out because at least one or more members of the choir were absent at every rehearsal for a concert. Finally came the last rehearsal and he announced: “I want to personally thank the pianist for being the only person in this entire church ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Tags: Faithfulness, Choir, Unfaithfulness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pledge -- Prayer

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 6, 2025

Two men were arguing at work one day about religion. Neither really knew what they were talking about. Finally one said, “Man, you don’t know anything about religion. I’ll bet you ten dollars you can’t even repeat the Lord’s Prayer.” The other grinned. “Oh yeah? It’s a bet!” He straightened up ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:105

Tags: Scripture, Discipleship, Truth, Authority

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Dr. William Sloan Coffin Of New York’s ...  PRO

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Dec 11, 2000

Dr. William Sloan Coffin of New York’s Riverside Church said this in the April 20,1984 Lutheran Standard after the death of his son, Alex."The night after Alex died, I was sitting in the living room of my sister’s house outside of Boston, when a middle-aged lady came in, shook her head when she saw ...read more

Tags: Faith, God The Father

Denomination: Lutheran

Recently, I Saw A Letter Written By A Relatively ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Chapman on May 2, 2001

Recently, I saw a letter written by a relatively new Christian to the person whose life had influenced hers so greatly. She actually lists about a dozen qualities she found contagious in the life of this older Christian. Listen to some of what she wrote: You know when we met; I began to discover a ...read more

Tags: Sharing Your Faith, Self Esteem, Sharing My Testimony, Great Commission

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Inner City Church Had An Annual Student ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 23, 2001

An inner city church had an annual student recognition day. Normally, students would share about their educational experiences and then the pastor would get up and offer a few closing words. One year, the pastor’s words were a bit alarming. He stood up in front of all the young graduates and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:1-15, Mark 15:1-15, Daniel 1:6-12

Tags: Witnessing, Life

Reading Their Names  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 19, 2002

READING THEIR NAMES Jeff Greenfield is a news correspondent for ABC News. He lives in Salisbury, Connecticutt and has attended the same Memorial Day observance in his community for the last 15 years. He writes: "At 10 a.m., the parade begins moving down Main Street. It is a small parade: ...read more

Tags: Holidays Civic, Christian Disciplines

16,743 Yards Of Persistence  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 1, 2004

16,743 YARDS OF PERSISTENCE God has always honored persistence. I have always appreciated Emmitt Smith. I was glad to see him set the NFL rushing record last Sunday. He isn’t as flashy as Walter Payton or Barry Sanders, and he never possessed true break-away speed. But his strength lies in his ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1, Luke 20:27-38, Luke 18:1-8

Tags: Prayer General, Prayer Persistence, Parable Widow

The Perfect Example Of This Was The Oprah ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Nov 21, 2004

The perfect example of this was the Oprah Winfrey show that aired this September. Oprah, whose show now airs in 109 countries around the world, celebrated her 19th season by giving away new cars to every person in her audience that day. The 276 audience members were selected because friends or ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday

Denomination: Methodist

What Would Have Happened Had Moses Tried To ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 8, 2005

What would have happened had Moses tried to figure out what was needed to accomplish God’s command? One of the biggest arithmetical miracles in the world was required in the desert. Moses led the people of Israel into the desert….Now what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and ...read more

Tags: Moses

22 Percent Of Married Men And 14 Percent Of ...

Contributed by John Shearhart on Mar 30, 2006

22 percent of married men and 14 percent of married women have strayed at least once during their married lives. -Source: Associated Press According to a 2005 study by Keynote, an Internet industry research firm 30 percent of online daters are married or live with a significant other. In 2002, ...read more

Tags: Marriage Commitment

Seeing The Rainbow From God's Side  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 26, 2006

Seeing The Rainbow From God’s Side Some years ago it was my privilege to be one of the speakers in a state-wide Bible Conference held in Dallas, Texas. Inasmuch as I was conducting a revival meeting in Houston that same week, it was necessary for me to fly to and from the Dallas appointment. My ...read more

Denomination: Baptist