In Sermon Illustrations: "Christs Sacrifice"

Cymbala's Easter Story  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 31, 2005

CYMBALA'S EASTER STORY Jim Cymbala preaches at a church in the slums of New York. He tells the following story: It was Easter Sunday and I was so tired at the end of the day that I just went to the edge of the platform, pulled down my tie and sat down and draped my feet over the edge. It was a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 18:15-18, Luke 23:32-34, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, John 13:34-35, Matthew 25:34-45, Psalm 40:1-3, Ephesians 2:1-10, Colossians 1:1-11, Matthew 18:22-35, Matthew 22:1-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Second Coming, New Year, Dignity, Body Of Christ, Supper, Work  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Let Me Give You An Example To What I’m ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Lobbs on Nov 4, 2000

Let me give you an example to what I’m saying by sharing with you a story that I recently read in one of the history books in my library. I read how on July 3l, 1838 on the Island of Jamaica, a man named William Knibbs, gathered 10,000 slaves for a great praise gathering. They were celebrating ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:12, Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Freedom, Great Commission, Gospel, Lordship Of Christ, Ignorance, What Is Evangelism?  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

John Bisagno Former Pastor Of Houston’s ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on May 31, 2001

John Bisagno former Pastor of Houston’s First Baptist Church tells the story of his coming there to candidate for the position of pastor many years ago. He said that as he entered the auditorium it was dimly lit, with just a few people huddled together. They were singing some old slow funeral type ...read more

Tags: Celebration, Church General, Church Body Of Christ, Excitement, Love Of The Disciples  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Welcome And Do-Si-Do, Citation: Cartoonist Sandy ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Aug 17, 2001

[Welcome and Do-Si-Do, Citation: Cartoonist Sandy Silverthorne in Leadership, Vol. 11, no. 4]. "And now here’s the point in our service where I’d like you all to rise, turn to the person on your right, shake hands, turn ...read more

Tags: Friendship New Friends, Church Small Groups, Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Many Christians Have Been Infected With The Most ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Sep 21, 2001

Many Christians have been infected with the most virulent virus of modern American life, what sociologist Robert Bellah calls "radical individualism." They concentrate on personal obedience to Christ as if all that matters is "Jesus and me," but in doing so, miss the point altogether. For ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Tags: Church Body Of Christ, Church Small Groups, Church Purpose Of, Renewal

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Clinker Bricks  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 28, 2010

CLINKER BRICKS Although at times it seems as though the church is in ruin and rubble, God sees it as a beautiful building. Clinker bricks are bricks that did not quite make it. For some reason or another, they come out of the kiln misshapen or deformed. I read about a Presbyterian Church in New ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-21

Tags: Atonement, Redemption, New Life, Born Again, Church Body Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Peggy Noonan, Speech Writer For Ronald Reagan, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Peggy Noonan, speech writer for Ronald Reagan, relates a story about Frances Green, an eighty-three-year old woman who lived by herself on Social Security in a town just outside of San Francisco, California. Peggy was very poor, but for eight years she had been sending one dollar a year to the ...read more

Tags: Church, Building, Rock, Poor, Not Enough Time, Church Body Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

A Winning Team  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 8, 2008

A WINNING TEAM Lee Iacocca once asked legendary football coach Vince Lombardi what it took to make a winning team. In the book Iacocca records Lombardi’s answer: "There are a lot of coaches with good ball clubs who know the fundamentals and have plenty of discipline but still don’t win the game. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9-10, John 13:34-35, Romans 12:10, Ephesians 4:2

Tags: Success, Church Body, Teamwork, Church Health, Church Body Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

The Man In History Who Refused His Own Pardon

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 18, 2021

In the early 1800’s, President Andrew Jackson issued a full pardon to George Wilson, a man sentenced to be hanged for his crime. However, believe it or not, George Wilson refused the pardon from President Jackson. But could he legally refuse the President’s pardon? Supreme Court Justice John ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12

Tags: Salvation, The Gospel, Pardon, How To Be Saved, Choices, Receiving Christ, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Appearances Of Jesus After His Resurrection

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2022

Jesus appeared at least ten times after His resurrection before He ascended into heaven. There were apparently many more appearances not recorded (see Jn. 20:30–31; 21:25). 1. He appeared to Mary Magdalene (Mk. 16:9–11; Jn. 20:11–18). 2. He appeared to the women running to tell the disciples about ...read more

Tags: Resurrection, Teaching, Preaching, Word Of God, Apostle Paul, Appearances Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Good Samaritan Is A Portrait Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 2, 2022

The Good Samaritan bears the features of the Lord Jesus Christ who comes to seek and save the lost. (1). "He came where he was." Christ comes to us right where we are. In our stripped and wounded condition we could do nothing for ourselves (Ro 5:6). (2). "He had compassion on ...read more

Tags: Neighbor, Kindness, Good Deeds, Good Samaritan, Types Of Christ, Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas Must Be Near

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 14, 2022

Christmas Must Be Near When soft snowflakes fill childish dreams, And Missy hangs the mistletoe. Then gift shoppers show up in streams, And Mike the mailman is bending low. When the generosities astound, Then through the air, we hear the sound Of joy-bells ring… “Ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling!” Then ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-2, Matthew 1:1-21, John 1:1-14, Galatians 4:4-5

Tags: Poems, Nativity, Christmas, Birth Of Christ, Preparations, Decorations, Christmas Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

It's Later Than It's Ever Been!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 6, 2023

A young boy was playing in his grandmother’s house near a large grandfather clock. Noontime was approaching, and when both hands of the old timepiece reached 12, the chimes began to ring. As he always liked to do, the boy counted each gong as it sounded. This time, however, something went wrong ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18

Tags: Second Coming, Rapture, Time, Return Of Christ, End Times, Prophecy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Are Your Own Worst Enemy.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 26, 2023

"Cain slew Abel, but Cain’s worst enemy was himself". - R E Neighbour “There is an old Icelandic legend that contains its own lesson. There was a man who was constantly pursued by a terrible spirit which took the form of a dwarf. His grain ricks were fired, his barns unroofed, his ...read more

Tags: Offerings, Enemies, Murder, Self, Hate, Cain, Abel, Blood Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Soon And Very Soon, We Are Going To Burger King!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 29, 2023

Kids say the darndest things.....even in church! One day as I was cleaning, I began singing one of my favorite gospel songs, "Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King!" I just love that song. Well, my young son, Cory, was in the next room listening to my song. Suddenly, he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, John 14:1-6

Tags: Second Coming, Armageddon, Rapture, King Of Kings, Return Of Christ, Humor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What The Bible Says About The Resurrection Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

Well over three hundred verses are concerned with the subject of Jesus' resurrection in the New Testament. We are told that this event is a sign for unbelievers (Matthew 12:38-40); cf. John 20:24-29) as well as the answer for the believer's doubt (Luke 24:38-43). It serves as the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:38-43

Tags: Christ, Easter, Resurrection, Heaven, Gospel, Cross, Miracles, Empty Tomb  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[193]. Message From A Poem– No One Else Is Worthy Of Such Praise

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 9, 2025

[193]. MESSAGE FROM A POEM– NO ONE ELSE IS WORTHY OF SUCH PRAISE This poem is the focus on the worthiness of the Lord for no one else is worthy. Jesus is the One who died, and was raised again for our sins. There is so much these days of showmanship that is not worship. We hear song people ...read more

Scripture: John 4:23-24, Revelation 5:12-13, Revelation 4:9-11

Tags: Worthy, Spirit And Truth, Christ Alone, Honor, Glory, Worship, Praise  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[235]. A Message From A Poem - Romans 5 Verses 3 - 5

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 25, 2025

[235]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ROMANS 5 VERSES 3 - 5 This is a shorter poem based solely on 3 verses from Romans. Here are those verses – {{Romans 5:3-5 “Not only this, but we also exult in our TRIBULATIONS, knowing that tribulation brings about PERSEVERANCE, and perseverance, PROVEN ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:35, Romans 5:3-5

Tags: Tribulation, Christian Poems, No Separation From Christ, Perseverance, Hope, Character  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[117]. A Message From A Poem – He Became Sin For Us

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 27, 2025

[117]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HE BECAME SIN FOR US This poem resulted from some discussion in one of the Christian forums on Isaiah 52 and 53. I was thinking into the sufferings of the Lamb upon the cross trying to capture the stark reality of that sacrificial death. Of course God blotted out ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-5, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 12:2

Tags: Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, He Became Sin For Us, Sin, Salvation, Endurance, Cross, Suffering, The Cross, Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Catch A Monkey  PRO

Contributed by Doug Sanders on Jan 2, 2001

HOW TO CATCH A MONKEY Native hunters in the jungles of Africa have a clever way of trapping monkeys. They slice a coconut in two, hollow it out, and in one half of the shell cut a hole just big enough for a monkey’s hand to pass through. Then they place an orange in the other coconut half before ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:38, Matthew 8:5-13

Tags: John Wesley, Lost, Need, Grace, Human Value, Course, Church, Business And Marketplace, Encouragement, Sovereign, Support, Riches, Salvation, Sacrifices, Wisdom, Track  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist