In Sermon Illustrations: "Church Body"

Mamie Adams Always Went To A Branch Post Office ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on May 3, 2001

Mamie Adams always went to a branch post office in her town because the postal employees there were friendly. She went there to buy stamps just before Christmas one year and the lines were particularly long. Someone pointed out that there was no need to wait in line because there was a stamp ...read more

Tags: Worship, Going To Church, Christian Love, Compassion

Denomination: Baptist

Last Year About This Time Our Tennessee Titans ...  PRO

Contributed by Tom Dooley on May 11, 2001

Last year about this time our Tennessee Titans were involved in a heart wrenching defeat in the Super Bowl. All season they had fought back from deficits to win and it appeared as though they were going to pull off another comeback victory over the Rams. Unfortunately they came up about a yard ...read more

Tags: Worship General, Church Practices, God The Father

Denomination: Baptist

If You Were Going To A Sporting Event, Or Concert ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on May 29, 2001

If you were going to a sporting event, or concert what we would be the best seats? If you were going to a basketball game it would be center court front row. If it were football it would be the 50-yard line, front row. If it were a concert it would be center stage, front row. But, if it were ...read more

Tags: Church Practices, Growth In Christ, Promises Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Is Our Privilege To Have World Evangelism As ...  PRO

Contributed by R. Darrel Davis on Jun 2, 2001

"It is our privilege to have world evangelism as a passion, not our responsibility to ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of, Church Purpose Of, Great Commission

Denomination: Baptist

In His Marvelous Book, The Kingdom Of God Is A ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jul 23, 2001

: In his marvelous book, The Kingdom of God is a Party, Tony Campolo tells a story that illustrates how I believe the church must begin to live out our witness in the new millennium. Campolo was attending a Christian conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. Since there was a six-hour time differential ...read more

Tags: Sharing My Testimony, Compassion, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

As An Eagle Grows Older, Its Beak Begins To Grow ...  PRO

Contributed by James May on Aug 7, 2001

As an eagle grows older, its beak begins to grow and a build up of scar tissue from cracks and scratches forms. This buildup begins to limit the ability of the eagle to open its beak wide enough to eat properly. The eagle finds a rock or hard surface and begins to beat the end of its beak until ...read more

Tags: Church Small Groups, Endurance, God In The Hardships

Denomination: Independent/Bible

From A Leadership Seminar Given By Dale ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Aug 9, 2001

From a leadership seminar given by Dale Galloway: A bunch of fleas were hanging out on a blanket, just jumping up & down having a blast. And then someone came up and put a jar over them… Not knowing what happened they still keep jumping BUT after hitting their heads a few times – they got the ...read more

Tags: Great Commission, Evangelism Fear Of, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Missionary J. Hudson Taylor- When God’s ...  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 9, 2001

Missionary J. Hudson Taylor- When God’s work is done in God’s way for God’s glory, it ...read more

Tags: God The Father, God's Provision, Church Practices

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Earlier In His Life, Gandhi Was Actually ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Craver on Sep 27, 2001

Earlier in his life, Gandhi was actually considering becoming a Christian. He was attracted by the life and teachings of Jesus. Gandhi attended the services of a church in Pretoria, South Africa. He later wrote, "The congregation did not strike me as being particularly religious; they were not ...read more

Tags: What Is Evangelism?, Love Of The Disciples, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Brethren

In The 13th Century, Nicolo Polo (Father Of Marco ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 15, 2001

In the 13th Century, Nicolo Polo (father of Marco Polo) was visiting the court of the grandson of Ghengis Khan - Kublai Khan. Kublai Khan was the Emperor of China and he had never met Europeans before. He was delighted to meet this visitor from Venice AND he was strongly impressed by the ...read more

Tags: Great Commission, Church Purpose Of, What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Believe The Old Adage Is Correct That Says: The ...  PRO

Contributed by Mike Leiter on Nov 11, 2001

I believe the old adage is correct that says: The five most important words are “You did a good job.” The four most important words are, “What is your opinion?” The three most important words are, “Let’s work together” The two most ...read more

Tags: Church Small Groups, Humility, Leadership General

Denomination: Vineyard

One Night, A Thief Stole A Car Not Realizing The ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Nov 28, 2001

One night, a thief stole a car not realizing the awesome danger he was facing. On the passenger’s seat, the owner had placed a box of crackers laced with rat poison. When the Police were alerted about the stolen VW they tripled their search for the vehicle and the thief. If they did not get to the ...read more

Tags: Promises Of God, Evangelism Fear Of, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dr. W. A. Criswell, The Beloved Pastor Of First ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

Dr. W. A. Criswell, the beloved pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, was once asked, "Will we know each other when we get to heaven?" His answer, "We won’t really know each other UNTIL we get to ...read more

Tags: Friendship General, Compassion, Church Small Groups

It Is Only When Men Begin To Worship That They ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

It is only when men begin to worship that they begin to grow. -- Calvin ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Growth In Christ, Church Practices

In 1986 I Had A Series Of Experiences That Turned ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Dec 31, 2001

In 1986 I had a series of experiences that turned my preaching around. I came to realize that the ability to help or stir people depends primarily on preparing the heart of the preacher. I found in myself that the pull toward religious Pharisaism is a constant, a ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, Leadership General, Church Practices

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The Greek Islands There Is Place Where You Can ...  PRO

Contributed by Christopher Roberts on Jan 4, 2002

In the Greek Islands there is place where you can seek out the home of the famous Hippocrates – the founder of modern medicine. There you will find an olive tree that supposedly dates back to the days of Hippocrates. That would make the tree nearly 2,400 years old. The trunk of the tree is ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Great Commission, What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Methodist

Etiquette Nowadays Often Demands Of A Christian ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 4, 2002

“Etiquette nowadays often demands of a Christian that he should not ’intrude’ his religion on company. Out with such etiquette! It is the etiquette of hell! True courtesy to my fellow’s soul makes me speak to him, if I believe that his soul is in danger. How many, my dear friend, were you ever the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17, Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 20:1-16

Tags: Great Commission, Church Purpose Of, Evangelism Fear Of

If There Is One Characteristic More Than Others ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

If there is one characteristic more than others that contemporary public worship needs to recapture it is this awe before the surpassingly great ...read more

Tags: Worship General, God's Holiness, Church Practices

Defining Religion  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

DEFINING RELIGION Religion is hanging around the cross, Christianity is hanging on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 9:1-28

Tags: Church Practices, Cross Agony, Worship General

Why Am I Here?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 6, 2002

WHY AM I HERE? "Many years ago I attended a birthday party for my gay friend and co-worker, Julian. Sixty gay men and four straight women had gathered to celebrate in a high-rise penthouse with a dramatic sweeping view of the San Francisco Bay. Greeting me warmly, Julian exuberantly kissed me on ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To, Great Commission, Church Purpose Of