In Sermon Illustrations: "Church Of Christ"

Good Without God

Contributed by John Sears on Jul 20, 2011

GOOD WITHOUT GOD An atheist organization recently got into hot water when it put up a billboard that crossed over onto church property. The message on the billboard read, "I can be good without God." What do you think? The funny thing is I agree, I think they are right! They have hit something ...read more

Tags: Apologetics Jesus

Denomination: Christian Church

God's Forgiveness Is Instant, Complete, ...

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Aug 30, 2011

GOD'S FORGIVENESS IS INSTANT, COMPLETE, PERMANENT One of our church members had an issue with a family member. That family member had been so unkind and hurtful for so long, that it seemed things would never change. Our member prayed to God for help. Another family member spoke to the hurtful ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Baptist

The Reverend And The Rose

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Aug 30, 2011

THE REVEREND AND THE ROSE Rev. Jerry Parnell, pastor of the Canaan Baptist Church of Anderson, South Carolina, will often conclude one of his sermons with an illustration using a live rose. He tells how that God gives us a fresh flowing in life, but that over the course of time we make bad ...read more

Tags: Grace

Denomination: Baptist

The Trip To Beijing

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Dec 12, 2011

THE TRIP TO BEIJING Ralph and Janice who were celebrating their 50th weddng anniversary. The church was honoring the couple. The pastor asked Ralph to come forward and give a testimony. Ralph said, "Well, the secret to our marriage is that I always treated her with respect; and I spent a ...read more

Tags: Family

Denomination: Baptist

The Real Story Of Unequally Yoked.  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 31, 2015

David Slagle, a minister at a small church in Atlanta, tells the story of a woman in her late 20’s. The woman had befriended a man living in her apartment complex. Slagle and his wife asked whether the two were dating. The man in question was a known atheist. The young woman answered, “No, I’m ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Tags: Marriage, Premarital, Unequally Yoked, Pre-Marital Counsel

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Broken Heart

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 11, 2015

In Fox’s Book of Martyrs, there is the story of a 26 year old mother named Perpetua. The early church was growing dramatically and she came to faith in Jesus. The Roman government was trying to get her to renounce her faith but she refused. They threw her in prison. Her father came and begged her ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:33-38

Tags: Grief

Denomination: Methodist

Commitment

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

Kenneth Bailey tells the story of teaching some short courses at the Lutheran Church of Latvia. While there, he observed the interviewing of prospective students and inquired of the interviews what questions they asked. They said, “The most important question is ‘When were you baptized?’ And he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Tags: Risk, Boldness

Denomination: Methodist

Pigs Don't Say Thanks!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 21, 2019

An old farmer who was a loyal, church-going Christian was spending the day in a large city. He entered a restaurant and sat down at the table near a group of young men from the city. When his meal was brought to the table, the farmer quietly bowed his head and said grace. One of the smart-aleck ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving, Prayer, Gratitude, Jokes, Meal Grace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Billy Graham's Great Regret

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 2, 2020

Billy Graham was once asked, "If you had to live your life over again, what would you do differently?" He answered: “One of my great regrets is that I have not studied enough, I wish I had studied more and preached less. People have pressured me into speaking to groups when I should ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Bible Study, Word Of God, Pastors, Sermon Preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Anxiety And Relationships

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 27, 2020

Anxiety can be the ruin or the salvation of our relationships. It is an alarm mechanism. It alerts us to potential danger. But sometimes it goes off too often or quickly. Sometimes we do not seem able to regulate it. Shocked, we lash out, hold our ground, or retreat. However, anxiety can be our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Tags: Anxiety, Relationships

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Maturity

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 27, 2020

Automatic behaviour is the hallmark of immature people bent on survival, they accept few challenges and experience little growth. Immature people react with a small part of themselves to a small part of the world. They limit themselves by paying attention only to what is close-up, by focusing on ...read more

Scripture: John 12:24

Tags: Maturity, Immaturity

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Seven Stanzas At Easter

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Mar 19, 2023

John Updike put it in his wonderful poem : Make no mistake: if he rose at all it was as his body; If the cells dissolution did not reverse, the molecules reknit, the amino acids rekindle, the church will fall. Let us not mock God with metaphor, Analogy, sidestepping transcendence; Making ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:14, Matthew 28:1-10

Tags: Resurrection, Tomb, John Updike

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Heart Transplant

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Feb 3, 2026

A heart transplant doesn’t make a sick heart healthier. It removes the failing heart completely and replaces it with a living one. After surgery, the patient doesn’t just act alive— they are alive. They don’t breathe because they’re disciplined. They breathe because they have a new source of life ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tags: New Creation, Faith

Denomination: Other

Children’s Prayers

Contributed by David Dunn on Feb 24, 2026

A mother was teaching her three-year-old the Lord’s Prayer. Night after night they practiced, and one evening the little girl said, “Mommy, I can do it myself.” So she folded her tiny hands and prayed, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us some e-mail.” Another Sunday a family’s little boy ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:15-25, Matthew 6:9-13

Tags: Sanctification, Temptation

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

One Of The Strongest Cases Of A Man Using His ...  PRO

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Feb 11, 2001

One of the strongest cases of a man using his tongue to bless God and curse man relates to Augustus M. Toplady. He blessed God with the beautiful hymn of adoration that he penned, “Rock of Ages.” It is a moving, biblical tribute to Christ and His finished work of redemption. Yet the same mouth ...read more

Scripture: James 3:9-10

Tags: Christian Love, Communication General, Holiness

Denomination: Baptist

During The 1970's When The San Diego Chargers ...  PRO

Contributed by Ronald Zamkus on Feb 24, 2001

During the 1970’s when the San Diego Chargers had Dan Fouts as quarterback, in 1 particular game, both Fouts and the team were having a bad day. With 2 minutes remaining in the game, San Diego was down 14-0. Frustrations were high so the coach pulled the star Fouts and put in the backup ...read more

Tags: Faith, Examples Of Faith, Trust

Denomination: Baptist

A Rabbi's Conversion  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Mar 28, 2001

Illus.: “A Rabbi’s Conversion” Rabbi Slostowski, a professor at a seminary in Tel Aviv, hated the Lord Jesus Christ. So great was his resentment that he sharply criticized a young student who was reading a Hebrew New Testament. The young man replied by giving him the copy. That night, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:7-13

Tags: Holy Spirit Attributes, Apologetics The Bible, Becoming A Christian

Denomination: Wesleyan

It Is Said That Claude, A Christian Man, Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 13, 2001

It is said that Claude, a Christian man, was unjustly imprisoned in the Bastille (a French prison). At the same time another man was imprisoned who was so brutal and ferocious that no one dared approach him. The jailer, recognizing Claude’s Christian character, begged him to undertake to humanize ...read more

Tags: Sharing My Testimony, Peace, Unconditional Love

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Legend Has It That A Wealthy Merchant Traveling ...  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 27, 2001

Legend has it that a wealthy merchant traveling through the Mediterranean world looking for the Pharisee and Apostle, Paul encountered Timothy, who arranged a visit. Paul was, at the time, a prisoner in Rome. Stepping inside the cell, the merchant was surprised to find a rather old man, physically ...read more

Tags: Love For God, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bill Mccartney Retired As The Head Coach Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 14, 2001

Bill McCartney retired as the head coach of the Colorado football team several years ago. His reason for retirement was not because he was unsuccessful as a coach. His teams had won the national championship. They had been in the top 10 many times. McCartney said that he was retiring ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:4

Tags: Workplace Balance, Love Of The Disciples, Priorities, Finding Fulfillment

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ