In Sermon Illustrations: "Churches"

A.w. Tozer On The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 19, 2022

Great Quote by A.W. Tozer on the Holy Spirit: "If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of this world, much of what we’re doing in our churches would go right on and nobody would know the difference! .I do not believe in a REPETITION of Pentecost, but I do ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:11

Tags: Power, Pastors, Ministry, Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Arthur Pink Wrote About How Some People Do Not ...  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Henes on Jun 5, 2002

Arthur Pink wrote about how some people do not worship: They bring their bodies to the house of prayer but not their souls. They worship with their mouths but not in spirit and in truth. They are sticklers for early morning communion with God but they take no thought about keeping their hearts ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-20

Tags: Worship Definition, Worship General, Church Practices

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When The Members Walk With The Fear Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by John Hamby on Jan 8, 2001

“When the members walk with the fear of the Lord before their eyes and with the Spirit’s encouraging voice in their hearts, the church will be strong and will also surely multiply.” [R.C.H. Lenski. The Interpretation ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Holy Spirit Attributes, Sharing Your Faith

Denomination: Baptist

Bloopers In The Bulletin

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 11, 2023

The following are actual church bulletin board bloopers found in churches across the United States. The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church. The Pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-7

Tags: Church, Humor, Secretaries, Failure, Pastors, Unconditional Love, Love For Others, Bloopers, Bulletin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Francois Fenelon Was The Court Preacher For King ...  PRO

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 27, 2002

Francois Fenelon was the court preacher for King Louis XIV of France in the 17th century. One Sunday when the king and his attendants arrived at the chapel for the regular service, no one else was there but the preacher. King Louis demanded, "What does this mean?" Fenelon replied, "I had published ...read more

Tags: Church Practices, Faith Vs. Works, Worship Definition

Denomination: Mennonite

Macarthur On Contemporary Preaching

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 25, 2021

"Many churches today are filled to overflowing with those who want their ears tickled with the myths of easy believism and so called positive thinking. They come to have their egos fed and their sins approved, not to have their hearts cleansed and their souls saved. They want only to feel ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:6-17

Tags: Preaching, Pastors, Churches, The Word Of God, The Bible, Liberalism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is A Story Of A Young Hippie Who Gave His ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Oct 16, 2001

There is a story of a young hippie who gave his life to Christ during the Jesus Movement of the late sixties and early seventies. One Sunday he went to a church, not knowing it was one of the more “upper class” churches in the area. He was late to the service, and the pastor was about to begin ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-4

Tags: Jesus' Ministry, Christian Love, Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Pastor Stood Before The Congregation And Said ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 9, 2001

The pastor stood before the congregation and said "I have bad news, I have good news, and I have more bad news." The congregation got quiet. "The bad news is: the church needs a new roof!" the pastor said. The congregation groaned. "The good news is: we have enough money for the new roof." A ...read more

Tags: Giving General, Alive, Church Practices, Rededication, Renewal  (view more)  (view less)

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

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, What Is Evangelism?, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Al Mohler's Theological "triaging"

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 11, 2024

Many readers will be familiar with Al Mohler’s helpful analogy of “theological triage” in which he speaks of first-order, second-order, and third-order doctrines. (Note - this is a theological statement about the Bible, not a clear biblical statement from Scripture. It is one author trying to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Church, Discernment, Unity, Doctrine, Heresy, Pastors, False Teaching, Elders  (view more)  (view less)

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: God In The Hardships, Endurance, Church Small Groups

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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's Provision, God The Father, Church Practices

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

Savage Ways  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 5, 2001

There is the story about a man who visited the Fiji islands. This visitor was skeptical of missionaries. He even spoke with the chief and told him that the missionaries only wanted to get rich from them. The visitor said that nobody believed what the Bible had to say nowadays. He even went as ...read more

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

Denomination: United Methodist

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