In Sermon Illustrations: "Close At Hand"

Close, But...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 11, 2011

CLOSE, BUT... A high school senior was asking his father's advice on how to woo the girl of his dreams. And his dad said "Well son, when you take her out for pizza tonight and you're sitting across the table from her, take her hand in yours, gaze longingly into her eyes and softly say 'Wow, you ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:22-23

Tags: Men And Women

These Hands

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Sep 2, 2007

“These Hands” A young man and a young woman became engaged and were looking forward to a near wedding day, when the young man was suddenly called into the service of his country. From the field of warfare letters regularly came and went, and love shined brightly in all of them. Then letters from ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Hand In Hand, Not Eye To Eye

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Aug 19, 2006

HAND IN HAND, NOT EYE TO EYE There is a study by James Dobson that reveals that men use about 25,000 words a day, but women use 50,000. Now, ladies when you say, "My husband just won’t listen to me..." You’ve got to realize he doesn’t have the brain with the capacity to hold as much as you can ...read more

Tags: Marriage Struggle

Denomination: Christian Church

A Close Call  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 8, 2002

A CLOSE CALL Edward Steichen, who eventually became one of the world’s most renowned photographers, almost gave up on the day he shot his first pictures. At 16, young Steichen bought a camera and took 50 photos. Only one turned out -- a portrait of his sister at the piano. Edward’s father thought ...read more

Closing Blessing

Contributed by Greg Buchner on Oct 4, 2004

Closing Blessing You are a child of creation, a reflection of God, No one can steal your beauty or reduce your worth, Unless you let them…don’t let them! You are a miracle of God’s love… Never look at yourself and see anything less! Your life is not a random stroke of chance, You are part of a ...read more

Tags: God The Father

Denomination: Methodist

Closed For Alterations  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 16, 2011

CLOSED FOR ALTERATIONS Billy Graham tells a story--a simple illustration--that I want to borrow. A preacher once passed a shop which was no longer open for business. A sign hung in the window that said, "Closed for Alterations." The owner had closed shop for a while in order to remodel the store. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Tags: Rapture

A Close Encounter

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 15, 2019

A Close Encounter As the great hunter stalks his prey thru the sultry jungle of Africa, the prey is running for his life; but to no avail because nothing escapes the skills of the great white hunter. The prey is trembling with fear as the hunter closes in. Can you see the evil leer in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-13

Tags: Grace, Mercy

Denomination: Pentecostal

Helping Hands

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 12, 2024

Dr. Wright shares this story which I believe is appropriate for us to think about this morning as we close: In a small European village was a town square that held a special statue. This statue of Jesus was the pride and joy of this small town, But World War II arrived, and soon the bombs began ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-25, James 1:27

Tags: Serving, Helping

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Hands But Yours

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Jul 8, 2009

NO HANDS BUT YOURS In the courtyard of a quaint little church in a French village was standing a beautiful marble statue of Jesus with his hands outstretched. One day during the war, a bomb struck close to the statue and severely damaged it. After the battle was over, the citizens of the village ...read more

Tags: Giving Yourself

Denomination: Pentecostal

Bread In The Hand

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 27, 2008

BREAD IN THE HAND David used what he had--a sling. For the little boy at the feeding of the 5,000 it was five loaves and two fish. For Samson it was the jawbone of a donkey. God can use anything. The major problem is workers in the Philippines nowadays have a personal slogan: "No support, no ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian

Learning And Innovation Go Hand In Hand. The ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did ...read more

Tags: Thought

Daddy Hands  PRO

Contributed by Lyn King on Jun 15, 2002

Daddy Hands Susan Fabncke I awoke in the night to find my husband, Marty, gently rocking our baby son, Noah. I stood for a moment in the doorway, watching this amazing man with whom I was so blessed to share my life, lovingly stroke Noah’s fat pink cheeks in an effort to comfort him. I felt in my ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:12-20

Tags: Parenting, Children

Denomination: Baptist

The Hand Of God

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

I was particularly impressed by the poem that the Queen Mother – who had a wonderful Christian faith – chose for her funeral I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year. “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

An Outstretched Hand

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 27, 2009

AN OUTSTRETCHED HAND In Stockholm, Sweden, a woman was injured as she rushed to catch a streetcar. She stumbled in front of the moving car and was caught beneath it. The police sent for a crane to lift the car off her body. While waiting for the crane, a crowd of people gathered out of curiosity. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Tags: Christian Love

Ill<><hand ...

Contributed by West Garner on Jun 29, 2009

Ill<><Hand Illustration There those that choose not to live under God’s hand. They don’t trust God lead & Control their lives so they live above His mighty hand. They make all the calls in their life. They are the boss. They know what is best. Some of them may hope that God we bless what they do ...read more

Tags: Humility

Denomination: Baptist

Empty Hands

Contributed by Nathan Ingram on Nov 30, 2009

“Empty Hands” by Martha Nicholson One by one He took them from me, All the things I valued most; Until I was empty-handed, Every glittering toy was lost. And I walked earth’s highways, grieving, In my rage and poverty, Till I heard His voice inviting, “Lift your empty hands to me.” So I held my ...read more

Tags: Possession, Trust God

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Into Jesus Hands  PRO

Contributed by Joe Bertone on Jul 23, 2012

INTO JESUS HANDS Billy Graham tells the story of the death of his grandmother in his book, Death and the Life After (pg. 169). He writes, “When my grandmother was dying she sat up in bed, smiled, and said, “I see Jesus, and he has his hand outstretched to me. And there’s Ben and he has both of his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:8

Tags: Death, Heaven, Afterlife, Home

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Master's Hand

Contributed by James Kelly on Aug 11, 2012

THE MASTER'S HAND An auctioneer was taking bids on household items. He was tired and wanted to go home. There was only one item left an old violin. It wasn’t much to look at and no sound came from it. It was a seemingly worthless instrument. The auctioneer started the bid who will give me one ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

Tags: Grace

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Grandma's Hands

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Mar 23, 2016

Grandma’s Hands When I stand at the graveside for an elderly person, I think about the life they have lived, that dash between the birth date and date of death. I think about all they have seen, all they have experienced. And I think about this story that is told: Grandma, some 90+ years, sat ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:8

Tags: Hands, Graveside

Denomination: Baptist

No Hands But Ours

Contributed by C Jordan on Jan 31, 2009

NO HANDS BUT OURS After World War II ended, a group of German students volunteered to help rebuild a Cathedral in London. It had been severely damaged by bombing. They did well with most of the Cathedral, except one statue that had been broken into many pieces...a marble statue of Jesus. It once ...read more

Denomination: *other