In Sermon Illustrations: "Come As You Are"

Do You Have Spiritual Wax In The Ears?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 28, 2024

JAMES 1:21 - "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." A person must put off every dirty thing and lay it off to the side away from himself. If he enjoys the dirt and filth, then his mind is ...read more

Tags: Followers Of Jesus, Worhsip, Word Of God, Voice Of God, Cleansing, Hearing God, Filth, Listening, Discipleship, Confession  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Are Here To Live, Not To Just Make A Living.

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 10, 2024

In 1923 a very important meeting was held at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. Attending this meeting were nine of the world's most successful financiers: Charles Schwab, steel magnate: Samuel Insull, president of the largest utility company: Howard Hopson , president of the largest gas ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:10

Tags: Greed, Life, Riches, Suicide, Fame, Death, Money, Wealth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Church Makes You Throw Up!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 12, 2024

Marty, a little boy, was in church one Sunday with his mother Doris, when he started feeling sick. 'Mummy,' he inquired, 'can we leave now?' 'No,' his mother replied, 'the service isn't over yet.' 'Well, I think I'm about to throw up.' Marty ...read more

Tags: Church, Children, Mothers, Sick

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It May Get Worse After You Leave!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 12, 2024

A pastor was leaving his area and was saying farewell to his congregation at the Church doors for the last time. He shook the hand of an elderly lady as she walked out. She said, "Your successor won't be as good as you." "Nonsense", said the pastor, in a flattered tone. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-4

Tags: Church, Preaching, Word Of God, Pastors, Church Members, Boring, Sermons, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Are You Willing To Camp Out For?

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

A few years ago, a Chick-fil-A opened up in Murfreesboro and they ran that “First 100” promotion. The first 100 adults through the doors at 6 a.m. would get free Chick-fil-A for a year, basically a free meal every week. So people did what people do when something is on the line. They showed up ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-27

Tags: Priorities, Spiritual Discipline

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Are You Going To Talk About Sin?

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Jun 28, 2019

It was early in the year, and I asked myself, “What is the most important things my congregation needs to know.” I had decided to preach a series on what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, or the Plain, if you go by Luke. I mapped out the series, then I began to talk about what Jesus had to ...read more

Tags: Judging Others, Sermon On The Mount, Judgement, Forgiveness, Sin, Forgive  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

You Don't Impress Him

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 15, 2020

“You don’t impress the officials at NASA with a paper airplane. You don’t boast about your crayon sketches in the presence of a Picasso. You don’t claim equality with an Einstein because you can write H2O. And you don’t boast about your goodness in the presence of the Perfect One. Mark it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Humility, Beatitudes, Pride, Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Have You Burned Your Ships Yet?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 9, 2020

When the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortez landed at Vera Cruz, Mexico in 1519 he was intent on conquest. To assure the devotion of his men, Cortez set fire to his fleet of eleven ships! With no means of retreat, Cortez’s army had only one direction to move, into the Mexican interior. Cortez ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, James 1:8

Tags: Commitment, Discipleship, Following Jesus, Counting The Cost

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If You Could Only Have One Book....

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

It is said that when the famous missionary, Dr. David Livingstone, started his trek across Africa he had 73 books in 3 packs, weighing 180 pounds. After the party had gone 300 miles, Livingstone was obliged to throw away some of the books because of the fatigue of those carrying his baggage. As ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 4:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Missionaries, Bible, Faith, Scripture, Books, Livingstone  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Hard Do You Prepare For Sermons?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

Howard Hendricks shares this insight about the value of preparing and study for sermons... " When I was a college student—I worked in the college dining hall, and on my way to work at 5:30 am. every morning I walked past the home of one of my professors. Through a window I could see the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Sermons, Shepherding, Feeding The Flock, Sermon Preparation, Studying The Word  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Have You Lost The "scent"?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 1, 2021

DEMAS LOST THE "SCENT" A man bought a new hunting dog. Eager to see how the dog would perform, the man took him out to track a bear. No sooner had they gotten into the woods than the dog picked up the trail. Suddenly he stopped, sniffed the ground, and headed in a new direction. He had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:10, 1 John 2:15-16

Tags: Compromise, Worldliness, Backsliding, Values, Loving The World  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Do You Give Without Enabling?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 2, 2022

How do you give biblically and with a Christ-like approach to needy people, yet not enable the person to become co-dependent on your giving heart? (1) Learn to distinguish between DIVINE appointments and drive-by-guiltings (Luke 10:33/ 1 Timothy 5:8/ Deuteronomy 15:11 and Galatians 6:10/ ...read more

Tags: Needs, Enabling, Wisdom, Discernment, Giving, Finances, Tithing, Good Samaritan, Sacrifice  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Better Get Your Bags Packed!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 2, 2022

One day a very wealthy, powerful king died. His servants spread the unbelievable news all over the palace. He had died in his bed of natural causes. "Where has he gone?", asked one of the king's wisest counselors "Why, to Heaven of course!", answered all the ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Heaven, Salvation, Gospel, Excuses, Prepare, Procrastination, Fools  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can I Serve Your Sentence For You?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 10, 2022

Chuck Swindoll once told the story of a seminary student in Chicago who faced a forgiveness test. Although he preferred to work in some kind of ministry, the only job he could find was driving a bus on Chicago's south side. One day a gang of tough teens got on board and refused to pay the ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness, Forgiving Others

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Can’t Escape The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 26, 2022

My favorite story about the Holy Spirit is the story C.S. Lewis told about a college student who wrote to him. The young man was an atheist. And he was very concerned because he had made friends with some Christian students. They were enthusiastically witnessing to him about Jesus, and it had ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:9-11

Tags: Holy Spirit, Regeneration

Let Me Hear You Play That Harmonica!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on May 4, 2022

Why do we need to pay attention to what is being said if it is the same old thing that we have heard before? Maybe we need practice in what we are hearing. A young American engineer named Billy was sent to Ireland by his company to work in a new electronics plant. It was a two-year assignment ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19

Tags: Listening, Hearers And Doers, Pay Attention, Paying Attention, Tests Of Faith, Tests Of Love, Hearing God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Greek Mythology Has The Image Of Time Being Like ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Jul 9, 2008

Greek mythology has the image of time being like a man with long hair in front and bald in the back. The picture is of one you must catch coming toward you, ...read more

Tags: Time

Denomination: Pentecostal

Have You Heard About The Three Absent-Minded ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Dec 19, 2000

Have you heard about the three absent-minded sisters - Wanda, Martha & Wilma - who lived together in the same house? One day, when Wanda decided to take a bath, she drew the bath water & began undressing. But suddenly she stopped & said, "I don’t remember. Am I getting into the tub or am I ...read more

Tags: Forgive, Forgiveness, Forgiveness For Others, Forgiveness General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Have You Heard The Story Of Jim Smith And Ron ...  PRO

Contributed by Larry Brincefield on May 30, 2003

Have you heard the story of Jim Smith and Ron Jones? Jim went to church one Sunday morning. He heard the organist miss a note, and he made a face. He saw a teen talking when everyone else was praying. He felt sure that the usher was watching to see how much money he put in the offering plate, ...read more

Tags: Church General, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Nazarene

Did You See The Move Shallow Hal? It Is A Movie ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 19, 2003

Did you see the move Shallow Hal? It is a movie about an unattractive, really shallow middle-aged man named Hal Larsen who judges women on how “hot” they are. But then one day, Hal gets stuck on a stalled elevator with a motivational guru who helps him overcome his shallowness by hypnotizing him ...read more

Tags: Salvation, Promises Of God, God The Father

Denomination: Methodist