In Sermon Illustrations: "Confusing Topics"

Many People Are Physiologically Sensitive To ...

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 19, 2008

Many people are physiologically sensitive to chocolate. Certain of the larger benzene compounds present in chocolate are resisted by their bodies through an allergic reaction. Depending on the individual, this reaction may range from very mild, producing a minor skin rash, to very severe, producing ...read more

Tags: Law

Denomination: Other

Why Its Called An Idiot Light

Contributed by Larry Hinkle on Jun 12, 2020

Six months after I bought my first car, the "service engine" light came on. I called my dad from college, "What does that service engine light mean? Can I still drive it, or do I need to fix something?" He chuckled and said, it was an idiot light, "It is set to trigger ...read more

Scripture: John 16:8, Acts 2:38

Tags: Maintenance, Discipleship, Warning, Conscience, Conviction  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Praying For Enemies

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2022

I once invited a guest lecturer to speak to a counseling class I was teaching and asked him to specifically discuss the topic of forgiveness. He told a powerful story from his own life that day to illustrate his point that we should forgive. His brother had many struggles, and one day there was a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-45

Tags: Death, Forgiveness

An Observation About Context

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 16, 2020

Context is very important, even in the little things. For example, people have done a lot of damage to Bible verses, stories, doctrines, etc., because they did not or do not consider the context. Someone once remarked that a Bible verse out of its context is like a diamond away from a necklace: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Context, Temptations And Testings

Denomination: Baptist

There Are Six Varieties Of Wounds That A Person ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Lobbs on Nov 4, 2000

There are six varieties of wounds that a person can receive in their body. Abrasive wound - Where the skin is scraped off. This can result from stumbling or by carrying a rough object or by a glancing blow Confused wound - caused by a heavy blow. Incised wound - produced by a knife or spear or ...read more

Tags: Crucifixion, Cross

Denomination: Pentecostal

Daniel Boone Explored The Great Wilderness Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 15, 2002

Daniel Boone explored the great wilderness of Tennessee and Kentucky. It was Boone who marked the wilderness road that brought settlers into the new land. He often wandered over vast areas of forest, living off the land and dodging arrows. Once he was asked if he had ever bee lost. He replied, ...read more

A Young Woman Went To Her Father's Farm To Pick ...

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jul 9, 2003

A young woman went to her father’s farm to pick up a horse trailer. The father advised his daughter that before she took the trailer out on the highway she had better put forty pounds of air in each tire. Attaching the trailer to her pickup truck, the daughter drove the trailer over to the air ...read more

Tags: Communication General

Denomination: Baptist

In 1980, Mt St. Helens In Washington State ...

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Mar 2, 2004

In 1980, Mt St. Helens in Washington State erupted - spewing lava out for miles around. 83 year-old Harry Truman (not to be confused with the former US President) was the owner of Mt. St. Helens Lodge. He had been a resident there for nearly 50 years and became nationally famous for his refusal to ...read more

Tags: Temptation General, Temptation Pride

Denomination: Anglican

Like Bill Hybels, I Believe That There Is Nothing ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on May 25, 2004

Like Bill Hybels, I believe that there is nothing like the local church when it is working right. In addition, I agree with what he says after that sentence: “Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. It comforts the grieving and heals the broken in the ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Church Of God

A Hospital Administrator Was Once Startled To ...  PRO

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 14, 2004

A hospital administrator was once startled to see a patient fleeing down the hall out of the operating room, his loose hospital gown flapping the breeze behind him. He stopped the fleeing patient and said, "Do you mind telling me why you ran away from the operating room?" The patient looked at him ...read more

Tags: Doubt

Denomination: Baptist

76-Year-Old Bill Baker Of London Recently Wed ...  PRO

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Nov 16, 2004

76-year-old Bill Baker of London recently wed Edna Harvey. She happened to be his granddaughter’s husband’s mother. That’s where the confusion began, according to Baker’s granddaughter, Lynn. She said, "My mother-in-law is now my step-grandmother. My grandfather is now my step-father-in-law. My mom ...read more

Tags: Family

Denomination: Baptist

Joke: I Am Reminded Of The Story Of The Fellow ...

Contributed by Larry Jacobs on Aug 12, 2005

JOKE: I am reminded of the story of the fellow that always fell asleep during the pastor’s sermon. The wife had decided to keep him awake - so she took a large hat pin with the intention of sticking him with it when he nodded off. Sure enough, right in the middle of the pastor’s message, he ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

Denomination: Baptist

There Was A "One-Hour Dry Cleaners," On The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

There was a "One-Hour Dry Cleaners," on the other side of town, so a man drove out of his way to drop off a suit. After filling out the tag, he told the clerk, "I need this in an hour." She said, "I can’t get this back to you until Thursday." "I thought you did dry cleaning in an hour?" "No," she ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

In His Book, An Anthropologist On Mars, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

In his book, An Anthropologist on Mars, neurologist Oliver Sacks tells about Virgil, a man who had been blind from early childhood. When he was 50, Virgil underwent surgery and was given the gift of sight. But as he and Dr. Sacks found out, having the physical capacity for sight is not the same as ...read more

Tags: Cross Agony

Dad, Are You God?

Contributed by Bruce Howell on May 20, 2009

DAD, ARE YOU GOD? One day after church, the pastor asked his little boy what he learned in Sunday school. The lad said, "I learned that God loves me more than anything else in the whole world." "What else did you learn?" asked his dad. "I learned that when I’m bad, He spanks real hard." "What ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Wesleyan

George Duncan Once Went To Visit Some Friends In ...

Contributed by Bruce Howell on May 20, 2009

George Duncan once went to visit some friends in the English countryside. For years they had lived in an old-fashioned, rundown building. To Mr. Duncan’s surprise, he discovered that the house had been completely remodeled. The people had installed new lights, an electric stove, and many other ...read more

Tags: Power

Denomination: Wesleyan

D.m. Stearns Was Preaching In Philadelphia. At ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Dec 21, 2009

D.M. Stearns was preaching in Philadelphia. At the close of the service a stranger came up to him and said, "I don’t like the way you spoke about the cross. I think that instead of emphasizing the death of Christ, it would be far better to preach Jesus, the teacher and example." Stearns replied, ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Want All Of You To Try Something. Don’t ...

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Mar 30, 2010

I want all of you to try something. Don’t speak. Just listen and observe. Look at the person next to you. Look into their eyes. What do you see? What do you feel? Do you see concern or confusion? Is it laughter or happiness? Is it pain, anger, or love? Can you see something about what the ...read more

Tags: Leadership Listening

Denomination: Lutheran

World Records

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jul 18, 2011

WORLD RECORDS Sleeping Beauty, Tom Thumb, and Quasimodo were all talking one day. Sleeping Beauty said, "I believe myself to be the most beautiful girl in the world." Tom Thumb said, "I must be the smallest person in the world." Quasimodo said, "I absolutely have to be the ugliest person in the ...read more

Tags: Fellowship, Beauty

Denomination: Brethren

Dead People Everywhere

Contributed by Jeff Gauss on Jun 29, 2012

DEAD PEOPLE EVERYWHERE Sometimes the most basic truths of Christianity can be quite confusing. Take for instance the first time little Suzy attended a funeral service. The minister used the phrase, "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust." Suzy didn't understand so she asked her grandma, who was with her, ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Baptist