In Sermon Illustrations: "Cost"

Out-Of-Whack Priorities

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 26, 2011

OUT-OF-WHACK PRIORITIES USA Today ran an article on October 25th, 1995 that is a great illustration about priorities. It reads... "Ronald Warwick, captain of the luxury cruise ship Queen Elizabeth II, questioned a passenger who paid full fare for his dog to join them on an around-the-world ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Tags: Worldliness

In The Book, "Men Of Integrity" Mark Moring ...

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 20, 2009

In the book, “Men of Integrity” Mark Moring shared this story about his son, Peter. He said, “It was late, and my young sons, Peter and Paul, had been in bed for at least an hour. My wife and I had just returned from our Bible study group, and I snuck into the boys’ room to say good night. "Dad, ...read more

Tags: Words

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Monkey Around With Eternity!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on May 31, 2022

I once heard about how animal catchers used to catch wild monkeys for zoos. I was told that they would set an empty glass pop bottle in an open field with a peanut dropped into it. Then they'd hide in the bushes and wait. After a while, a monkey would sneak up to the pop bottle, squeeze its paw ...read more

Tags: Eternity, Commitment, Satan, Discipleship, Temptation, Possessions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Greedy Little Monkey

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 28, 2022

I once heard about how animal catchers used to catch wild monkeys for zoos. I was told that they would set an empty glass pop bottle in an open field with a peanut dropped into it. Then they'd hide in the bushes and wait. After a while, a monkey would sneak up to the pop bottle, squeeze its paw ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35, 1 Timothy 6:10

Tags: Money, Greed, Discipleship, Riches, Kingdom, Parables  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Give Up!

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2022

Many years ago, executives of the Time-Life publishing organization discovered that the company’s profit margin had shrunk to an alarmingly low level. To cut costs, they decided to eliminate hundreds of works to be replaced with machines. The name of each subscriber was put on a separate little ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness

There Is No Record Of A Rolls Royce Ever Breaking Down!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 19, 2023

Warren Wiersbe tells the story about a man who purchased a Rolls Royce and decided to tour through Europe. As he was enjoying his drive looking at the sights, suddenly his Rolls Royce broke down with no one around who could fix it. He sent a cable to the company in England and they flew a man over ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: Blood Of Jesus, New Life In Christ, Sini, Salvation, Redemption, Justification, Position, Sinful Nature, Cleansing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Game . . . Set . . . Match? (06.15.05--The Tie ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 13, 2005

Game . . . Set . . . Match? (06.15.05--The Tie That Binds--1 John 4:16) “What more can I do? I’ve given you the best that I have, everything that is mine to give is yours. I simply don’t know what more I can do?” If you’ve never uttered these words yet in your life, it is likely that someday you ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:16, Isaiah 40:28-29

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, God's Love

Denomination: Lutheran

Reward For Doing Right

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 1, 2008

REWARD FOR DOING RIGHT Joseph told Israel of his brother's evil doings. He was faithful to reveal rather than conceal the matter. Certainly it took a great deal of courage to do what he did. The exercising of that courage showed forth faithfulness. He also was faithful to his job requirements. ...read more

Tags: Righteousness

Fire In The Hole

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 7, 2011

FIRE IN THE HOLE Centralia was a small mining town in the eastern part of Pennsylvania with about 1000 residents making their income off of the coal dug just underneath the crust. The town had existed the same way for over a century when pre-Civil War settlers moved out to dig up the anthracite ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-30

Tags: Hell

The Pearl Of Greatest Price  PRO

Contributed by Jesse Roncales on Mar 12, 2010

THE PEARL OF GREATEST PRICE A Christian missionary in India had befriended a devoted Hindu, and had explained that salvation is a gift. Then one day the Hindu told the missionary he was going to crawl many miles on his knees to Delhi as a means of earning salvation. But before he leaves he gave ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:10-14, Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Christina Recently Gave Birth To Our First ...

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jun 17, 2010

Christina recently gave birth to our first daughter. After three sons I am very pleased to have a little girl. Recently I was speaking to the academic dean of the seminary where I am pursuing doctoral studies. The school had asked for individual and family photos of students like me who are ...read more

Tags: Suffering Joy In

Denomination: Christian Church

Keys To ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Keys to Wisdom Proverbs 4:7-8 says, “Wisdom is supreme; though it costs you all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.” The whole of Scripture gives us some practical applications that can be accomplished by all who are willing to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:7-8

Tags: Wisdom

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Father's Legacy  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

A Father's Legacy Jim Berg wrote about the state of the family: "The family, which should be the greatest refuge for the child, has become a domestic battlefield where a child is often caught in the crossfire of his parents' warfare. The time and energy that should be spent giving him the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:17-18

Tags: Father's Day

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reward For Doing Right: Joseph Told Israel Of His ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 12, 2008

Reward for Doing Right: Joseph told Israel of his brother’s evil doings. He was faithful to reveal rather than conceal the matter. Certainly it took a great deal of courage to do what he did. The exercising of that courage showed forth faithfulness. He also was faithful to his job requirements. ...read more

Tags: Ot Characters

Reward For Doing Right: Joseph Told Israel Of His ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Reward for Doing Right: Joseph told Israel of his brother’s evil doings. He was faithful to reveal rather than conceal the matter. Certainly it took a great deal of courage to do what he did. The exercising of that courage showed forth faithfulness. He also was faithful to his job requirements. ...read more

Tags: Ot Characters

When I Was In College In Watertown, I Worked At ...

Contributed by Eric Vertein on Apr 28, 2005

When I was in college in Watertown, I worked at Bethesda Lutheran Home, a home for the ‘developmentally disabled.’ I worked the night shift and went to school during the day. One winter morning when I got off from work, I hopped in the car, turned the key and… click… nothing. It wouldn’t turn over ...read more

Tags: Truth

Denomination: Lutheran

I Want To Share With You The Top 10 Motivational ...  PRO

Contributed by Joe Fornear on May 5, 2005

-I want to share with you the Top 10 motivational tips of the cynic. 1) Motivation – If a pretty poster and a cute saying are all it takes to motivate you, you probably have a very easy job, the kind robots will be doing soon. 2) (Snowflakes). Individuality –Always remember that you are ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, Vision

Denomination: Independent/Bible

We Wish You A Merry...chrismukah?  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 16, 2005

We Wish You a Merry...Chrismukah? Continuing the current trend of large-scale mergers and acquisitions, it was announced today at a press conference that Christmas and Hanukkah will merge. An industry source said that the deal had been in the works about 1300 years. While details were not ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

E-Mail Marketing Tips: Local E-Mail Marketing ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 16, 2006

E-mail Marketing Tips: Local E-Mail Marketing indicates 42% of small businesses will use e-mail for some form of marketing by ‘05, with promotional coupons being the most popular method. Because the economics of e-mail -- no paper, printing, postage, or design costs -- make it one of the few ...read more

Tags: Church General

I Had Been To The S. F. Area Off And On For Over ...

Contributed by Don Jones on Oct 22, 2006

I had been to the S. F. area off and on for over 20 years. I would stay from days to weeks depending on the performance schedules of the groups. I toured the city on my off hours and never really took notice of the cities history. Several years later my wife and I were planning our stay at ...read more

Denomination: Baptist