In Sermon Illustrations: "Cross Of Calvary"

What Makes Jerusalem So Great?

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 8, 2010

WHAT MAKES JERUSALEM SO GREAT? "Archaeologists and historians have long wondered why Jerusalem should have been established where it was, and why it should have become great. It enjoys none of the physical features which favored the advancement and prosperity of other important cities in the ...read more

Tags: Israel

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Savior, Not An Example

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 12, 2011

A SAVIOR, NOT AN EXAMPLE 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 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11

Tags: Jesus Christ

Jack Nicklaus And Repentance  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 14, 2011

JACK NICKLAUS AND REPENTANCE Jack Nicklaus is considered by most as the greatest golfer who has ever played the game. Once, when he was at the top of his game, he quit playing for 30 days to correct something with his game. He couldn’t correct it. He tried but to no success. Then he went back to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Tags: Repentance

The Terrible Grip

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Dec 8, 2011

THE TERRIBLE GRIP Lucas Sibanda, a South African was walking along a remote path, was minding his own business when a python slithered out from behind some shrubs. Sibanda froze. Within a few seconds the snake had wrapped itself around him and began constricting. Pythons are large snakes that ...read more

Tags: Satan

Denomination: Baptist

Timothy Smith Writes In His Sermon On Jesus Being ...

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Dec 27, 2011

Timothy Smith writes in his sermon on Jesus being born to die, "I was watching "48 Hours Mystery" last Tuesday night on CBS. Their show that night was called "The Mystery of Christmas." It was all about finding and looking at historical evidence for the birth of Christ. Early in the show Maureen ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Christmas Letter To God  PRO

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Feb 14, 2012

A CHRISTMAS LETTER TO GOD A small boy was writing a letter to God about the Christmas presents he wanted. "I've been good for six months now," he wrote. After a moment's reflection, he crossed out "six months" and wrote "three." After a pause he changed that to "two weeks." There was another pause ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-8

Tags: Prayer General

Denomination: Baptist

Angel At Fredericksburg

Contributed by Perry Greene on Mar 25, 2013

ANGEL AT FREDERICKSBURG No longer able to withstand the wrenching moans of the suffering wounded and dying Union soldiers, 19 year old Confederate Sergeant Richard Kirkland of the 2nd South Carolina approached Brigadier General Joseph Kershaw, CSA, to seek permission to go to their aid. Initially ...read more

Tags: Angels

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Square Fillers

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Oct 19, 2018

In the military we had a term that we called “square fillers.” We would have a check-list of requirements and before each requirement or inspection item, there would be printed a little square . When each requirement was completed, you would check off the appropriate square. The term came to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13-36

Tags: False Religion, Unrighteousness, Outward Appearances, Minimum Requirements, Heart For God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Tomorrow

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 10, 2019

It is reported that Colonel Rahl, commander of the British troops in Trenton, New Jersey, was playing cards when a courier brought an urgent message stating that General George Washington was crossing the Delaware River. Rahl put the letter in his pocket and didn't bother to read it until his ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Tags: Procrastination, Tomorrow

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Trip To Hell

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 15, 2019

TRIP TO HELL Can we take a trip, a trip so many will take; but a trip none must make. Let's take a trip that all the lost will take, a journey down the dark corridors of the doomed and the damned. As we fall over the edge, we enter a chasm that is filled with total darkness. We are overcome by ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:4-6

Tags: Hell, Doomed

Denomination: Pentecostal

Psalm 51 (Ad)

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 23, 2019

Psalm 51 (AD) The only sacrifice you ever desired was done On that rugged Cross by Your own holy Son. In Your sight, I have sinned only against Thee. The painful burden of that sin is ever with me. If You took my life, it would be just and well. You have every right to send my soul to Hell. I ...read more

Tags: Repentance, Sorrow

Denomination: Baptist

Framed

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 11, 2019

A cow and a chicken were framed and thrown into prison. They knew they had to get out to bring the criminals to justice so they spent weeks designing escape plans. Finally, a month after they had been thrown in, they escaped in the middle of the night. However, they weren't silent enough and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23

Tags: Framed, Accused

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Where Is The Mission Field?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 10, 2023

Most people associate missions with leaving for another city, country, or continent. This is because, technically speaking, we refer to those who have crossed cultural, ethnic, or geographic lines in order to share about Jesus as missionaries. However, mission work includes more than rain forest ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Witnessing, Great Commission, Evangelism, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Missions, Revival  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Standing Where The Fire Has Already Been!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 26, 2023

“Many years ago, a father and his daughter were walking through the grass on the Canadian prairie. In the distance, they saw a prairie fire, and they realized that it would soon engulf them. The father knew there was only one way of escape: they would quickly begin a fire right where they were and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9

Tags: Reconciliation, Assurance, Blood Of Jesus, Roman Road, Wrath Of God, Holiness Of God, Forgiveness, Satan, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

8 Types Of Suffering In The Bible

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

Walter Kaiser’s article on “where Job’s friends went wrong about suffering” is very interesting. In the article, Kaiser identifies eight types of suffering mentioned in the Bible. 1. retributive suffering (caused by sin and disobedience to God) 2. educational or disciplinary suffering (as in ...read more

Tags: Glory Of God, Trials, Faith, Doubt, Prayer, Suffering, Testimony, Tribulation, Hurt, Pain  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Have To Die To Go To Heaven

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 17, 2025

Remember, all the bodies are going to die. Jesus had a body. What happened on the cross? He died. So will we. Amen – the end. That would be a terrible place to end a sermon but it reminds me of a Sunday School story. The teacher asked the children, “If I sold my house and car and gave all my ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:2, Matthew 7:13-14

Tags: Heaven, Sunday School

Denomination: Methodist

The Watchman And His Lamp

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 16, 2025

A watchman was stationed at a railroad level crossing. His duty was simple yet critical: to wave a lantern armed with a light, warning approaching motorists or engineers about an oncoming train. One tragic night, a fatal accident occurred despite his presence. In court, he was asked ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14, Colossians 1:27

Tags: Responsibility, Duty, Authentic

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Thankfulness Or Forgetfulness  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 17, 2002

THANKFULNESS OR FORGETFULNESS "History knows no disasters," said the Literary Digest (Sept. 1923), "which parallels the earthquake and fire that visited Japan this month and laid waste the capital city and the chief seaport." The New York Tribune called this earthquake “undoubtedly the greatest ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday, Joy, God The Father

Elapsed Time: Measured From The Beginning Of The ...

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Dec 12, 2003

(Elapsed time: Measured from the beginning of the opening credit, this scene begins at 01:46:50 and ends at 01:49:00. Content: In Love and War is rated PG-13 for sensuality and graphic portrayal of war injuries.) The movie In Love and War is based on the WWI experiences of author Ernest ...read more

Tags: Betrayal, Forgiveness General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Prayer For Deliverance  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 26, 2005

A Prayer for Deliverance 1. Personally affirm your faith in Christ: “Lord Jesus Christ, I believe You are the Son of God and the only way to God – that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again so that I might be forgiven and receive eternal life.” 2. Humble yourself: “I renounce all ...read more