In Sermon Illustrations: "Crowds"

Holy Images

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 6, 2012

HOLY IMAGES There are three true stories about holy images: A few years ago a woman in New Mexico was frying tortillas. One of the tortillas burned and the result was an image that looked like a face; she thought it looked like Jesus. She took the tortilla to her priest and he agreed it looked ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 44:6-23

Tags: Idolatry

In The Recent Summer Games (2012), Kim Rhode Won ...  PRO

Contributed by Kelly Mitchell on Aug 11, 2012

In the recent Summer Games (2012), Kim Rhode won the gold medal in skeet shooting making her the first American to win 5 olympic medals in 5 consecutive olympic games. That’s a span of 20 years and not her only distinction. In the 2012 games, she hit 99 out of 100 skeet setting a new Olympic ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 9:24-27

Tags: Preparation, Commitment To Christ, Disciplines General, Growth In Christ

Denomination: Baptist

God Knows How To Get Us There...

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 20, 2016

SOMETIMES LIFE KNOWS WE NEED A PIT STOP --- LIFE MAY GIVE US WHAT WE NEED --- NOT WHAT WE WANT... Did you hear about the KING that loved his people so much? This KING loved his family. The King had the most beautiful palace, and to protect his family he had a huge MOTE dug around the palace. He ...read more

Scripture: John 15:11

Tags: Trust God, God Can

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Something For Nothing?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 13, 2020

Several years ago, I had to make an urgent flight across the country. Because the only airport with those kinds of connections was a good ways away, I took advantage of a shuttle service. Considering the cost of fuel and parking alone, I figured I could get a ride from the northern terminal all ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-27

Tags: Greed, Motive Or Motivation

Denomination: Baptist

The First Thing Bartimaeus Saw

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 30, 2020

Think of what Bartimaeus saw when he received his sight! Think of the wonders of seeing for the first time a crowd of human beings just like himself, the walls and palm-tree groves of Jericho, the sky, so blue above him, and the hills of Moab in the distance. But that was not the first thing that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-7

Tags: Death, Heaven, Miracles

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of Presence

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Sep 7, 2021

The Neil Diamond song, Sweet Caroline” is played at every Red Sox home game in Boston's Fenway Park before the bottom of the 8th inning. The tradition is said to date back to 1997 when the stadium DJ played it in honour of a newborn baby girl born of one of the staff members. The baby was of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Tags: Worship, Incarnation, Singing, Visiting

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can I Get A Witness?

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Feb 23, 2024

Can I Get a Witness? Raised to Testify! Lazarus doesn’t have a recorded sermon in Scripture, but he had something just as powerful: a life that pointed to Jesus. In John 11, his very presence became a testimony that Christ is Lord over death. After Lazarus was raised, people didn’t have to be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15, Mark 16:15, Jeremiah 1:7-8, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:9-17, Romans 1:15-17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Witness, Friendship, Testimony, Witnessing, Lifestyle, Friend Sunday, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Simeon The Pillar Hermit

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Aug 28, 2024

Simeon was probably like most boys his age in A.D. 403. The 13-year-old spent much of his time caring for his father's flocks on the hillside of Cilicia. But one day, while listening to a sermon on the beatitudes, stirred and changed he left his home and family and began a lifelong pursuit of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Tags: Separation, Holiness, Finding God, Monks, Intimacy With God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Rest In The Lord

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 29, 2025

Rest in the LORD This is David's message to us in Psalm 37:7-11, where he said: 7. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. 8. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret -- it ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-11

Tags: Hardships, Cares, Cast Your Cares, Horrible Times, Evil, Suffering, Trusting God, Righteousness, Rejoice, Shelter, Pain, Peace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[269]. A Message From A Poem – The Hem Of His Garment

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 20, 2026

[269]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT This is a short poem resulting from thinking about just what a small touch did. I can imagine this woman being hesitant and withdrawing in shyness, hoping she’d be cured but nor causing trouble. However the Lord knew all things. God knows ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:19-22, Matthew 9:4, 1 Samuel 16:7

Tags: Fringe, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Touched His Garment, 12 Years Bleeding, Faith, Healing, Wholeness, Hem, Touch  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[285]. A Message From A Poem – The Passion Week – Easter Poem

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 5, 2026

[285]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE PASSION WEEK – EASTER POEM This poem is more appropriate at Easter time, the week leading to the Resurrection. I have covered the highlights of that week with a stanza given to each one. The poem is like a synopsis of the week, a shorthand version if you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

Tags: Easter Poem, The Burial, Palm Sunday Entry, The Betrayal, Gethsemane, The Cross, The Last Supper, The Resurrection, Death Of Christ, Christian Poems, Easter  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Musician Learns A Lesson By Following A Band ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2010

Musician Learns a Lesson by Following A Band Director’s Advice I would like to begin by sharing with you today an event in my life that at the time felt like the worst thing that had ever happened to me, but which in retrospect has proven to be a significant and defining point of my life. This ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10

Truth Is As The Truther Says

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 8, 2025

One thing I have learned in life is that for many people, truth is a relative thing. The truth is what they say it is, and you can't convince them otherwise. I wrestle with telling the truth all the time. If you tell the truth, you do not have to remember what happened. But when you lie, you ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32

Tags: Family, Truth, Lies

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Chuck Swindoll In His Book, Improving Your Serve, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2001

Chuck Swindoll in his book, Improving Your Serve, gives a memorable illustration: Let’s pretend that you work for me. In fact, you are my executive assistant in a company that is growing rapidly. I’m the owner and I’m interested in expanding overseas. To pull this off, I make plans to travel ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-13

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Discipleship, Faith

The Playlet Entitled ‘the Long Silence' Says It ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 9, 2001

The playlet entitled ‘The Long Silence’ says it all: At the end of time, billions of people were scattered on a great plain before God’s throne. Most shrank back from the brilliant light before them. But some groups near the front talked heatedly – not with cringing shame, but with ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:1-15

Tags: God's Judgment, Forgiveness In Jesus, Second Coming

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Poor Communication Can Led To All Kinds Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Apr 5, 2001

Poor communication can led to all kinds of misunderstandings; A rather old fashioned lady, was planning a couple of weeks vacation in Florida. She also was quite delicate and elegant with her language. She wrote a letter to a particular campground and asked for reservations. She wanted to ...read more

Tags: Communication General, Prayer Adoration

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Let’s Play ‘let’s ...  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on Jul 11, 2001

Let’s play ‘Let’s Pretend’. Let’s pretend that you work for me. In fact, you are my executive assistant in a company that is growing rapidly. I’m the owner and I’m interested in expanding overseas. To pull this off, I make plans to travel abroad and stay there until a new branch office gets ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 26:1-16, James 2:11

Tags: Discipleship, Faith, Bible Study

Denomination: Pentecostal

Muhammad Ali Today Is Called The Greatest. But ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 26, 2002

Muhammad Ali today is called the greatest. But it hasn’t always been that way. He became the greatest in the eyes of the world over the last 40 years. Muhammad Ali used to “float like a butterfly” and “sting like a bee”. He dazzled crowds with his amazing ability to dodge a punch while he used a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-34, Romans 1:24

Tags: Leadership General, Hope

Let's Play ‘let's Pretend'. Let's Pretend That ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 13, 2004

Let’s play ‘Let’s Pretend’. Let’s pretend that you work for me. In fact, you are my executive assistant in a company that is growing rapidly. I’m the owner and I’m interested in expanding overseas. To pull this off, I make plans to travel abroad and stay there until a new branch office gets ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13, Matthew 25:14-30, Matthew 17:1-13, James 1:22, John 19:30-31, John 11:1-45, John 11:45-57  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Never Give Up  PRO

Contributed by David Parks on Sep 18, 2006

NEVER GIVE UP Haddon Robinson tells the following story. I hope you appreciate it as I did. It was New Year’s Day, 1929, and Georgia Tech. and UCLA were battling it out in the Rose Bowl. Georgia Tech. fumbled the football late in the first half. Roy Riggles recovered for California. Picking up the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:13-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ