In Sermon Illustrations: "Crucify Him"

That's My Country

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Mar 11, 2012

THAT'S MY COUNTRY George Shultz, when Secretary of State during the Reagan administration, kept a large globe in his office. When newly appointed ambassadors had an interview with him and when ambassadors returning from their posts for their first visit with him were leaving his office, Shultz ...read more

Tags: Missions

I'll Be That Man!

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Mar 31, 2012

I'LL BE THAT MAN! Sometimes an easy conversation between friends can have ramifications far beyond what either person expects. Such was the case in the summer of 1872 near Dublin, Ireland, when two prominent evangelists were discussing ministry. The two men were the British evangelist Henry ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Brethren

So What?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 26, 2012

"SO WHAT?" SOCIETY When I talk about this it might seem rather funny to you or odd, because people don’t worry or care about such things today. Recent surveys in 2011 sum it up pretty well. • 44% told the 2011 Baylor University Religion Survey they spend no time seeking "eternal wisdom," and 19% ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-13

Tags: Culture

The Infinite Can Penetrate The Finite!!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 1, 2016

Herbert Spencer, one of the popularizes of agnosticism over a century ago, observed accurately that a bird has never been known to fly out of space. Therefore, he concluded by analogy that it is impossible for the finite to penetrate the infinite. Even if God does exist, we can never know Him ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14

Tags: Jesus, Creator, Infinite, Agnosticism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fear Restrains

Contributed by Shine Thomas on Aug 28, 2017

Janez Rus lived in Germany during the days of the Nazi ruler Adolf Hitler. During that time he was a young shoemaker, looking to make his name prominent. Because of the power of the German government, he participated in public supports of the Nazi regime in hopes of gaining recognition. But after ...read more

Tags: Fear, Fear Restrains

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Carry Your Cross

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Aug 4, 2020

A story is told about a boy who desperately wanted to meet Christ. He was praying hard about it. One day, the Lord told him to walk up the mountain carrying his cross. He took his cross and began his journey. In some time, he began to feel the heaviness of the cross. He cut out a small portion of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Following Jesus, Carrying The Cross, Denying Oneself

Albert Schweitzer

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 13, 2021

Dr. Albert Schweitzer was a famous musician, writer and teacher. He gave up all of this to become a medical doctor. When on October 13,1906, he sent letters to his parents and closest acquaintances announcing that he would enter Strasbourg University as a medical student to prepare for his ...read more

Scripture: John 12:24, John 12:27-28

Tags: Glory, Die, Live

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Funny Church Feuds

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

Church feuds are not uncommon, especially among cliques in the congregation. But when the pastor and choir director get into it, stand aside. One week, the preacher preached on commitment, and how you should dedicate yourselves to service. The director then led the choir in singing, 'I Shall ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Unity, Hymns, Division, Church Fights

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Are Not Saved By Being A Good Samaritan.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 2, 2022

"Recall that the Jewish lawyer asked Jesus, "What shall I DO?. So, here Jesus tosses the "DO" back to him! Don't misunderstand -- Jesus is not teaching a works based way to inherit eternal life, but He is saying in essence if you do this perfectly, without ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5

Tags: Legalism, Pharisees, Good Samaritan, Works, Grace, Law, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What A Young Boy Saw In The Face Of A Missionary

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

Many years ago when the great missionary Adoniram Judson was home on furlough, he passed through the city of Stonington, Connecticut. A young boy playing about the wharves at the time of Judson’s arrival was struck by the man’s appearance. Never before had he seen such a light on any ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23, Acts 1:8

Tags: Evangelism, Children, Missions, Testimony, Witnessing, Fruit Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Men And A Donkey

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 2, 2023

One of Aesop’s fables tells of an old man and his son bringing a donkey to the market. Passing some people on the way, they hear one remark, “Look at that silly pair—walking when they could be riding comfortably.” The idea seemed sensible to the old man, so he and the boy mounted the donkey and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-8, Matthew 7:1-3

Tags: Criticism, Aesop, Fable, Finding Fault

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

We're Not Going To Heaven In A Rowboat!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 12, 2023

A friend gave me the illustration of a man in a rowboat to describe salvation. He told about a man rowing a boat across a lake. In one hand was the oar of faith and in the other was the oar of works. He explained that if he was only rowing with the oar of faith, he would go around in circles. ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, 1 John 5:1-13

Tags: Faith, Grace, Heaven, Salvation, Assurance, Works, Doubts  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Devil Never Takes A Day Off

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 7, 2023

Not long ago, ... a minister shared... a conversation ...he had ... with one of his ...parishioners. He said that one day ... a church member ... called him up on the telephone, ... and angrily said ... I phoned you Saturday, ... but I could not get you. The pastor explained that it was his day ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:9-10, Mark 2:23-28, Exodus 34:21, Matthew 11:28

Tags: Sabbath, Rest

Denomination: Anglican

Praying Lost Friends Into The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 11, 2024

Some years ago a young girl was very sick and not expected to recover. Because of her love for Jesus, she was troubled that she had not been able to do more for Him in her short life. Her pastor suggested that she make a list of people in their little town who needed Christ and pray that they might ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8

Tags: Evangelism, Faith, Death, Children, Heaven, Missions, Prayer, Lost, Unsaved  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Balaam's Error,

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Oct 25, 2024

And this from the Revelation to John at Patmos: Jesus words to the angel of the church at Pergamum give us the view of God as to what happened in Numbers chapters 22-25, and why God was angry with Balaam. Balaam was a deceiver. “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:1-41, Revelation 2:14, Numbers 25:1-3

Tags: Deception, Teaching, Israelites, Pergamum, Stumbling Block, Sexual Immorality, Idols  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Respond Like Jesus

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 20, 2025

I think that God expects us to respond (not react) when the world pushes back like Jesus responded to the folks who were unable to see what He was doing. It won’t make sense. Here’s an example of what Peter’s teaching would look like in his day: “Peter is telling the Christian merchant in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-16

Tags: Anger, Blessing Others

Denomination: Methodist

Conflict Between The Preacher And The Organist

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

Conflicts are not uncommon in church, but when the preacher and song leader get into it, stand aside. One week, the preacher preached on commitment, and how we should move forward into doing service for others. After this sermon, the song leader led the congregation in singing, "I Shall Not ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:11

Tags: Organist, Pastor, Conflict, Preacher

Denomination: Anglican

The Vicar And The Organist

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jan 12, 2026

Conflicts are not uncommon, but when the Vicar and Organist get into it, stand aside. One week, the Vicar preached on commitment, and how we should move forward into doing service for others. After this sermon, the Organist led the congregation in singing, "I Shall Not Be Moved." The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Tags: Organist, Vicar

Denomination: Anglican

When He Was Elected To The Baseball Hall Of Fame ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Harper on Jan 23, 2001

When he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984, Harmon Killebrew said, “My father taught me and my brother to play ball in the front yard. One day my mother came out and told him we were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Tags: Parable Prodigal Son, Parenting, Children

Denomination: Baptist

Michael Costin, 40-Year-Old Single Father Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 1, 2001

Michael Costin, 40-year-old single father of four, was beaten to death on July 5, 2000 in front of his own children at a hockey rink in Reading, Massachusetts. The man who attacked him was reportedly angry because Costin had refused ...read more

Tags: Anger

Denomination: Baptist