In Sermon Illustrations: "Crucify Him"

Matt Mikalatos Has Identified Several Imagina...

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 28, 2015

Matt Mikalatos has identified several Imaginary Jesus’ we hold. There’s TV Jesus, who says: "If you follow me, you will have the life you always wanted. Money! Wealth! Big house! Fancy plane! Unending health!" There’s Hollywood Jesus who is mild and kind and never asks for anything difficult. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-35

Tags: Barriers To Growth, Potholes

Denomination: Methodist

Leadership

Contributed by Don Berry-Graham on Mar 1, 2016

I remember hearing a story about a famous film producer. As a child, he had a fight with another boy and lost. While his mother was bathing his black eye, he told her how it was entirely the fault of the other boy. It was the other boy who had started the fight, he claimed. His mother said ...read more

Scripture: John 13:2-17

Tags: God Is Love, Giving In Love, Jesus Leadership

Denomination: Baptist

I'm That Clown!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 1, 2016

I’M THAT CLOWN It is said that in a great city there was a physician famous for his wisdom. A man came to him one day and said, "Doctor, I want you to see what is wrong with me." The doctor checked him over and said, "Your heart is all right. Your lungs are all right. Your blood pressure is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-12

Tags: Happiness, Joy, Emptiness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Happiness Is Not Found In More Things....

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 19, 2016

HAPPINESS IS NOT FOUND IN MORE THINGS... If having more would make us happy, we would never need the Tenth Commandment - "You shall not COVET.’ It is written especially for unhappy people who think that happiness is found in more things. Have you heard the story about the king who fell into a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17

Tags: Happiness, Materialism, Ten Commandments, Coveting

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let Our Faith Be In God And Not In The Things Of This World.

Contributed by Greg Burcham on Sep 2, 2016

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 NKJV What a beautiful verse! Jesus declares His desire to be your Savior and friend. This verse comes at the end of Christ’s rebuke of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Tags: Laodicea, Open Door, God Cares For You

Denomination: Baptist

When You Have Nothing Left But God, Then Fgod Is Enough

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

Pastor Norm Johnson tells the story of Bill who was gravely ill in the hospital. Norm was visiting him when the doctor came in and point blank said, “Bill, you're dead. There’s no hope. You’d better get your things in order.” Just that bluntly, no hope, no comfort, no, “How are you doing?” After ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Tags: Hope, God Is Enough

Denomination: Methodist

Famous Last Words

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 31, 2021

FAMOUS LAST WORDS..... 1. Charles Gussman was a writer and TV announcer, who wrote the pilot episode of Days of Our Lives, among other shows. As he became ill, he said he wanted his last words to be memorable. When he daughter reminded him of this, he gently removed his oxygen mask and whispered: ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Tags: Paul, Death, Farewell, Last Words

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Funny Church Feuds

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 31, 2022

Church feuds are not uncommon, especially among cliques in the congregation. But when the pastor and worship leader get into it, stand aside. In one church, the preacher preached one weekend on commitment, and how you should dedicate yourselves to service. The worship leader then led the choir in ...read more

Tags: Church, Unity, Hymns, Division, Church Fights  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Here's A Funny New Approach To Evangelism!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 10, 2022

There was a barber that thought that he should share his faith with his customers more than he had been doing lately. So. the next morning when the sun came up and the barber got up out of bed he said, "Today I am going to witness to the first man that walks through my door." Soon after ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Evangelism, Gospel, Humor, Witnessing, Sermon Intro, Barbers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Minutes

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 12, 2022

Two Minutes to Eternity Marshall Shelley tells the story of his son's short life - just two minutes.The baby boy was born with a "chromosomal abnormality" called Trisomy 13. After the delivery, the doctor passed the baby to his mom. He was a healthy pink; Then he began to turn ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27, Psalm 90:10-12, John 14:1-3

Tags: Death, Eternity, Heaven, Birth, Grief  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keep It Short, Pastor!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 5, 2023

A pastor was scheduled to address a large Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. His wife, who often reminded him to preach shorter sermons, said to him, “I am giving you an envelope in which is a message for you. Open the envelope just before you speak and it will really help ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-31, Ephesians 2:15

Tags: Sermon Introductions, Humor, Pastors, Churches, Husbands, Sermons, Wives, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Think It Was C H Spurgeon Who Had A Lady Come To ...  PRO

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 28, 2000

think it was C H Spurgeon who had a lady come to him saying that she felt called to the ministry. Spurgeon asked about her home and family and when he heard she had 13 children he exclaimed, "Well, praise God, not only ...read more

Tags: Servanthood, Christian Disciplines, Gift, Give, Giving, Present, Parenting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Story Is Told Of A Little Boy Sitting On His ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 7, 2001

The story is told of a little boy sitting on his front steps with his face cradled in his hands, looking so forlorn. His dad came home just then & asked him what was wrong. The little boy looked up & said, "Well, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-11

Tags: Communication General, Parenting, Marriage Obligations

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Older Sister Was Sitting Next To Her Younger ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Aug 6, 2001

An older sister was sitting next to her younger brother in Church one Sunday morning unsuccessfully trying to keep him still and quiet. Finally she said, “I wish you would calm down.” “I can’t”, he said, “it’s just so ...read more

Tags: Children, Church Practices, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Heard About A Little Boy Sitting On His Front ...  PRO

Contributed by John Dobbs on May 9, 2003

I heard about a little boy sitting on his front steps with his face cradled in his hands, looking so forlorn. His dad came home just then & asked him what was wrong. The little boy looked up & said, "Well, just ...read more

Tags: Parenting, Children

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

As One Commentary Points Out, "Jesus Sees Every ...  PRO

Contributed by Clyde Grimes on Jun 25, 2003

As one commentary points out, “Jesus sees every man, no matter where he is: in the dark places of his sin and shame, in his home and work and play, in his seeking to know the truth. Jesus sees everything about a man, but there is one ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40, Acts 8:26-40

Tags: Jesus Life, Jesus' Ministry

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Man Had A Parrot On His Shoulder And He Went ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Vicente on Dec 27, 2003

The man had a parrot on his shoulder and he went into a bar. The parrot said "People, People." The man said, "Yes, parrot, these are people who come to the bar." The man went to a church that Sunday and he took the parrot with him. The parrot said, "People, people." The ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian

Denomination: Baptist

A Rookie Baseball Pitcher Who Was Struggling ...

Contributed by Joe Fornear on Oct 12, 2004

A rookie baseball pitcher who was struggling trying to get his pitches over the plate, so the catcher walked out to have a talk with him. "I’ve figured out your problem," he told the young southpaw. "You always seem to lose control at the same point in ...read more

Tags: Communication General

Denomination: Independent/Bible

As A Senor Citizen Was Driving Down The Freeway, ...  PRO

Contributed by Bart Leger on Feb 14, 2005

As a senor citizen was driving down the freeway, his car phone rang. Answering, he heard his wife’s voice urgently warning him, “Herman, I just heard on the news that there’s some nut going the wrong way on 280. Please ...read more

Tags: Misconceptions

Denomination: Independent/Bible

I Heard A Story About A Visitor To A Mental ...  PRO

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jun 2, 2005

I heard a story about a visitor to a mental hospital for the criminally insane. The visitor was shocked to see that only 3 guards were supervising more than 100 dangerous inmates. He asked the guide, “Don’t you fear these people will plot an escape and overpower ...read more

Tags: Christian Values, Leadership General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ