In Sermon Illustrations: "Day Off"

No One Is A Lost Cause

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 11, 2015

Ron Smith was in law enforcement for 20 years. After he retired, he was asked to join a prison ministry of his church. He scoffed at the idea, knowing he had put a lot of those guys in prison and he, above all, knew what types of peoplethey were. But eventually he broke down and joined and God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Tags: Forgiveness, Compassion, Hope, Reconciliation

Denomination: Methodist

Notre Dame On Fire

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 18, 2019

Just this last Monday (April 15, 2019), many of us were horrified to watch the great Cathedral of Notre Dame on fire. Its great spire toppled into the roof of the cathedral, and many feared that Paris’ most iconic landmark would be a total loss after standing for 850 years. However, early the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:20-23, Romans 6:4

Tags: Sanctification, Salvation, Restoration

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Rms Titanic

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 9, 2021

HOW DO WE VALUE THINGS AND PEOPLE IN LIFE? ARE WE INVINCIBLE? THE RMS TITANIC… WE DON’T NEED LIFE BOATS WE ARE UNSINKABLE? Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? THE RMS TITANIC… WHAT? I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:31-34, Psalm 23:1-3

Tags: Titanic, Not Prepared, Unsinkable

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Tragedy Of What Happened At Port Royal

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 13, 2024

Port Royal once situated on the island of Jamaica has been called “the richest and wickedest city in the world." It was the natural rendezvous for most of the pirates of the Caribbean. Liquor, women prostitutes, homosexual rendezvous, gambling, dope – every vice thrived in Port Royal “in ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:7

Tags: Homosexuality, Lot, Sodom, Gomorrah, Wrath, Sin, Judgment, Repentance, Righteousness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grandpa, The Genius

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 18, 2025

Grandpa, the Genius It certainly looked like this would be a terrible day! You see, I was providing my grandfatherly childcare to my grandson Dawson, who was probably 5 years old at the time. He loved bowling, but like most five-year-olds, he became extremely and easily bored. It was a rainy day, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:5, Proverbs 22:6, Proverbs 17:6, Proverbs 16:31, Ephesians 6:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Grandparents, Kids, Children, Family, Humor, Relationships  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Dennis E. Mannering Was Teaching A Class For ...  PRO

Contributed by Sheila Crowe on Sep 27, 2002

Dennis E. Mannering was teaching a class for adults, when he did the "unpardonable." He gave the class homework! The assignment was to "go to someone you love within the next week and tell them you love them. It had to be someone you have never said those words to before or at least haven’t shared ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Tags: God

Denomination: United Methodist

Over The Edge

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Nov 19, 2006

Over the Edge The Adirondack Mountains make a breathtaking backdrop for wilderness canoeing. Two friends and I had taken vacation time to get away from it all and live out of our canoes for a week. Each day we would take a new direction to explore the area. One day we took one of ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Over The Edge

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Nov 27, 2006

Over the Edge The Adirondack Mountains make a breathtaking backdrop for wilderness canoeing. Two friends and I had taken vacation time to get away from it all and live out of our canoes for a week. Each day we would take a new direction to explore the area. One day we took one of the finger ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Out Of The Sun, Packed In A Diamond Formation And ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 26, 2007

Out of the sun, packed in a diamond formation and flying as one that day, the Minute Men dove at nearly the speed of sound toward a tiny emerald patch on Ohio’s unwrinkled crazy quilt below. It was a little after nine on the morning of June 7, 1958, and the destination of the Air National Guard’s ...read more

Better Than Silver And Gold By Zachary Fisher, ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on May 22, 2007

BETTER THAN SILVER AND GOLD by Zachary Fisher, NY, NY. (Guideposts, 9/92). My father was known as a bricklayer and a builder, but what mattered most to him was his good name. I’m a builder. In my job I constantly find myself facing decisions. Some are easy to make, some are tough. And on some, ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sold: Ten Percent Of Apple Computer For $800

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 25, 2018

I’d like to begin this morning with a story. It involves these men [photo of Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs]. You probably recognize them: Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. The two men who founded Apple Computer. Right? Well, no, actually that’s not completely accurate. Here is a photo of the original ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-20

Tags: Perseverance In Faith, Treasure In Heaven

Denomination: Baptist

Unsung Heroes: The Lame Man Of Acts 3

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 30, 2021

Text: Acts 3:1-10. KJV: 1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Tags: John, Peter, Healings

Denomination: Baptist

[105]. A Message From A Poem – Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 8, 2025

[105]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN This is a one off for me in this particular style. I had in mind to write a song and got this far. The lyrics are not a problem, just the tunes. This poem would be a song for more than one singer as I see the parts in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:5-7, 1 Timothy 6:11, Hebrews 13:5, 2 Corinthians 12:10

Tags: Difficulty, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Godliness, Contentment, Gain, Materialism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Devil Was Conquered  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 9, 2002

HOW THE DEVIL WAS CONQUERED Saint Augustine said, “The devil was conquered by his own trophy of victory. The devil jumped for joy, when he seduced he first man and cast him down to death. By seducing the first man, he slew him; by slaying the last man [Christ], he lost the first from his ...read more

His One Mistake  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Feb 26, 2002

“His One Mistake” He brushed his teeth twice a day. The doctor examined him twice a year. He wore rubbers when it rained. He slept with the windows opened. He stuck to a diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. He golfed—but never more than 18 holes at a time. He got at least 8 hours ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:7-12, Matthew 8:11-13, Acts 20:7-12

Tags: Death, God's Judgment, Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Young Husband And Wife Had Not Been Married ...

Contributed by Howard Parnell on Sep 20, 2002

A young husband and wife had not been married very long when the husband lost his job. At first he was busy looking for a new job, filling out applications and such. But as time wore on he grew more accustomed to his new role as one of the unemployed. After a few months it got to where he spent ...read more

Tags: Money, Workplace

Denomination: Baptist

There Was A Group Of Scientists Who Got Together ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Decker on Oct 23, 2002

There was a group of scientists who got together one day and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. So they picked one scientist to go and tell God that they were done with Him. The scientist walked up to God and said, “God, we’ve decided that we no longer need you. We’re ...read more

Scripture: John 1:3-4

Tags: Creation, Descriptions Of God

Denomination: Baptist

The Kids Are Coming  PRO

Contributed by Aaron Burgess on Nov 19, 2002

THE KIDS ARE COMING The day before Thanksgiving an elderly man in Phoenix called his son in New York and said to him, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; 45 years of misery is enough. We’re sick of each other, and so you call your sister in ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving, Family

Denomination: Independent/Bible

I'm Free  PRO

Contributed by Troy Borst on Sep 16, 2003

“I’m Free” by Unknown Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free, I’m following the path God has laid you see. I took His hand when I heard him call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work, to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way, I found that ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Immortal Horrors Or Everlasting Splendours  PRO

Contributed by Tom Mccrossan on Dec 10, 2003

IMMORTAL HORRORS OR EVERLASTING SPLENDOURS C. S. Lewis wrote in the Weight of Glory, There are no ordinary people. It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Urgency, What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed