In Sermon Illustrations: "Death And Life"

Howard Hughes' Life

Contributed by Brien Sims on Jun 19, 2008

HOWARD HUGHES' LIFE All he ever really wanted in life was more. He wanted more money, so he parlayed inherited wealth into a billion-dollar pile of assets. He wanted more fame, so he broke into the Hollywood scene and soon became a filmmaker and star. He wanted more sensual pleasures, so he paid ...read more

Tags: Desire

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God In Real Life

Contributed by Jerry Blaxton on Aug 3, 2008

GOD IN REAL LIFE There is this Christian comedian who was sharing his testimony. He came to a point in his life when he was drinking, doing some drugs, had some money issues, his relationship with his wife was falling apart, and he said that he had even beat his small child for crying. When all ...read more

Tags: Christian Witness

Denomination: Baptist

Running For Dinner Or For Life

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 14, 2008

Running For Dinner Or For Life The reason you do what you do is all important. There is an old fable about a dog that boasted of his ability as a runner. One day he chased a rabbit and failed to catch it. The other dogs ridiculed him on account of his previous boasting. His reply was, "You must ...read more

Tags: Goals

Denomination: Other

Fish Tank Life  PRO

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Sep 25, 2008

Fish Tank Life A very nice doctor's office had a beautiful fish tank. The fish are bred to look like exotic salt-water fish. They are beautiful, but they are stuck in that expensive tank and going nowhere, chasing each other, killing each other, hoping someone will pay attention and feed them. ...read more

Tags: Blessing

Denomination: Pentecostal

Plan Your Life

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Oct 24, 2008

PLAN YOUR LIFE A famous British writer George Bernard Shaw once visited a sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein at his studio. The visitor noticed a huge block of stone standing in one corner and asked what it was for. "I don’t know yet. I’m still making plans." Shaw was astounded. "You mean you plan your ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Plan, Preparation, Life Purpose

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Life Is Not Like A Vcr

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

LIFE IS NOT LIKE A VCR Tim Brown, professor of preaching at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan tells a story about one of his former students who was also named Tim. The former student was a successful young man who called one day to tell the professor that he was sick and in the ...read more

Tags: Dealing With Conflicts

Life Without Easter  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2009

LIFE WITHOUT EASTER The story is told of a young mother who found herself on the last train out of Poland during Hitler’s regime. She had her first-born toddler and her newborn nursing infant with her. The bombing was fierce, and the train had to stop many times for the passengers to take cover. A ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:6

Tags: Easter, Joy, Purpose, Eternal Life, Easter Resurrection  (view more)  (view less)

Joy In The Circumstances Of Life

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Dec 4, 2023

The ingredients of our life can lead to joy if we look at them from God’s viewpoint. I am reminded of the family that sat down to a meal with their grandpa and dad, an old farmer. The farmer was asked to ask the blessing on the breakfast of biscuits and gravy. They bowed their heads as the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-11

Tags: Circumstances, Joy

Denomination: Baptist

This Life Is Just A Rental

Contributed by Todd Catteau on May 14, 2024

In the last few years when our family travels instead of booking a hotel we have used an Airbnb or a Vrbo. If you’re not familiar with this concept it’s basically people renting out their homes to tourists. It’s especially convenient if we have a lot of family to house. We can all stay together, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-20

Tags: Heaven, Worry, Rust, Possessions, Moths  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Life Full Of Gratitude

Contributed by Saumiman Saud on Feb 22, 2025

Life Full of Gratitude My Father in Heaven, forgive me if I have been negligent in giving thanks to You, even though the blessings I receive are always abundant. Although I am not wealthy, I am not poor, thanks to God's grace. Thank you, Lord, Thank you. Give thanks in all circumstances; for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Life, Gratitude

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Solitary Life

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

I’d like to read you a little piece written by an unknown author called One Solitary Life He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in still another village, where he worked in a carpenter’s shop until he was thirty. Then for three years he was an itinerant ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Tags: Son Of God, One Solitary Life, Jesus

Denomination: Anglican

To Dwell Above With The Saints We Love, That ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Stone on Apr 10, 2002

To dwell above with the saints we love, that will be glory. But to dwell below with the saints we ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Baptist

Humorous Epitaphs  PRO

Contributed by John Shearhart on May 16, 2002

Have you ever heard these humorous epitaphs? 1. “Here lies Anne Mann. Who lived an old maid, but died an old Mann.” 2. “Beneath this sod, a lump of clay lays Arabella Young; who on the 21st of May began to hold her tongue.” 3. “The children of Israel wanted bread, the Lord sent them ...read more

Tags: Death

Erick Clapton, Arguably The Greatest Living Rock ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 26, 2002

Erick Clapton, arguably the greatest living rock guitarist, wrote a heart wrenching song about the death of his four year old son (March 20, 1991). He fell from a 53rd-story window. Clapton took nine months off and when he returned his music had changed. The hardship had made his music softer, more ...read more

Tags: Death

A Doctor Called One Of His Patients Into His ...  PRO

Contributed by Howard Parnell on Sep 24, 2002

A doctor called one of his patients into his office to deliver some very important news. "I have received the results of your tests and I have some bad news and some good news", said the doctor. The patient was quiet for a moment, sensing the severity of the announcement. "Let me have the good ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Baptist

It Reminds Me Of The Three Buddies Who Die In A ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Mar 12, 2003

It reminds me of the three buddies who die in a car crash and go to heaven to an orientation. They are all asked, "When you are in your casket and friends and family are standing over you, what would you like to hear them say about you?" The first guy says, "I would like to hear them say that I ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13

Tags: Death

Denomination: Baptist

A Man Who Died In 1997 Has Received A Telephone ...  PRO

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 31, 2003

A man who died in 1997 has received a telephone bill from Sprint at his current abode -- the Hillside Cemetery in Auburn, Mass. "Our clients here don’t usually get mail," said superintendent Wayne Bloomquist. "I wondered if maybe we should start putting ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Tags: Death

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Bank In Binghampton, New York Had Some Flowers ...

Contributed by James Chandler on Apr 4, 2003

A bank in Binghampton, New York had some flowers sent to a competitor who had recently moved into a new building. There was a mix up at the flowers shop, and the card sent with the arrangement read, “With our deepest sympathy.” The florist, who was greatly embarrassed apologized. He was even ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Building Eternally, Not Eternity  PRO

Contributed by Pat Cook on Jun 15, 2003

BUILDING ETERNALLY, NOT ETERNITY Sarah Winchester’s husband had acquired a fortune by manufacturing and selling rifles. After he died of influenza in 1918, she moved to San Jose, California. Sarah was convinced that the dead souls of the many Indians who lost their lives because of Winchester ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Baptist

Beyond The Sunset  PRO

Contributed by Sean Smuts on Jul 17, 2003

Beyond the Sunset Should you go first and I remain, To walk the road alone. I live in memories garden, dear, With happy days we’ve known. In spring I’ll wait for roses, red, When faded, the lilacs blue. In early fall when brown leaves fall, I’ll catch a glimpse of you. Should you go first ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Mennonite