In Sermon Illustrations: "Depravity Of Man"

The Story Is Told Of A Young Soldier In The Army ...

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Aug 6, 2008

The story is told of a young soldier in the army of Alexander the Great who, during one violent battle, could not control the fear that gripped him. The young man turned from the battle and fled. In the course of his attempt to flee, an officer apprehended him and took in chains to stand before ...read more

Tags: Change

Denomination: Baptist

C.s. Lewis Certainly Recognized This, And In His ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2008

C.S. Lewis certainly recognized this, and in his essay "The Law of Human Nature", he built and established a very strong and incontrovertible argument for the case. In the middle of this short piece he says, "Whenever you find a man who says he does not believe in a real Right and Wrong, you will ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity

Dietrich Bonhoeffer Says In His Book "Life ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 27, 2008

Dietrich Bonhoeffer says in his book "Life Together": "God has willed that we should seek and find His living Word in the witness of a brother/sister, in the mouth of a man/ woman. Therefore, the Christian needs another Christian who speaks God's Word to him/her. He/she needs him again and again ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Joseph Parker Said That The Thief On The Cross ...

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 17, 2009

Joseph Parker said that the thief on the cross proved to be one of the greatest men who ever lived. On the cross there was no outward indication of His Lordship; there was no insignia of royalty. Jesus was a captive, condemned, insulted, and crucified; yet the dying thief saw Him as a King and as ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Baptist

Ravi Zacharias Tells Of Visiting A Used ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Ravi Zacharias tells of visiting a used bookstore. While he was there, wistfully searching through the classics, suddenly a man burst in and demanded in a loud voice, "How much for 128 feet of books?" The owner, having never sold scholarship by the foot, didn’t know exactly how to reply. The ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence

A Few Years Ago, Television News Captured The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

A few years ago, television news captured the drama of a brave man who gave his life for others. A flight from Florida crashed into the icy waters of the Potomac River, a few feet short of the runway at National Airport. Within minutes, a rescue helicopter was at¬tempting to ladder-lift the ...read more

Tags: Jesus Christ

A Stray Dog Had Been Hit By A Car, A Beautiful ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

A stray dog had been hit by a car, a beautiful husky with blue eyes. A passerby rescued it and rushed it to the vet. The hind leg was badly damaged but the man agreed to pay the $500.00 to see if they could save the leg. The vet did all he could but the dog’s leg had to be amputated anyway. The man ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

Satisfied Mind

Contributed by Charles Salmon on Jul 9, 2007

Satisfied Mind (By Rhodes & Hayes)(Starrite Music) How many times have you heard someone say "If I had his money, I could do things my way?" Little they know that it’s so hard to find One rich man in ten with a satisfied mind. Once I was winning in fortune and fame Everything that I ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Somebody’s Happy Somewhere.

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Sep 13, 2020

A grumpy old man and his wife . . . While on a road trip, an elderly couple stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch. After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant, and resumed their trip. When leaving, the elderly woman unknowingly left her glasses on the table, and she didn't miss ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Happy, Not Happy

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Three Feet Away

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Dec 14, 2020

During the gold rush, a man from Ohio traveled to California. It had taken him months to get there. He had to get a claim and register it and buy tools before he could start mining. The Ohioan had been mining for months. Finally after all the hard work and finding nothing quit his claim. He was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Tags: Don't Give Up, Success Isn't Far Away

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Never Despair (What A Hilarious Story!)

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

Robert Morgan has the following humorous illustration to encourage us to emulate Paul and "never despair". I read about a man whose route to work every day took him through a particular park in the city, and every day he saw an old fellow sitting on the park bench. This fellow was an ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Tags: Depression, Despair, Humor, Discouragement

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Let The Devil Hang A Nail On Your Door!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 8, 2022

A Haitian pastor illustrated to his congregation the need for total commitment to Christ by sharing this parable: A certain man wanted to sell his house for $2,000. Another man wanted very badly to buy it, but because he was poor, he couldn't afford the full price. After much bargaining, ...read more

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Prayer, Commitment To Christ, Strongholds, Satah  (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

The Death Of The Pillsbury Doughboy

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 22, 2022

Veteran Pillsbury spokesman, Pop N. Fresh, the Pillsbury Doughboy, died yesterday of a severe yeast infection. He was 71. Known to friends as Brown-n-Serve, Fresh was an avid gardener and tennis player. Fresh was buried in one of the largest funeral ceremonies in recent years. Dozens of ...read more

Tags: Death, Jokes, Funerals, Puns, Obituaries, Dad Jokes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Barb’s Life Is A Mess. Her Drinking Problem ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Feb 1, 2001

Barb’s life is a mess. Her drinking problem is out of control, and her husband Ken refuses to cover for her anymore. Everyone around her sees Barb’s problem, but they all pretend like everything’s just fine, a classic case of denial. Every Sunday Barb and her family dress in their Sunday best and ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-2

Tags: Growth In Christ, Leadership General, Authenticity, Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Evening Sam Left His Bible Study Group Where ...  PRO

Contributed by Ian Biss on Oct 1, 2001

One evening Sam left his bible study group where his pastor was teaching on listening to God, convinced that he would listen when he felt God was speaking to him. It was at that very moment that Sam felt the compulsion to buy a gallon of milk. So he pulled over at the nearest shopette and bought a ...read more

Tags: God's Supply, Holy Spirit Attributes, God's Provision, Faith

Denomination: Grace Brethren

The Spirit Within Us  PRO

Contributed by Wayne Major on Oct 14, 2001

THE SPIRIT WITHIN US I was driving one day when I saw a hitchhiker by the side of the road, loaded down with a couple of large carrying bags. Now, I make it a practice normally not to pick up hitchhikers, which may in itself be a refusal to hear the cry of those needy of transportation. But in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Tags: Leadership General, Mercy

Denomination: Methodist

The Good Samaritan  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 8, 2002

Luke 10:30-37 John Darley and Daniel Batson are two Princeton University psychologists. Some years ago they decided to conduct a study, inspired by the story of the Good Samaritan. They conducted the study at Princeton Theological Seminary. They met with a group of seminarians and asked each one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:30-37

Tags: Compassion, Christian Love

Condemnation Or Compassion  PRO

Contributed by David Simmons on Feb 22, 2002

CONDEMNATION OR COMPASSION Tony Campolo tells the story of a New York City pastor who chose to take a funeral that no other minister would take. The man who died was a homosexual who died of AIDS. The minister agreed to do the funeral. When he got to the graveside, he discovered an audience ...read more

Tags: Jesus Teachings, Compassion, Church General

Denomination: Baptist

There's A Story About A Wealthy Christian Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Apr 13, 2002

There’s a story about a wealthy Christian who somehow got obsessed with the idea of taking some of his wealth to heaven. Now he knew the Bible clearly teaches that you can’t take it with you. But so obsessed was he with this desire that he just prayed & prayed & prayed that God would give him ...read more

Tags: Money

Denomination: Methodist