In Sermon Illustrations: "Do It"

A Man Entered A Restaurant And Sat On One Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 13, 2003

A man entered a restaurant and sat on one of the stools at the counter. The waiter bought a glass of water to the man. The customer then immediately threw it into the waiters face. Quickly grabbing a napkin, the customer helped the waiter dry his face while he apologized with great remorse. "I’m ...read more

Successful Author And Christian Psychologist, ...  PRO

Contributed by Amanda Wilson on May 6, 2004

Successful Author and Christian psychologist, Larry Crabb, begins his book Connecting with the story of his eldest son. Larry had two sons, and being a theologian, psychologist, and loving father, he wanted to do all that was right for his sons. So he gave his sons hugs, and spankings, detailed ...read more

Tags: Parenting

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Story Is Told Of A Native From A Remote ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Oct 17, 2004

The story is told of a native from a remote mountain village who had the opportunity to visit a large modern city for the first time. He could not bring much home with him, and he had little money. But he was amazed at the electric lights which he saw everywhere. So he bought a sack full of ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5

Tags: Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Life Of Resolutions  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 30, 2002

A LIFE OF RESOLUTIONS Jonathan Edwards, the 18th-century revivalist, sat down at age 17 and penned 21 resolutions by which he would live his life. Throughout his lifetime he would add to this list until, by his death, he had 70 resolutions. He put at the top of his list: "Being sensible that I am ...read more

Tags: Christian Values, Expectation, New Year's Day, Growth In Christ

I Read Of A Young Man Who Worked For A Bank And ...  PRO

Contributed by Jonathan Busch on Jan 25, 2003

I read of a young man who worked for a bank and one day was called upon to deliver $25,000 in quarters in his bosses 49 Ford pickup to Bank of America in downtown San Bernardino. He said, “We hopped in the truck. I’m in my T-shirt and blue jeans. We drove up to the front of the Bank of America, ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: Pentecostal

Let Me Give You An Example Of The Kind Of Faith ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Let me give you an example of the kind of faith and trust that is necessary to become a Christian. The world-famous acrobat, Blondin, was born in France in 1824. His real name was Jean Francois Gravalet. Over the years, he became famous throughout Europe and America. In London he once played a ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General

In World War Ii Merchant Ships Were Used To Take ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

In World War II merchant ships were used to take food and supplies across the sea. One day a Father took his son down to the docks to see the boats being unloaded. "Brave men have risked their lives to bring us this precious cargo," he told him. The boy noticed a line painted around each vessel. ...read more

Tags: Lord's Prayer

We Never Seem To Quite Fully Understand That Side ...

Contributed by Colin Bain on Nov 13, 2007

We never seem to quite fully understand that side of God in our times. We never seem to feel that when God is dishonoured, we must defend him. We must stand up to sin in all its forms. We are put to shame in some ways by those who follow Mohamed. When a few seemingly innocuous cartoons were ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

When I First Got Sober, One Of The Most Powerful ...

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Apr 1, 2008

When I first got sober, one of the most powerful blessings that I stumbled onto was making myself available. As many of you know, when I turned my life over to God, God relieved me of the obsession and compulsion to drink. And as I sought to simply do His will, there were several changes that I ...read more

Tags: Born Again

Denomination: Church Of God

Every Believer Is Impacting The Spiritual Vigor ...

Contributed by Curtis Rowe on Aug 4, 2008

Every believer is impacting the spiritual vigor of those around him! Gordon McDonald gave the following list... • Igniter- The Holy Spirit is the Creator of authentic spiritual energy! Do you provoke others? “I’ll paddle!” • Sharer- “… that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith ...read more

Tags: Zeal

Denomination: Baptist

Set Free  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 2, 2008

SET FREE A man said to his pastor: “I am a miserable sinner and there is no help available for me. I have prayed to God, I have tried to be good and I have tried to do the right thing at the right time, but I always seem to fail.” The pastor asked him: “Do you believe in the life, the death, and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-17

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus

Knowing The Father's Love

Contributed by Rickey Bennett on Aug 19, 2009

KNOWING THE FATHER'S LOVE Consider an illustration of two children and two fathers. One child feels like he’s just a tenant in the house, a servant doing what he’s commanded to do. He doesn’t know his father very well or his father’s love. He just knows what he’s been commanded to do. The other ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity

Denomination: *other

There's A Story About A Proud Young Man Who Came ...

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Aug 20, 2009

There’s a story about a proud young man who came to Socrates asking for knowledge. He walked up to the muscular philosopher and said, “O great Socrates, I come to you for knowledge.” Socrates recognized a pompous numbskull when he saw one. He led the young man through the streets, to the sea, and ...read more

Tags: Knowledge, Learning

Denomination: Baptist

An Old Sailor Repeatedly Got Lost At Sea, So His ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Sep 29, 2009

An old sailor repeatedly got lost at sea, so his friends gave him a compass and urged him to use it. The next time he went out in his boat, he followed their advice and took the compass with him. But as usual he became hopelessly confused and was unable to find land. Finally he was rescued by ...read more

Tags: Self

Denomination: Pentecostal

Wahlstrom's Wonder  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 17, 2011

WAHLSTROM'S WONDER I once read about a certain Mr. Wahlstrom who purchased an old bombsight and took it apart to see what made it work. As he began to put it back together, he decided to add to it some spare parts he had from other projects. Over time, friends and neighbors took an interest in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, John 1:14-18, Jonah 3:1-10

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Isn't There Something Else?

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jun 14, 2011

ISN'T THERE SOMETHING ELSE? One time a woman asked the preacher, "What should I do, Preacher? I want to follow and serve Jesus. I want to do his work totally and completely." The preacher said, "Great, you could be a part our weekly ladies Bible study group and later you could perhaps lead ...read more

Tags: Servanthood

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Eating Vegetables For Love

Contributed by J.d. Tutell on Jun 21, 2011

EATING VEGETABLES FOR LOVE When I was growing up and living at home, my parents couldn’t get me to eat vegetables for anything. They not only tried threats, they followed through. It didn’t work. Then I met Linda, we started dating, her parents had me over for dinner. She would look at me ...read more

Tags: Love For God

Denomination: Baptist

Firm Foundation  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 5, 2011

FIRM FOUNDATION Ravi Zacharias told about doing a lectureship several years ago at the Ohio State University. As he was being driven to the lecture, they passed what was then the "new" Wexner Art Center. The driver commented, "This is a new art building for the university. It is a fascinating ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27

Tags: Foundation

Wishing Vs. Hoping  PRO

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 3, 2011

WISHING VS. HOPING Eugene Peterson (Living the Message: Daily Help for Living the God-Centered Life) points out that what a lot of people call hope is in reality something different. It's wishing, not hoping: and wishing and hoping are not the same thing. "Wishing," Peterson says, "is something ...read more

Tags: Christmas Advent

Denomination: Other

If I Have Seen Everything....  PRO

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 23, 2016

IF I HAVE SEEN EVERYTHING.... Evangelist Jack Taylor was alone in his hotel room in Houston, Texas after a Southern Baptist Convention meeting. He felt exhausted in ministry. He cried out to God in prayer, "Lord, if I have seen everything You have for me in my ministry.......then take my life ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-5

Tags: Pastoral Ministry, Total Surrender, Burnt Out

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational