In Sermon Illustrations: "Encouraging Others"

Hillel: "What Is Painful To You, Do Not Do Un...

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 4, 2010

Hillel: "What is painful to you, do not do unto others". (Talmud, tracate Shabbat 31a; Midrash Avot de Rabbi Natan). Akiva states "Whatever you hate to have done unto you, do not do to your neighbor; wherefore do not hurt him; do not speak ill of him; do not reveal his secrets to others; let his ...read more

Tags: Parable Good Samaritan

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Cares For The Birds

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 19, 2011

GOD CARES FOR THE BIRDS Several years ago I was mowing the yard on my lawn tractor and I came across a killdeer bird which many call a kill dare bird.. A Kill dare for those who don’t know is a small bird that lays its eggs on the ground usually near rocks, and when any other animal approaches it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:29-31

Tags: Compassion

The Importance Of Gratitude

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 13, 2011

THE IMPORTANCE OF GRATITUDE A few years ago Dr. Nick Stinnett of the University of Nebraska conducted a group of studies called the "Family Strengths Research Project." Stinnett and his researchers identified six qualities that make for strong families. The first quality and one of the most ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:10

Tags: Gratitude

Any Excuse Will Do

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 15, 2011

ANY EXCUSE WILL DO In one of the “Big Three” conferences during World War II, Roosevelt and Churchill were trying to get Stalin to agree with some proposed strategy. When Stalin gave his reason or excuse for not agreeing with them, they said, “That is no reason for your refusal!” Stalin replied ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-20

Tags: Lies

The Illiterate Teacher

Contributed by Michael Walther on May 24, 2011

THE ILLITERATE TEACHER It’s foolish to be a pretender. Just ask John Corcoran. John never learned to read in elementary school. Somehow the teachers just kept passing him along. When he got to high school he became at expert at cheating. He turned in other people’s work. He said he couldn’t ...read more

Tags: Hypocrisy

Denomination: Lutheran

Just As I Am Without One Plea

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jun 6, 2011

JUST AS I AM WITHOUT ONE PLEA Charlotte Elliot came to Caesar Milan and asked how she could become a Christian. The old man replied, "My dear, it is very simple. You have only to come to Jesus." And she said to him, "But I am a very great sinner, will He take me just as I am?" "Yes, He will ...read more

Tags: Confession Of Sin

Denomination: Baptist

Church On Fire

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on Jun 15, 2011

CHURCH ON FIRE Here's an interesting article that goes well with Pentecost. The article’s title read, "Fireworks Blamed for Church Fire." The story begins, "Fireworks were blamed for a fire that tore through a church in Brush Prairie, on Monday... . The church's roof collapsed as the fire ...read more

Tags: Pentecost

Denomination: Lutheran

Survivor Eva Hart Remembers The Night, April ...

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jul 3, 2015

Survivor Eva Hart remembers the night, April 15, 1912, on which the Titanic plunged 12,000 feet to the Atlantic floor, some two hours and forty minutes after an iceberg tore a 300-foot gash in the starboard side: "I saw all the horror of its sinking, and I heard, even more dreadful, the cries of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:10

Tags: Savior, Rescuers, Savior Of All, Jesus Savior

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God-Centered Life

Contributed by Ritchie Guerrero on Oct 15, 2020

Illustration of life that is God-centered God is always in the center of your life. Your Priority. Our life must revolve only in Jesus Christ. Consider a small Object. ex. a small piece of wood Tie the object with a soft string, at least 1 ft in length, in such a way that you could hold the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:22, Matthew 6:33

Tags: Priorities, Focus, Center

Denomination: Evangelical Free

No Room In The Inn

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 20, 2020

People have no room for Christ because they are full of themselves, full of their own will, full of their own cares, and full of their own sinfulness. They feel they have no time or no need for the Lord. People may deny Christ and scorn Him. Yet, every time they write the date of the year, they are ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12

Tags: Messiah, Christmas, Birth Of Christ, Mary And Joseph

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is The Enemy!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

Stedman illustrates this point noting that "As the Battle of Trafalgar was about to begin, Admiral Nelson came across two officers of his own flagship who were arguing hotly and about to take sword to each other. Nelson stepped between them and said, "Stop." Then, pointing to the ...read more

Tags: Church, Unity, Body Of Christ, Working Together, Division  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Great Example Of Leadership

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 14, 2022

One of the best leaders and models of loving leadership was Dawson Trotman, who died after helping to rescue two drowning girls. Trotman died in Schroon Lake, New York. He died in an area that he was an expert in — he drowned. He was an expert swimmer. The last few moments of his life, he ...read more

Tags: Leadership, Mentoring, Love, Sacrifice, Discipleship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Better Get Your Bags Packed!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 2, 2022

One day a very wealthy, powerful king died. His servants spread the unbelievable news all over the palace. He had died in his bed of natural causes. "Where has he gone?", asked one of the king's wisest counselors "Why, to Heaven of course!", answered all the ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Heaven, Salvation, Gospel, Excuses, Prepare, Procrastination, Fools  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Volunteers

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Sep 2, 2023

THE VOLUNTEERS This poem is dedicated to all faithful volunteers. We could not make it without your willingness to serve. Thank you, Loyd C Taylor, Sr. The Volunteers There are some special people that we know Found in needy places across this land; They’re people that selflessly serve others, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:41, Colossians 3:23, Proverbs 14:23, John 6:27

Tags: Volunteers, Helpers, Service, Sacrifice, Support, Servant, Labor Day  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

There's A Story Told Of A Husband And Wife Both ...  PRO

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 18, 2000

There’s a story told of a husband and wife both of who were doctors - one a doctor of theology and the other a doctor of medicine. When their doorbell was rung and the maid answered, the inquirer would often ask for "the doctor". The maid’s ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General, Forgiveness General, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

Maybe You’ve Heard About The Gorilla In A ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 16, 2001

Maybe you’ve heard about the gorilla in a zoo holding a Bible in one hand & a book about evolution in the other. He was looking confused, so someone asked, “What are you doing?” The gorilla answered, “Well, I’m ...read more

Tags: Bible, Bible Truth, Creation, Evolution

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith And Works Should Travel Side By Side, Step ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Faith and works should travel side by side, step answering to step, like the legs of men walking. First faith, and then works; and then faith again, and then works again -- until they can scarcely distinguish which is the one and which is the other. William ...read more

Scripture: James 2:17

Tags: Faith General, Valentine

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith And Works Should Travel Side By Side, ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Dow on Jul 26, 2002

“Faith and works should travel side by side, step answering to step, like the legs of men walking. First faith, and then works; and then faith again, and then works again -- until they can scarcely distinguish which is the one and which is the other” (William ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Tags: Faith Vs. Works, Faith General

J. Oswald Sanders Writing In His Book On ...  PRO

Contributed by Gary Bordelon on Sep 21, 2002

J. Oswald Sanders writing in his book on spiritual leadership said - "If those who hold influence over others fail to lead toward the spiritual uplands, then surely the path to the lowlands will be well worn. People travel together; ...read more

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Two Norwegians From Minnesota Went Fishing In ...  PRO

Contributed by Jonathan Busch on Jan 25, 2003

Two Norwegians from Minnesota went fishing in Canada and returned with only one fish. "The way I figger it, dat fish cost us $400" said the first Norwegian. "Vell," said the other ...read more

Tags: Human Body

Denomination: Pentecostal