In Sermon Illustrations: "Encouraging Others"

Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall!

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 12, 2012

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" These famous words were said by President Ronald Reagan in a speech at the Brandenburg Gate near the Berlin Wall on June 12, 1987. 29 months later the wall was torn down. Interestingly, these famous words were originally written by Peter Robinson, a ...read more

Tags: Preaching

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Praying He Prayed  PRO

Contributed by Charles Jones on Mar 28, 2012

"PRAYING HE PRAYED" The Characteristic of the prayer of Elijah was his FERVENCY. He prayed fervently. He used that particular Hebrew idiom - "praying he prayed." In other words when he prayed he got down to business. Remember that the prayer of a righteous man is of great force when energized - ...read more

Tags: Prayer How To

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Don't Want To Be One!

Contributed by Christopher Gregas on Sep 8, 2012

I DON'T WANT TO BE ONE! There was a pastor that was giving a "children’s sermon" to all the young children. And as they sate before him, a bright-eyed three-year-old girl listened intently as he explained that God wanted them all to get along and love each other. "God wants us all to be one," he ...read more

Tags: Unity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If He Gets Loose

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Apr 20, 2013

IF HE GETS LOOSE The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel mic. Unlike todays wireless mics, this had a wire attached to it. He was an energetic preacher and as he preached, he swung his hands and he moved briskly about the platform, jerking the mic cord as he went. Then he moved to one side, ...read more

Tags: Preaching

Denomination: Brethren

Gratitude - The Greatest Virtue

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 21, 2019

Thankfulness leaves no room for DISCOURAGEMENT. There is a legend of a man who found the barn where Satan supposedly kept his seeds ready to be sown into the human heart. On finding these seeds of discouragement more numerous than the other seeds, he learned that those seeds could be made to grow ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Tags: Discouragement, Virtue, Thanksgiving, Satan, Gratitude  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Facts About Persecution Of Christians

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 18, 2020

FACTS ABOUT PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS: * More Christians were martyred in the 20th century than in all other centuries combined. * Currently over 200 million Christians are being persecuted worldwide. * 70 percent of the world's population lives in a religiously intolerant environment. * Every ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Church, Persecution, Beatitudes

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living In Light Of Eternity

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 8, 2021

Over the triple doorways of the Cathedral of Milan there are three inscriptions spanning the splendid arches. Over one is carved a beautiful wreath of roses, and underneath is the legend, “All that which pleases is but for a moment.” Over the other is sculptured a cross, and there are the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Tags: Eternity, Heaven, Materialism, Judgment Seat Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Best Tithing Joke Ever!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 31, 2022

BEST TITHING JOKE EVER! Two men were marooned on a deserted Island. One man paced back and forth worried and scared while the other man sat back and was sunning himself. The first man said to the second man, "Aren’t you afraid that we are about to die?" "No," said the ...read more

Tags: Tithing, Giving, Stewardship, Pastors

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Awesome Thanksgiving Illustration

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 7, 2022

There is a legend of a man who found the barn where Satan supposedly kept his seeds ready to be sown into the human heart. On finding these seeds of discouragement more numerous than the other seeds, he learned that those seeds could be made to grow almost anywhere. When Satan was questioned, he ...read more

Tags: Faith, Thanksgiving, Miracles, Gratitude, Leprosy, Blessings, Lepers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Put Downs Never Lift Up A Marriage

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 17, 2023

When psychologists Cliff Nortarius and Howard Markman studied newlyweds over the first decade of marriage, they discovered that couples who stayed together uttered 5 or fewer put-downs in every 100 comments to each other. But couples who inflicted twice as many verbal wounds -- 10 or more putdowns ...read more

Tags: Home, Talk, Marriage, Family, Conversation, Divorce, Words, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thoughts On The Submission Of The Christian Wife

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 21, 2023

Means to follow your husband as he follows Christ. Intended to bless and protect the wife, not to enslave her. Does not mean that she is without voice in decision – making (Gethsemane). Never to be used by the man by force. Never to be used as an excuse for evil. Should always reflect the way ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-31

Tags: Wives, Marriage, Leadership, Submission, Husbands  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Excuses

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 4, 2025

Police officers probably get more excuses than anybody (other than God). Here are some I found around the internet: “Sorry officer, I was throwing those beer cans out the window so my wife won’t see how much I drank tonight.” 😊 “If you are going to write me a ticket, please do it quickly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:18-20

Tags: Excuses, Police

Denomination: Methodist

Modern Day Idols

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 6, 2025

Iniquities are on the inside. They are driving forces that manifest as sins and transgressions. In the Old Testament, idolatry was connected to the gods of those folks around Israel. Those gods had names like Baal and Asherah. These gods were worshiped by temple prostitutes and through the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 44:9-20, Jeremiah 10:1-16

Tags: Football, Idols, Ji Packer

Denomination: Methodist

Sometimes I Feel Like A Nut! ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 25, 2005

Sometimes I Feel Like a Nut! (07.27.05--Appreciation--Isaiah 12:1-6) Sometimes you feel like a nut-- and sometimes you don’t. Just another one of those advertising jingles that has bored its way deep into my subconscious. As innocuous as many of these little ditties might seem (and as irritating ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 12:1-6

Tags: Joy, Peace

Denomination: Lutheran

Experts Can't Agree If The Following Is A True ...

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

Experts can’t agree if the following is a true story or if it should be written down next to the tale of George Washington and the Cherry Tree. While there is no concrete evidence of its truth, there is enough anecdotal evidence that the story has been in existence long enough to quite possibly be ...read more

Tags: Mercy

Denomination: Nazarene

Foundational ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Foundational Love In the Book of John 13:34-35, Jesus makes a powerful statement, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (emphasis ours) God has given ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Tags: Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Memorial Day In The Military, Medal Of Honor ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 2, 2010

Memorial Day in the Military, Medal of Honor Recipient It’s 3am on a cold winter day. Patchy snow covers the landscape as Loudspeakers overhead blare telling everyone to get to their places. Surrounded by sandbags, concrete barriers and roughly 10,000 soldier, sailors, airman and marines, Bagram ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13

Tags: Sacrifice, Holidays Civic

Trust

Contributed by Ken Henson on Nov 3, 2018

Proverbs 3:5-8 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding for support. 6 In all your habits acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight 7 Don’t look at yourself as wise—fear God and leave evil 8 It will bring health to umbilical cord and refreshment ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-8

Tags: Not Relying On Self, Belief, Trust, Relying On God

Denomination: *other

Who Wants To Play By The Rules?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 3, 2020

Wouldn’t life, or sporting events, be easier if there were no rules? Nobody to tell you what you can or can’t do, no restrictions, and anything goes. Easy, right? I can recall a couple of times when it sure seemed that some folks either didn’t want to play by the rules. Maybe they just plain ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:31

Tags: Wrong, Right, Rules, Self Will

Denomination: Baptist

Honor Your Father And Mother

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 13, 2020

Father’s Day 2020 is just a few days away as I write this. My dad left this world in 2018 but I still remember so many things about him. Some of course are too personal to share but there a good number of good memories I’ll always cherish. Dad was about five feet, ten inches in height—the smallest ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:2

Tags: Memories About Dad, Father's Day, Fathers

Denomination: Baptist