In Sermon Illustrations: "Evangelism How To"

A Band Of Theologians  PRO

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 4, 2014

A BAND OF THEOLOGIANS Dr. Robert Jastrow, scientist and agnostic once said, "Now we see how astronomical evidence leads to a biblical view of the origin of the world." He concluded w/a monumental statement: "For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:1-5

Tags: Science, God, Atheism, Agnostic

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Elton Trueblood On Family And Parenting

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 24, 2014

Elton Trueblood: "No matter how much a man may be concerned with his work in the world, he should not care about it as much as he cares for his family. This is because we have, in our families, a bigger stake than most of us can ever have in our employment. We can change business associates ... we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:4-12

Tags: Family, Parenting, Fatherhood, Fathers Day, Household, Christian Fathers, Godly Fathers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

He'll Keep His Word

Contributed by Davon Huss on May 7, 2014

Daniel Overdorf: I visited a friend in the hospital. He had neared the end of an extended battle with cancer. The chemotherapy had taken most of his ability to think. I read some Scripture passages to him about God's promises, unsure if he even heard me, then I prayed. As I turned to leave the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:6-13

Tags: Cross, Covenant

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Birthdays ...

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Jun 10, 2018

While talking to one of the little ones that came forward during children's hour, I was trying to determine if they were old enough for Vacation Bible School (they were four). So I said, "You are four now, when will you be five?" He looked up with complete confidence and seemed amazed I would ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:13-15

Tags: A Little Child, Stating The Obvious, Unless You Become Like A Child

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Don't Miss The Point About Christmas!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 21, 2020

In December 1903, after many attempts, the Wright brothers were successful in getting their “flying machine” off the ground. Thrilled, they telegraphed this message to their sister Katherine: “We have actually flown a plane 120 feet. Will be home for Christmas.” Katherine hurried to the editor of ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12

Tags: Christmas, Christ, Birth Of Christ, Coming Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dieting An Old Tradition

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 9, 2022

How long have Americans been obsessed with dieting? I cannot answer that question, but I do have a CD of Eddie Cantor singing, “My Wife is On A Diet” from 1929. It features lyrics like, “No more gravy and potatoes, only lettuce and tomatoes! Where are the pies I adore?” And then there is my 1932 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:12

Tags: Diet, Vanity, Waistline

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God The Father In The Old Testament

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 12, 2022

God is only referred to as "Father" fourteen times in the Old Testament's thirty-nine books, and even then, rather impersonally. In those fourteen occurrences of Father, the term was always used with reference to the Nation of Israel, not to individuals. In the entire Old Testament, ...read more

Tags: Old Testament, Grace, Father, Law, Prayer, Lord's Prayer  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Scratch Resistant

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 6, 2022

I was emailing with a friend about the intense testing we all seemed to be experiencing when she emailed back to me: I think a very good analogy for the unending intense spiritual attacks is to liken it to how a diamond is formed… Diamonds are formed under extreme pressure and intense heat, ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 13:9

Tags: Endurance, Fiery Trials, Spiritual Strength, Refining, Tests, Spiritual Attacks  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Suffering Christ

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jan 1, 2023

I could never believe in God if it were not for the Cross. In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it? I turn to that lonely, twisted, tortured figure on the cross—nails through hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow bleeding from thorn-pricks, mouth ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 2:14-18

Tags: The Cross, Atonement, Suffering, Incarnation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Less Important Than We Think

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 22, 2023

In his book, “Being with God,” Pastor AJ Sherrill addresses how the practices of contemplative prayer help the Believer see what’s going on inside: we are so caught up in our inner dramas that we lack the clarity to know what to pray for. Surrendering to the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27) ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-27, Luke 14:7-14

Tags: Love, Humility, Prayer

Denomination: Methodist

Disappointment

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

One blogger wrote: “Today, I was at work, nonchalantly spinning my keys around my finger when they flew off and hit a glass cabinet. Broken glass showered passing customers. I don't think I'll have a job to go to tomorrow.” Or how about this one: “Today, I went to my parents' place to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Tags: Happenings, Life, Mistakes, Disappointment, Surprises  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jonathan Edwards On Spiritual Pride And Judging Others

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 29, 2026

Jonathan Edwards, the preacher of the First Great Awakening in America, wrote this: , “The spiritually proud person is apt to find fault with other saints, that they are low in grace; and to be much in observing how cold and dead they are; and being quick to discern and take notice of their ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-6, John 14:23-24

Tags: Spiritual Pride, Judging Others

Denomination: Baptist

Healing The Wounds Of War: The Kim Phuc Story

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 4, 2010

HEALING THE WOUNDS OF WAR: THE KIM PHUC STORY Probably one of the most well-known pictures to come out of the Vietnam War was Nick Ut’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photo (show picture) of Phan Thi Kim Phuc (pronounced "fuke"). On June 8, 1972, a napalm bomb was dropped on her village, and Kim, who was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Melody Is Standing At The Pulpit, With Her Head ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2008

Melody is standing at the pulpit, with her head bowed as she is praying. (This script is in front of her.) The pastor is in the back of the sanctuary, with a microphone. - - - - - - - - BEGINNING OF SKIT - - - - - - - Melody: Our Father Who Art In Heaven. Pastor: Yes? Melody: (looking around ...read more

Every Grandparent Can Testify That If Someone ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 11, 2008

Every Grandparent can testify that if someone would have just told them that grandchildren were so much fun, the choice would have been made to have them first! **** She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter as she'd done many times before. ...read more

Tags: Family

It Was One Of Those Weeks

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 19, 2019

At my stage in life, I have experienced a gazillion weeks. I thought about actually counting how many weeks I have lived, but I don’t have that many fingers or toes. It doesn’t matter how many weeks it is. I have lived enough weeks to know, when you think you have experienced everything there is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:23

Tags: Week Work, Victory

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Why God Gave Me A Tongue

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 1, 2022

One thing about getting older is that you begin to understand the old saying that you don’t know what you don’t know. It has been so true for me. When I think I know everything, something comes up that I never even thought about. Sometimes The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage brings up something ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:4

Tags: Blessing, Tongue, Curse

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Learning What "Me-Time” Is All About

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 18, 2023

Several months ago, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage said she and her daughter and granddaughter were going to St. Augustine for a week and wondered if I wanted to go along. I said, “Let me think about it for a while, and I’ll get back to you.” I then overheard a conversation between my ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Vacation, Me Time

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

At First I Saw God As My Observer, My Judge, ...  PRO

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Jun 9, 2001

At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized his picture when I saw it, but I really didn’t know Him. But later on, when I met Christ, It ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will, Commitment To Christ, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Methodist

Many Years Ago There Was An Emperor Who Was So ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 9, 2001

Many years ago there was an emperor who was so fond of new clothes that he spent all of his money on them. He did not give himself any concern about his army; he cared nothing about the theater or for driving about in the woods, except for the sake of showing himself off in his new clothes. he ...read more

Tags: Humility, Temptation Pride, Truth

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ