In Sermon Illustrations: "Examine Me"

Our Solar System Is Special

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 4, 2012

OUR SOLAR SYSTEM IS SPECIAL Back in 2005, five secular planetary scientists met at the American Museum of Natural History and agreed that our solar system appears special. One commented, (Fritz Benedict of the University of Texas) "The older I get, the less likely it seems to me there'd be a bunch ...read more

Tags: Creation, Solar System

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I May Never See You Again

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 17, 2017

Phillips Brooks of Boston became quite ill and would see no visitors. However, when Robert Ingersoll, the noted atheist, heard that his friend was sick, he called at his home and was admitted at once. "I appreciate this very much," said Mr. Ingersoll. "But why do you see me when you deny ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:1

Tags: Hell, Death, Heaven, Atheism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Vacation For Seniors!

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 22, 2019

A number of years ago I attended a pastors gathering in Toronto. A retired Pastor, now crippled by a stroke, sat along the wall on a chair, all alone. In his prime he was a highly esteemed professor, author and preacher. Now, he sat alone and unnoticed. I walked across the room and lamented this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-20

Tags: Loneliness, Community, Aging

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love And Forgiveness

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Sep 13, 2020

Rabbi David A. Nelson likes to tell the story of two brothers who went to their rabbi to settle a longstanding feud. The rabbi got the two to reconcile their differences and shake hands. As they were about to leave, he asked each one to make a wish for the other in honor of the Jewish New Year. The ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

Tags: Jesus Is The Answer, Jesus Forgives, Jesus Saves Us

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Doesn't God Answer?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 13, 2022

The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her preacher father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day she asked him why. The Pastor was so proud that his daughter was so observant of his mesages. He smiled and answered, "Well, honey, ...read more

Tags: Preachers, Children, Prayer, Pastors, Jokes, Fathers, Sermons  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mom, Why Do You Have White Hair???

Contributed by Garris Hudson on May 5, 2022

One day, a little girl is sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly notices that her mother has several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast to her brunette hair. She looks at her mother and inquisitively asks: “Why are some of your hairs white, ...read more

Tags: Aging, Humor, Mothers, Mother's Day, Grandmothers, Sermon Introductions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bad Attitude

Contributed by David Swanger on Jan 24, 2024

A mother and daughter, trying to make the most of the sales before Christmas, spent the day shopping. As they went from store to store in the mall, the mom complained about everything: the crowds, the poor quality of the merchandise, the prices, her sore feet. After the mother experienced a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:24

Tags: Choice, Attitude

No 'i' In The Lord's Prayer

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 11, 2024

No "I" in the Lord's Prayer You cannot pray the Lord's Prayer and even once say "I." You cannot pray the Lord's Prayer and even once say "My." Nor can you pray the Lord's Prayer and not pray for one another. And when you ask for daily ...read more

Tags: Daily Bread, One Another, Another, Brother, Prayer, Selfishness, Lord's Prayer, Self, Others  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sports Widow Gets Even

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 22, 2025

"'Cash, check or charge?' I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase.  As she fumbled for her wallet, I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse. 'So, do you always carry your TV remote?' I asked. 'No,' she replied, 'but my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:19

Tags: Marriage, Sports, Revenge, Getting Even, Sports Widow  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

In A Sermon Several Weeks Ago I Referred To A Man ...  PRO

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Mar 8, 2004

In a sermon several weeks ago I referred to a man I couldn’t reach. John was ex-Navy, a heavy drinker and a violent man. He was very personable when you first met him; when he drank enough beer the demons took over. I must confess that, until I met John I always thought people were born with a ...read more

Tags: Sin Wages Of, Sin Bondage To

Denomination: United Methodist

Several Times My Daughter Had Telephoned To ...  PRO

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Feb 19, 2005

Several times my daughter had telephoned to say... "Mother, you must come see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead. "I will come next Tuesday, " I promised, a little reluctantly, on her third call. Next Tuesday dawned ...read more

Tags: Discipleship, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Room

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Jun 7, 2007

THE ROOM (I DO NOT KNOW THE AUTHOR) In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Father Loves You

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jun 15, 2008

THE FATHER LOVES YOU The memory of one particular evening when my wife and I lived in Florida remains fresh in my mind. We were invited by some friends to listen to their children's contemporary Christian band play some of their new songs at the "Coffee Spot" in New Port Ritchie, Florida. It's ...read more

Tags: God The Father

Denomination: Christian Church

God Vs. Voodoo

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 12, 2011

GOD VS. VOODOO Pastor Mike Breaux tells the story below when his daughter Jodie answered God's call to go into missions work: During her junior year of high school, Jodie struggled to find a faith of her own. She wanted to know in her heart that all of what she'd been taught to believe was true ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Tags: Missions

Craig Von Buseck Tells Of Serving As An Assoc...

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 28, 2015

Craig von Buseck tells of serving as an associate pastor in Pennsylvania. After more than five years on staff, he began sensing that the Lord wanted him to leave this church to complete his ministry training. Relations were beginning to become strained between himself and the senior pastor. While ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:25

Tags: Holy Spirit, God's Guidance

Denomination: Methodist

Unwanted: An Original Husband

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 26, 2025

Unwanted: An Original Husband Introduction: The story of David and his first wife, Michal (daughter of King Saul) could be one of the most tragic love stories of all time. We may never know what happened but we do have a record of the sad results. Full disclosure, Sermon Central has already ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:20, 1 Samuel 19:11-17, 2 Samuel 6:14-16

Tags: David, Unwanted Items, Michal Daughter Of Saul

Denomination: Baptist

Rush To The Lord For Refuge.

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 28, 2025

RUSH TO THE LORD FOR REFUGE. This is David's message to us in Psalm 37:1-3, where the KJV says: 1. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3. Trust in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-11

Tags: Pain, Peace, Evil, Suffering, Trusting God, Righteousness, Horrible Times, Rejoice, Shelter, Rest, Hardships, Cares, Cast Your Cares  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[237 C]. A Message From A Poem - Scenes From The Gospels - Part 3

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 8, 2025

[237 C]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 3 They are here to enjoy! Scenes from the Gospels are very special to me. I love them. They have taken a lot of effort, and many, many months revision to get them as correct as possible with the difficult word limitations. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-2, Matthew 2:9-12, Luke 24:13-32, Matthew 14:25-33, Matthew 15:21-28, Matthew 23:23-33, Luke 1:1-4, Matthew 13:10-13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Parables, Poetry Reading, On The Emmaus Road, The Canaanite Woman, Pharisees, Peter Walks On Water, Stories, The Magi, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[286]. A Message From A Poem – The Prodigal’s Return

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 6, 2026

[286]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE PRODIGAL’S RETURN This is a most serious poem, that of a penitent Christian who sinned before the Lord and really let the flag down. Sin is so evil and so deceptive it can catch anyone out, even sincere Christians. Just recently I have written about the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:19, Exodus 34:6-7, Hosea 2:14

Tags: Christian Poems, A Sinning Christian, A Prodigal Returns, Gracious, Confession Of Sin, Prodigal Son, God Is Gracious, Christian Poetry, Fallen Into Sin, Forgiveness, Compassion, Repentance, Restoration  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[346]. A Message From A Poem - Willy Willy Wagtail, You Sweet Bird

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 11, 2026

[346]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - WILLY WILLY WAGTAIL, YOU SWEET BIRD This may seem an unusual poem. It is about an Australian bird that belongs to the Wagtail or Fantail family. The identification for this bird is “Rhipidura leucophrys” and you may hear its call on this site - ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:41-44, James 5:12

Tags: Praise, Bird, Joyful, David And Goliath, Black And White, Singing, Cast Down, Christian Poems, Downcast Christians, Wagtail  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational