In Sermon Illustrations: "Excited About Preaching"

What Do You Say?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 7, 2009

WHAT DO YOU SAY? Winnie the Pooh and Piglet were walking along he road in companionable silence. Then Piglet asks Pooh: "When you wake up in the morning, what do you say?" Pooh answered, "I say, ’What’s for breakfast?’ What do you say, Piglet?" Piglet answers, "I say, ’I wonder what exciting ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21

Tags: Dreams

Does He Know Me?

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Dec 20, 2010

"DOES HE KNOW ME?" A multinational company celebrated her 10th anniversary with a grand ballroom banquet. They invited the former president of the United States, President Gerald Ford. The coordinator was excited to receive the President at the airport. He turned to his boss, standing beside ...read more

Tags: God's Omniscience

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Need Mercy!!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 30, 2020

One day, a woman who occasionally walked through the park after work, stopped to have her picture taken by a photographer. She was very excited to see the photo, but when she looked at it, her face dropped. She turned to the photographer and stated rather sharply, “This is not right! This is not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Mercy, Humor, Judgment, Justice

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Are Grounded!!!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 15, 2022

THE PRODIGAL SON'S RETURN... We were sitting in Church a few weeks ago while the minister delivered a sermon based on the timeless story of the prodigal son. When he got to the point where the father sees his son returning and races out to meet him, the minister said loudly and with ...read more

Tags: Parables, Prodigal Son, Jokes, Prodigals, Children, Parents, Humor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Missing The Circus  PRO

Contributed by Ryan Johnson on Mar 6, 2002

MISSING THE CIRCUS A little boy who lived far out in the country in the late 1800s had reached the age of twelve and had never in all his life seen a circus. You can imagine his excitement, when one day a poster went up at school announcing that on the next Saturday a traveling circus was coming ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Tags: Fulfillment, Abundant, Lukewarm, Life, Risk  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Little Boy And The Circus  PRO

Contributed by Ely Lambert on Aug 26, 2002

The Little Boy and the Circus A little boy who lived far out in the country in the late 1800s had reached the age of twelve and had never in all his life seen a circus. You can imagine his excitement, when one day a poster went up at school announcing that on the next Saturday a traveling circus ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ, Church Purpose Of, Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Didn't Just Sit Around The Synagogue All ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Jesus didn’t just sit around the synagogue all day. Jesus didn’t just hang around the temple courtyard all the time. Instead Jesus went out where the people were. He didn’t isolate himself alone on a mountain top. Although he certainly did retreat there from time to time for prayer and refreshment. ...read more

Tags: Call Of The Disciples

God's Word Helps Us As We Reflect, As We ...

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Apr 1, 2008

God’s Word helps us as we reflect, as we meditate, and as we seek direction. Going to His Word helps challenge us, correct us, and encourage us. The early Church of God gave themselves the designation as a “People of the Book.” I like that. We are to be a People of the Book. I believe the Words ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

Funny Church Feuds

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

Church feuds are not uncommon, especially among cliques in the congregation. But when the pastor and choir director get into it, stand aside. One week, the preacher preached on commitment, and how you should dedicate yourselves to service. The director then led the choir in singing, 'I Shall ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Unity, Hymns, Division, Church Fights

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Conflict Between The Preacher And The Organist

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

Conflicts are not uncommon in church, but when the preacher and song leader get into it, stand aside. One week, the preacher preached on commitment, and how we should move forward into doing service for others. After this sermon, the song leader led the congregation in singing, "I Shall Not ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:11

Tags: Organist, Pastor, Conflict, Preacher

Denomination: Anglican

The Vicar And The Organist

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jan 12, 2026

Conflicts are not uncommon, but when the Vicar and Organist get into it, stand aside. One week, the Vicar preached on commitment, and how we should move forward into doing service for others. After this sermon, the Organist led the congregation in singing, "I Shall Not Be Moved." The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Tags: Organist, Vicar

Denomination: Anglican

It’s Too Late To Hide

Contributed by Mark Beaird on Dec 31, 2015

It’s Too Late to Hide I first noticed him as he shuffled past me while making his way through the crowd of excited children swarming around the room at the school for deaf and blind children outside Saigon, Vietnam. He moved slow, but steady. His arms and legs were twisted and drawn in such a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:15-16

Tags: Blessings In Christ, Accepted By Grace, Acceptance In Christ

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A 30 Part Study Of Prayer Keys During Our ...

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Oct 4, 2011

A 30 part study of prayer keys during our Wednesday night prayer meetings? You may think it will become boringly repetitive. No, No, NOOOO! During this study, we will hear how Mary, Queen of Scots, feared the prayers of John Knox more than the combined armies of Europe. We will hear Jonathan ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5, Luke 11:1

Tags: Prayer, Prayer How To

Denomination: Baptist

A Rabbi And Soap Maker Who Went For A Walk ...  PRO

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Dec 11, 2000

"a rabbi and soap maker who went for a walk together. The soap maker had some negative things to say about religion: "What good is religion? Just look around you. what do you see? Trouble, misery, wars - even after all these years and years of preaching and teaching about goodness, truth, peace. ...read more

Tags: Descriptions Of God

Denomination: Lutheran

Eternity Magazine Contained A New Item On ...

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 9, 2008

Eternity magazine contained a new item on immortality and people's fascination with it. The article read: “The quest for pseudoimmortality took a giant leap forward with the announcement that you can send your remains "to the heavens" when you die. The Celestis Group of Melbourne, Florida, has ...read more

Tags: Fool

Denomination: Other

Looks Great, But What Does It Do?

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Dec 17, 2010

LOOKS GREAT, BUT WHAT DOES IT DO? 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 ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Michael Green Writes, "He Can Give The Power We ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 24, 2002

Michael Green writes, “He can give the power we need, and only he. Power for being witnesses to Jesus – is that not needed? Are not many Christians tongue-tied at the thought of speaking to anyone else about their Lord, while others find it second-nature? The difference lies in the Holy Spirit, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-41

When Necessary, Use Words

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

An as Francis of Assisi put so wonderfully: “Preach the Gospel at all times – and ...read more

Tags: Cross

My Friend Allen

Contributed by Jesse Bennett on Nov 19, 2008

MY FRIEND ALLEN After many years of prayer by friends and family, Allen finally surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. Initially when I met Allen he hadn’t surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. There was just something about Allen, even when he was upset with you, you couldn’t help but like the ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Baptist

The Nature Of Unbelief

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jan 21, 2009

The Nature of Unbelief In Ernest Hemmingway’s Green Hills of Africa, he hunts for sable. He shoots a large chestnut-colored cow, and then sees an immense black bull, which he shoots but badly. He finds the cow, but he and his team of trackers and porters search all day for the bull. The language ...read more

Tags: Unbelief

Denomination: Mennonite