In Sermon Illustrations: "Extended A Hand"

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

Indian Martyr

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Oct 31, 2020

Devasahayam Pillai was the first Indian martyr to be beatified. He was born in Nilakandan Pillai (1712-1752) into a Hindu family in the Kingdom of Travancore. Pillai, an upper-caste Hindu nair convert to Christianity, was a member of the royal service and was close to King Marthanda Varma, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6

Tags: Saints, Santihood, Santihood Lives

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pastor, Don't Get Too Excited Over Compliments!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 25, 2021

A NEW MAN AFTER THAT SERMON The minister’s sermon on this particular Sunday was considerably longer than normal. However, it was so well prepared and inspiring that he just knew it would be a big hit with the congregation. At the end of the service he stood shaking hands with the people as they ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Church Members, Compliments, Boring Sermons, Preaching, Humor, Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unwanted Items—the Ark Of The Covenant

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 16, 2025

Unwanted Items—The Ark of the Covenant Introduction: To “frame” this illustration, we’d need to look at a couple of chapters in 1 Samuel. In chapter 4, the writer tells us of Israel’s decision, foolish as it was, to bring the Ark of the Covenant out of the Tabernacle and down to the battlefield. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 5:1-12

Tags: Philistines, Ark Of The Covenant, Unwanted Items

Denomination: Baptist

Handicapped But Complete

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 26, 2007

Handicapped But Complete About two years ago my wife Kay was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

[287]. A Message From A Poem – The Prophets Made Careful Inquiry

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 7, 2026

[287]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE PROPHETS MADE CAREFUL INQUIRY The whole reason for this poem is this passage – {{1 Peter 1:9-12 “obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 9:1-3, Isaiah 53:4-5, 1 Peter 1:9-12

Tags: Christian Poems, The Prophetic Writings, Daniel, Isaiah, Truth, Inquiry, Searching, Old Testament Prophets  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Giving Out Of Need

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“Hunger also changes the world when eating can’t be a habit, then neither can seeing.” - Maxine Hong Kingston It had been a tough year and it didn’t appear to be getting any easier. She wasn’t working and he wasn’t working much. They had two teenage children to feed and bills to pay. The car ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:7

Tags: Compassion, Poverty, Generosity, Giving Out Of Need

Denomination: Charismatic

Carl's Gospel Garden  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 28, 2011

CARL'S GOSPEL GARDEN He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well. Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-25

Tags: Christian Witness

Five Brothers Were Walking Along A Road When ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 15, 2003

Five brothers were walking along a road when they saw a sign: “party tonight!” It announced. “Free food, drink, music, dance.” And best of all, at the bottom it said, “hosted in person by The King.” The first brother read the poster and said, “I’m not interested.” I’m going to stay home and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Tags: God's Love

Denomination: Baptist

Al Was My Father-In-Law. He Was An Uncomplicated ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 29, 2001

Al was my father-in-law. He was an uncomplicated man, easy to like. He was a natural athlete and avid outdoorsman who love to hunt and fish. … Al was the kind of man who didn’t mind what might get said about his wife or daughter, but he never tolerated an insult to his dog. Al’s ragged edge ...read more

Tags: Light

True Faith Is Grounded In True Discipleship

Contributed by Brandon Sirolli on Jun 23, 2017

The Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to two flight attendants called into the cockpit of a small passenger jet. There the captain of the airliner told them the jet would soon crash and they needed to hand out parachutes but do so in an orderly manner so as not to cause problems. The two talked it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:31-38

Tags: Truth, Cost Of Discipleship, Prosperity Gospel, Faith, Discipleship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Once I Was Walking Through A Store When A Little ...

Contributed by John Shearhart on Jun 22, 2006

Once I was walking through a store when a little statue of Jesus caught my attention. Actually, it wasn’t a statue, it was a dash ornament called Buddy Jesus. The statue portrayed Jesus grinning like an infomercial host, with one hand thumbs up and one hand doing a phony Hollywood "Bang-bang" ...read more

Tags: God The Father

There Was A Man The Side Of The Road Hitch Hiking ...  PRO

Contributed by Jonathan Busch on Jan 6, 2003

There was a man the side of the road hitch hiking on a very dark night in the middle of a storm. It was late at night and no cars were passing. The storm was so strong he could hardly see a few feet ahead of him. Suddenly, he saw a car coming towards him and stop. Without further thought, he got ...read more

Tags: Fear And Worry

Denomination: Pentecostal

Twas Battered And Scarred, And The Auctioneer ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 7, 2001

’Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while To waste much time on the old violin, But he held it up with a smile, "What am I bid, good folks," he cried "Who’ll start the bidding for me?" "1 dollar, a dollar"; then, "Two! Only two? Two dollars, and who’ll ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 13:16

Tags: God's Provision, Lordship Of Christ, Descriptions Of God

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Successful Beauty Product Company Asked The ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on May 22, 2001

A successful beauty product company asked the people in a large city to send pictures along with brief letters about the most beautiful women they knew. Within a few weeks thousands of letters were delivered to the company. One letter in particular caught the attention of the employees and soon it ...read more

Tags: Marriage General, Christian Love

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Suppose There Was A King Who Loved A Humble ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on May 25, 2001

Suppose there was a king who loved a humble maiden. The king was like no other king. Every statesmen trembled before his power. No one dared breathe a word against him, for he had the strength to crush all his opponents. And yet this mighty king was melted by love for a humble maiden. How could ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, Christmas, Humanity Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical Free

If You Saw The Movie With Tom Hanks Entitled ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Aug 14, 2001

If you saw the movie with Tom Hanks entitled Cast Away, you know who Wilson is. Wilson is a volleyball which floated ashore in a package after the FedEx plane, in which Hanks was riding, crashed into the sea during a bad storm. Hanks plays Chuck Noland, a fast-paced FedEx executive who gets ...read more

Tags: Prayer Adoration, Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Methodist

There Was A King Who Had All His World Could ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 11, 2001

There was a king who had all his world could afford. The thing he loved most, however, was to laugh. Once while being entertained a jester came along wishing to join in the festival of activities and also wishing to perform for him. His opportunity came and he put the best comical show together he ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation, Parable Rich Fool, Hell

Jesus Described Hell As A Place With A Stench. On ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Apr 18, 2007

Jesus described hell as a place with a stench. On the southwest corner of I-240 in our city you can smell the oil refinery. In Counce, Tennessee, you can smell the pulp mill or in Bolivar the tannery. When I lived on Holmes Street I ordered some flytraps for the backyard. They were quart jars ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

There Was A King Who Had All His World Could ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

There was a king who had all his world could afford. The thing he loved most, however, was to laugh. Once while being entertained a jester came along wishing to join in the festival of activities and also wishing to perform for him. His opportunity came and he put the best comical show together he ...read more

Tags: Parable Ten Virgins