In Sermon Illustrations: "Faith Vs Works"

Prepare To Be Embarrassed

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 28, 2014

PREPARE TO BE EMBARRASSED "One of these days some simple soul will pick up the Word of God, read it and believe it. Then the rest of us ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-6

Tags: Bible, Faith, Revival, Miracles

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Will Give You Two Apples  PRO

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 29, 2014

I WILL GIVE YOU TWO APPLES An atheist and a little boy in his neighborhood were talking one day about God, church and faith. Finally, the old neighbor said to the little boy, "Son, I don’t see how there could be a God in this world with all of the problems we have. I will give you an apple if you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-5

Tags: Faith, Apologetics, Atheism, Unbelief

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Really Committed?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 17, 2017

Corrie Ten Boom, the Dutch survivor of Nazi gas chambers, once told a fascinating story. She said that a group of believers were meeting behind the Iron Curtain when the church door burst open and two Russian soldiers with guns stormed inside. They said they would give five minutes for anyone who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Fear, Courage, Test Of Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sold: Ten Percent Of Apple Computer For $800

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 25, 2018

I’d like to begin this morning with a story. It involves these men [photo of Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs]. You probably recognize them: Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. The two men who founded Apple Computer. Right? Well, no, actually that’s not completely accurate. Here is a photo of the original ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-20

Tags: Perseverance In Faith, Treasure In Heaven

Denomination: Baptist

Recently A Baptist Pastor In Illinois Received A ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Recently a Baptist Pastor in Illinois received a visit from the FBI. They came in response to an anonymous caller who took issue with something the Pastor said in his sermon. According to the Baptist Press news service, “Nov. 23, 2004, started out like any other normal morning for Randy Steele, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 8:1

Tags: Faith, Freedom, Season, Embark

Every Christian Ought To Be Ready To Stand Up ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Every Christian ought to be ready to stand up courageously and unashamedly for the Lord. How inconsistent that a person redeemed by the blood of Christ experiencing saving power should cower before an unbelieving world On one occasion Frederick the Great invited some notable people to his royal ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Tags: Witness, Faith, Forgiveness, Boldness

Here's Maximum Effort, Giving It Everything ...

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Jul 27, 2007

Here’s maximum effort, giving it everything you’ve got. Determination, perseverance. Allow me to let Hitch, the date Doctor, to define this principle for us. {Video Clip: Hitch - Start: Chp. 9: 32:55 - End: 35:00 = 2:05} Did you hear Hitch’s definition? “Perseverance is ...read more

Tags: Faith, Endurance, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Christian Church

The Point: To Receive From God We Must First ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 7, 2007

[The Point: to receive from God we must first trust Him.] I discovered the chipmunks while stopping at a scenic over-look in Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado). They were amazing; bravely coming right up to people to take food out of their hands. These little creatures had willingly changed ...read more

Tags: Faith, Trust, Hands, Chipmunks

Singer Sheryl Crow Said Recently, In A New York ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Mar 3, 2008

Singer Sheryl Crow said recently, in a New York Post interview: “I believe in God. I believe in Jesus and Buddha and Mohammed and all those that were enlightened. I wouldn’t say necessarily that I’m a strict Christian. I’m not sure I believe in heaven.” Sheryl Crow is where many people are today; ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6, 2 Peter 2:20-21

Tags: Faith, Truth, Relativism, Pluralism

Denomination: Wesleyan

Grab The Rope

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Aug 1, 2018

Main Idea: To be saved, you must let go of what you are trusting in and grab onto Jesus. Verse: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:30-31 NKJV). Illustration: One time there was a man who ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:30-31

Tags: Trust In Jesus, Faith, Salvation

Denomination: Charismatic

The Vine

Contributed by Michael E. Bartee Sr. on Oct 19, 2018

When I was growing up I was one of six children. Our house was very small, only four rooms. And without any of the convieniences most houses had in those days. We did not have a bathroom,running water, or a furnace. There were two boys, about my age, that lived close by. In my mind they were ...read more

Scripture: John 5:15

Tags: Trusting God, Faith In Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Had A Hat

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Oct 4, 2019

During a tornado a mother was crying for help. It seems that her son was taken up into the tornado and blown away. The mother turned to heaven and shouted a prayer: “Please, Lord, bring back my son! He’s all I have. I’ll do anything to get him back.”--- Suddenly, her son fell from the sky right at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5-10

Tags: Faith, Duty, Desires, Prayers

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Just A Touch

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Dec 17, 2020

Mar 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:27-34

Tags: Faith, Desire, Touch, Crowds

Denomination: Baptist

I Wanted

Contributed by Sylvester Fergusson on Jun 22, 2021

It was spring, but it was summer I wanted, The warm days, and the great outdoors. It was summer, but it was fall I wanted, The colorful leaves, and the cool, dry air. It was fall, but it was winter I wanted, The beautiful snow, and the joy of the holiday season. It was winter, but it was spring I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:19

Tags: Faith, Contentment, Discontentment, Coveteousness

Denomination: Adventist

How Steinway Pianos Are Crafted

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

THE POUNDER ROOM The Steinway piano has been preferred by keyboard masters such as Rachmaninoff, Horowitz, Cliburn, and Liszt and for good reason. It is a skillfully crafted instrument that produces phenomenal sound. Steinway pianos are built today the same way they were 140 years ago when Henry ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Tags: Discipline, Trials, Tests Of Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Perfect Church

Contributed by David Parks on Sep 19, 2022

If you should find the perfect church Without one spot or sore For goodness sake! Don’t join that church! For it won’t be perfect anymore. If you should find the perfect church Where all anxieties cease. Then pass it by, lest you join it, And mar the masterpiece. But since no perfect church ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:7, Matthew 16:18, 1 Corinthians 13:1-10

Tags: Faith, Love, Church, Hope

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tribes And Nations

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Nov 29, 2022

Genesis 11:10 – Gen. 12:5 Shem (oldest son of Noah, in the lineage of David, Joseph, and Jesus Christ) We note Shem’s genealogy both in Genesis 10 and here in Genesis 11; why? – Abraham and eventually Israel came from the lineage of Shem; Genesis 11 gives details and sets up Abraham Shem ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:10-32

Tags: Faith, God, Israel, Population

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Church Attendance Excuse

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 22, 2025

A pastor said: “You need to join the Army of the Lord!” My friend replied, “I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor.” Pastor questioned, “How come I don't see you except at Christmas ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25-27

Tags: Faithfulness, Excuses, Church Attendance

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Hint Of Heaven

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on May 22, 2025

“At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door. We discern the freshness and purity of morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the splendours we see. But all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumour that it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:42-54, John 14:1-4

Tags: Faith, Heaven, Eternal Life

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Mansion Builder

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 7, 2025

A story is told of a believer who arrived in heaven and was greeted by an angel who offered to show him his new home. They walked down golden streets lined with breathtaking mansions. Each home seemed larger and brighter than the one before—until they reached a small, simple cottage at the end of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21, Revelation 22:12, 1 Timothy 6:18-19, Luke 12:33-34

Tags: Eternity, Stewardship, Faithfulness, Generosity

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist