In Sermon Illustrations: "Falling Out"

We Lost The Farm

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 8, 2012

"WE LOST THE FARM" Richard Culp worked in the hot California sun as foreman of a large ranching operation. He and his wife, Geneva, also owned their own farm, consisting of 200 acres of almond trees. Then years of bad weather and skimpy harvests forced Richard to take on additional work, but even ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Tags: God In The Hardships

The Thessalonian Error  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 22, 2012

THE THESSALONIAN ERROR The Thessalonian error was misunderstanding the purpose of end-time prophecy. The purpose is not to identify the anti-Christ or to inform us of events. Others have misunderstood the purpose of second-coming prophecy. Many people have been identified as the anti-Christ. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Tags: Second Coming

A Name On The Bill Of Rights  PRO

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Oct 4, 2012

A NAME ON THE BILL OF RIGHTS The Black Brigade or Black Regiment were the preachers, because they wore black robes. Black preachers, white preachers — they all wore black robes. And the British specifically blamed the preachers for the American Revolution. That's where the title "Black Regiment" ...read more

Tags: Patriotism

Denomination: Holiness

Chosen

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Jul 5, 2017

CHOSEN 1 Peter 2:4 …you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious… I was awful. No one had to tell me – I knew it. In my hometown of Littlefield, Texas, the kids used to find a vacant lot relatively bare of weeds, choose up teams and play baseball. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4

Tags: Chosen By God, Baseball, Athlete, Athletic, Sports, Chosen, Elect  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Guidance From A Fortune Cookie?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 21, 2020

My wife and I occasionally balance our diets with some good old Chinese food! Besides, every cook deserves at least one day off and I plan on doing this for my favorite gal as often as I can! One of the best things about these restaurants is wondering what kind of "fortune" we'll ...read more

Scripture: John 7:17

Tags: Bible, Guidance, Word, Fortune Cookies

Denomination: Baptist

The Cross Made The Difference

Contributed by David Simpson on Apr 20, 2020

I (David Simpson) grew up as part of the spiritual family of Hardwick Christian Church. Along with my parents and sisters, I learned about Jesus and Bible there. I don’t ever remember a Sunday throughout my childhood and into my teen years when I was not in that church building and doing life with ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:5, John 3:16

Tags: Communion, Good Friday, Cross, Lord's Supper, Blood Of Jesus, Cross Of Jesus, Sacrifice Of Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

Unsung Heroes: Naaman's Servants

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 27, 2021

Introduction: Leprosy was and is a very serious disease, affecting the skin in any number of ways. Anyone who ever came down with the disease faced a sad future. Leviticus 13 has detailed information how the people of Israel were to be examined and declared either "clean" or ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:11-14

Tags: Naaman, Elisha, Unsung Heroes

Denomination: Baptist

Lazy -Apathy Cost

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 22, 2022

STORY: ONE EVENING THERE WAS AN OLD WISE MAN SITTING ON HIS PORCH WHEN A YOUNG MAN APPROACHED HIM. The young man said: HOW I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOUR WISDOM, UNDERSTANDING AND RICHES. The sun was setting. The old man said saddle that horse. The young man saddled the horse. The old man gave him two ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:17-19

Tags: Unfaithfulness, No Passion

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Parable Of The Pearl

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 28, 2022

Once there was a man who collected and traded in pearls. He had a fine collection of his own. But one day, while he was away on business, he spotted a beautiful pearl in a Jeweler's window. It was a pearl such as he had never seen, perfect in shape, size, and color. He thought to himself, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Tags: Sacrifice, Commitment, Discipleship, Kingdom Of God, Decisions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Doing Your Duty With A Little Faith

Contributed by Richard L. Brown on Sep 16, 2023

Don Gullett was the greatest athlete eastern Kentucky has ever seen. He excelled in all sports. He was so good that he was recruited by the University of Kentucky in all three sports….Basketball, Football, and Baseball. In Basketball he averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds a game; I personally ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5-10, 2 Timothy 1:3-12

Tags: Faith, Trust

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Misapplied Scriptures: The "Mizpah” Moment

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 17, 2023

Full disclosure: Sermon Central has accepted and posted a complete message on this text and context called “Jacob-His Mizpah Moment”. This illustration is not an abbreviated form of that message, only a brief attempt to post some highlights. In addition, this verse/passage was featured back in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 31:49

Tags: Jacob, Mizpah, Laban

Denomination: Baptist

[008] Message From A Poem - A Tale Of The Fish’s Tails

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 1, 2024

[008] MESSAGE FROM A POEM - A TALE OF THE FISH’S TAILS “Take the line of least resistance; go with the flow; jellyfish that drift; leave me out of it; I see both sides; don’t involve me; I don’t want to know!” The world is full of compromise and it gets worse. We can expect no less from this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Galatians 5:1, Ephesians 6:11, Ephesians 6:13-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Stand Firm, Fish Tails, Opposing, Compromise, Resist, Fish  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Days After Christmas

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Dec 19, 2024

It’s two days after Christmas. The celebrations are over. The presents have been put up. Another Christmas in the books. Christmas 2024 will now take its place among all the Christmases passed. I wonder what Mary was thinking two days after the first Christmas. It’s been quite a ride. How could she ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 1:18-24, Hebrews 4:14-16, Philippians 2:1-16

Tags: Manger, Birth, Joseph, Census, Catteau, Mary, Christmas, Bethlehem  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[063]. A Message From A Poem – Drumming And Humming Become Obese

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 18, 2025

[063]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DRUMMING AND HUMMING BECOME OBESE This poem is not my usual style and I need to explain. Imagine the beginnings of something that multiplies itself and grows louder and louder as it advances; then will take over because nothing can stop it . . . . except ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:2, Revelation 6:3-4, 2 Timothy 3:1-2

Tags: Humming, Drumming, Leaven, Wickedness, Delusion, Poetry, Poem, Advance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[085]. A Message From A Poem – For All Christians - The Three Ps

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 21, 2025

[085]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FOR ALL CHRISTIANS - THE THREE Ps There are 9 poems in this Trilogy series. This poem is part of a Trilogy - three sets of three. The first set is addressed to MEN, the second to ALL CHRISTIANS and the third is SPECIFIC. This is the first one in the second set ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 47:5-7, Galatians 5:22-23, Romans 12:11-12, Psalm 57:7-9

Tags: Vital Links, Praise, Prayer, Patience, Poetry, Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[101]. A Message From A Poem – God Of Small Things

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 8, 2025

[101]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GOD OF SMALL THINGS Some people like to think big. There is this fallacy that big is better, especially in the American culture. God does not work with big. He uses availability, particularly in His children. I once preached on this topic showing that God uses ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:3, 1 Samuel 15:17, Matthew 14:17-20

Tags: Message, Goliath, Small Things, Small, Pebbles, Five Loaves And Two Fish, Ebedmelech, Poems, Christian Poetry, Molecules, Atoms  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[108]. A Message From A Poem – Grace Is The Key To Holiness

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 18, 2025

[108]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GRACE IS THE KEY TO HOLINESS This is a poem that has to be read carefully for understanding because of the construct of the poem. The subject is certainly GRACE, but grace can never be in isolation. There is a strong but harmonising relationship with LOVE, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:9, Revelation 22:21, Ezra 9:8, Ephesians 2:8

Tags: Peace, Holiness, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Grace, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[163]. A Message From A Poem – Joy For Sorrow - Care In Hurt

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 14, 2025

[163]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – JOY FOR SORROW - CARE IN HURT The title of this poem has two contrasts – sorrow turning to joy, and hurt adopting care. This poem was written 27 years ago and since that time much has changed in the world for the followers of the Lord. Persecution has increased ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5-6, 2 Corinthians 6:4-5

Tags: Hurting One, South Africa, The Holy Spirit, Martyred, Suffering Christians, World Press, Comforr, Joy, Africa, Sorrow, Iran, Sudan, Nigeria, Lord, Persecution, Evil, Comfort  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[171]. A Message From A Poem – Living In A Country Town

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 21, 2025

[171]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LIVING IN A COUNTRY TOWN This poem is a little idealistic but it was written with the aim of a possible country gospel song. It is not my personal experience, though I have lived in isolated areas including in the semi-desert outback for many years. I can well ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-2, Psalm 8:3-4, Hebrews 13:5-6

Tags: Christian Poems, Country Town, Creation, Faithful, Isolation, Caring, The Creator, Never Leave  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pennies, Pluto, And The Things That Matter

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Dec 18, 2025

I just got back to my office after a quick stop for a soda and a snack. When the cashier gave me back my change, he rounded it to the nearest nickel. It looks like we're doing away with pennies. For some odd reason, I think that's sad. But it makes sense (pun intended). From what I hear, it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46, Mark 12:41-44

Tags: Pluto, Pennies, Kingdom, Kindness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ