In Sermon Illustrations: "False Confidence"

Too Wicked For Ministry

Contributed by Keith Foskey on Apr 16, 2014

Paul Washer is a powerful preacher and evangelist. He once had a seminary student send him a message. He was afraid that he was too bad to enter the ministry. He sent him a message that simply said, "I think I am too wicked to be in the ministry." And Paul Washer wrote him back and said, "You are ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:19-26

Tags: Assurance, Confidence, Reliance On God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prayer

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

Chris Jeffries tells the story of Roy who was feeling frustrated that he was not able to do what he felt he was born to do. So he prayed for Our Father to change something. Then there was a knock at the door and they met two strangers, a married couple. They invited them in and sat them down at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5-8

Tags: Prayer, God's Will, Confidence In Prayer

Denomination: Methodist

Some Years Ago I Was In A Discussion With A ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on May 3, 2010

Some years ago I was in a discussion with a member of the so-called Unity Church of Christianity. He said he believed the same thing I did - Unity - Jesus is the Way-Shower. We follow His example of a good life. Christianity – Jesus is the Way to God. Jesus gives us new life by dying for our ...read more

Tags: Jesus Christ, False Doctrine

Denomination: Pentecostal

Humphery The Whale

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Sep 6, 2017

Remember Humphrey the humpback whale? Humphrey became a national celebrity in 1985 when he made his way into the San Francisco Bay and headed up the Sacramento River into fresh water which, of course, could have been fatal for him. Each evening a large local television audience would tune in for ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-5

Tags: Original Sin, False Beliefs

Denomination: Lutheran

Pelagianism A Simple Explaination

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Sep 6, 2017

Pelagius. He was a British Monk who lived in the 4th century. He taught that Adam was created good and everything God creates is good. He went on to say that all human beings could be sinless, an never do an evil action if they chose. Nothing that some men have lived without sin. Adam’s sin, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-24

Tags: Grace Alone, False Beliefs

Denomination: Lutheran

Do Not Jump To Judge Other Christians

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 14, 2019

Don't Jump to Judge Other Christians This is God's message for us in Romans 14:3-4, where Paul said: 3. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4. Who are you to judge another's servant? To his ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:3-4

Tags: Judging Others, False Assumptions

Denomination: Baptist

Selling Monthly Blessings On The Installment Plan!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 11, 2024

Several years ago a news report told about a preacher who promised to sell blessings on the installment plan. Incredible as it sounds, he offered 12 monthly blessings for $84. Anyone who wanted his prayers could fill out a coupon and send $7 a month for one year. Hinting that his prayers have ...read more

Tags: Healing, Greed, Prayer, Last Days, False Teachers, False Doctrine, False Prophets, Liars, Deceivers, Frauds  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Write Out Your Goal. What Are The Obstacles? ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Write out your goal. What are the obstacles? What are the rewards? Is it worth it? Are you willing to pay the price? If so, visualize the rewards and get ...read more

Tags: Courage, Preparation, Goals, Confidence, Training  (view more)  (view less)

The Gray Area

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 9, 2009

THE GRAY AREA I heard a story about a 90-year-old grandfather who was complaining to his grandson about getting old. He said, "The worst part is the diapers." He continued, "I don’t mind wearin’ them, it’s just the name I hate. Depends! If I have to wear a diaper, I don’t want there to be any ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1

Tags: Faith, Trust, Confidence, Dependable, Reliable  (view more)  (view less)

Being Humble - Young Seminarian Story

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 24, 2026

A young seminarian ... was excited about preaching his very first sermon ... in the small church ... he grew up in. After three years in seminary, ... he felt adequately prepared, ... and when he was introduced to the congregation, ... he walked boldly ... to the pulpit, ...his head high, ... ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5

Tags: Humble, Pride, Boldness, Confidence, Embarrassed  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

We Live In A Strange Community, Where It Is Not ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 1, 2001

We live in a strange community, where it is not uncommon to see bumper stickers that say things like, I am Light, or Due to circumstances within our control Armageddon has been cancelled. But the one that really gets me is the one that reads simply, I AM. Thank God, the I AM doesn’t drive a VW ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Tags: False Teaching, Cults, Apologetics God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gods That People Manufacture

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 13, 2019

THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME. In his book, Your God is Too Small, J. B. Phillips describes some of the common gods that people manufacture. One is the grand old man god, the grandfatherly, white-haired, indulgent god who smiles down on men and winks at their adultery, stealing, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-10

Tags: False Gods, Idolatry, Ten Commandments

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Misapplied Scriptures: Amos 3:7

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 2, 2023

Introduction: Like many believers, I didn’t spend too much time reading the Bible, let alone doing serious study, for many of my years as a believer. It seems some religious leaders or devout followers know this and use verses such as this one to prove a point. If true believers don’t have a ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:7

Tags: False Prophets, Prophets, Misapplied Scriptures

Denomination: Baptist

Embraced By The Darkness

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 18, 2022

"Embraced By the Light" or is it more like.... "Embraced By the Darkness?" The idea of Hell and judgment are nowhere to be found in Betty Eadie’s bestseller, Embraced By The Light, on the N.Y. Times bestseller list. In November 1973, Eadie allegedly died after undergoing a ...read more

Tags: Hell, Death, Jesus, Heaven, Judgment, False Teachers, Lies, Deceit, False Prophets  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Counterfeit Preachers

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 10, 2023

Did you know that counterfeiting of money is one of the oldest crimes in history? Here in America it became a serious problem during the 19th century when banks issued their own currency. In fact, by the time of the Civil War, it was estimated that one-third of all currency in circulation was ...read more

Tags: Spirits, Spirit Of Error, Discernment, Truth, False Teachers, Spirit Of Truth, False Prophets  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Heard About A Missionary Who Was Trying To Stir ...  PRO

Contributed by John Dobbs on May 9, 2003

I heard about a missionary who was trying to stir up interest to get people to go to a foreign country to preach the gospel. At the end of the service a woman dragging a little boy behind her, told the missionary, "I just feel like God is calling me to be a missionary." "He is, ...read more

Tags: Confidence, Faith, Parenting, Missions, Trust, Women  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Help In The Garden  PRO

Contributed by John Herrmann on Nov 14, 2008

HELP IN THE GARDEN An old Italian lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament: Dear ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Tags: Service, Honor, Father's Day, Help, Confidence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

He's A Liar!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 2, 2023

A missionary to the American Indians was in Los Angeles with an Indian friend who was a new Christian. As they walked down the street, they passed a man on the corner who was preaching with a Bible in his hand. The missionary knew the man represented a cult, but the Indian saw only the Bible. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-5, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: False Teachers, False Teaching, Spirits, Spirit Of Error, Holy Spirit, Satan, Discernment, Truth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Someone The Shepherd Brought Home  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 22, 2013

Someone the Shepherd Brought Home Carl Ketcherside served with and was instrumental in a strict branch of the Restoration Movement. However, the Lord made a lot of changes in his life. In his later years he moved to St. Louis and ministered among the down and out. At this time, Ketcherside ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-31

Tags: Good Shepherd, False Shepherds, Great Shepherd

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Impersonating A Christian

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Jan 16, 2015

In her recently published book “Dance with the Devil” Barbara Bentley shares her experience with former husband, John Perry, a mysterious man, whose father was supposedly portrayed by John Wayne in a World War II movie. She fell in love with him when He dazzled her and her friends with his heroic ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Tags: Hypocrisy, Day Of Judgment, False Believer, Imposter

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational