In Sermon Illustrations: "Fear Failure"

Cappie Was A High School Freshman. As She ...

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Mar 20, 2008

Cappie was a high school freshman. As she talked about her fears of going into high school, she told how her father left when she was a baby. With tears in her eyes, she said it hurt when friends at school talked about their dads because her dad had no time for her. Later Cappie learned to party ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Spoiled Child Of God

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 11, 2009

SPOILED CHILD OF GOD Have you ever noticed a parent spoiling his child by allowing him to freely roam, disobey, be out late at night without accountability, talk back to him, etc? At times, parents are fearful of losing their child’s love if they restrict their activity or don’t give in to their ...read more

Tags: Christian Love

Denomination: Baptist

I Used To Have A Principle Named Mr. Duchovich. ...  PRO

Contributed by Rolland Bouchard on Sep 11, 2002

I used to have a principle named Mr. Duchovich. He was a monster of a man. Not in Character, but in stature. When in trouble in Jr. High school, the students feared for their lives. I remember one day having another student at the school bet me that I couldn’t kick a clock that was 7.5 feet ...read more

Tags: Promises Of God, God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Cinderella (From Max ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 19, 2009

Cinderella (From Max Lucado) Now I want to turn things to an illustration as we transition to our final point. It is a true story that takes place at Disney World. Cinderella’s castle. It was packed with kids and parents. Suddenly all the children rushed to one side. Had it been a boat, the castle ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:3-5

Tags: Healing, Jesus Christ

Cinderella Grace

Contributed by Bret Toman on Jan 2, 2010

CINDERELLA GRACE Cinderella’s castle at Disneyland was packed with kids and parents. Suddenly - all the children rushed to one side. It’s a good thing it was a castle and not a boat, or it would have tipped over. The pristine princess had entered the room. Cinderella. A gorgeous young girl with ...read more

Tags: Grace

Denomination: Baptist

The Lost Son

Contributed by Brent Kirby on May 27, 2011

THE LOST SON A young boy, around the age of eight, lived in Alaska with his parents. His dad was the Boy Scout leader of the area. The troop of the young boy decided to go mountain climbing up a two mile high mountain called Bald Eagle. The boy loved to climb and made a competition with the other ...read more

Tags: Parable Prodigal Son

Denomination: Wesleyan

From Niv Application Commentary- Annie Dillard ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 8, 2006

From NIV Application Commentary- Annie Dillard tells of the ill-fated Franklin expedition to the Arctic in 1845. It was a turning point in Arctic exploration because of its well-publicized failure. The preparations made for the voyage were not suitable for the frigid Arctic. The explorers made room ...read more

Tags: Money

God Ain't Dead

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Jun 26, 2006

A pastor wrote: "Some time ago I saw a picture of an old burned-out mountain shack. All that remained was the chimney...the charred debris of what had been that family’s sole possession. In front of this destroyed home stood an old grandfather-looking man dressed only in his underclothes with a ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: Lutheran

Shackleton Found Them Ready  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 4, 2007

Shackleton Found Them Ready While on one of his expeditions to the Antarctic, Sir Ernest Shackleton was once compelled to leave some of his men on Elephant Island, with the intention of returning for them and carrying them back to England. But he was unavoidably delayed, and by the time he could go ...read more

Denomination: Other

Losing Control, One Mistake At A Time  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Sep 5, 2002

LOSING CONTROL, ONE MISTAKE AT A TIME "According to the Associated Press, on December 14, 1996, a 763-foot grain freighter, the Bright Field, was heading down the Mississippi at New Orleans, Louisiana, when it lost control, veered toward the shore, and crashed into a riverside shopping mall. At ...read more

Tags: Faith, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: United Methodist

In Response To Proverbs 18:16, Zig Ziglar Said, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 28, 2003

In response to Proverbs 18:16, Zig Ziglar said, “I have been a member of two churches in my life. My first church sent me out to bring my teaching gift to my second church. I went, not only with their blessing, but by their calling. Not the calling of the second church, but by the calling of the ...read more

Tags: Gifts General, Servanthood

When I Was Growing Up In West Texas Cicada ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 14, 2003

When I was growing up in West Texas cicada (pronounced si-ka'-da) “locusts” like the one pictured on the screen filled the giant elm trees at times. During the heat of the summer the shrill buzzing sound of their mating call filled the air. To this day anytime I get in dry, hot weather I remember ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 6:1-7

Tags: Growth In Christ, Assurance Of Salvation

Denomination: Charismatic

Some Time Ago, In Los Angeles, There Was A Person ...  PRO

Contributed by James O. Davis on Oct 30, 2003

Some time ago, in Los Angeles, there was a person called the “Human Fly.” This man could literally climb the sides of department store buildings and slide along the walls without help from any outside force. He was a master. That’s why they called him the “Human Fly.” One Friday afternoon, a ...read more

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Thomas Edison Did Not Give Up On His First ...

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 27, 2004

Thomas Edison did not give up on his first efforts to find an effective filament for the incandescent lamp. He did countless experiments with countless materials. As each failed, he would toss it out the window. The pile reached the second story of his house. Eventually, he sent men into ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Endurance

Denomination: Pentecostal

Business Professors Gary Hamel And C. K. ...  PRO

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 27, 2004

Business professors Gary Hamel and C. K. Prahalad have written about an experiment that was conducted with a group of monkeys. It is a vivid story of failure. Four monkeys were placed in a room that had a tall pole in the center. Suspended from the top of that pole was a bunch of bananas. One ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Am Not A Connoisseur Of Great Art, But From ...  PRO

Contributed by Bart Leger on Feb 9, 2005

I am not a connoisseur of great art, but from time to time a painting or picture will really speak a clear, strong message to me. Some time ago I saw a picture of an old burned-out mountain shack. All that remained was the chimney...the charred debris of what had been that family’s sole possession. ...read more

Tags: Double-Minded, God's Provision, Indecision, Mind

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Shackleton Found Them Ready  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Illustration: Shackleton Found Them Ready While on one of his expeditions to the Antarctic, Sir Ernest Shackleton was once compelled to leave some of his men on Elephant Island, with the intention of returning for them and carrying them back to England. But he was unavoidably delayed, and by the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-13

Tags: Cross Agony

P ...

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Mar 23, 2009

Powerless! Dr. Joe McGee sent the following story that might make you watch for the floor sweeper the next time you are in the hospital! “In a hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, patients always died in the same bed on Sunday morning at about 11:00 AM. Regardless of their medical condition, death ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Baptist

List Of Weaknesses

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Apr 6, 2009

LIST OF WEAKNESSES In his book He Chose the Nails, Max Lucado wrote: "The list of our weaknesses. Would anyone like to see yours? Would you like to make them public? How would you feel if they were posted high so that everyone, including Christ himself, could see? Yes, there is a list of your ...read more

Tags: Easter Good Friday

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Linus Deals With Problems: Run ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 29, 2009

How Linus Deals With Problems: Run away Remember the cartoon series, Peanuts? In one of the scenes, Linus and Charlie Brown are walking along and chatting with one another. Linus says, “I don’t like to face problems head on. I think the best way to solve problems is to avoid them. In fact, this is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12

Tags: Trials And Difficulties, Trials Of Life