In Sermon Illustrations: "Finding Fault"

Keys To The Kingdom?

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Sep 29, 2009

KEYS TO THE KINGDOM? At a former church, the day I started my job as an associate pastor I was given a set of keys to the church by one of the Trustees, Bill. Bill told me, "Peter, these are not all the keys to the church, we are only giving you four keys: One key to the church building, one key ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It’s Closer Than I Thought!

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 7, 2020

My wife and her parents used a certain brand of ketchup for many things over a long period of time. They hadn’t had any of it, though, in maybe 30 years or so. They believed this brand wasn’t available, locally, so they never got around to finding any more of it. Now, I grew up in a different part ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: God's Will, Discovery, Sharing

Denomination: Baptist

Today I Want To Conclude By Sort Of Turning The ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Today I want to conclude by sort of turning the tables and say that now we’ve got this great stuff of how we can be set free for ourselves, how can we now turn around and help other people find freedom through Christ. I’m particularly thinking about this because of a story from a Major who is part ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

Jesus Is Hard To Ignore And Easy To Miss

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 19, 2022

In a Christmas sermon, David Devine relates a story that appeared in the Washington Post last year... “He emerged from the Metro at the Plaza Station and positioned himself against a wall beside a trash basket. By most measures, he was nondescript: a youngish white man in jeans, a long-sleeved ...read more

Tags: Mary, Christmas, Bethlehem, Manger, Angels, Prophecy, Joseph, Birth Of Christ, History, Spiritual Blindness, Shepherds  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gideons Tell The True Story About A Taxi ...  PRO

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 2, 2001

The Gideons tell the true story about a taxi driver who was quite a scoundrel. His name is Herbie and he lived ad worked in Manilla in the Philippines. He, like many people, wanted to learn English, but for the purpose of being able to swindle his customers out of their money. He grabbed the ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Income Tax  PRO

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Apr 3, 2001

From Reader’s Digest: It’s time to pay my income tax And, brother, that’s no joke. For after paying IRS I find that I R broke! —Jerry Henderson in Lubbock, Texas, Avalanche-Journal As April 15 draweth nigh, My spirits start to droop. A poor, downtrodden slave am I, In short, an income ...read more

Scripture: John 8:36

Tags: Money, Poverty, Giving General

Denomination: Baptist

A Ww2 Story Tells Of How Some Soldiers Brought ...  PRO

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on May 25, 2001

A WW2 story tells of how some soldiers brought the body of a dead friend to a French Cemetary. The priest asked if the dead man had been a catholic, but they did not know. The priest said that the man could not be buried in the graveyard. They men took their friend and buried him outside the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:1-8

Tags: Funerals Non-Christian, Friendship General, Compassion, Faith

A Young Preacher Heard About A Sudden And Tragic ...  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 24, 2002

A young preacher heard about a sudden and tragic death of a teenager in a car accident. He rushed to the home of the parents only to find them standing in the front yard next to their car. They had just arrived home from the hospital. He didn’t know what to say so he said nothing. They hugged ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships, Disappointment

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bill Stopped In At Abie's Little General Store, ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 27, 2002

Bill stopped in at Abie’s little general store, looking for a bottle of mustard. The shelves were loaded with salt -- bags and bags of salt. Abie said he had some mustard, but that he would have to go down to the cellar to find it. Bill went down with him, and there to his surprise were still more ...read more

Tags: Sharing Your Faith, Sharing My Testimony, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Quiet Hour  PRO

Contributed by Richard Weinert on Dec 10, 2002

A QUIET HOUR<p> Amid the Christmas rush and noise<P> Of Christmas trees and childrens toys<P> Of gift and bow and mistletoe <P> And presents laid out in a row<P> We need to take a quiet hour<P> To contemplate all Heaven’s power<P> Which sent to earth our Heavenly King<P> When angels in the realm ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Birth Of Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Art Thou Sunk In Depths Of Sorrow Where No Arm ...  PRO

Contributed by Clyde Grimes on Jan 7, 2003

Art thou sunk in depths of sorrow where no arm can reach so low? There is One whose arms almighty reach beyond thy deepest woe. God th’Eternal is thy refuge, let it still thy wild alarms; Underneath thy deepest sorrow are the everlasting arms. Underneath us—Oh, how easy! We have not to mount on ...read more

Tags: Promises Of God, God's Forgiveness, God's Provision

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

When You Notice Your Child Is Starting To Pick Up ...  PRO

Contributed by Larry Elder on Jul 12, 2003

When you notice your child is starting to pick up some ungodly actions you will investigate to understand how these aspect are being placed in the heart of your child. You will find an influence that will need to be removed of changed. The influence could be a friend, or music, or certain TV ...read more

Tags: Children

Denomination: Assembly Of God

In 1942 Margeret Wise Brown Worte A Children's ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 20, 2003

In 1942 Margeret Wise Brown worte a children’s book that continues to be published. "The Runaway Bunny" is a classic describing parental love. One day the young bunny informs his mother that he is going to run away. The mother responds with, "I will run after you." The young bunny retorts with ...read more

Tags: God The Father, Promises Of God

An Organization In Montana Once Offered A Bounty ...  PRO

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 14, 2004

An organization in Montana once offered a bounty of five thousand dollars for every wolf captured alive. Two hunters named Sam and Jed decided to head for the hills and make some money capturing wolves. Day and night they scoured the mountains and forests searching for their valuable prey. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: Baptist

Are You A Christian?  PRO

Contributed by Donnie De Loney on Feb 4, 2005

ILLUSTRTATION: ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN? Addressing a national seminar of Southern Baptist leaders, George Gallup said, "We find there is very little difference in ethical behavior between churchgoers and those who are not active religiously...The levels of lying, cheating, and stealing are remarkable ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Christian Values

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Famed Educator Booker T. Washington Recalled The ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 22, 2005

Famed educator Booker T. Washington recalled the “entrance exam” that earned him a place at the Hampton Institute in Virginia as a young man. The head teacher ordered Washington to take a broom and sweep the classroom. Because he knew this was his chance, he swept the room three times and dusted ...read more

Tags: Endurance

How Mosaics Evangelize: Researcher George Barna ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

How Mosaics Evangelize: Researcher George Barna says recent Barna Group research finds that Mosaics (adolescents through 20’s) are much more likely to share their faith through ongoing discussions with friends and through e-mail and instant message conversations than older adults. He advises ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Under Funded Retirement: The Annual Retirement ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Under Funded Retirement: The annual Retirement Confidence Survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute finds 65% of workers are “very” or “somewhat” confident of funding their retirements. That’s down from 68% last year. Although the overall confidence reading remains high, most workers ...read more

Tags: Money

A Group Of Elderly, Cultured Gentlemen Met Often ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2006

A group of elderly, cultured gentlemen met often to exchange wisdom and drink tea. Each host tried to find the finest and most costly varieties, to create exotic blends that would arouse the admiration of his guests. When the most venerable and respected of the group entertained, he served his tea ...read more

Tags: Money

People Even Look At Salvation And Christianity In ...

Contributed by Richard Francis on May 8, 2006

People even look at salvation and Christianity in this way, R.T.Kendall tells of a man he knew that illustrates this well. The man tried every Christian denomination, in his time had been a signed up as a member of thirteen different churches and just in case was baptised every way possible full ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational