In Sermon Illustrations: "Fire Of God"

What Is Hell?

Contributed by Ruben Castro on Dec 16, 2008

What is Hell? En una encuesta realizada por la organización Barna, las per¬sonas dieron a conocer sus ideas con respecto a lo que ellos creen debe ser el infierno. • El 39% por ciento cree que el infierno es un estado de separación eterna de la presencia de Dios. • El 32% por ciento dice que es ...read more

Tags: Hell

Denomination: Baptist

The Lost Ladle

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

THE LOST LADLE Helen was a wonderful Christian woman, She was a single mother raising her only son Tom as best she could to love God. But Helen was very worried when Tom told her he was moving to the Big city. A year went by and all seemed well, when Tom called his mother one day and told her his ...read more

Tags: Sin Exposed

On Anger

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 11, 2009

ON ANGER The late great writer, Bede Jarrett (1881 - 1937), once wrote: "The world needs anger. The world often continues to allow evil because it isn’t angry enough." The late great Indian political and spiritual leader, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869 - 1948), once said, "Man should forget ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-27

Tags: Anger

Kurt Cobain Ended His Life About 13 Years Ago ...

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 16, 2009

Kurt Cobain ended his life about 13 years ago (4/1994); filled with bitterness and anger. He was the founder and lead singer of the group "Nirvana." His violent suicide prompted a lot of questions. "Why? He had it all a great career, dedicated fans, plenty of money, a beautiful wife and a 19 month ...read more

Tags: Sin Bondage To

Denomination: Baptist

No-Cut Auditions

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Mar 5, 2009

NO-CUT AUDITIONS Dick Sanderson is kind enough to give me a subscription to Leadership, Real Ministry in a Complex World. It is an exceptional magazine. This quarter there was an insert that carried a story called "A Cast of Thousands" by Lillian Daniel. She writes: "At my daughter’s ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Contagious Anger

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 12, 2009

CONTAGIOUS ANGER Baseball coach Billy Martin told about hunting trip he had in Texas with baseball legend Mickey Mantle. Mickey had a friend who would let them hunt on his ranch. When they reached the ranch, Mickey told Billy to wait in the car while he checked in with his friend. Mantle’s friend ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:24

Tags: Anger

On Crowns

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2009

ON CROWNS Crowns have always been the sign of authority and Kingship. Charlemagne, whom historians say should deserve to be called "great" above all others, wore an octagonal crown. Each of the eight sides was a plaque of gold, and each plaque was studded with emeralds, sapphires, and pearls. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:28-29

Tags: Jesus Christ

Servanthood & Father Damien

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Aug 4, 2022

When visiting the Hawaiian Island many tourists will visit the island of Molokai. It has quiet charm, gentle breezes and a soft surf. Father Damien came to the island for a different reason. He came to help people die. He came there because leprosy came there first. No one knows how ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-4, Mark 10:42-45

Tags: Evangelism, Servanthood

Denomination: Lutheran

Amazing Forgiveness

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2022

A policeman recounted an incident when he and other officers shot an eighteen-year-old boy and burned the body. Eight years later the policeman returned to the same house and seized the boy's father. The wife was forced to watch as policemen bound her husband on a woodpile, poured gasoline over ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 65:3

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness

Jewish Weddings And The Return Of Christ

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 30, 2023

An understanding of the Rapture can be gained from understanding the Jewish Wedding Tradition. IN THE JEWISH WEDDING TRADITION, • As the young man becomes of age to marry, • He builds a room onto his father’s house, • So there will be a place • For him and his bride to live. WHEN THE YOUNG ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, John 14:1-6

Tags: Return Of Christ, Jewish Weddings, Revelation, Israel, Second Coming, Armageddon  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Thief On The Cross Didn't Go To Church!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 3, 2024

A pastor saw one of his sheep in the grocery store and got around to asking where they had been lately. Was it something I said? Is it another church?" The man laughed and said, "Oh, no, we love you and the people of our church." The pastor was left to his own curiosity. He then ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Tags: Work, Excuses, Tithing, Thief On The Cross, Faith, Grace, Service, Baptism, Church, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Anointing With Oil In The Name Of The Lord

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 13, 2024

"Anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord " (James 5:14) - This literally reads "after having oiled him." Whether this anointing is to be done before or during the praying is not clear from the Greek text. OIl most likely refers to olive oil. What does the oil signify? ...read more

Tags: Oil, Anointing, Health, Elders, Healing, Prayer, Miracles  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Singing When I Am Hurt?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 16, 2024

WHEN I AM HURT? GO FIGURE? I LOVE BIRDS. I LOVE TO WATCH BIRDS. EACH FAMILY OF BIRDS HAVE THEIR OWN DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS. In my limited study of birds I ran across WHAT IS CALLED ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG BIRDS. This SINGING BIRD is unique in many ways. This special little bird is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-3

Tags: Hope, Sing, Song In The Night

Denomination: Assembly Of God

From East To West

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 12, 2024

How far is the east from the west? Where does the east end and the west begin? A certain state once had this slogan: "Where the west begins and the tall corn grows." The last part of the slogan is true; the first is not. No one knows where the west begins or where it ends. It's all a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:12, Matthew 6:9-15

Tags: Forgiveness, Satan, Devil, Spiritual Warfare, Guilt, Condemnation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When The Devil Showed Up At Church

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 15, 2024

A few minutes before the services started, the townspeople were sitting in their pews and talking. Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church. Everyone started screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in a frantic effort to get away from evil incarnate. Soon ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7-9

Tags: Church, Satan, Devil, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Humor, Sermon Introductions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ten Dollars Is Ten Dollars

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 28, 2025

A man named Stumpy illustrates how money affects people. Stumpy and his wife Martha went to the state fair every year and every year when Stumpy saw the antique bi-plane he would say, “Martha, I’d like to ride in that airplane.” Martha always replied, “I know Stumpy, but that airplane ride costs ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-28

Tags: Money, Stewardship

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

[336]. A Message From A Poem - What My Saviour’s Done (Version 1)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 17, 2026

[336]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - WHAT MY SAVIOUR’S DONE (Version 1) This short poem is constructed on the first word in each line rhyming. Not only that but the end of each line has an AABB etc. rhyme. The title is simple. {{Mark 5:19-20 and He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:19-20

Tags: Jesus, Salvation, Great Things, Christian Poems

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

All Appearance, Zero Substance

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

An artificial plant looks impressive. But it produces nothing. You could easily buy one thinking it will bring life to any room. And sure, it brings the appearance of life. The leaves stay green. They never drop. It never needs water. In fact, if you tried to water it, the only thing that would ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-14

Tags: Faith, Hypocrisy

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Echo  PRO

Contributed by Anne Grant on Oct 22, 2001

I read a true story written by Louis Mayer from his childhood in New Brunswick, Canada. He had gotten into a fight at school when he was quite a small boy, And he was feeling bitter, filled with resentment And a desire for revenge. His body hurt, but his mind hurt more. And when he got home, ...read more

Tags: Christian Love

Denomination: Methodist

A Wonderful, Imaginative Short Story By Nathaniel ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 24, 2002

A wonderful, imaginative short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne illustrates the necessity of having the right focus. It is entitled “The Great Stone Face.” The tale centers around a man named Ernest who grew up in a village renowned for a natural wonder that rested just outside its boundaries. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 11:16-23

Tags: Humor, Mother's Day, Story, Devotional