In Sermon Illustrations: "Five Loaves And Two Fish"

The Craigslist Murder

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 29, 2011

THE CRAIGSLIST MURDER When Charlene Sanders drove home from a routine day of work April 28, the last thing she expected was that she would be telling family of her husband's death later that night. At about 9 p.m. on April 28, Jim Sanders invited a young man and women into his home to view a ring ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-13

Tags: Heroism

The Ram In The Bush

Contributed by Preacher Fo Real on May 14, 2011

THE RAM IN THE BUSH Jeffery is not an avid cook, but he can hold his own in any kitchen. As the youngest child in the Honiara extended dysfunctional family, he spent many hours reluctantly tied to his mother’s apron springs. Often, he would find himself assisting her in the daily chores around the ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:28-32

Tags: Doing God's Will

Denomination: *other

Who Should Get The Credit?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 12, 2011

WHO SHOULD GET THE CREDIT? I had the pleasure of coaching Little League for about 5 years and did so during the time my 3 boys played, so I coached the team they played on. On one occasion we were two runs behind in the final inning with a runner on 2nd. And who was coming to bat? Brian. Brian was ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:7

Tags: Pride

Getting Your Hands Dirty: Grandma's Apron

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 12, 2011

GETTING YOUR HANDS DIRTY: GRANDMA'S APRON There are all sorts of "questionably clean" things that spread love and give meaning to our lives. Does anyone this morning remember a grandma or great-grandma swathed in a big all-enveloping apron? Not some perky little decorative thing worn on Christmas. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:25-28

Tags: Love, Servanthood

Right On The Edge

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Jul 29, 2011

RIGHT ON THE EDGE A veteran Buffalo, N.Y. police officer found the handwritten note on the ice along with a brown wallet and a baseball cap with a pen stuck through it. The note was short and to the point, "Please tell my parents I'm sorry." A 48-year-old man in a thin blue jacket, on a cold, ...read more

Tags: Suffering Loneliness

Denomination: Baptist

All I Could Do Was Listen And Talk

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Feb 5, 2012

"ALL" I COULD DO WAS LISTEN AND TALK The author Stephen W. Sorenson wrote in Discipleship Journal: For two years, because of severe tendinitis in both wrists, I could not pick up my young daughter, carry a log, or even open a twist-off pop bottle. To make matters worse, my wife and I, with help ...read more

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: Lutheran

The Bottom Line

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 8, 2012

THE BOTTOM LINE A dairy farmer went to buy a new pickup truck. He had seen an ad in the paper about discounts and factory rebates, so he decided to trade in his old clunker. He chose a new model and was ready to write the check for the full amount. The salesman said, "Wait, I haven't given you the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-28

Tags: Discipleship

Julie Hadden: Precious To God

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 12, 2013

JULIE HADDEN: PRECIOUS TO GOD Julie Hadden, Winner of Season 4 of the TV show the Biggest Loser, told her story in a 2009 issue of Guideposts: I went to the auditions and made it on the show. Our first challenge was a race across California's Mojave Desert. First two contestants to get to the ...read more

Tags: God's Love, Human Life

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In Light Of The Popularity Of The Dodge Super ...

Contributed by Kenny Richardson on May 24, 2013

In light of the popularity of the Dodge Super Bowl commercial "So God Made a Farmer" this is our Mother's Day rendition. “So God Made a Mother” He needed someone tender enough to cherish the thrill of a baby growing within her body & yet someone strong enough to survive the pain of childbirth, so ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:5

Tags: Mothers, Mother's Day

Denomination: Baptist

The Daily Needs Of Israel In The Wilderness  PRO

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 1, 2016

THE DAILY NEEDS OF ISRAEL IN THE WILDERNESS The 40-year wilderness wandering by Moses and the Israelites must be one of the biggest miracles in the Bible, yet we take it for granted. Think about the metrics of their dire situation: FOOD: God’s people had to be fed daily. Feeding 3 to 3 1/2 ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14

Tags: Wilderness, Complaining, Unthankfulness, Griping, Faithfulness Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Felt Like Abuse...but, Lesson Learned

Contributed by Pastor Randall Timblin on Jan 18, 2017

So there I am. I’m sitting on the couch...with my eyes closed...attempting to nap. I hadn’t felt good all day. Because my wife is out of town visiting her elderly parents, our dog, who is lovesick for her, spends his entire day and night in our bedroom, in some doggie blankets, placed on the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:28

Tags: Relationship To God, Great Expectations

Denomination: *other

Lessons Walter Payton Taught Us. Never Die Easy.

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 27, 2017

WE MUST LEARN THE BATTLE IS BEFORE US... I HAVE ANOTHER HERO: HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF WALTER PAYTON? Walter Jerry Payton from the state of Mississippi. Payton lived from July 25,1954 until November 1, 1999. He was 45 years old when he died of a liver disease. Mike Ditka was Payton's coach and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:12

Tags: Perseverance, Never Die Easy, Walter Payton

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Celebrate The Victory

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jun 29, 2024

Opal Stout, of Cottageville, West Virginia wrote, "When the fireworks display began on the Fourth of July, my six-year-old nephew became so frightened I had to take him home. As we drove away, he said, "I bet God is mad at those people shooting at him!" (Christian Reader, "Kids ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:57, Psalm 98:1, 1 John 5:4

Tags: Fourth Of July, Celebrate, Victory In Jesus, Voltaire

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Thank You, God, For Sending A Professional!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 8, 2024

As I was gathering my sermon, I couldn’t help thinking about a story of a little girl who was home alone and ill. She called her mother at work and told her, “Momma, I need you and I need you really bad.” This mother asked to get off work and frantically rushed down to the corner drug store to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Prayer, Thanks, Humor, Miracles, Gratitude, Thieves, Answered Prayer  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fake News Or Truth?

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Sep 30, 2024

Donald Trump has often spoken of what he calls, “fake news” when describing what he considers biased reporting. And it is true that most reporting about Trump is negative, while his opponents receive more favorable treatment. But did you know that the phrase “fake news” was first coined by ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:6-12

Tags: Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Fake News, Sure Witness, Jesus Is Son Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Extraordinary Impact Through Simple Acts Of Kindness

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Apr 13, 2025

In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, Joanne Turner, a 56-year-old customer service representative at the Real Canadian Superstore in Kelowna, British Columbia, encountered a situation that called for compassion beyond her job description. During one of her shifts, Joanne received ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:6-7

Tags: Humility, Kindness, Impact, Serving

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How The Philippian Jailer Got Saved - Crisis

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Oct 2, 2025

How the Philippian jailer got saved - Crisis This Philippian jailer was saved! He was saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. And if you have never trusted in the Lord, He wants to save you the same way. But let's take a closer look at how the Lord touched the jailer's ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Tags: Silas, Crisis, Christian Service, Philippian Jailer, Demon Possession, Spiritual Transformation, Evangelism, Paul, Salvation, Missions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Helpful Background On The Book Of Jonah

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Oct 7, 2025

BACKGROUND: *Today we will study the story of the Prophet Jonah. And it may surprise you but Jonah's story has some crucial lessons for Christians today. Almost everybody who has been to church knows the story of Jonah. It's one of the first Bible stories we learn as kids. They even made a ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17, Jonah 4:1-11

Tags: Evangelism, Jonah, Nineveh, Storms, Gentiles, Old Testament Prophets, Baal Worship, Assyrian Empire, Sharks, Whales, Mediterranean Sea, Swallowed  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[180]. A Poem Message – Lost Three Things - One Son – The Prodigal Son

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 29, 2025

[180]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LOST ONE SON – THE PRODIGAL SON The third of the lost parables is the son. It is the best know. Gospel preaching has made use of this parable over and over and that is fair enough. However its greater meaning is a wayward son of the family, who entered into a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:18, Luke 15:11-12, Luke 15:11-32

Tags: Repentance, Lost, Love Of The Father, The Prodigal Son, Parable Of The Lost Son  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Listen To These Words Of A Taxicab Driver: ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 23, 2001

Listen to these words of a taxicab driver: Because I drive the night shift, my cab often becomes a moving confessional. Passengers climb in, sit behind me in total anonymity, & tell me about their lives. I encounter people whose lives amaze me, ennoble me, make me laugh & sometimes weep. But ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-5

Tags: Character

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ