In Sermon Illustrations: "Following Christs Example"

The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

THE SHEEP-CHASER A guide on a tour bus that traveled through Israel’s countryside had the crowd engaged as he explained the history, the scenery and the lifestyle. In his description, he included a heart-warming portrayal of the ancient shepherd/sheep relationship. He told of how the shepherd ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-15

Tags: Leadership General

The Next Lightning Bolt Is For You!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 7, 2022

"And when the great calm followed the storm, He was able to look at the astonished disciples, smile, and say, "I meant for that to happen!“ • A pastor was telling about how he was at his church building late one night when a terrible rain storm struck. This particular church had ...read more

Tags: Faith, Fear, Miracles, Storms Of Life, Tests, Trials  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Give Up!

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2022

Many years ago, executives of the Time-Life publishing organization discovered that the company’s profit margin had shrunk to an alarmingly low level. To cut costs, they decided to eliminate hundreds of works to be replaced with machines. The name of each subscriber was put on a separate little ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness

Misjudging The Composer

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 16, 2024

In a prestigious concert hall, a renowned pianist was scheduled to perform a masterpiece by a legendary composer. The audience, filled with anticipation, settled into their seats as the performance began. However, it quickly became apparent that something was amiss. The pianist, who had been ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-2

Tags: Perfection, Imperfection, Performance, Flaw, Faith, World, Message, Discernment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Speaking Death Or Life Over Your Marriage?

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 6, 2025

Far too many people spend a lot of time speaking death over their marriages. "Psychologists Cliff Notarous of Catholic University and Howard Markman of the University of Denver studied married couples during the first decade of marriage. Among couples who ultimately stayed together, only 5 ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:20-22

Tags: Marriage, Words, Putdowns

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Outhouse And Penthouse!" Isaiah 42: 1-4 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 7, 2004

“Outhouse and Penthouse!” Isaiah 42: 1-4 Key verse(s): 1a: “‘Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight . . .’” Have you ever wanted to lead something? Have you ever wanted to be the one that everyone else follows? Leadership isn’t something that everyone ought to aspire ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-4

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Lutheran

Why We Celebrate The 4th  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 24, 2009

WHY WE CELEBRATE THE 4TH But there is a reason why we celebrate on the 4th and we can’t forget that! It was the day the day the colonies declared their independence from England. Freedom was declared in some famous words of the Declaration of Independence, which starts: We hold these truths to be ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-40

Tags: 4th Of July, Independence Day

U2 Song,

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 23, 2009

U2 Song, "I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” One of the most popular music groups over the past 25 years has been a band called U2. The lead singer of U2 is a man named Bono. It seems like every couple of years it gets reported that Bono is a professing Christian. I don’t know whether he ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15

Tags: Unbelief

Famous Hoaxes On April Fools Day & Skepticism

Contributed by David Simpson on Apr 16, 2018

It’s ironic that this year Easter falls on April Fools day. Have you ever fallen for an April Fools joke or prank? I know as a kid there was always some classmate pulling a prank on someone, with the rest of us in on it and watching that poor soul make a fool of themselves by believing the prank. ...read more

Tags: Doubt, Skepticism, Hoaxes

Denomination: Christian Church

Who I Am Makes A Difference

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Oct 29, 2008

WHO I AM MAKES A DIFFERENCE A teacher in New York decided to honor each of her high school seniors for the difference they made in her life. Then she presented each of them with a Blue Ribbon imprinted with gold letters, which read, "Who I Am Makes a Difference."™ Afterwards the teacher gave each ...read more

Tags: Blessing

Denomination: Pentecostal

Brother Andrew Tells Of Being In Hospital Full Of ...  PRO

Contributed by John Gullick on Dec 2, 2000

Brother Andrew tells of being in hospital full of resentment and hatred during the Indonesian war in 1946. Whilst in hospital a bible had been delivered to him. One day - he writes - I asked the nun who came to bathe me how it was that she and the other sisters were always so cheerful. "Why, ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, God's Provision

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

In The Villages Of Northern India A Missionary ...  PRO

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Apr 12, 2001

In the villages of Northern India a missionary was preaching in a bazaar. As he closed, a Muslim gentleman came up and said, "You must admit we have one thing you have not, and it is better than anything you have." The missionary smiled and said, "I should be pleased to hear what it is." The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:4-6

Tags: Easter, Easter Resurrection, Muslim, Islam, Miracles Of Jesus, Living God, Resurrection, World Religions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Life Is War. That's Not All It Is. But It Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Adam Cruse on Jul 18, 2001

“Life is war. That’s not all it is. But it is always that. Our weakness in prayer is owing largely to our neglect of this truth. Prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the powers of darkness and unbelief. It is not surprising that ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Colossians 1:9-18

Tags: Demons, Prayer Adoration

Denomination: Baptist

The Wife Of A Zulu Chief Attended A Salvation ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Sep 17, 2001

The wife of a Zulu chief attended a Salvation Army meeting and heard and responded to the call of Jesus. When her husband heard of this he forbade her to go again on pain of death. However, eager to hear more about Jesus, she dared to go, and when her husband knew of this he met her on her return ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Forgiveness General, God's Provision

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Catch-22 Of Incompetence  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Oct 26, 2001

THE CATCH-22 OF INCOMPETENCE Most incompetent people don’t know they are incompetent. In fact, researcher Dr. David A. Dunning of Cornell University reports that people who are incompetent are more confident of their abilities than competent people. Dunning and his associate Justin Krueger ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost, Sin Separates From God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The Center Of Controversy  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jan 11, 2002

IN THE CENTER OF CONTROVERSY In many Christian circles the Holy Spirit is either neglected, forgotten, or misunderstood. The One given to unite the body of Christ is the center of controversy… So often Christian work is so rigidly programmed that it seems we need no longer depend on Him--yet ...read more

Tags: Trinity, Holy Spirit General, Holy Spirit In Believers, Holy Spirit

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Someone Once Asked Jay Kesler, Former President ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Feb 14, 2002

Someone once asked Jay Kesler, former president of Youth for Christ International, if he believed that God could make a fish big enough to swallow a man. As a college president and above average in intelligence, in a world in which we have learned to split the atom and go to the moon and send ...read more

Tags: Jonah, God's Omnipotence, Miracles Of Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Overwhelming Influence  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 24, 2002

OVERWHELMING INFLUENCE Historian Philip Schaff described the overwhelming influence which Jesus had on subsequent history and culture of the world: “This Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander, Caesar, Mohammed, and Napoleon; without science…he shed more ...read more

When I Am Conscious Of The Fear Of Failure ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 11, 2001

When I am conscious of the fear of failure holding me back, I go through a kind of personal checklist: 1. Does this fear come basically from pride, a fear that I will not live up to my own expectations or to those of others? 2. Do I remember that God has called me first to faithfulness, then ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of, Fear And Worry

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Old Legend Has It That A Wealthy ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Aug 1, 2002

ILL. An old legend has it that a wealthy merchant of the 1st Century who wanted to meet the Apostle Paul encountered Timothy, who arranged a visit for him with Paul who, at that time, was a prisoner in Rome. Stepping inside the cell, the merchant was surprised to find a rather old man, ...read more

Tags: Love For God

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ