In Sermon Illustrations: "Front Row"

Peace

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

Lucinda Norman writes of her experience Christmas shopping at the mall. People had been pushing, elbowing and cutting in front of her all day. During a 10 minute extra 10% off special, one woman grabbed a lace table cloth from her hands, looked her in the eye and said, “Mine!” She yanked it back ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9

Tags: Christmas, Stress, Peace, Shopping

Denomination: Methodist

A Man On Vacation Was Strolling Along Outside ...  PRO

Contributed by Scott Carson on Mar 29, 2001

A man on vacation was strolling along outside his hotel in Acapulco, enjoying the sunny Mexican weather. Suddenly, he was attracted by the screams of a woman kneeling in front of a child. The man knew enough Spanish to determine that the boy had swallowed a coin. Seizing the child by the heels, the ...read more

Tags: Giving General, Poverty

Denomination: Baptist

The Iron Maiden  PRO

Contributed by Jonathan Lucas on May 11, 2001

The Iron Maiden In Strausbourg, France there is an Iron Maiden that was used for torture during medievel times. Molded into the likness of a beautiful maiden it bore death for those that came within it’s grasp. Outwardly it was appealing, but it was what is inside that is deadly. As a victim ...read more

Tags: Temptation Resisting, Sin Deceptive, Temptation General

Denomination: Pentecostal

Garibaldi Had An Incredibly Committed Volunteer ...  PRO

Contributed by Doug Lyon on Jan 9, 2002

Garibaldi had an incredibly committed volunteer army. He would appeal for recruits in these terms: “I offer neither pay, nor quarters, nor provisions; I offer hunger, thirst, forced marches, battles and death. Let him who loves his country with his heart and not with his lips only, follow ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-13

Tags: Discipleship, Commitment, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Small Storeowner Was Being Pressured To Sell ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Decker on Nov 19, 2002

A small storeowner was being pressured to sell his store to the owners of a large department store who had bought every building on the block, except his. Frustrated by the man’s refusal to sell, they eventually opened their huge store on either side of the small one, with a big banner running ...read more

Tags: Truth, Wisdom

Denomination: Baptist

Amish Man  PRO

Contributed by Darrell Stetler Ii on Feb 8, 2004

<ILLUS> Amish man I once heard a story about an Amish farmer who bought a new pair of overalls. Of course, the Amish are famous for their simplicity, and trying to avoid pride. As he put on his new overalls and looked in the mirror, he said, “Oh, this will never do! I’ll be proud in these!” So ...read more

Tags: Temptation Pride

Denomination: Holiness

Because He Had Grown Up Just Outside New York ...  PRO

Contributed by Georgina Pando-Connolly on Apr 13, 2004

Because he had grown up just outside New York City a young pastor barely knew a cow from an ear of corn. That is, until he married a small town country girl from Ohio and traded spaces. Trading New York City for a small rural community, the day of his first sermon he tried very hard to fit in-- ...read more

Tags: Communication General

Denomination: Methodist

Standing On The Word  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 21, 2004

Standing on the word I saw my two year old daughter natalie carry my bible by the case’s handle. She dragged it in front of a tall table we have, and as I was about to take it away from her the Lord stopped me and said: "I’m showing you something." She took the bible layed it on the floor and then ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence

In 1883 In Allentown, New Jersey, A Wooden ...

Contributed by Jason Cole on May 20, 2005

In 1883 in Allentown, New Jersey, a wooden Indian—the kind that was seen in front of cigar stores—was placed on the ballot for Justice of the Peace. The candidate was registered under the fictitious name of Abner Robbins. When the ballots were counted, Abner won over incumbent Sam Davis by 7 votes. ...read more

Tags: Political Freedom

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Two Elderly, Excited Southern Women Were Sitting ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael De Rosa on Nov 27, 2006

Two elderly, excited Southern women were sitting together in the front pew of church listening to a fiery preacher. When this preacher condemned the sin of stealing, these two ladies cried out at the tops of their lungs, "AMEN, BROTHER!"When the preacher condemned the sin of lust, they yelled ...read more

Tags: Sin General

Denomination: Free Methodist

Now, He's Meddling

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Two elderly, excited Southern women were sitting together in the front pew of church listening to a fiery preacher. When this preacher condemned the sin of stealing, these two ladies cried out at the tops of their lungs, "AMEN, BROTHER"When the preacher condemned the sin of lust, they yelled again, ...read more

Tags: Sin Deceptive

A Sunday School Teacher Decided To Have Her ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Shafit on Aug 4, 2007

A Sunday school teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible: Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter. Little Rick was excited about the task, but he just couldn’t remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get ...read more

Tags: Grace

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Creature "Strife"

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 10, 2007

The Creature “Strife” There is a legend from Greek mythology that the god Hercules was once walking along a narrow road when a strange-looking creature appeared threateningly in front of him. Hercules struck this creature with his club and passed on, but soon afterwards was surprised to be ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Unmarked Police Car

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 30, 2009

UNMARKED POLICE CAR As my husband, the county highway commissioner, was driving to the hospital for treatment of his painful leg, he decided to use the valet parking service so he wouldn’t have to walk far. Staring at his official-looking vehicle, one of the valets asked my husband if he was ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jim Lopardo Tells This ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 25, 2009

Jim Lopardo tells this story: I was a percussion major when I was in college, and during a rehearsal of the student orchestra, my section kept making mistakes. "When you’re too dumb to play anything," the professor conducting us sneered, "they give you a couple of sticks, put you in the back and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39

Tags: Mistakes

The Hope Of 3:16  PRO

Contributed by James Mercer on Dec 8, 2009

THE HOPE OF 3:16 I don’t know about you, but I will be glad to turn the calendar to a new decade in a few weeks. An ongoing war on two fronts, the Great Recession draining our family resources, the growing immorality of our country, tragic accidents and gruesome killers all over the news. The ...read more

Tags: Future

Denomination: Baptist

Luther's Dream

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 27, 2010

LUTHER'S DREAM In a dream, Martin Luther found himself being attacked by Satan. The devil unrolled a long scroll containing a list of Luther's sins and held it before him. On reaching the end of the scroll Luther asked the devil, "Is that all?" "No," came the reply, and a second scroll was ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Brethren

Communication Problems

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Aug 15, 2012

COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS A woman went to court and told the judge she wanted a divorce. "Do you have any grounds?" the judge asked. "Just two acres," she replied. "That's not it, lady. I mean, do you have a grudge?" "No, we park the car in the front of the house." Frustrated, the judge ...read more

Tags: Communication General

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Positive Attitude

Contributed by David Swanger on Jan 24, 2024

A beginning driver for an interstate trucking company, made several long tiring trips with an older driver. Though twice his age, this older man seemed to thrive on these long trips. After one such trip, as they sat drinking coffee, the younger man commented on how his partner looked as if he had ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:24

Tags: Choice, Attitude

Here's A Story About A Boy Involved In A ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Jun 16, 2009

Here’s a story about a boy involved in a worthwhile activity. Guideposts’ senior staff editor and writer, Richard H. Schneider, included this information in the July 2003 issue of Guideposts. Did you know....................? In the spring of 1958, a 17-year-old, Robert G. Heft, was a high school ...read more

Tags: Patriotism

Denomination: Pentecostal