In Sermon Illustrations: "Gandhi Makes A Difference"

Holy Spirit: Object Lesson

Contributed by David Ward on Apr 1, 2010

HOLY SPIRIT: OBJECT LESSON To be filled with the Holy Spirit means that we allow him to occupy and control every area of our lives. How much of you does the Holy Spirit have? [Produce two glasses of water and two packets of Alka-Seltzer. Open one packet and empty into one glass; drop the other ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In Their Book Sway, Ori And Rom Brafman Tell ...

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 28, 2010

In their book Sway, Ori and Rom Brafman tell about a test that was conducted at a college. They said the teacher couldn't make it, but they had a guest instructor. Half the students were given a brief bio that included the statement that the instructor was competent, even though he was considered ...read more

Tags: Thought, Influence

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Eugene Peterson, From His Intro To Proverbs In ...

Contributed by C Jordan on May 1, 2011

Eugene Peterson, from his intro to Proverbs in The Message Bible: "Wisdom has to do with becoming skillful in honoring our parents and raising our children, handling our money and conducting our sexual lives, going to work and exercising leadership, using words well and treating friends kindly, ...read more

Tags: Wisdom

Denomination: *other

The First Sentence  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 23, 2011

THE FIRST SENTENCE Paul Harvey once told about a group of scientists who were determined to teach a chimpanzee to write. For fourteen years, the scientists labored diligently and patiently with this chimpanzee, providing things in its cage to enable it to form certain syllables. Finally the day ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1

Tags: Creation

Mysterious Life Principle

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 28, 2011

MYSTERIOUS LIFE PRINCIPLE A wise old professor of biology stood before his class of eager students. The Professor held a little brown seed in his hand. Quietly he spoke to his class. "I know just the composition of this seed. It has nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon. I know the exact proportions. I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-25

Tags: Creation

Sin Like A Mushroom

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Dec 8, 2011

SIN LIKE A MUSHROOM In Oregon's Malheur National Forest, a fungus spreads through tree roots across 2,200 acres, making it the largest living organism ever found. Popularly known as the honey mushroom, the Armillaria Ostoyae started from a single microscopic spore. Yet it's been weaving its black ...read more

Tags: Sin Wages Of

Denomination: Baptist

Alvin Slaughter: I'm Convinced More Now Than ...  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on May 7, 2012

Alvin Slaughter: I’m convinced more now than ever That we don’t serve a god of the mundane But God of the supernatural You see, when we worship him in faith He will always meet us at the point of our needs Dry, fleshly worship is not enough Get ready, get ready to be completely drenched and ...read more

Tags: Charismatic

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Going In Circles

Contributed by Spencer Miller on May 19, 2013

GOING IN CIRCLES A family who moved into a new neighborhood had a late start one morning. As a result their six-year-old missed her school bus. Though it would make him late for work her father agreed to take her to school if she gave him directions. After 20 minutes of going in circles they ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Gods That People Manufacture

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 13, 2019

THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME. In his book, Your God is Too Small, J. B. Phillips describes some of the common gods that people manufacture. One is the grand old man god, the grandfatherly, white-haired, indulgent god who smiles down on men and winks at their adultery, stealing, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-10

Tags: False Gods, Idolatry, Ten Commandments

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Face The Music

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 8, 2020

Many years ago a man conned his way into the orchestra of the Emperor of China, though he could not play an instrument or read music. Whenever the group practiced or performed, he would just hold his flute against his lips, pretending to play, but not making a sound. For years he received a good ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-3

Tags: Sin, Judgment, Pride, Luke 18, Ii Timothy 3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Book Of Re-Evaluation!!!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 1, 2022

Charles Schulz consistently provided helpful and humorous insights through his Peanuts comic strip. In one run he showed Charlie Brown's sister, Sally, struggling with her memory verse for Sunday. She was lost in her thoughts trying to figure it out when she recalled, "Maybe it was ...read more

Tags: Repentance, Evaluation, Seven Churches, Church, Revival  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I'm Going For Help

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 28, 2025

An airliner was making its way from New York to San Francisco. Midway across the country, one of the engines caught fire. The captain came on the intercom and calmly reassured the passengers, > “Don’t worry. The fire will be out soon. This aircraft can fly just fine with three engines.” Not ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-2, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 28:20, John 14:27, Hebrews 13:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Trust, Sovereignty, Assurance, Providence, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Little Speherd Boy

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

At the turn of the 19th Century, there was a little Shepherd boy who used to come to Sunday school but was not very good in learning. His Sunday school teacher taught him the first five words of the 23rd Psalm. "The Lord is my Shepherd" (on "Shepherd" make a fist with your ...read more

Tags: Trust, Shepherd Boy

Denomination: Anglican

Max Lucado—"In The Grip Of Grace"  PRO

Contributed by Joel Ferren on Nov 27, 2001

Max Lucado— ”In the Grip of Grace” God has enlisted us in his navy and placed us on his ship. The boat has one purpose-to carry us safely to the other shore. This is no cruise ship; it is a battleship. We aren’t called to a life of leisure, we are called to a life of service. Each of ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ, Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Church Of God

Generations And The Bible  PRO

Contributed by Billy Nale on Oct 19, 2009

GENERATIONS AND THE BIBLE A new research report from the Barna Group examines recent nationwide studies on how different generations of American adults view and use the Bible. For the purposes of this research, the Mosaic generation refers to adults who are currently ages 18 to 25; Busters are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Timothy 4:12-16

Tags: Bible Truth

Denomination: Baptist

An Inner City Church Had An Annual Student ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 23, 2001

An inner city church had an annual student recognition day. Normally, students would share about their educational experiences and then the pastor would get up and offer a few closing words. One year, the pastor’s words were a bit alarming. He stood up in front of all the young graduates and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:1-15, Mark 15:1-15, Daniel 1:6-12

Tags: Witnessing, Life

The Political Convention Was In Chaos. Each ...  PRO

Contributed by George Rennau on Aug 25, 2003

The political convention was in chaos. Each delegation wanted something different. Some favored states rights, others wanted a stronger central government. Larger states wanted greater representation, and small states wanted an equal voice. Debate dragged on and on. Finally the committee ...read more

Tags: Apologetics The Bible, Bible Influence

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Writing About The Importance Of Helping People ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 7, 2004

Writing about the importance of helping people become all they can be, author and speaker John Maxwell writes, "In 2000, Atlanta Braves star pitcher John Smoltz suffered a blow that could have ended his illustrious career. After battling various injuries for several seasons, he underwent ligament ...read more

Tags: Unity, Church Purpose Of

A Real Heroine  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 26, 2004

A REAL HEROINE As you walk down the red carpet, a frenzied mob swarms around you, demanding your autograph. The reporters are snapping your picture, nearly blinding you. Every ten feet, a television crew stops you for an interview. Have you just become the hottest newest star? No, you’re at ...read more

Scripture: John 15:14

Tags: Ruth, Christian Disciplines, Endurance

16,743 Yards Of Persistence  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 1, 2004

16,743 YARDS OF PERSISTENCE God has always honored persistence. I have always appreciated Emmitt Smith. I was glad to see him set the NFL rushing record last Sunday. He isn’t as flashy as Walter Payton or Barry Sanders, and he never possessed true break-away speed. But his strength lies in his ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1, Luke 20:27-38, Luke 18:1-8

Tags: Prayer General, Prayer Persistence, Parable Widow