In Sermon Illustrations: "Getting Worse"

Pushing The Outhouse  PRO

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 10, 2013

PUSHING THE OUTHOUSE A young boy lived in the country. His family had to use an outhouse, which the young boy hated. It was hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and always smelly. The outhouse was located near the creek so the boy decided that he would push it into the water. After a spring ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, John 8:1-11

Tags: Repentance, Discipline, Consequences, Outhouse

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Persuaded By The Mail

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 11, 2014

"I GIVE UP!" In the early 1960s, the publishers of Time Magazine were concerned about their declining circulation, so they designed a campaign to send out thousands of letters making an emotional appeal to potential subscribers. In the past, such mailings had been done manually, at a great cost in ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17

Tags: God's Love, Surrender, Persuasion

Christmas In July

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 16, 2014

It seems like stores put out their Christmas merchandise earlier every year. Let’s start selling Christmas stuff in July, beat the holiday rush. Song by Brave Combo- The president was passing laws, Gave a call to Santa Claus He said, "get that toy machine on high. Economy is in a slump I know ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:28

Tags: Second Coming, Christmas Advent

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Gun Laws

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Mar 18, 2018

Gun Laws Laws - "are sent by Him to punish those who do wrong and commend those who do right." 2 Peter 2:14 - Keeping this truth in the context of guns. Nothing wrong with making sure there are laws which make it hard for wicked or mentally ill people from getting guns. Those (mentally ill or ...read more

Tags: Laws, Gun Laws, Guns

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Perpetual Babyhood

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 18, 2018

WE HAVE AN IMPERATIVE COMMAND: 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. PERPETUAL OR ETERNAL BABYHOOD… From LIVING WITH JESUS TODAY by Juan Carlos Orte We have a phenomenon in the church today which I ...read more

Tags: Babyhood, Diaper Changes

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God's Doing Something

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 14, 2019

GOD IS DOING SOMETHING Gas Station Business Card A few years ago, I was impressed of God to design a business card that had a picture of hell on the front with the words “GET OUT OF HELL FREE” on the back I placed Salvation Scriptures. I was driving to work early one morning and nearing my exit, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:27

Tags: Obedience, Unexpected

Denomination: Pentecostal

Eating The Wrong Cookies - Assumptions

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Sep 30, 2019

A traveller, between flights at an airport, went to a lounge and bought a small package of cookies. Then she sat down and began reading a newspaper. Gradually, she became aware of a rustling noise. From behind her paper, she was flabbergasted to see a neatly dressed man helping himself to her ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 9:1-14

Tags: Deception, Assumptions, Satan's Craftiness

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Your Freedom

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Mar 20, 2021

As we conclude Galatians today, I want to further discuss your freedom in Christ. This entire letter is about not giving up your freedom in Christ for rituals. When I worked for McDonald’s in Canyon, TX; I was an Assistant Manager. It was around this time of year, which meant we sold many ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-18

Tags: Freedom, Freedom In Action

Denomination: Baptist

The Simplicity Of The Gospel

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 31, 2022

How does the thief on the cross fit into your theology? I think many times we complicate the issue of getting into heaven. What is required? Let's think about the the thief on the cross. No baptism, no communion, no confirmation, no speaking in tongues, no mission trip, no volunteerism, and ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Tags: Gospel, Cross

Denomination: Baptist

Baptist Kittens

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 5, 2023

A Church of Christ minister walked past a street corner stand that was full of kittens for sale by a little boy in his neighborhood. The sign over the kittens read, "Church of Christ kittens for sale, one week old.....$5.00 each". The minister smiled and said, "My son, you are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Tags: Baptists, Church, Truth, Humor, Church Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Evel Knievel Fell Short Of The Goal

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 19, 2023

One of the fads of 1970s America was the motorcycle jump. This trend reached its high (and low) point on September 8, 1974. Thousands of spectators gathered around the Snake River Canyon in Idaho to see if Evel Knievel could jump across the chasm in a specially designed “sky cycle.” In the end, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23

Tags: Sinners, Sin, Judgment, Failure, Sinful Nature, Glory Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Knows What Is Happening In Your Nation

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 21, 2023

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that God is asleep when it comes to nations, or that He is out of touch when it comes to carnal banquets, or that He sits in Heaven wringing His hands when it comes to godless rulers (and foolish presidents!) who make unfair, rash, or stupid decisions. Mark it ...read more

Tags: Kings, Governments, Presidents, Wicked Rulers, Nations  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Probability Of Jesus Fulfilling Messianic Prophecy!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 28, 2023

In his book, Science Speaks, Peter Stoner applies the modern science of probability to just eight Messianic prophecies regarding Christ. He says, "The chance that any man might have fulfilled all eight prophecies is one in 10 to the 17th. That would be 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000." (one ...read more

Tags: Messianic Prophecy, Old Testament, Christmas, Jesus, Science, Miracles, Son Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unintended Hero

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

A rich millionaire decides to throw a massive party for his 50th birthday, so during this party he grabs the microphone and he announces to his guests that down in the garden of his mansion he has a swimming pool with two great white sharks in it. 'I will give anything they desire of mine, to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16, Judges 4:8, Judges 6:11-39, 1 Samuel 10:22, Exodus 4:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Unlikely, Heroes, Cowards, Hesitancy, Fear, Weakness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

He Led Them Up The Steep Slope Out Of The River ...  PRO

Contributed by Todd Anderson on Dec 8, 2005

“He led them up the steep slope out of the river valley and then slightly to the right apparently by the very same route which they had used that afternoon in coming from the hill of the stone table. On and on he lead them into dark shadows out into pale moonlight. Getting their feet wet with the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3

Tags: Narnia

Denomination: Lutheran

In A Business Magazine I Read, There Was An ...  PRO

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Dec 6, 2000

In a business magazine I read, there was an article about a company, imaginary I hope, that was planning its Christmas sales campaign. The board of directors was puzzled how they could beat their competitors, then suddenly the chairman had an idea. "We’ll have a crib," he said, getting very ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Baptist

I Happened On An Interview With Dr. Adrian ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Jan 26, 2001

*I happened on an interview with Dr. Adrian Roger’s long time Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis Tennessee. Dr. Rogers is summing up what made his years of ministry there possible: “If you were to put Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, anybody else out there and let them speak to the same people ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence, Bible Truth

Denomination: Baptist

In A Seminary Missions Class, Herbert Jackson ...  PRO

Contributed by William Jewett on Nov 2, 2000

In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car ...read more

Tags: God's Omnipotence, Prayer How To

Denomination: *other

I Read Recently About A Woman Who Was Driving ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Feb 1, 2001

I read recently about a woman who was driving from Alberta, Canada to the Yukon. She didn’t know that you never travel that way alone, especially in a rundown Honda, Civic. So she set off on a road usually reserved for four wheel drive trucks. Eventually she found herself in a truck stop. Two ...read more

Tags: Church Small Groups, God's Provision, Friendship New Friends

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When We Vote We Demonstrate Our Beliefs By The ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Feb 1, 2001

When we vote we demonstrate our beliefs by the way we vote. Some people demonstrate by joining political organizations, others by writing letters to government leaders or editorial pages for the local newspaper. Some people demonstrate by picketing, whether it’s an abortion clinic or a casino. Some ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Jesus Teachings, Christian Love, Betrayal

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational