In Sermon Illustrations: "Gifts Leadership"

George Macdonald Wrote, "Half The Misery In The ...

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 11, 2002

George Macdonald wrote, “Half the misery in the world comes from trying to look, instead of ...read more

Tags: Leadership General, Faith, Giving Yourself

Denomination: Congregational

The Familiar Orange Box And The Slogan "The ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 29, 2002

The familiar orange box and the slogan "The Breakfast of Champions" have become more than just advertising symbols. They have become a metaphor for sports greatness and success. Many athletes, at the pinnacle of their success, have shared their childhood dreams about someday joining the legends who ...read more

Tags: Prize, Leadership General, Finding Fulfillment

Denomination: United Methodist

Peter Drucker Offers Insightful Guidance To The ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Peter Drucker offers insightful guidance to the church when he calls leadership a peak performance by one who is "the trumpet that sounds a clear sound of the organizations’ goals." His five requirements for this task are amazingly reliable and useful for those who dare to lead churches: (1) a ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-7

Tags: Leadership General, Obedience, Disciplines, Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Working With Buddy  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 30, 2003

Working with Buddy: An out-of-towner drove his car into a ditch in a desolated area. Luckily, a local farmer came to help with his big strong horse named Buddy. He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, "Pull, Nellie, pull!" Buddy didn’t move. Then the farmer hollered, "Pull, Buster, pull!" ...read more

Tags: Leadership General, Church Body Of Christ

Thirty Years Ago, The Miami Dolphins Embarked On ...  PRO

Contributed by Chip Kelly on Jul 1, 2003

Thirty years ago, the Miami Dolphins embarked on an unforgettable & unparalleled season. 14-0 regular season, then a 3-0 run through the playoffs culminating with a Super Bowl victory. No other team has matched that perfect record. Every year 30-some odd teams try, but for 3 decades, it stands ...read more

Tags: Leadership General, Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Newly Appointed Young Preacher Was Contacted By ...

Contributed by Craig West on Dec 10, 2004

A newly appointed young preacher was contacted by the local funeral director to hold a graveside committal service at a small country cemetery in Iowa. There was to be no funeral, just the committal, because sadly, the deceased had no family or friends left in Iowa. The young pastor started ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1

Tags: Leadership General, Funerals Non-Christian

Denomination: Baptist

Last Summer, Katie Brule's Friend Called Her And ...  PRO

Contributed by Terry Cavanaugh on Feb 16, 2005

Last summer, Katie Brule’s friend called her and asked her to go to a party. Katie, 16, declined, but her friend wouldn’t take no for an answer and Katie caved in. At the party, she felt pressure from those around her to drink alcohol so she downed a couple of beers. Then the police showed up. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-2

Tags: Stiffneck, Friendship New Friends, Leadership

Denomination: Methodist

Before You Lead Me, Where Are You Going?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 24, 2009

BEFORE YOU LEAD ME, WHERE ARE YOU GOING? I heard the story of the woman driving through a snowstorm just outside of Denver. She was completely lost and struggling under the hazardous weather conditions. She was relieved when she happened upon a snowplow. Since she was lost she decided to follow ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Direction, Leadership, Goals, Lead, Drive  (view more)  (view less)

Blackaby: What Does A Calling Look Like?  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 3, 2013

BLACKABY: WHAT DOES A CALLING LOOK LIKE? Henry Blackaby shares from his book "The Power of the Call" pages 10-14 a clear picture of what one looks like who is called by God into pastoral ministry: 1. The pastor is chosen 2. He is chosen by God 3. He is chosen by God to be His servant 4. He is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4, 1 John 4:7-10

Tags: Pastor, Leadership General, Elder, Shepherd

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mother Teresa

Contributed by Don Berry-Graham on Mar 1, 2016

Mother Teresa was attending a party full of dignitaries. The guest list included presidents and statesmen from around the world. They came in their crowns and jewels and silks. Mother Teresa wore her ever-present sari, held together by a safety pin. True leadership must be for the benefit of the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-10

Tags: Mercy, Pastoral Leadership, Showing Mercy

Denomination: Baptist

Following The Wrong Leaderf

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 23, 2019

One cold, snowy Minnesota night, I got lost on the way home. The snow was blowing so fast and piling up so high, I couldn't see any street signs. With no map in my car and a dead cell phone, I thought I might be stranded so I pulled over to the side of the road. Then breaking through the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:19-22

Tags: Direction, Leadership, Ignorance, Gullibility, Naivete  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Imhotep And Joseph

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 9, 2019

A memory of Joseph may have been merged into the legend of Imhotep: “According to Egyptologists, the Pharaoh Djoser employed an adviser named Imhotep, who designed his pyramid. Prior to that time, Pharaohs were buried in low, rectangular structures called mastaba. Imhotep’s design used a creative ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:1-57

Tags: Leadership, Joseph, History, Egyptology, Imhotep  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

History Gives Us A Rather Interesting Account On ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Jones on Sep 16, 2007

History gives us a rather interesting account on resolution of conflict. French novelist and playwright Alexandre Dumas once had a heated quarrel with a rising young politician. The argument became so intense that a duel was inevitable. Since both men were superb shots they decided to draw lots, ...read more

Tags: Death, Dealing With Conflicts, Leadership General

Denomination: Baptist

Our Influence On Others

Contributed by Richard Tow on Feb 13, 2023

Evangelist Billy Sunday told a story about “a man who lived in east Tennessee. That man hunted rattlesnakes for a living. He would sell rattlesnakes. One particular time he caught a rattlesnake that had fourteen rattlers. It was a huge rattlesnake. He put that rattlesnake in a box and put a glass ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12

Tags: Compromise, Alcohol, Influence, Example, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Thoughts On The Submission Of The Christian Wife

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 21, 2023

Means to follow your husband as he follows Christ. Intended to bless and protect the wife, not to enslave her. Does not mean that she is without voice in decision – making (Gethsemane). Never to be used by the man by force. Never to be used as an excuse for evil. Should always reflect the way ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-31

Tags: Wives, Marriage, Leadership, Submission, Husbands  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Richard Baxter, The Puritan Preacher Of The 17th ...  PRO

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 18, 2000

Richard Baxter, the Puritan preacher of the 17th century conveys the urgency, the zeal of Christian witness when he said, "I preached as never sure ...read more

Tags: Gifts Prophecy, Sharing Your Faith, Great Commission

Denomination: Baptist

Power Can Be Used In At Least 2 Ways. It Can Be ...  PRO

Contributed by James May on Apr 20, 2001

Power can be used in at least 2 ways. It can be unleashed or it can be harnessed. Drop an atomic bomb and just watch as raw power is unleashed or harness the power of the atom and it will produce energy to make enough electricity for entire states. On the Day of Pentecost, and on the day you ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38, Acts 2:1-4

Tags: Gifts General, Holy Spirit Attributes, God's Omnipotence

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Norman Cates Shared The Humorous Story Of A Guy ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Crow on May 21, 2001

Norman Cates shared the humorous story of a guy who prayed this prayer every morning: "Lord, if you want me to witness to someone today, please give me a sign to show me who it is." One day he found himself on a bus when a big, burly man sat next to him. The bus was nearly empty but this guy sat ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:11-17, Matthew 6:11-15, Romans 12:5, Luke 18:1-8

Tags: Spiritual Gifts, What Is Evangelism?, Evangelism Fear Of, Endurance

Denomination: Baptist

Huge Reserves  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 19, 2002

HUGE RESERVES Dr. Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ tells this story of a famous oil field called Yates Pool: During the depression this field was a sheep ranch owned by a man named Yates. Mr. Yates wasn’t able to make enough on his ranching operation to pay the principal and interest on ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Acts 1:1-8

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers, God's Omnipotence, Gifts General

Transformed By An Elevator  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on May 24, 2002

Transformed by an Elevator A family from a remote area was making their first visit to a big city. They checked in to a grand hotel and stood in amazement at the impressive sight. Leaving the reception desk they came to the elevator entrance. They’d never seen an elevator before, and just ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-16

Tags: Change, Gifts General, Transform, Holy Spirit General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational