In Sermon Illustrations: "Gifts Mercy"

Your Two Dirty Pennies Are An Insult

Contributed by David Goering on Aug 14, 2018

Suppose somebody befriended you in your town and offered to buy you a big beautiful house, and told you that you could choose the house you wanted. Then when he was handing you the title deed you reached in your pocket and pulled out two pennys, and when you did they accidentally fell out of your ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Free Gift, It Is Finished, Salvation, Righteousness, Good Works  (view more)  (view less)

Christmas Disappointment

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 8, 2020

One Christmas my husband put an assortment of beauty products in my stocking. I tried one of the facial masks, and was about to wash it off when my eight-year-old son, Callum, walked in. I explained to him that it was a present from his dad and it would make me beautiful. He patiently waited by my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-18

Tags: Christmas, Children, Cute, Honesty, Gifts, Christmas Present  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Get Off The Bench And Get In The Game!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 2, 2023

A well-known coach was once asked, “How much does college football contribute to the national physical-fitness picture?” “Nothing,” the coach replied abruptly. “Why not?” the startled interviewer asked. “Well,” said the coach, “the way I see it, you have 22 men down on the field desperately ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-13

Tags: Service, Ministry, Church, Disciples, Spiritual Gifts, Volunteers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Regalo Para Kay Tatay

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jun 26, 2024

Isang umaga nakatanggap ako ng text mula sa aking anak mga 4 na araw bago ang Father's Day at nagpalitan kami ng mga text na ito. Dad anong size ng shirt mo. Malaki, Extra Large, o Extra, Extra Large. Ako: Extra Large. Anong size ng pants ang suot mo? Ako: 36 by 34 Anong laki ng sapatos ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Tags: Regalo Para Kay Tatay, Father Day Gift

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Smart Phone Theology

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Oct 29, 2024

Smart phones are really smart. Even smarter than I know. I use my phone for so much more than calling and texting but it’s not uncommon for me to learn new features and abilities my phone has that I previously had never known. Over the years I’ve learned that my phone is a compass, can take video ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Service, Holy Spirit, Power, Temptation, Gifts, Giftedness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Horse In The Basement

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 6, 2025

Imagine having what we need but not using it – like the hoarse in the basement or the car that can drive at highway speed but you never go over 25mph. I heard a story about a guy who was looking at chainsaws at the hardware store. The salesman told him, “If you buy this chainsaw, you can cut ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Chainsaw, Holy Spirit, Spiritual Gifts, Car, Horse  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

An Older Gentleman Was Walking Along The Seashore ...  PRO

Contributed by James May on Aug 8, 2001

An older gentleman was walking along the seashore one day in the hot sun. As he walked he was sweating profusely and seemed to be in a hurry! Every few steps he would bend over, pick up a starfish from the hot, burning sands and cast it back into the cool waves. One after another, after another, ...read more

Tags: Compassion, Evangelism How To, Mercy, Grace, Great Commission, Sharing Your Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

[104]. A Message From A Poem – God’s Attributes

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 8, 2025

[104]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GOD’S ATTRIBUTES Some people dispute the term Attributes of God. They say it can only be applied to statements such as God IS love. Others look at it in a wider sense taking in the qualities of the Godhead. In this poem, I took 4 words to make 4 stanzas ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:4-5, Ephesians 2:14, Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 3:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Character Of God, Attributes Of God, Grace, Love, Mercy, Peace, Compassion, Holiness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[132]. Poem Message – "I Am Included” - Song - Solo With Chorus

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 13, 2025

[132]. POEM MESSAGE – “I AM INCLUDED” - SONG - SOLO WITH CHORUS I just love this poem but it was originally meant as part of a Christian musical I wanted to write. I am sad I have not had the time to dedicate to this effort. I have the melody for this in my head but am not able to write ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:8-9

Tags: Joy, Song, Included, Singing, Christian Poetry, Musical, Grace, Mercy, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Story Of The Chair

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 22, 2024

Those of you who have heard of Evangelism Explosion by D. James Kennedy know the illustration of the chair. You know, a person can say ‘Yes, I see that chair. That’s a chair. I acknowledge that’s a chair. I believe that’s a chair. And I think that chair could hold me up if I sat in it.’ But ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:10-13, Ephesians 4:30-32

Tags: Cross, Assurance, Blood Of Jesus, Faith In Christ, Works, Grace, Mercy, Trust, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[025] A Message From A Poem - Balance Of God’s Attributes

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 9, 2025

[025] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - BALANCE OF GOD’S ATTRIBUTES One area where it takes deeper study to understand, is the attributes of God. The attributes are what is the completeness in God and they are many. It is what God is. We speak about love and mercy and compassion, but we also have ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:10-11, Exodus 34:5-7, Hebrews 2:17

Tags: Penalty, Poetry, Attributes Of God, Forgiveness, Faithful, Judgment, Balance, Merciful, Attributes, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Think It Was C H Spurgeon Who Had A Lady Come To ...  PRO

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 28, 2000

think it was C H Spurgeon who had a lady come to him saying that she felt called to the ministry. Spurgeon asked about her home and family and when he heard she had 13 children he exclaimed, "Well, praise God, not only ...read more

Tags: Gift, Giving, Give, Christian Disciplines, Servanthood, Present, Parenting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

There Was A Great Theologian Who Came To The Usa ...  PRO

Contributed by Ed Wood on Jun 6, 2002

There was a great theologian who came to the USA from England and was being interviewed by a group of seminary students. The question was asked, “What is the most profound thought that ever occupied your mind.” The answer was, “Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.” You may go ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17

Tags: Amazing Love, Ultimate Gift, Unconditional Love, Love For God

Denomination: Baptist

Bob Russell Who Preaches In Louisville Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 27, 2002

Bob Russell who preaches in Louisville was raised on a farm in Pennsylvania and he tells the story of his first youth minister who was a city-boy. Now his youth group was made up mostly of kids from the farm so they didn’t think they would have much in common with this city slicker and so weren’t ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Giving Yourself, Gifts General, Superhero, Hero  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

He Was Healed  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 4, 2002

HE WAS HEALED Tony Campolo tells a story about being in a church in Oregon where he was asked to pray for a man who had cancer. Campolo prayed boldly for the man’s healing. That next week he got a telephone call from the man’s wife. She said, "You prayed for my husband. He had cancer." Campolo ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24

Tags: Healing, Miracles Of Jesus, God's Forgiveness, Gifts Healing, Cure  (view more)  (view less)

As We Conclude – Today I Want You To Imagine That ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Nov 19, 2002

AS WE CONCLUDE – today I want you to imagine that your life is over… and you are led to a room.. there are 2 chairs in the room, one is for you and one for God and there is a DVD player. God pops in the DVD. It has your name on it – it says “Steve Malone – What Might have Been” IMAGINE – ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, Gifts General, Good News, Death Nearness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Girl That Was Blind

Contributed by Paul Steen on Dec 24, 2018

Once there was a blind girl named Ramona. She hated herself because she could not see. She had no eyes. The only person in the whole world that she loved was her boyfriend Daniel and he loved her. He was always there for her. He told her that he wanted to marry her. He didn’t care that she was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: Gifts, Dreams Shattered, Love, Marriage, Rejection, Blindness, Heartbreak  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

[080]. A Message From A Poem – Faithfully He Is Watching

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 12, 2025

[080]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FAITHFULLY HE IS WATCHING The poem here you will read is one of my top favourites. It resonates so much with me. It just flowed and when it does that it is joyous. I truly hope you can relate to it. This poem was written on the day I received notification that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:6, Job 1:21

Tags: Watching, God Hears, Forsake, Poem, Orphans, Cares, Abandoned, Faithful, Friendship, Deliverance, Merciful, Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Was Hungry

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 9, 2023

Charles Allen has a satirical comment on bearing one another's burdens: "I was hungry, and you formed a humanities club and discussed my hunger. I was imprisoned, and you crept off quietly to your chapel in the cellar and prayed for my release. I was naked, and in your mind you ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

Tags: Mercy, Ministry, Homeless, Serving Others, Burdens, Compassion, Prayer, Prison, Lost, Sick, Lonely  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

But One Time About Six Years Ago I Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 17, 2001

But one time about six years ago I was complaining to someone about the Christian church, when suddenly an image flashed in my mind of a bride and a groom on their wedding day. In that mental image I walked up to the groom and said to him, "Your bride sure is ugly." Now no one would ever do that ...read more

Tags: Gift, Divinity Of Christ, Church Body Of Christ, Church Purpose Of, Spiritual  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational