In Sermon Illustrations: "Go Forth Meeting Christ"

Count The Cost

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Jul 24, 2025

I want to tell yall a true story about counting the cost. This happened to a friend, who shall remain nameless to protect her dignity. My friend had been going through a lot and needed something therapeutic to do and so took up gardening. Growing your own food is always a good idea, right? The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:28, Luke 14:29, Luke 14:30

Tags: Building, Cost, Adversity, High, Count The Cost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Little Is Much If ...

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 22, 2025

LITTLE IS MUCH IF GOD IS IN IT --- BY KITTIE L. SUFFIELD, 1924 IN THE HARVEST FIELD NOW RIPENED, THERE IS A WORK FOR ALL TO DO; HARK! THE VOICE OF GOD IS CALLING, TO THE HARVEST CALLING YOU. LITTLE IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT, LABOR NOT FOR WEALTH OR FAME; THERE IS A CROWN AND YOU CAN WIN IT ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:4

Tags: Faith, Little Is Much

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Young Pastor Learns About Rural ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 8, 2010

A Young Pastor Learns About Rural Ministry How I learned about the heartbeat of a good shepherd and how difficult it is to lead and herd sheep. This personal story is drawn from my ministry time in Grygla, Mn. It was my first pastorate – I had just recently graduated from North Central Bible ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-21

Tags: Pastors

On The Other Hand?" Mark 13:9-13 Key Verse(S) ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Apr 26, 2005

“On The Other Hand?” Mark 13:9-13 Key verse(s) 13:“‘All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.’” Often times what determines whether or not we are standing tall in this life is measured by the depth of our convictions. There was a time not so long ago ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:9-13

Tags: Faith General, Doubt

Denomination: Lutheran

Mud-Gazing?" Luke 12:13-15 Key Verse(S) ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 3, 2005

“Mud-Gazing?” Luke 12:13-15 Key verse(s) 13:“Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Do you sing because you are happy; or are you happy because you sing? You’ve met the person. They always seem to have a positive attitude about nearly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-15

Tags: Peace, Joy, Christian Love

Denomination: Lutheran

Before This Month Began To Prepare Our ...  PRO

Contributed by Kerry Kinchen on Nov 10, 2003

". . . before this month began to prepare our ground against seed-time. In the midst of April we began to set, the weather being then seasonable, which much encouraged us, giving us good hopes of after plenty: the setting season is good till the latter end of May. But it pleased God for our further ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday, Favor

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Genghis Khan's Hawk  PRO

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Apr 29, 2008

GENGHIS KHAN'S HAWK One morning Genghis Khan, the great king and warrior, rode out into the woods to have a day’s sport. Many of his friends were with him. They rode out gaily, carrying their bows and arrows. Behind them came the servants with the hounds. It was a merry hunting party. The woods ...read more

Tags: Bitterness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Christmas Story  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Dec 12, 2003

[A Christmas Story, unknown] I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even dummies know that!" (Rejection!) My Grandma was not ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Last Week, Bernie Came To The Church Door. He ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Oct 9, 2002

Last week, Bernie came to the church door. He showed up about five minutes before I was getting ready to leave for an appointment, and my first response to his arrival was, oh, no, not now. Bernie had been drinking – I could smell it on his breath. He was sweating profusely and was a little bit ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13-20

Tags: Fellowship

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Yes, Virginia, There Is A Jesus  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 10, 2002

"YES VIRGINIA, THERE IS A JESUS." It is truly heartwarming to know that millions of people around the world believe in Santa. Sure, most are under four feet tall, but still it’s amazing that so many believe in the big guy in the red suit. Consider the following: Around the globe, today, live ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Birth Of Jesus

[197]. A Message From A Poem – O Choir, Praise The Lord With Joy

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 12, 2025

[197]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – O CHOIR, PRAISE THE LORD WITH JOY People speak about the heavenly choir, though most of the time they are referring to angles. However there is not one record of angels singing, but many records about angles “saying”. I don’t think angels sing. No evidence. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 47:6-7, Psalm 47:1-9, Psalm 33:1-3, Psalm 13:5-6, Revelation 5:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Sin, Angels, Worthy, Choir, Christian Poem, Male Voices, Female Voices, Soprano, Contralto, Mezzo Soprano, Singing, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Sing To The Lord, Sing Praises  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Story Of Hudson Taylor

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

Hudson Taylor began the study of medicine as well as Greek, Hebrew, and Latin. He realized, however, that the most important preparation of all must take place in the realm of his own soul. In China he would have to depend utterly upon his Lord for protection, supplies -- everything. Lest a ...read more

Scripture: John 14:13-26

Tags: Hudson Taylor, Trust

Denomination: Anglican

From One Turkey To Another

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 23, 2019

As a child, my favorite holiday was Christmas, second only to my birthday. These holidays were important because of the gifts I received. Oh, did I look forward to those holidays and all the presents I was going to delight in. And delight, I certainly did to the extreme. Then slowly things ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:10

Tags: Thanksgiving, Hoiliday

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

When Everything Goes My Way

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 7, 2020

I have had a certain dream many times over the years. Of course, it might lean towards being a nightmare if it does not come true. The dream is that one day in the week; I can have everything go my way. The nightmare part of that dream is that it never tells me which day everything will go my ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Together, Choice, Partnership

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What Would The World Be Without Apple Fritters?

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 24, 2021

Stress is not something new in my life or anybody else's, for that matter. The thing about stress is that you never get used to it, or at least I don't. I don't know what I would do if one week I had no stress at all. When that happens, I'll let you know. This past week has not ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Tags: Stress, Pleasure

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Where Do Wrinkles Come From?

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 12, 2021

Several months ago, I had two cataracts removed from my eyes. How they got there, I don't know. As far as I can remember, they never asked my permission, and furthermore, they never paid rent for being there. According to the eye doctor, and doctors are never wrong, I now have 2020 vision. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:8

Tags: Plastic Surgery, Wrinkles

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

My Ongoing Grudge With Santa

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 18, 2021

I’ve had sort of a grudge with old Mr. Santa Claus. I was introduced to Santa Claus by my parents, who informed me that he was the one that brought all of my Christmas presents on Christmas day. And I believe my parents. I remember on Christmas Eve we had to go to bed early to give Santa Claus ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32

Tags: Christmas, Gifts

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What’s A Whopper Got To Do With Anything

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 10, 2023

After my heart attack, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage enacted a dietary regimen in accordance with improving my health. The theme of this dietary regimen is vegetables, vegetables, vegetables. I did not know there were so many vegetables in the entire world. Her primary vegetable, much to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-3

Tags: Diet, Patience

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Unintentionally Humorous Texts: What Are They Doing Here?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 3, 2024

Introduction: David had fled to Achish, king of Gath, in the land of the Philistines once before to escape Saul, the king of Israel and his own father-in-law (1 Samuel 21)! Now it’s a few years later and, once again, Saul is chasing David and, again, David fled to Gath. This time, David and his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 29:1-5

Tags: David, Philistines, Achish

Denomination: Baptist

Ding-A-Ling There Goes Spring

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 20, 2024

In my life, time has a way of getting out of control. If I could control time, I would be a very happy dude. My one question in life is, where does time go? And, can I retrieve it? The other night, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I sat in the living room watching a little TV. I then ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 31:14-15

Tags: Spring, Heat

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance