In Sermon Illustrations: "Gods Good Will"

Shepherd Or Butcher?

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 23, 2022

Two people were watching a man drive a herd of sheep through the main street of a small town. “I thought shepherds led sheep. I didn’t know they drove them with a whip.” “They do,” the other fellow remarked. “That’s not a ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-17, John 10:27-31

Tags: Pastor, Sheep, Care, Good Shepherd, Pastoral, Bad Shepherd, Compassion, Leadership, Shepherd  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Wrong Righteousness  PRO

Contributed by Tylor Cates on Jan 24, 2004

Wrong Righteousness Quote: "If you don’t know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else." - Yogi Berra Text: Romans 10:1-4 Prop: a new US $20 bill (or adapt for local currency) Summary: Some people try to get to heaven on their own by being a good person. The only righteousness that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-4

Tags: Apologetics General, God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Baptist

Object Lesson  PRO

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Oct 25, 2001

Object Lesson Supplies Needed: One large pumpkin with the facial features cut out. When you cut out the features save them because you will need them during this object lesson. You will also need to save some of the slime and seeds from the inside. You will also need a candle. Lesson: Could I ...read more

Tags: Repentance, God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Baptist

Who's Your Daddy?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 5, 2010

WHO'S YOUR DADDY? "A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. One morning they were eating breakfast in a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white haired man moving from ...read more

Scripture: John 1:12-13

Tags: God Brings Purpose

Charlie's Thanksgiving List

Contributed by Perry Hancock on Nov 22, 2022

Charlie’s Thanksgiving List The pastor at the downtown men’s shelter was ready to begin the Thanksgiving service. Everyone was ready for him to begin and finish since the service was before the meal. After a few hymns were sung, it was time for the pastor’s Thanksgiving sermon. This year he had ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:2

Tags: Thanksgiving, God's Blessings

Denomination: Baptist

The Cross Made The Difference

Contributed by David Simpson on Apr 20, 2020

I (David Simpson) grew up as part of the spiritual family of Hardwick Christian Church. Along with my parents and sisters, I learned about Jesus and Bible there. I don’t ever remember a Sunday throughout my childhood and into my teen years when I was not in that church building and doing life with ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:5, John 3:16

Tags: Communion, Good Friday, Cross, Lord's Supper, Blood Of Jesus, Cross Of Jesus, Sacrifice Of Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

When The American West Was Opened Up, Many A ...  PRO

Contributed by Robert Massey on Mar 23, 2002

When the American West was opened up, many a traveler passed over the rich earth that lay on top of the territory of Nebraska. The dirt is rich, black dirt, but they could see no water anywhere. They thought this land would be good for nothing. One writer even called it, “The Great America ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7

Tags: God In The Hardships, God Brings Hope, Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: Church Of God

Blessed Is Any Weight, However Overwhelming, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

Blessed is any weight, however overwhelming, which God has been so good as to fasten with His own hand upon ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships, Doubt, Endurance

I Know God Won't Give Me Anything I Can't Handle. ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so ...read more

Tags: Endurance, Peace

You Can't Stick Your Tongue Out At God's Children!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 12, 2023

A busy young father came home late from work and his two young daughters ran to the car to meet him. The oldest daughter got their first and jumped into Daddy's arms telling him how much she loved him while the youngest watched. As they walked into the house, the oldest daughter looked back ...read more

Tags: Bitterness, Hate, Critical Spirit, Division, Kids, Love, Father, Holy Spirit, Anger  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Do You ...  PRO

Contributed by Joe Bertone on Aug 1, 2012

HOW DO YOU KNOW There is a Chinese parable about a Chinaman who had one horse and one son. One day the horse, out of control, wandered away with the boy on its back and they were both lost. The man’s neighbors came to console him the next day and they said, “We are so sorry you lost your horse and ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Tags: Fear And Worry, God's Sovereignty

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

His Rightful Place

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Apr 11, 2022

I have a dog named Simba. I named him Simba because he is the color of a lion and he has the personality of a lion even though he is a chihuahua. One afternoon, we were really tired and I decided to take a quick nap with Simba. Simba has a certain place on the bed beside me where he always lays. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, Luke 10:41

Tags: Putting God First, Resting, Making Room For God, Making Time For God

Denomination: Charismatic

Why Study The Book Of Esther?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 21, 2023

WHY STUDY THIS BOOK? • To learn important lessons about the Providence of God – especially His ability to preserve His people, despite the severity of threats from formidable adversaries. • To encourage us to continue to trust in God and His Providence when circumstances around us seem darkest ...read more

Tags: Trials, Sovereignty Of God, Faith, Esther, God, Persecution, Israel, God's Providence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

On The Tv Show Called The X-Files, They Had A ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Oct 25, 2001

On the TV show called the X-Files, they had a story about a family that used to keep an ugly looking creature in their basement. And what was even stranger was that people would bring their sick and dying family members over to see this creature and they would come back healthy. When Scully and ...read more

Tags: Sin Hurtful To God, God's Provision, Bill Bendert, Cross

Denomination: Lutheran

I Received The Following Story As One Of Those ...  PRO

Contributed by David Brockhouse on Apr 3, 2008

I received the following story as one of those “dreaded” forwarded emails. I think it’s a fitting way to end a Wednesday Lenten message on Obedience ----from the eyes of a child. Story of God lives under the Bed. I envy Kevin. He thinks God lives under his bed. One night he was praying out loud ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:7-8

Tags: Fear, Doubt, Outreach, Man, Support, Obedience, Wish, Bottle, Genie, Love Others, Shepherd, Help, Trusting God, Goodness, Restoration, Finish  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

[178 ]. A Message From A Poem – Lost Three Things - Lost One Sheep

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 26, 2025

[178 ]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LOST THREE THINGS - LOST ONE SHEEP What are the best-known parables the Lord Jesus gave? I suppose there could be some debate about that but for me, I think The Prodigal Son, The Sower and The Good Samaritan. The Lost Sheep is near the top. Two of those I have ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1, Psalm 23:4, Luke 15:3-7, John 10:11, John 10:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Shepherding, The Lost Sheep, The Shepherd Psalm, One Sheep Lost, Sheep, Search, The Good Shepherd  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Christian Hope Is The Hope Which Has Seen ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mavis on May 10, 2001

"The Christian hope is the hope which has seen everything and endured everything, and has still not despaired, because it believes in God. The Christian hope is not hope in the human spirit, in human goodness, in human endurance, in human achievement; the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:12

Tags: Faith, God Brings Hope

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The News According To Matthew  PRO

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 9, 2001

One commentator said this: “Jesus is saying that a religion concerned only with not doing anything wrong in order that its practitioner may one day stand vindicated ignores the will of God.” [Leon Morris, p 631, ...read more

Tags: Character, Discipleship, God's Sovereign Will

Denomination: Baptist

These Shepherds Were Symbolic Of Jesus Christ The ...  PRO

Contributed by Frank Gallagher on Nov 26, 2000

These shepherds were symbolic of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd, who would also humbly follow God’s will. Their sheep represent us as believers, in several ways: - Sheep cannot clean themselves. Some animals such as a cat can do that, but not sheep. Likewise, we as unbelievers were not able to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:2-22, Acts 1:8

Tags: People In Acts, God's Provision

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Worship Cannot Be Confined To A Particular Place  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 1, 2002

Worship cannot be Confined to a Particular Place In the Muslim religion there are three cities which are considered sacred: Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. The Muslims believe that to worship in the city of Jerusalem is as good as performing 1000 acts of worship anywhere else in the world. Mecca and ...read more

Tags: Church Practices, God The Father