In Sermon Illustrations: "Gods Plan"

The Church As A China Cabinet

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 7, 2011

THE CHURCH AS A CHINA CABINET Bryan Wilkerson talks about a sterling silver tea set that a family member gave him and his wife as a reminder of her love for them. It’s quite old and beautifully made, and it sits on a stand in their dining room. There's only one problem: they can’t use it. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:14-15

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Luther On Sweeping Streets Like Michelangelo

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 20, 2011

LUTHER ON SWEEPING STREETS LIKE MICHELANGELO Martin Luther was approached by a working man who wanted to know how he could serve God. Luther asked him, "What is your work now?" The man said, "I’m a shoemaker." Much to the cobbler’s surprise, Luther replied, "Then make good shoes and sell them at ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31

Tags: Servanthood

Boss: Mark Dever On The Four Aspects Of ...

Contributed by Tim White on May 7, 2011

BOSS: MARK DEVER ON THE FOUR ASPECTS OF LEADERSHIP B=Boss. The leader "reproves, rebukes, and exhorts with all longsuffering and doctrine." There is a delicate balance in local churches between pastoral authority (Hebrews 13) and congregational authority (Matthew 18). The pastors must exercise ...read more

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Baptist

Why Should I Let You Into Heaven?

Contributed by Brad Henry on Aug 5, 2011

WHY SHOULD I LET YOU INTO HEAVEN? If you were to die today and God were to ask you, 'Why should I let you into my heaven?' what would you say?" Over the years I would have to say that 85% of the answers I get are "I have tried to be a good person, I have tried to be a good parent, I have tried to ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

Luther's Confessions

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Dec 8, 2011

LUTHER'S CONFESSIONS Before writing, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," before becoming a leader of the Reformation, before his 95 Theses, Martin Luther was a Catholic priest. One thing that did not change for him was a passionate conviction that Christians must repent and confess their sins. As a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:9, Psalm 66:18

Tags: Confession, Repentance, Confession Of Sin

Denomination: Baptist

The Vacuum Salesman  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 8, 2012

THE VACUUM SALESMAN A vacuum salesman down in rural Tennessee. He had a his vacuum cleaner and all of this tools and everything, and he went out there and he told a lady, "I’ve got the most exciting vacuum cleaner you have ever seen. It will clean your house from top to bottom...you only have to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-49, Mark 9:48-50, Leviticus 2:12-14

Tags: Power

Wrong Reasons For Study Of Bible

Contributed by Tony Abram on Jan 21, 2018

At the village church in Kalonovka, Russia, attendance at Sunday school picked up after the priest started handing out candy to the peasant children. One of the most faithful was a pug-nosed, lad who recited his Scriptures with proper piety, pocketed his reward, then fled into the fields to munch ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3

Tags: Holy, Sanctification

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

Bad And Good Decision

Contributed by Sourav Dasgupta on Dec 30, 2021

Decision (Good & Bad Consequences) Esther 1: King Ahsereus & Queen Vasti) Errors of King 1.Wine Temptation 2.Queen Display 3.Anger Demonstration Errors of Queen 1.Husband's Disobedience 2.No Ungodly Guidance (Job Money Security Deposit) Proverbs 12:15 3.No 3rd Person in H-W ...read more

Tags: Godly Counsel, Obedience To Seniors

Children's Letters To The Pastor

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 31, 2021

Children’s letters to the Pastor Dear Pastor, I would like to go to heaven someday because I know my brother won't be there. Stephen. Age 8, Chicago Dear Pastor, I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister. Yours sincerely, Arnold. Age 8, Nashville. Dear Pastor, Please say ...read more

Tags: Children, Humor, Pastors

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Child Is This? (Re-Mixed)

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 19, 2022

What Child is this? To the seeker, He's the Way; to the philosopher, He’s the Truth; to the penitent, He’s the Life. He is Joshua's captain, He is Moses' smitten rock, He is Ruth’s Kinsman Redeemer, What Child is this? He is David’s Covenant King, He is Esther’s ...read more

Tags: Messiah, Christmas, Bethlehem, Prophecy, Birth Of Christ, History  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joy In The Circumstances Of Life

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Dec 4, 2023

The ingredients of our life can lead to joy if we look at them from God’s viewpoint. I am reminded of the family that sat down to a meal with their grandpa and dad, an old farmer. The farmer was asked to ask the blessing on the breakfast of biscuits and gravy. They bowed their heads as the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-11

Tags: Circumstances, Joy

Denomination: Baptist

Parallels Between Jesus And The Manna In The Wilderness

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 18, 2024

The manna that fell in the Wilderness can be compared to Christ in 5 specific ways: CAME FROM HEAVEN: Manna, as described in the Old Testament, serves as a symbolic representation of Christ. Let me explain further. Heavenly Origin: Manna was a miraculous food provided by God to sustain the ...read more

Tags: Christ, Bread Of Life, Manna, Typology

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Midnight Cry

Contributed by Samuel M on Sep 30, 2025

There is a cry rising across the land. Every ear can hear this cry. This cry is heard in every nation, city and village. The cry is - "Behold the bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him". The cry is resonating so much in the atmosphere- The bridegroom is coming; the bridegroom is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:6

Tags: Faith, Hope

Dog Returns To His Vomit

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 22, 2026

In the 1730s and 1740s, revivals swept across England and the American colonies during what we call “The First Great Awakening.” John Wesley saw thousands of folks claim salvation, but some of them fell back into their old ways of drinking at the local pub every night or neglecting to read God’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:22

Tags: Sin, Accountability, John Wesley, Small Group, First Great Awakening  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Note, Praying Friends Are Valuable Friends; It ...

Contributed by N A on Aug 9, 2008

"Note, Praying friends are valuable friends; it is good to have an intimacy with and an interest in those that have fellowship with God and an interest at the throne of grace; and it well becomes the greatest and best of men to desire the assistance of the prayers of others for them. St. Paul often ...read more

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: *other

One Of England's Finest Preachers Was C.h. ...  PRO

Contributed by Jason Patrick on Nov 24, 2001

One of England’s finest preachers was C.H. Spurgeon (1834-1892). Frequently during his ministry he was plunged into severe depression, due in part to gout but also for other reasons. In a biography of the "prince of preachers", Arnold Dallimore wrote, "What he suffered in those times of darkness we ...read more

Tags: Endurance, Emotions

Denomination: Baptist

Following The News Of Ex-Beatle George ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Dec 9, 2001

Following the news of ex-Beatle George Harrison’s death, "Today" show anchor Anne Curry interviewed Anthony DeCurtis, a writer for Rolling Stone magazine. DeCurtis talked at length about Harrison’s search for a meaningful spiritual life. Curry said, "Apparently Harrison was the most spiritual of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 10:1-9

Tags: Fulfillment

Denomination: Baptist

Lay Aside The Weights

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 24, 2002

In high school we had this star player that was lazier than mud. Often the coach placed 5 pound bags of sand around his ankles, he had to wear them all week. Right before the game, the coach untied the weights and sent the boy to the floor. He jumped higher and built ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Tags: Sin Bondage To

Denomination: Assembly Of God

According To A Recent Poll Of American Young ...

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 11, 2002

According to a recent poll of American young adult men, 48% believe that most of the problems in the world today are a result of man himself. Only 41% indicated agreement that Jesus has provided the way to know God personally. Only 29% could correctly state how one becomes a Christian. But 67% were ...read more

Tags: Great Commission, What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational