In Sermon Illustrations: "Going To Church"

The Lawyer's Invitation

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jun 1, 2013

THE LAWYER'S INVITATION A pastor told the true story of one of his church members, an attorney, who after meditating on several scriptures, decided to cancel the debts of all his clients that had owed him money for more than six months. He drafted a letter explaining his decision and its biblical ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Nazarene

Door Of Hope

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 24, 2015

There is a small metal door painted white in the side of a tiny mission church in Johannesburg South Africa. This door is changing lives. On it are painted the words “door of hope.” That is exactly what it is for various babies within the city. On average some forty to fifty babies were being ...read more

Scripture: John 10:7-10

Tags: Hope, Jesus The Door, Rescuing Babies

Several Years Ago I Read A Story Written By A...

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 11, 2015

Several years ago I read a story written by a preacher in the Philippine Islands. One day he was passing a large church on Good Friday when he spotted many selling incense, candles, veils and rosaries. He also saw several small boys who were running about selling crosses. He heard them calling, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Take Up Your Cross, Carrying Your Cross, Message Of The Cross, Cheap Grace

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Clean Conscience

Contributed by Shine Thomas on Jul 24, 2017

Xaviera Hollander wrote a book with a title: The Happy Hooker. Hollander, a prostitute, sought to silence the people who believe that no prostitute could find joy in what she was doing. In her book, Hollander celebrates the joy that she experienced in her profession, saying that she never felt ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:1-6

Tags: Guilt, Conscience, Pure Heart

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Dead Rat

Contributed by Paul Steen on Dec 11, 2017

A boy ran into his house to tell his mom something. He had a dead rat in his hand. But he didn't notice that the pastor of their church was talking to his mom. The boy said, “Mom, you'll never guess what! I was out behind the garage and there was this rat. I picked up a rock and threw it and hit ...read more

Tags: Excuses, Making Excuses

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

N.t. Wright Quote On Christian Artists

Contributed by Matthew Redder on Sep 21, 2018

I love this quote as I believe it is hard for the Christian artist to always understand their place in the church. Truth be told, artists have an incredible gift and responsibility in the community to illuminate the realities of the Word and of this life we live. Wright puts it well: "The ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23, Exodus 35:35, Proverbs 22:29, Romans 12:2, Romans 12:6, 1 Timothy 4:14, Ephesians 2:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Painter, Poet, Dancer, Dance, Art, Creative, Artist, Christian Artist, Musician, Music, Creator  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Soap And Water!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 28, 2019

A pastor and his wife were asked to dinner by one of his church members. He knew she was a bad housekeeper, but still agreed. When he sat down at the table, he noticed that the dishes were the dirtiest he had ever seen in his life. "Were these dishes washed?" he asked his hostess, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22

Tags: Humor, Pastors, Cleanliness, Dogs

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Funny Sermon Intro For Easter!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 15, 2022

The pastor’s family was invited to Easter dinner at the Wilson home. Mrs. Wilson was widely known for her amazing contributions to church potlucks. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served. As usual, it was a feast for the eyes, the nose, and the palate.   When ...read more

Tags: Easter, Prayer, Humor, Pastors, Saying Grace, Sermon Intro, Funny Story, Preacher's Kids  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do You Really Believe What You Are Preaching?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 7, 2022

When Charles Peace (a convicted thief and murderer) was being escorted to the gallows, he was accompanied by a clergyman reading from The Consolations of Religion about the “flames never quenched.” Peace was a known criminal for whom the public had no sympathy; no one can say with confidence the ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Death, Scripture, Gospel, Truth, Preaching, Witnessing, Last Words, Unbelievers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Found Faithful

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Mar 31, 2025

There is a story of a choir director who was so stressed out because at least one or more members of the choir were absent at every rehearsal for a concert. Finally came the last rehearsal and he announced: “I want to personally thank the pianist for being the only person in this entire church ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Tags: Faithfulness, Choir, Unfaithfulness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Preacher's New Suit

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Jun 24, 2025

The Preacher’s New Suit I was recently invited to preach for the Sunday morning service. Ice Breaker: For an introduction, I stated the following: I introduced myself and then shared the following. Hello, I'm LC Taylor and my wife is Kathy. My wife and I were discussing how honored we were ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22

Tags: New Suit, Humor, Laughter, Suit, Icebreaker, Sermon Introductions, Ice Breaker, Appearance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Goal Of Spiritual Gifts

Contributed by John Bright on Sep 24, 2025

Spiritual Gifts were documented in Class Meetings within the Wesleyan tradition. It was there that members shared their lives – the successes and the struggles. They would search the Scriptures for answers, and they would pray for each other. Those prayers included listening for a Word from the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 12:28

Tags: Spiritual Gifts, Small Groups, Class Meeting, Love

Denomination: Methodist

The Story Of Isaac ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2009

THE STORY OF ISAAC WATTS A young boy complained to his father that most of the church hymns were boring and old-fashioned, with tiresome words that meant little to his generation. His father challenged him with these words: "If you think you can write better hymns, why don’t you?" The boy ...read more

Scripture: John 4:23-24

Tags: Worship General

[036] A Message From A Poem – Blessed Lamb Of God In Adoration

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 25, 2025

[036] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BLESSED LAMB OF GOD IN ADORATION This was written as a hymn that can be sung. The emphasis is on the Lord Jesus Christ not so much on us. I hate these modern songs where it is all about “me”. Let us get back to glorifying the Lord for who He is and for what He ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:11, 1 Corinthians 1:18, Ephesians 4:8-10

Tags: Compassion, Adoration, Lamb, Second Coming, Poetry, The Cross, Lamb Of God, Poem  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Five Year Old Daughter Was Misbehaving In ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 19, 2001

My five year old daughter was misbehaving in worship one day and had to be taken out for corrective messures. When I ask, "do you know what you are about to get?" She turn her big brown eyes up and said, "A peice of ...read more

Tags: Expect, Expectation, Children

When James Calvert Went Out As A Missionary To ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 13, 2001

When James Calvert went out as a missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands, I am told that the captain of the ship transporting him sought to turn him back. "You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go ...read more

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Commitment To Christ, Death

Fortuneteller, Gazing Into Crystal Ball, To ...  PRO

Contributed by Eric Snyder on Oct 23, 2001

Fortuneteller, gazing into crystal ball, to frog: You are going to meet a beautiful young woman. From the moment she sets eyes on you she will have an insatiable desire to know all about you. She will be compelled to get close to you--you’ll ...read more

Tags: Paranormal

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Person Who Has A Dream Knows What He Is Willing ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2002

A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up. He is able measure everything he does according to whether or not it contributes to the dream, concentrating his attention on the things that bring him closer to it and ...read more

The Air War  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 24, 2002

THE AIR WAR It was said of Desert Storm, “the air war won the ground war.” The fervent, faithful praying of a few in a well-developed prayer center can win the ground war for the troops of Christians going out into their places of work and ...read more

The Poet Caught The Sense Of This When He Penned ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Jun 14, 2002

The poet caught the sense of this when he penned these words… To every man there openeth A Way, and Ways, and a Way. The high soul climbs the High Way, The Low Soul gropes the Low. And in between, on the misty flats, The rest drift to and fro. But to every ...read more

Tags: Discipleship, Holiness, Leadership General

Denomination: Wesleyan