In Sermon Illustrations: "Gospel Songs"

Musalaha In Jerusalem

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Jan 30, 2011

MUSALAHA IN JERUSALEM Musalaha is a charity in the Holy Land working for reconciliation. It is an Arabic word that means "reconciliation" and I recently received this communication from the head of Musalaha - Salim Munayer, who writes: At the end of 2010, more than 150 people assembled, stood ...read more

Tags: Unity

Denomination: Anglican

Don't Just Entertain

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 14, 2014

Timothy Paul Jones- With high hopes we had moved to a new youth ministry position. On my first Wednesday evening at this church, I received my first hint that this task might be more difficult than I’d imagined. After a couple of games, I gathered the students for some worship songs. Worship ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence, Delight In God's Word, Neglect Of The Word

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Easter Service Mishap

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 12, 2021

One year, a bunch of friends and I decided to go to a sunrise service at a super fancy church. This church looks like a European cathedral and we were all dressed up for 5 a.m. singing around a huge fire outside and then going inside for service. Everyone had candles and the whole service is by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:38-40

Tags: Easter, Resurrection, Funny, Sunrise Service

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Funny Church Feuds

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

Church feuds are not uncommon, especially among cliques in the congregation. But when the pastor and choir director get into it, stand aside. One week, the preacher preached on commitment, and how you should dedicate yourselves to service. The director then led the choir in singing, 'I Shall ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Unity, Hymns, Division, Church Fights

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Things You Will Never Hear In Most Churches!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2022

THINGS YOU WILL NEVER HEAR IN MOST CHURCHES! "Hey! It’s my turn to sit on the front pew!" "I was so excited, I never even noticed your sermon went over time 25 minutes!" "Personally, I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf." "I volunteer to be the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14

Tags: Murmuring, Pastors, Laziness, Church Members, Church, Complaining, Division, Gossip  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[045] A Message From A Poem – Christianity In True Action

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 6, 2025

[045] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CHRISTIANITY IN TRUE ACTION The title of this is “CHRISTIANITY IN TRUE ACTION” for it demonstrates the Christian ethic or precept, something lacking today in practical Christianity. This poem tells a story. God bless all those who minister to the poor and are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:9, Galatians 2:10, Matthew 28:18-19

Tags: Poetry, Poem, True Christianity, Caring, Help The Poor, Outcasts  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

True Or False?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 20, 2002

TRUE OR FALSE? Palm Sunday celebrates the day Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Test your knowledge of that day’s events, recorded in all four Gospels, with these true or false statements. 1. According to the Gospels, the people waved palm branches when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:5-10

Tags: Easter Palm Sunday

Why Isn't The Book Of Enoch In Our Bible?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 24, 2024

This question illuminates one of those painful intersections between theology and church history: the canonization of Scripture. Throughout church history, many books have been scrutinized by theologians, and before those theologians, other theologians, and before such, were the members of the ...read more

Tags: Scripture, Holy Spirit, Inspiration, Enoch, Inerrancy, Church History, Canon, Book Of Enoch  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Divorce Your Unsaved Husband Or Wife. Why? ...  PRO

Contributed by Doug Lyon on Sep 11, 2004

Don’t divorce your unsaved husband or wife. Why? Paul gives this reason: The believer may have a positive, spiritual influence on their unbelieving mate. The unbeliever may get saved due to the believing spouse’s example and lifestyle. 1 Corinthians 7:14: “For the unbelieving husband has been ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:60-65

Tags: Marriage Commitment, Marriage Struggle

Denomination: Independent/Bible

I Was Once Conducting A Rap Session With High ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 21, 2005

I was once conducting a rap session with high school teenagers. I told them that they could ask me any question on any subject, and I would try and answer it. Their questions were typical of ones I had received in similar sessions scores of times before. As the session drew to a close, one girl ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Girl Born ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 5, 2010

Girl Born Blind There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, ’If I could only see the world, I will marry you.’ One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Tags: Compassion

One Of The Most Dramatic Symbols Of The New ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Nov 6, 2000

One of the most dramatic symbols of the new political freedoms in the worlds was the tearing down of the Berlin Wall. In 1990, church leaders invited Billy Graham to conduct a rally at the Brandenburg Gate. They said that rock stars, entertainers, and political groups had rallied at the Wall, but ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost, Finding Fulfillment

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In His Autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi Wrote That ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Apr 24, 2001

In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he decided ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:44-46

Tags: World Religions, Evangelism Fear Of, Compassion

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The National Defense Council Foundation ...  PRO

Contributed by Terry Dashner on Dec 27, 2001

The National Defense Council Foundation evaluated 193 countries which will be conflict areas for 2002. As I looked over the nations listed, I couldn’t help but notice that they all held something in common. They have, either presently or at some time in their history, been resistant and even ...read more

Tags: Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Eugene Peterson In A Long Obedience In The Same ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 2, 2002

Eugene Peterson in A Long Obedience in the Same Direction writes, “It is not difficult in our world to get a person interested in the message of the Gospel; it is terrifically difficult to sustain the interest. Millions of people in our culture make decisions for Christ, but there is a dreadful ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-19

Tags: Holiness

Planting Flowers On A Recent Grave In A Little ...

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 14, 2002

"Planting flowers on a recent grave in a little cemetery in the far West, a young man seemed overcome with emotion. A stranger passing, thought to comfort him by speaking a kind word, and as he drew near he observed a small cross at the top of the grave on which the words, "He died for me" were ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: United Methodist

Throughout History, Women Have Been Treated By ...  PRO

Contributed by Chad Wright on Apr 25, 2002

Throughout history, women have been treated by men as lesser humans. Athenian women were of inferior status, often guarded by dogs, treated as fickle, contentious, and uncultured in comedy. In Jesus’ day, there was a prayer said by Jewish men thanking God in this manner, “Thank you for not making ...read more

Tags: Sin Fall Of Man

Denomination: Lutheran

In His Autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi Wrote That ...  PRO

Contributed by Tom Jamieson on Jan 16, 2003

In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Tags: Forgiveness General, Wisdom

Denomination: Baptist

There Is The Story Of A Lady Who Went To See ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Feb 19, 2003

There is the story of a lady who went to see her doctor. She was calm. The doctor ’s attention was even caught by it. "... The doctor said, "I suppose your peace comes from faith, but as for me I never could exactly make out what faith is." "Well, doctor," said the patient, "so far as I ...read more

Tags: Examples Of Faith

Denomination: United Methodist

The Hosts Of Midian Had Come Up, And A Large ...

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Apr 23, 2004

“The hosts of Midian had come up, and a large army of about 32,000 was gathered together by Israel. But God reduced that army to a mere handful. Of the 32,000 there were only 300 whom God could trust. He knew these would stand, that they would never quit, that they would never compromise. So He ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 17:12, Exodus 3:12

Tags: Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Orthodox