In Sermon Illustrations: "Gospel"

You Must Be Born Again  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 26, 2009

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN Paula Webster had been raised in a Christian home, had been given a Christian education, and was settled down in what seemed to be a Christian marriage. She was active in her church, attended Bible conferences, and even had regular times of personal Bible study. She said ...read more

Tags: Born Again

Don't Forget About Marsha

Contributed by Mark Tonkery on Feb 21, 2009

DON'T FORGET ABOUT MARSHA The story is about one day when a woman named Louise fell asleep in her bed, and dreamed a very frightful dream. She dreamed that someone in Hell wrote a letter to her, and it was to be delivered to her by a messenger. The messenger passed between the lakes of Hell, and ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Salvation And Reprobation

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2009

SALVATION AND REPROBATION Someone may ask, "Of what use then is the doctrine of reprobation?" I am glad you asked! Let me suggest (from Dr. Boice) some useful aspects of the doctrine of reprobation. First, reprobation assures us that God’s purpose has not failed. God has determined the outcome ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:24-31

Tags: God's Judgment

John Denver's Lost Opportunity

Contributed by Garris Hudson on May 23, 2016

JOHN DENVER’S LOST OPPORTUNITY One day in a frequent flyer room, I looked over and saw John Denver. It was pretty obvious with his distinct features and signature guitar that it was him. I went over and said, "John!" He jumped up, stuck out his hand and said, "I haven’t seen you in a while." I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Evangelism, Salvation, Witnessing, Lost

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

World Trade Center Hero

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

Matt Chandler tells the story of Dave Karnes. When the World Trade Center tumbled to the ground on that dreadfully dark day, more than 3000 people lost their lives. But a few who were buried beneath the rubble miraculously survived. Two of these were Will Jimeno and John McLoughlin, a pair of Port ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Tags: Evangelism, 911, Incarnation Of Jesus, Saving Others

Denomination: Methodist

Something For Nothing?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 13, 2020

Several years ago, I had to make an urgent flight across the country. Because the only airport with those kinds of connections was a good ways away, I took advantage of a shuttle service. Considering the cost of fuel and parking alone, I figured I could get a ride from the northern terminal all ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-27

Tags: Greed, Motive Or Motivation

Denomination: Baptist

Solar Powered

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Apr 27, 2021

The other day I was sitting on my back porch. On my porch is a bird bath with a small solar-powered fountain. The fountain only works when the sun is directly on it and, since that day was a clear day, the fountain was operating at full steam. As I was sitting enjoying the day a brief passing ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12

Tags: Spirit, John, Light, Power, Life, Darkness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unsung Heroines-Pilate’s Wife

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 4, 2022

Introduction: Some women can be unsung heroines even if they were not believers at the time. Such a woman is the wife of Pontius Pilate, the Roman official overseeing Israel at the time. Text, Matthew 27:19, KJV: 19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:19

Tags: Pilate's Wife, Dreams, Unsung Heroines

Denomination: Baptist

Unsung Heroines-Salome

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 23, 2022

Introduction: She’s only mentioned in two verses, and only in one of the Gospels. Her deeds of love for Jesus, though, far outweigh any lack of text. Her name is Salome and she’s another unsung heroine of the Bible. Text: Mark 15:40-41, KJV: 40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:40-41, Luke 24:1-11

Tags: Salome, Unsung Heroines

Denomination: Baptist

Top Bible Verses About Homosexuality

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 13, 2024

Top Bible Verses about Homosexuality Leviticus 18:22 ~ You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. Jude 1:7 ~ Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 18:22, Jude 1:7, Romans 1:26-28

Tags: Wrath, Truth, Judgment, Homosexuality, Lot, Sodom, Gomorrah  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Pastor's Life Poem

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Sep 26, 2025

The Pastor’s Life Lived by an Amazing Man He serves in a lofty position— not something he chased in life; He heard the Gospel story, then stepped into the pastor’s life. He stayed in the Word—he loved it; it was his heart’s delight; And he shared it every chance he got— so needed in the pastor’s ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:15, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-5, Proverbs 27:23, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Timothy 4:4-16, 2 Timothy 4:1-8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Honor, Preaching, Pastor, Pulpit, Appreciation, Pastors, The Ministry, Pastor's Appreciation Day  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

What Emperor Napoleon Said About Jesus

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

Emperor Napoleon I of France (1769-1821), was one of the greatest military commanders of all time. He conquered the larger part of Europe and did much to modernize the nations he ruled. What did Napoleon say about Jesus? "I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:1-15

Tags: Jesus, Napoleon

Denomination: Anglican

[269]. A Message From A Poem – The Hem Of His Garment

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 20, 2026

[269]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT This is a short poem resulting from thinking about just what a small touch did. I can imagine this woman being hesitant and withdrawing in shyness, hoping she’d be cured but nor causing trouble. However the Lord knew all things. God knows ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:19-22, Matthew 9:4, 1 Samuel 16:7

Tags: Fringe, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Touched His Garment, 12 Years Bleeding, Faith, Healing, Wholeness, Hem, Touch  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ring In Witness Protection

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

Have you ever had one of those moments where, as the words are leaving your mouth, you know you're making a terrible mistake? I had one of those back in 2014. I had just started my first real job at an advertising agency, and I was so excited that I went straight from work and bought an ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:2-3, Isaiah 40:3

Tags: God's Timing, Waiting

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ravi Zacharias Tells In One Of His Books About A ...  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Henes on Jun 21, 2001

Ravi Zacharias tells in one of his books about a trip he made to Vietnam in 1971 to travel the country and preach. Wherever he traveled for a month in Vietnam a Vietnamese man who translated for him accompanied him. They were both young, and they saw many things that shocked them, things neither ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence, God In The Hardships, God's Provision

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Healing Fool  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Feb 14, 2002

A HEALING FOOL The Gospels depict Jesus as having spent a surprising amount of time healing people… It is significant also that the Greek verb "sozo" was used in Jesus’ day to mean both to save and to heal, and "soter" could signify either savior or physician. Ever since the time of Jesus, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

Tags: Miracles Of Jesus, Prayer Answered, Gifts Healing

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Was A Family With One Little Daughter. ...  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 9, 2002

There was a family with one little daughter. Mother and daughter were very faithful in church and Sunday School attendance…The father wasn’t interested and he made it plain it was okay for his wife and daughter, but not for him. He worked in a steel mill, a huge hulk of a man who had been a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:36-39, James 1:12

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation, Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Pentecostal

Prove Your Own Selves  PRO

Contributed by Tommy Hames on Oct 18, 2000

PROVE YOUR OWN SELVES When I was a senior in high school I owned a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle. I loved that car. It was metallic gray with red, orange and yellow pin stripes down the side. I went everywhere in that car. I even used it to carry a carload of kids to school every day, despite its size. ...read more

Tags: Character, Faith

Denomination: Baptist

Time Magazine's Cover Story This Month Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Sep 24, 2006

Time magazine’s cover story this month was entitled, “Does God Want You to Be Rich?” The header said, “A growing number of Protestant evangelicals raise a joyful Yes!” The article opens with the story of George Adams, a man from Ohio who had lost his factory job. His reaction to the job loss ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

A Californian Magazine Ran A Survey Of Over 600 ...

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 19, 2007

"A Californian magazine ran a survey of over 600 ex-Muslims who now follow Jesus, and concludes: "Although dreams appear to play a minor role in the conversion of Westerners, over 25% of these ex-Muslims affirmed that dreams and visions played a vital role in their conversions…" [source: ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible