In Sermon Illustrations: "Great Expectations"

God's Preservation Of His People Through Two Dreams

Contributed by Richard Tow on Aug 1, 2022

The amazing story is told by the historian Josephus.xxxviii When Alexander began his campaign against Phoenicia, he sent messengers to Juddua, the high priest in Jerusalem, “demanding aid from the Jews and the payment of the tribute which they used to pay to the King of Persia.”xxxix Not wanting to ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:1-8, Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 5:7

Tags: Faith, Protection, Jerusalem, Obedience, Favor, Deliverance, Dream, Alexander The Great  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Where Is The Mission Field?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 10, 2023

Most people associate missions with leaving for another city, country, or continent. This is because, technically speaking, we refer to those who have crossed cultural, ethnic, or geographic lines in order to share about Jesus as missionaries. However, mission work includes more than rain forest ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Evangelism, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Missions, Revival, Witnessing, Great Commission  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Orders Remain Unchanged!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 10, 2023

There is a tomb of unknown soldiers in America which has a guard 24 hours a day. Every hour on the hour, 365 days a year, a new soldier reports for duty. When the new guard arrives, he receives his orders from the one who is leaving. The words are always the same: “Orders Remain Unchanged.” The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Holy Spirit, Missions, Revival, Witnessing, Great Commission  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Share Christ By Imitating Christ. A Story Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mavis on Oct 27, 2000

You share Christ by imitating Christ. A story is told – by Fredrick Beuchner I believe – called “The Happy Hypocrite." It is a story about a man who was born with an awful facial deformity. He grew up alone and lonely. When reaching adulthood, he decided to move from his town to begin a new life. ...read more

Tags: Hypocrite, Image Of Christ, Influence, Great, Accomplishment, Call Of The Disciples, Change, Discipleship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Recently, I Saw A Letter Written By A Relatively ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Chapman on May 2, 2001

Recently, I saw a letter written by a relatively new Christian to the person whose life had influenced hers so greatly. She actually lists about a dozen qualities she found contagious in the life of this older Christian. Listen to some of what she wrote: You know when we met; I began to discover a ...read more

Tags: Self Esteem, Sharing My Testimony, Sharing Your Faith, Great Commission

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Older Gentleman Was Walking Along The Seashore ...  PRO

Contributed by James May on Aug 8, 2001

An older gentleman was walking along the seashore one day in the hot sun. As he walked he was sweating profusely and seemed to be in a hurry! Every few steps he would bend over, pick up a starfish from the hot, burning sands and cast it back into the cool waves. One after another, after another, ...read more

Tags: Grace, Great Commission, Mercy, Sharing Your Faith, Evangelism How To, Compassion  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

[165]. A Message From A Poem – Kindness In The Christian’s Pain

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 15, 2025

[165]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – KINDNESS IN THE CHRISTIAN’S PAIN We all need kindness, but not everyone can give kindness. Some find it too hard because of their backgrounds, and some are just so selfish they are incapable of it. Kindness is a special gift when it is given in a sacrificial way, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12, Ephesians 2:7, Galatians 5:22

Tags: Pain, Compassion, Kindness, Great High Priest, Christian Poems, God Is Kind  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Guest Of Honor — Uninvited  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 16, 2005

Illustration – e-mail letter I received As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, ...read more

Tags: Christmas Advent

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

V. Mcgee Estimates That 75% Of The Members Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jan 31, 2001

.V. McGee estimates that 75% of the members of the average church might not be genuinely saved.(religious club) Billy Graham states that 80% of those who make salvation ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 7:1-8

Tags: Great Commission, Legalism, Jesus Teachings, Eleven Disciple, Becoming A Christian, Assurance Of Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Discover Your Style Of Evangelism

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 4, 2022

A true heart of compassion will let those on the way to destruction know they can escape, but the only escape is through Jesus Christ. We need to tell people they're in trouble with God and that God alone has provided a way to escape. But how? Do we all have to share the same way? No, the ...read more

Tags: Great Supper, Styles, Service, Gospel, Parables, Witnessing, Spiritual Gifts, Methods, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keepers Of The Aquarium

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 14, 2023

The late Sam Shoemaker, an Episcopalian bishop, summed up the situation this way: "In the Great Commission the Lord has called us to be--like Peter--fishers of men. We've turned the commission around so that we have become merely keepers of the aquarium. Occasionally I take some fish out ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23

Tags: Lost, Pastors, Churches, Great Commission, Evangelism, Grace, Sin, Salvation, Gospel, Witnessing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

That Another Might Live—communion Meditation  PRO

Contributed by Donnie Martin on May 11, 2003

THAT ANOTHER MIGHT LIVE- COMMUNION MEDITATION About 6:00 A.M. on a Wednesday morning James Lawson of Running Springs, California (in the San Bernardino mountains) left home to apply for a job. About an hour later his thirty-six-year-old wife, Patsy left for her fifth grade teaching job ...read more

Tags: Unconditional Love, Sacrificial Love, Mother's Day, Love, Mothers Love, Parenting, Great Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

"The Story Of Robert Moffit: One ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Mar 5, 2001

Illustration: “The Story of Robert Moffit: One Convert” I’m sure you’ve heard the classic story about the faithful pastor who was told by his superior that something was wrong with his work. The supervisor told him, “Only one person has been added to your church this year, and he is only a boy.” ...read more

Tags: Sharing Your Faith, What Is Evangelism?, Witness, Great Commission, Mentor, Missions, Evangelism, Encouragement  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Wesleyan

Christmas Is An Exciting Time And Little Sammy ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Nov 13, 2001

Christmas is an exciting time and little Sammy was excited. He was 15 years old and Christmas was still to him a time of wonder. He was a happy child despite his handicap. You see, Sammy was slightly retarded. He still went to school, though he was 2 years behind. And he did the things that ...read more

Tags: God Brings Purpose, Joy, One, Christmas, Finding Fulfillment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Doers Of The Word

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Oct 8, 2022

There is a made-up story about a man who had a dream about heaven. The story is not true but the point it illustrates is true. In this story a man had a dream he died and went to heaven. He toured heaven and it was marvelous just as he imagined it would be. He sees mansions, streets of gold and ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-25

Tags: Doing, Great Sermons, Doers Of The Word, Practical Faith, Not Hearers Only, Do What It Says, James On Doing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Greatest Commandment

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 22, 2025

From the Talmud: Rabbi Simlai taught "Six hundred and thirteen commandments were given to Moses; then David came and reduced them to eleven in Psalm 15.; Isaiah (33:15), to six; Micah (6:8), to three; Isaiah again (56:1), to two; and Habakkuk ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17, Mark 12:28-34, Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 5:1, Matthew 22:36-40  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Greatest Commandment, Law Keeping, Justification By Faith, Two Great Commands, Torah, Faith And Works, Ten Commandments  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

[290]. A Message From A Poem – The Roman Harlot Of Revelation 17

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 15, 2026

[290]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE ROMAN HARLOT OF REVELATION 17 This poem has its setting in Revelation chapter 17. Some of the expressions are taken from that chapter which I draw upon. Some find revelation 17 a mystery but there is no mystery to it when it is all placed in context. This is ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:4, Revelation 17:18, Revelation 17:9, Revelation 16:8-9, Revelation 9:20-21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Mother Of Harlots, Alexander Hislop, Christian Poems, The Harlot, The Whore, Rome, Antichrist, Tribulation, False Prophet, Babylon The Great  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[157]. A Message From A Poem – Jesus On Trial (Easter)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 7, 2025

[157]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – JESUS ON TRIAL (Easter) This is a more unusual style for me as you will see. The whole poem is set at the trial of the Lord from the time He entered the judgement hall until the sentence was pronounced. In particular the poem will mention Herod, Pilate, Barabbas, ...read more

Scripture: John 10:14-18, Revelation 20:11-12, 1 Timothy 1:15

Tags: Jesus Laid Down His Life, Soldiers, Trial Of Jesus, Crucify Him, The Great White Throne, Christian Poems, Jesus On Trial, Easter, Herod, Pilate, Barabbas, Elders  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[311]. A Message From A Poem - Thoughts – Precious Ones From Hebrews

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 18, 2026

[311]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - THOUGHTS – PRECIOUS ONES FROM HEBREWS This poem contains many references to verses in Hebrews. The book of Hebrews was written to Jews and that is why it has so many images of the Levitical priesthood and sacrifices. It was written by Paul and would be in line ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-22, Hebrews 12:1-2

Tags: Endurance, Run, Patience, Great High Priest, New Way, Author Of Salvation, Living Way, Christian Poems, The Book Of Hebrews  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[360]. A Message From A Poem – I Never Knew You – Depart From Me

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 5, 2026

[360]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – I NEVER KNEW YOU – DEPART FROM ME This poem is based on these verses – {{Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will declare ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27-28, Revelation 20:11-13, Revelation 20:15, Matthew 7:22-23

Tags: Judgment, Rejection, Lost Souls, Departure, Great White Throne, Christian Poems, Never Knew You, Classes Of People, No Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational