In Sermon Illustrations: "Great Love"

Following What You Can't See

Contributed by Richard Wimpey on May 18, 2015

Last year I atteneded a miracle league softball game that my grandaughter Addie was playing in. It was amazing to watch all the children with disabilities play ball. Many of the parents would tell the kids when to swing the bat to help them connect with the ball. As one little girl hit the ball I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:28-29

Tags: Holy Spirit, Blind Faith, Blind

Denomination: Baptist

A Lesson On Purity From Ermine

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 9, 2020

In the forests of Northern Europe lives the ermine, a small animal best known for his snow-white fur, which is his protection and security. Instinctively, he protects his glossy coat with great care lest it become soiled. Hunters often capitalize on this trait. Instead of setting a mechanical trap ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Purity, Righteousness, Beatitudes

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If I Had But One Sermon To Hear

Contributed by David Parks on Jun 16, 2021

IF I HAD BUT ONE SERMON TO HEAR In 1906 Charles Reynolds Brown was preaching in the San Francisco Bay area of California. That spring, on the Sunday generally designated as Easter, he and the other preachers of the region spoke to full houses. Years later, he mentioned that particular Sunday in his ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-14

Tags: Death, Decision, Judgment, Natural Disasters

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Church Attendance In The Usa At An All-Time Low

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 5, 2022

During the First Great Awakening, 20 percent of the colonial population came to Christ and joined churches. Today, less than 20 percent regularly attend church. Discussed at length in his book The American Church in Crisis, David Olson conducted research showing that only 17.5 percent of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Tags: America, Revival, Church Attendance, Evangelism, Church, Worship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stop Talking About Evangelism And Just Do It!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 20, 2022

While D. L. Moody was attending a convention in Indianapolis on mass evangelism, he asked his song leader, Ira Sankey, to meet him at six o'clock one evening at a certain street corner. When Sankey arrived, Mr. Moody asked him to stand on a box and sing. Once a crowd had gathered, Moody spoke ...read more

Tags: Hypocrisy, Good Samaritan, Evangelism, Gospel

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The First National Thanksgiving Proclamation

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2022

First National Thanksgiving Proclamation Whereas, it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; Whereas, both the houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Tags: Thanksgiving, America, Prayer

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The World Needs Followers Of Jesus...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

THE WORLD NEEDS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS... who cannot be bought; whose word is their bond; who put character above wealth; who possess opinions and a will; who are larger than their vocations; who do not hesitate to take chances; who will not lose their individuality in a crowd; who will be as honest ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Disciples, Witnesses, Examples

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Tale Of Two Artists

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Mar 4, 2023

The great Danish theologian Soren Kierkegaard told a parable of 2 artists: One bragged, “I have travelled much and seen much in the world, but I have sought in vain to find anyone worth painting. In every face I have seen one or another fault. Therefore I seek in vain.” The second one, on the other ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31, Matthew 25:40-46

Tags: Art, Creativity, Attitude, Kierkegaard

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Blood From Jesus' Brow

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 17, 2025

The Gospel of Luke gives us an accurate description of a very real and yet uncommon medical condition: hematidrosis. It occurs during times of great mental and emotional stress. There are tiny blood vessels that surround all our sweat glands, especially on our brows. When a person is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:39-44

Tags: Hematidrosis, Battle, Sins, Garden Of Gethsemane, Maundy Thursday, Transgressions, Iniquities  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

When Rules Can’t Save

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 27, 2025

The great Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy inherited vast wealth and hundreds of serfs. Though he freed them and gave away his book royalties, he was tormented by guilt and could not find peace. He invented endless rules —rise early, eat little, conquer lust —to perfect himself, but slid deeper into ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:18-25, Galatians 2:16

Tags: Grace, Freedom, Justification, Sanctification

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

[179]. A Message From A Poem – Lost Three Things - Lost One Coin

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 27, 2025

[179]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LOST THREE THINGS - LOST ONE COIN In this trilogy of poems we are looking at three objects lost – a sheep, a coin and a son. All three were loved and precious and the owners knew stress at the lost. When each was found it resulted in great rejoicing. These three ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 11:8, Genesis 6:6, Luke 15:8-10

Tags: Heart Of God, The Heart Of God, Grieved, Christian Poems, Parable, Lost, Lost Coin, Lost And Found, Rejoicing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Flag Folding & The Meaning Of Each Fold!  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 9, 2002

Flag Folding & The Meaning of Each Fold! Unknown I guess this settles the "One Nation Under God" debate once and for all. Do you know that at military funerals, the 21 gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776? Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention ...read more

Tags: Funeral, Appearance, Motives, Holidays Civic

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Alone On Christmas  PRO

Contributed by Bernard Dawson on Dec 14, 2002

ALONE ON CHRISTMAS George Mason’s life was centered in his business. He lived alone and refused all invitations to socialize. His brother’s family had urged him to visit but the children always made too much noise. Besides, he didn’t want to buy presents for his nephews and nieces. Instead he ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Fulfillment

Denomination: Holiness

Penguins And Eagles! (09.02.05--Sickness!--Psalm ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 31, 2005

Penguins and Eagles! (09.02.05--Sickness!--Psalm 4:3) Soaring like eagles may sound good, but flopping around like a penguin can be a whole lot easier. Keeping our feet firmly planted on the ground may not always be the most glamorous of occupations, but it sure is safer and more accommodating ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 4:3

Tags: Growth In Christ

Denomination: Lutheran

So I'm Going To Share With You A List I Came Up ...  PRO

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jan 10, 2007

So I’m going to share with you a list I came up with of Seven steps guaranteed to embitter your Children: 1. Discipline your child only when you lose your temper. Let him get away with everything, then without warning, let ‘em have it! Blow your top! Scream and Yell! Let ‘er Rip! Go Crazy! ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21

Tags: Children, Call, Leadership

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Although The Disciples Themselves Didn't Try To ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Although the Disciples themselves didn’t try to guess when Jesus would return they all expected him to return during their lifetime. At the turn of the first Millenium so many people were predicting that Christ would return that many farmers didn’t even plant their crops. In the 1500’s Martin ...read more

Tags: Second Coming

They Will Give You Up  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Landry on Mar 31, 2008

THEY WILL GIVE YOU UP Donald Grey Barnhouse led the son of a prominent American family to the Lord. He was in the service, but he showed the reality of his conversion by immediately professing Christ before the soldiers of his military company. The war ended. The day came when one of the ...read more

Tags: Friendship New Friends

Denomination: Baptist

The Head Vs. The Heart

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

The Head VS. the Heart Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord. Ps. 31: 24 It is with the heart that we must wait upon God. As a man's heart is, so is he before God. We can advance no further or deeper into the holy place of God's presence to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 31:24

Tags: Confidence

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Have You Discovered Christmas?  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Have You Discovered Christmas? "But the angel said unto them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.'" (Luke 2: 10 -11) One of the most beloved ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11, Luke 2:1-15

Tags: Christmas, Creation, New, Visionary

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn One of the greatest messages ever proclaimed was delivered by Jesus Christ and is referred to as the "Sermon on the Mount." His message is as relevant today as it was when it was first spoken. Our Lord opens this message not with a joke, but with the Beatitudes. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Tags: Character

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational