In Sermon Illustrations: "Great Shepherd"

Culture's Collaborators  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Dec 3, 2013

Tim Woodroof: We live in a world that has shaped our priorities, skewed our perspectives, and taught us what to value. Rather than permitting God to challenge those values--to confront and replace them--a great deal of energy is expended in the attempt to win God’s approval and support of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:14-15

Tags: Core Values, Detestable, Godly Values, Christian Values

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Little Things Can Change The Direction Of Big Things

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2014

Tim George gave the example of two warships that had the largest full-load displacement in the world: U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. The USS Nimitz and Dwight D. Eisenhower each weigh about 91,000 tons. They are over 1,000 feet long and can travel over 30 knots per hour, powered by engines that can ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Tags: Ship, Tongue

Forgiveness For Everyone?

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 11, 2015

Lloyd Prator writes, “Take Adolph Hitler or better Joseph Stalin because he killed more people. What if, at the last minute, as Stalin lay dying, he turned his heart to Jesus and confessed his sins? Suppose he repented at the last minute, repented of the 14 million Russians Stalin killed… Would he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Tags: Forgiveness, Repentance

Denomination: Methodist

Following What You Can't See

Contributed by Richard Wimpey on May 19, 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

Cadillac Through And Through

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Nov 12, 2008

CADILLAC THROUGH AND THROUGH It is kind of like a brand new Cadillac. Inside, it has all the latest features installed. As it rolls off the assembly line at GM it has everything you would expect in a Caddy: Top of the line electronics, voice activated GPS navigation system, great surround sound ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Baptist

Manna To A Teen's Soul

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Nov 16, 2008

MANNA TO A TEEN'S SOUL Mr. Redden was a part of the church of my childhood; he’s now with the Lord. One time he was a chaperone for our youth group. He was very much on the edge of a great spiritual defeat. I was only about 12 or 13, but Mr. Redden found himself sharing his tough time with me. I ...read more

Tags: Encouragement

Denomination: United Methodist

Joni Eareckson Tada

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Dec 22, 2008

Joni Eareckson Tada In 1967, a diving accident left Joni Eareckson Tada paralyzed from the neck down. She has had no feeling or movement in her arms or legs. She uses her mouth to paint and write. God used her greatly. She has been a great witness for God and an encouragement to many. She has ...read more

Tags: Affliction

Denomination: Independent/Bible

In World War Ii, Victory Was Assured For The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

In World War II, victory was assured for the Allies on D-Day, when they successfully landed at Normandy. But it took eleven months for the Allies to actually end the war. During this time thousands of men lost their lives in the bloodiest battles of the entire conflict. The coming V-E Day was ...read more

Tags: Satan

Too Much Evidence For ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

TOO MUCH EVIDENCE FOR ATHEISM Patrick Glynn, a former arms-control negotiator for the Regan Administration, began his journey to atheism in grade school when he encountered evolution and became a confirmed atheist by the time he received his doctorate from Harvard University in the 1970’s. After ...read more

Tags: Apologetics God

I Will Never Forget What Missionary Bill Lewis ...

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Mar 2, 2009

I will never forget what Missionary Bill Lewis told me on my last night in Tanzania in 1963. The national pastor, in whose hut we had been staying while on this particular mission safari, had killed his only pig and had used all the remaining rice in his storage bin to provide our supper that ...read more

Tags: Missions

Denomination: Baptist

Trust ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 11, 2009

TRUST PLATFORM Several years ago I went with a group of men to an obstacle course in Northport. Some people call these a "ropes" course. The goal is for your group to move through a series of obstacles as you build trust and a spirit of teamwork. For me the most challenging obstacle is the "trust" ...read more

Tags: Trust