In Sermon Illustrations: "Grow Up"

If I Should Wake Before I Die

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 12, 2009

IF I SHOULD WAKE BEFORE I DIE A father knelt down beside his little boy’s bed. It was time for prayers, hugs and kisses, and tucking in. The little boy began the childhood prayer he had repeated so many times before: now I lay me down to sleep; I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Tags: Easter Resurrection

There's A Story About A Proud Young Man Who Came ...

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Aug 20, 2009

There’s a story about a proud young man who came to Socrates asking for knowledge. He walked up to the muscular philosopher and said, “O great Socrates, I come to you for knowledge.” Socrates recognized a pompous numbskull when he saw one. He led the young man through the streets, to the sea, and ...read more

Tags: Knowledge, Learning

Denomination: Baptist

Golf Revenge  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 24, 2011

GOLF REVENGE The story is told of two long-time golfing buddies who decided one day that they would play the ball where it lies, no matter what. On the 14th hole, one of them sliced his drive and it ended up on the cart path. As he reached down to pick up his ball to get relief, his friend said, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Tags: Anger

The Best Thing For Her

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 11, 2011

THE BEST THING FOR HER Ida M. Clark writes that she was still overwhelmed with grief as she approached the church on the Sunday morning after her mother had died. Just outside the door, a 7-year-old boy met her. He stopped, planted his feet solidly on the path in front of her, and with tearful ...read more

Scripture: John 15:7

Tags: Prayer Answered

He's No Longer In The Grave  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 15, 2011

HE'S NO LONGER IN THE GRAVE In 1887, twenty two years after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, his coffin was dug up and opened because there were constant rumors that his body was not in the grave. So they dug it up and the body was there. The rumors continued so 14 years later they ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-20

Tags: Jesus Lives, Easter Resurrection

The Obedient Mule

Contributed by Eugene Morell on Oct 11, 2011

THE OBEDIENT MULE There is a story about a farmer who wanted to sell his mule so The put the add in the local paper. One day a man from another community came to the farm. The two farmers got to talking and eventually they got around to talking about the mule. The farmer who wanted to buy the ...read more

Tags: Obedience

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Inner Need For Excellence

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Apr 3, 2012

THE INNER NEED FOR EXCELLENCE Years ago during a speaking engagement, I stayed in a hotel in Dallas. It was late at night, and after flipping channels for a while, I landed on ESPN, which is how I learned that tennis legend Martina Navratilova had just won a grueling match in Florida earlier that ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:7-8

Tags: Attitude General

Denomination: Baptist

God's Taking My Picture  PRO

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Jan 23, 2013

GOD'S TAKING MY PICTURE I heard a story of a little girl who walked to and from school daily. The weather one morning was questionable and clouds were forming, yet she made her daily trek to the elementary school. As the afternoon progressed, the winds whipped up, along with thunder and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-5

Tags: God Brings Hope

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Encouragement

Contributed by Don Berry-Graham on Mar 1, 2016

In August 1995, the church I pastored made the decision to do a major renovation on our thirty-five-year-old sanctuary. The first step was to put together a crew of people to do internal demolition. Around forty people showed up to take care of this task. Dust was everywhere as we ripped up ...read more

Tags: Encouragement, Encourage, Gifts Encouragement

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson In Giving

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Dec 27, 2017

Many years ago I took my wife to Walmart Christmas shopping. I can’t keep up with her. It was a beautiful, warm day so I went outside and sat on a bench and waited. There was a large wooden box and it had TOYS for TOTS painted on the side. A brand new large Lincoln Continental pulled up and a boy ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-8

Tags: Giving, Leftovers

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Totally Submerged In The Plan

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 22, 2019

WE NEED TO BELIEVE GOD TO BE CALLED OUT, SET ASIDE, TO HEAR THE CALL OF GOD TO BE FAITHFUL, A PECULIAR PEOPLE… 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9

Tags: Submerged, Plan, Called Out

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Our Weakness

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 13, 2021

When I was in my early 20s and a student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, I was, believe it or not, in pretty good shape. I jogged regularly. I was a karate student. I went to the gym 4-5 times a week. I truly was in good shape. Now that I’m older, I’m realizing that I’m not what I used to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:29-31

Tags: Weakness, God's Strength, God Sustains

Denomination: Baptist

Deep Wells Of Hope.

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jun 9, 2021

MIA: MISSING IN ACTION… WHAT DO YOU SEE? MAN IS SHORT OF DAYS AND FULL OF TROUBLE… Years ago I read where a farmer in California was having a terrible time. They had had 4 years of drought in their area and many farmers spoke of leaving farming and moving back into the city. So the exodus began. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 12:3, Romans 4:18

Tags: Water, Hope, Wells

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Miraculous Story Of Forgiveness

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 12, 2024

Scottish soldiers, forced by their Japanese captors to labor on a jungle railroad, had degenerated to barbarous behavior, but one afternoon something miraculous happened. A shovel was missing. The officer in charge became enraged. He demanded that the missing shovel be produced, or else. When ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:28-32

Tags: Atonement, Sacrifice, Forgiveness, Cross, Unconditional Love, Death Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

C.s. Lewis Told About A Tombstone That Read, ...  PRO

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 10, 2002

C.S. Lewis told about a tombstone that read, “Here lies an atheist—all dressed up and no place to go.” He ...read more

Tags: Death, Apologetics God, Hell

Denomination: Congregational

Amusement Parks Were A Destination For More Than ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 18, 2006

Amusement parks were a destination for more than 90 million people in the USA in ‘02, up 17% since ‘96. (Foster ...read more

Tags: Entertainment

Drug Abuse Has Been A Cause Of Trouble In 24% Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 3, 2006

Drug abuse has been a cause of trouble in 24% of American families, up from 19% in ‘95 and 17 % in ’99. (Foster ...read more

Tags: Addiction

57% Of Workers Have To Go In Late, Leave Early Or ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 19, 2007

57% of workers have to go in late, leave early or take time off to care for a loved one. 6% give up work ...read more

The Historic Glory Of America Lies In The Fact ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

"The historic glory of America lies in the fact that it is the one nation that was founded like a church. That is, it was founded on a faith that was not merely summed ...read more

Tags: America

The Man Who Concentrates On The Root System Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

"The man who concentrates on the root system of his life is going to bear fruit upward, but if he concentrates on the ...read more

Tags: Character