In Sermon Illustrations: "Hard Heart"

Death And Vanity

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 29, 2022

A middle-aged, wealthy woman has a heart attack. While on the operating table she has a near death experience. She sees the angel at the gates and asks if this is it. The angel says no, she has another 30-40 years to live. She recovers, and decides to stay in the hospital and have a face lift, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27, Proverbs 31:30, Mark 8:36, Matthew 16:26

Tags: Death, Beauty, Vanity

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Take Time To Say Thank You

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 2, 2023

A doctor wrote a letter of thanks to a schoolteacher for having given him so much encouragement when he had been in her class 30 years before. He later received this reply: "I want you to know what your note meant to me. I am an old lady in my eighties, living alone in a small room, cooking ...read more

Tags: Teachers, Encouragment, Thank You, Retired People, Thanksgiving, Gratitude, Blessings, Senior Adults  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Most Important Part Of Christmas

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 8, 2023

What is the most important part of Christmas? What do we celebrate each year? Is it the change of heart we notice in people? Is it the spreading of Christmas cheer? Is it wishing for falling snow flakes? Is it picking out a Christmas tree? Is it the laughter of little children? Is it people singing ...read more

Tags: Christmas Poems, Poems, Poetry About Christ's Birth, Christmas, Birth Of Christ, Reason For The Season  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Are We Hypocrites?

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 13, 2025

I once saw a video of a pastor who had figures, covered with sheets, up in the front of the church. As he started to preach, they were uncovered and you could see monsters and scary characters related to Halloween. The preacher kept asking, “Should these be in the House of God?” The congregation ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-12

Tags: Holiness, Halloween, Hypocrite

Denomination: Methodist

Full Armor Of God

Contributed by John Bright on Oct 3, 2025

Our defense is provided by the Full Armor of God found in Ephesians 6. I would recommend this article: https://www.gotquestions.org/full-armor-of-God.html (I also want to recommend the YouVersion Bible App for your smart phones or computers. Good studies there on the Full Armor of God) Here’s a ...read more

Tags: Prayer, Full Armor Of God

Denomination: Methodist

The Ice Storm Train (1917)

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 4, 2025

In December 1917, a massive ice storm paralyzed New England. A passenger train froze on the tracks outside Hartford, leaving hundreds stranded in subzero temperatures. The passengers had no food, no heat, and no way home on Christmas Eve. Then something remarkable happened. Families living along ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:33-40

Tags: Christmas, Helping Others, Incarnation, Humanity, Trains  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

Helpful Background On The Book Of Jonah

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Oct 7, 2025

BACKGROUND: *Today we will study the story of the Prophet Jonah. And it may surprise you but Jonah's story has some crucial lessons for Christians today. Almost everybody who has been to church knows the story of Jonah. It's one of the first Bible stories we learn as kids. They even made a ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17, Jonah 4:1-11

Tags: Evangelism, Jonah, Nineveh, Storms, Gentiles, Old Testament Prophets, Baal Worship, Assyrian Empire, Sharks, Whales, Mediterranean Sea, Swallowed  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Pleasure Comes From Pain  PRO

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Feb 7, 2002

PLEASURE COMES FROM PAIN The world's best cyclist, Lance Armstrong, says this about pain: I become a happier man each time I suffer. Suffering is as essential to a good life, and as inextricable, as bliss. The old saying that you should live each day as if it’s your last is a nice sentiment, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1

Tags: Endurance, Disciplines General, Human Body

Denomination: Baptist

The Other Side Of The Road!" Luke 17: 1-4 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 18, 2005

“The Other Side of The Road!” Luke 17: 1-4 Key verse(s): 3:“So watch yourselves. ‘If you brother sin, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.’” There but by the grace of god go I! From youth on I was taught the valuable resource of this adage. Along with “Don’t pout or your face will stay ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-4

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Lutheran

Aunt Bessie's Pickled Beets!" 2 Corinthians ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 19, 2005

“Aunt Bessie’s Pickled Beets!” 2 Corinthians 7:2-13 Key verse(s): 10:“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” The worst part of doing wrong is being found out. We’ve all been caught doing wrong in life; especially when we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:2-13, Luke 17:5-10

Tags: Crucifixion

Denomination: Lutheran

Phillip Keller Visited A Potter In Pakistan A...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2009

Phillip Keller visited a potter in Pakistan and gained the most understanding ever of the meaning found in "Your will be done in earth as it is in heaven." The words of the prophet came to mind: "Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear my words" (Jer. 18:2). ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:10

Tags: Lord's Prayer

Here Is A Story By An Unknown Author. In The ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Apr 8, 2009

Here is a story by an unknown author. In the mountains of Virginia years ago there was a boys’ school class which no teacher could handle. The boys were so rough that the teachers resigned. A young but gray-haired teacher applied for the job. The old school director scanned him up and down, then ...read more

Tags: Sin Punishment Of

Denomination: Pentecostal

Pioneer

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Feb 27, 2020

Time Magazine's obituary - Dr. Wilfred Thomason Grenfell's October 21, 1940. Oct. 21, 1940 - Wilfred Grenfell spent his boyhood on the Sands of Dee near Cheshire, England. He used to filch biscuits and wine from his school larder to give to fishermen as they left at dawn to catch the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Romans 12:1-8

Tags: Service, Sacrifice, Commitment

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Quotes On Forgiveness

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 10, 2022

When everything in you wants to hold a grudge, point a finger and remember the pain. God wants you to lay it aside. Why? Because, when you release it, you will be set free. - R.T. Kendall Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing that you were the prisoner. - Max ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness, Forgiving Others

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Folks I'd Like To Introduce The Legendary Johnny ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Feb 28, 2002

Folks I’d like to introduce the legendary Johnny Cash and his famous song—A Boy Named Sue. (Singer with guitar sings song) My daddy left home when I was three And he didn’t leave much to ma and me Just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze. Now, I don’t blame him cause he run and hid But ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Methodist

A Good Friend Of Mine Recently Told Me About An ...  PRO

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 23, 2000

A good friend of mine recently told me about an incident that happened to him that explains why a person can worship, and yet still not know God. It all began before the plane took off. Roger Williams III was sitting in the window seat and was looking forward to thumbing through a magazine on a ...read more

Tags: Holiness, Apologetics General, Church General

Denomination: Baptist

Did You Hear About The College Student Who Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on May 15, 2001

Did you hear about the college student who was taking the course in ornithology, which is a study of birds? This class in ornithology had the reputation of being the most difficult class in the whole curriculum. And the professor was an extremely difficult professor. Everybody feared him. ...read more

Tags: Faith, Confusion, Identity, Leadership, Truth, Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Noel And Jill Seemed To Have Everything. They ...  PRO

Contributed by Russell Jeffares on Apr 3, 2002

Noel and Jill seemed to have everything. They worked in ministry with youth in Germany. Noel gave up a promising basketball career to pursue full time ministry. After five years of marriage Jill was six months pregnant. She was very excited about being a new mom. They eagerly prepared for the ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Have A Friend Who Worked In A Slaughter House, ...  PRO

Contributed by Dallas Mcgill on Jun 10, 2002

I have a friend who worked in a slaughter house, putting to death cattle, hogs, chickens, turkeys; you name it he did it. One day there was an exceptional animal that was penned in the slaughter barn. A Lamb. "Usually," my friend voiced, "I would just slit the throat of the beast and it would ...read more

Tags: Crucifixion, Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Baptist

Silly Signs  PRO

Contributed by Rick Shockley on Jun 29, 2002

SILLY SIGNS • Bargain basement upstairs. • Would the person who took the step ladder yesterday please bring it back or further steps will be taken. • After tea break staff should empty the teapot and stand upside down on the draining board. • This is the gate of heaven. ...read more

Tags: Second Coming, Jesus Teachings