In Sermon Illustrations: "Healthy Churches"

If People Are Coming.....the Product Must Be Good!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 1, 2016

In his awesome book, Selling Jesus, by Douglas D. Webster, the author gives an incredible quote about the lack of spiritual discernment in American church growth and marketing today: "American Christianity is increasingly tolerant of any and all methods, as long as they bring NUMERICAL results. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Tags: Discernment, Truth, Church Growth, Marketing

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christians Aren't Any Different

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 5, 2016

CHRISTIANS AREN’T ANY DIFFERENT “We find there is very little difference in ethical behavior between churchgoers and those who are not active religiously. The levels of lying, cheating, and stealing are similar in both groups. Eight out of ten Americans consider themselves Christians, Gallup ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-16

Tags: Morality, Ten Commandments, Church In America

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Just My Type

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018

It all started when Stanley Morison complained. What made it worse was that he wasn’t complaining to just anyone – he was complaining to London’s esteemed The Times newspaper. His complaint was that their newspaper was not as easy to read as it should be because of the typeface that they used. ...read more

Tags: Whining, Solutions, Church Splits, Complaints

Denomination: Baptist

The Problem With Success

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018

Henry Blackaby: “Moderate success in ministry is a spiritual hazard. It can make us content to live ...read more

Tags: Pastors, Pastoring, Preachers, Church, Success  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Asking The Visitor To Leave

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018

Note: This story is told from my perspective - Jim Butcher of Madison WV. I was visiting with one of our long-time members a few months ago and she related an interesting story about her visit to Madison Baptist decades ago. Rosemary was sitting along the aisle, waiting on the service to begin, ...read more

Tags: Church, Worship, Welcome, Greeting, Welcoming  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Wiretap Into Your Home

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 22, 2020

The church is the bride of Christ. If we love the groom (Jesus), we will look for positive things to say about the bride (the church). Bob Russell tells a story about how years ago, when there were multiple party telephone lines, a preacher picked up the telephone to make a call but couldn’t get ...read more

Scripture: John 13:35, 2 Corinthians 11:28-29

Tags: Evangelism, Love For The Church, Speak Positively

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Heaven Or Drake's Mansion

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Sep 14, 2020

Drake is a famous rapper from Toronto who lives is a mansion valued at $100,000,000. Measuring 50,000 square feet it includes a 3,200 foot square master bedroom; A basketball court and a "Great Room" with a 44-foot-high ceiling and containing a Bösendorfer concert grand ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22, Matthew 16:18, John 14:1-7

Tags: Church, Heaven, Materialism, Mansion, Possessions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bat Infestation  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Sep 19, 2007

Illus.: “Bat Infestation” Three pastors got together for coffee one day and found all their churches had bat-infestation problems. “I got so mad,” said one, “I took a shotgun and fired at them. I missed and it made holes in the ceiling. The trustees are still upset with me.” Another pastor ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Tags: Baptism, Church Discipline, Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Wesleyan

There Are Many Things I Don't Enjoy. One Of Them ...  PRO

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Apr 20, 2008

There are many things I don’t enjoy. One of them is taking my vehicle to the dealership to have it serviced. Then there’s the wait for a ride back to the office (or sit in the waiting room drinking terrible coffee). I lose the rhythm in my day. This past week was an absolute nightmare on ...read more

Tags: Encouragement, Church Growth, Finish, Start

Denomination: Salvation Army

I Recently Read The Story Of A Man Who, In 2006, ...  PRO

Contributed by Chris Surber on Sep 9, 2008

I recently read the story of a man who, in 2006, was driving along a road in Pune India, a city located in the Maharashtra province of central India. The man was driving a common mode of transportation in India, his motorcycle with its mighty 2 stroke engine, through torrential rains on a road that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12

Tags: Gospel Of John, Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Christian Church

Don't Wait For A Cyclone To Preach The Word!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 25, 2021

A.W. Tozer once said, "I heard of one graduate of a theological school who determined to follow his old professor’s advice and preach the Word only. His crowds were average. Then one day a cyclone hit the little town and he yielded to the temptation to preach on the topic, “Why God Sent A ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Preaching, Pastors, Churches, The Word Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preach!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 25, 2021

“PREACH” The word, “preach” comes from the Greek word, kerusso, and means to proclaim as a herald or make a proclamation in a public gathering. The herald may not even have liked the message he was to proclaim or the people may not have wanted to hear it and, thus, the temptation for the herald ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Preaching, Pastors, Churches, The Word Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Family!

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 28, 2021

It is hard to get over the disappointment that God, having made an exception in my case, didn’t seem to call nice, accomplished, courteous, alert ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Luke 19:10, James 2:1-7

Tags: Worship, Salvation, Gospel, The Cross, Church  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Obituary Of Someone Else

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 20, 2022

Our church was saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our most valued members, Someone Else.   Someone’s passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than a normal person’s ...read more

Tags: Service, Sacrifice, Church Members, Volunteers

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Funniest Funeral Sermon Ever!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 4, 2022

Two brothers had terrorized a small town in Alabama for decades. They lied, they cheated, they stole and they were two of the sorriest persons in the entire town. Then, unfortunately, one of the brothers died unexpectedly. The surviving brother went to the pastor of the local Baptist church. He ...read more

Tags: Death, Lies, Pastors, Churches, Funerals  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Funniest Easter Story Ever!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 25, 2024

The Call to Worship had just been pronounced starting Easter Sunday Morning service in an East Texas church. The choir started its processional, singing "Up from the Grave He Arose" as they marched in perfect step down the center aisle to the front of the church. However, unfortunatley, ...read more

Tags: Resurrection, Miracles, Choir, Church, Easter  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Methodism 1776-1850

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 5, 2025

“In 1776 Methodists made up 2.5 % of religious adherent in the colonies. In 1850 Methodists made up 34.2 % of religious adherents! In seventy years they had increased from a tiny sect to the largest denomination in the United States. (In other words, in 1776 1 in 40 religious people in America were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:31

Tags: Church In America, Methodism, Colonial America

Denomination: Methodist

So Yesterday I Went Across The Road To Jumbos Takeaways!

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Apr 29, 2012

So yesterday I went across the road to Jumbos Takeaways. Just as an aside have you ever noticed that just about every town in New Zealand has a ‘Jumbo’s Takeaway’s’ it’s like the franchise that you have when you’re not having a franchise. There was one in Stoke where I grew up, it wasn’t painted ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Tags: Commitment, Food, Commitment To Christ, Commitment To God, Commitment To Church  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Lessons From A Tavern, Citation: Charles ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jul 5, 2001

[Lessons from a Tavern, Citation: Charles Swindoll, Leadership, Vol. 4, no. 1.] An old Marine Corps buddy of mine, to my pleasant surprise, came to know Christ after he was discharged. I say surprise because he cursed loudly, fought hard, chased women, drank heavily, loved war and weapons, and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1

Tags: Church Body Of Christ, Church Small Groups, Compassion, Fellowship, Friendship General, Understanding  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joke: Coach Shug Jordan At Auburn University ...  PRO

Contributed by N A on Sep 16, 2007

JOKE: Coach Shug Jordan at Auburn University asked his former Line-backer Mike Kollin, who was then playing for the Miami Dolphins, if he would help him do some recruiting. Mike said, "Sure, coach. What kind of player are you looking for?" The coach said, "Well Mike, you know there’s that fellow, ...read more

Tags: Endurance, Church Body Of Christ, Leadership General

Denomination: *other