In Sermon Illustrations: "Help The Poor"

A Surprise Visit From Abraham Lincoln

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 9, 2013

A SURPRISE VISIT FROM ABRAHAM LINCOLN In the last days of the Civil War, the Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia, fell to the Union army. Abraham Lincoln insisted on visiting the city. Even though no one knew he was coming, slaves recognized him immediately and thronged around him. He had ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-14

Tags: Freedom, Christian Liberty

Christmas Humor

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 21, 2020

A Sunday School was putting on a Christmas pageant which included the story of Mary and Joseph coming to the inn. One boy wanted so very much to be Joseph, but when the parts were handed out, a boy he didn’t like was given that part, and he was assigned to be the inn-keeper instead. He was pretty ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12

Tags: Coming Of Christ, Christmas, Christ, Manger, Birth Of Christ, Mary And Joseph  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hilarious Christmas Story!!!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 19, 2022

• A Sunday School was putting on a Christmas pageant which included the story of Mary and Joseph coming to the inn. One boy wanted so very much to be Joseph, but when the parts were handed out, a boy he didn’t like was given that part, and he was assigned to be the inn-keeper instead. He was ...read more

Tags: Mary, Nativity, Christmas, Bethlehem, Children, Joseph, Pageants  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church That Voted God Out!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 28, 2024

The story is told about a poor woman who lived across the tracks and wanted to join a very fashionable church. She talked to the pastor about it, but he sought to discourage her. He suggested she go home and think about it carefully for a week. At the end of the week she came back. He said, “Go ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-12

Tags: Church, Revival, Favoritism, Pastors, Membership, Partiality  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Yesterday Today & Tomorrow

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on May 22, 2024

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension. One of these days is YESTERDAY with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. YESTERDAY has passed forever beyond our control. All the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:34

Tags: Worry, Tomorrow, Today, Yesterday, Trouble  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Knowing Scripture

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Sep 11, 2024

A bit of an aside, when we were in Sri Lanka, I had the opportunity to attend the opening of one of the well projects in the east. Rochelle went to all of them because she ran the projects. The reason these wells were being placed in villages was because many people in the East didn’t have a good ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 10:17

Tags: Scripture, Belief, Support, Encouragement, Life Change, Opportunity, Eternal Change, Disease, Drought, Projects, Good Water, Bad Water, The Afflicted  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Holy Communion

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 30, 2025

Hugh Price Hughes (9 February 1847 – 17 November 1902), was a Welsh Methodist clergyman and he wrote this: I was struck even then at the way in which the most exalted were reduced to their simple humanity. Then, again, at the Holy Communion, all men are absolutely equal. One table for rich ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 1 Corinthians 11:24-26

Tags: Holy Communion, Equal, Iron Duke

Denomination: Anglican

I Shall Not Live In Vain

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

I Shall Not Live In Vain If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Giving General, Christian Disciplines

In Spite Of The Fun And Laughter, 13 Yr. Old ...  PRO

Contributed by John Gerald on Sep 11, 2004

In spite of the fun and laughter, 13 yr. old Frank Wilson was not happy. It was true, he had received all the presents he wanted, and he enjoyed the traditional Christmas Eve reunions with relatives for the purpose of exchanging gifts and good wishes..........but Frank was not happy because this ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Forgiveness General

Denomination: Methodist

[062a]. A Message From A Poem – Does Suffering Cancel Out A God Of Love?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 14, 2025

[062A]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DOES SUFFERING CANCEL OUT A GOD OF LOVE? THE POEM AS IT IS WILL NOT FIT IN THE ILLUSTRATION SPACE AVAILABLE. I HAVE HAD TO SPLIT IT INTO THREE PARTS. THIS IS THE FIRST PART PART 1 INTRODUCTION TO THIS POEM This is my most serious poem because it addresses ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 45:6-7, John 3:16, Exodus 34:6-7

Tags: Comfort, Suffering, Tragedy, God Of Comfort, God Of Love, Hurt, Pain, Love, Compassion  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Video Clip From Movie "Ray"

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Jan 7, 2006

Video Clip from movie "Ray" Chapter:13 Start:1:09:26 End:1:12:06 - 2:40 This clip shows Ray Charles as a child falling down and his mother painfully watching (not rescuing) him ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Christian Church

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment And The Dove ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and The Dove Foundation are partnering to help consumers searching for family-friendly entertainment. The Dove Family Approved Seal gauges the levels of questionable content. For a list of titles ...read more

Tags: Television And Movies

In Some Churches In China, They Welcome New ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 13, 2003

In some churches in China, they welcome new believers by saying, “Jesus now has a new pair of eyes to see with, new ears to listen with, new hands to help with, and a new heart to love others with.” Rick ...read more

The Port Authority Of New York And ...

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Sep 20, 2007

ILLUSTRATION: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey ran a help-wanted ad for electricians with expertise at using Sontag connectors. They received170 responses, even though there is no such thing as a Sontag connector. The Authority ran ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Love Is

Contributed by Alton Coleman on Feb 1, 2008

Love is Slow to suspect -- quick to trust. Slow to reprimand -- quick to forbear. Slow to belittle -- quick to appreciate. Slow to condemn -- quick to justify. Slow to offend -- quick to defend. Slow to demand -- quick to give. Slow to provoke -- quick to ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

Send Money

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2008

SEND MONEY 73% of Gen Nexters (Americans aged 18-25) told a recent Pew survey that they have received financial help from their parents during the past 12 months. Fully 46% say they depend on their parents or ...read more

Tags: Money

Thompson Chain-Reference: 100 Years

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 16, 2009

THOMPSON CHAIN-REFERENCE: 100 YEARS The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible turns 100 this year. Published by Kirkbride Bible Co., the Bible was developed by Frank Charles Thompson with the goal of linking verses to help readers study Scripture without ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:11

Tags: Bible Study

The Socialist Idea Sounded Altruistic To Those ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"The socialist idea sounded altruistic to those who began it, and it sounds altruistic to the naive who believe in it today. In practice, however, it creates self-centered individuals and a narcissistic society. So while it may have begun as a way to help ...read more

Tags: Government

Can You Solve These Riddles? "I Have No Eyes. I ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Can you solve these riddles? “I have no eyes. I have no legs. But I help move the earth. Who am I?” (A worm.) “I can run but never walk. I have a mouth but never ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

Welcome Home!

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Apr 28, 2009

WELCOME HOME! Have you seen the show, “Extreme Home Makeover.” A powerful example of helping people and answering the question, “Who is your neighbor?” At the end of the show, Ty always closes with two words. It is the same two words ...read more

Tags: God's Love

Denomination: Church Of God