In Sermon Illustrations: "Helping The Grieving"

Under Or Above ...

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 31, 2009

Under Or Above Circumstances There is a story of a lady who was severely depressed by a series of disheartening events. When asked how she was weathering the storm of adversity, she answered, “Quite well, under the circumstances.” “Sister,” he replied kindly yet firmly, “you’ll never make it that ...read more

Tags: Suffering Joy In

Denomination: Other

Robert J. Morgan Once Told The Story Of A ...

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Jun 2, 2009

Robert J. Morgan once told the story of a preacher who was approached by a man who wanted to join the church. “But,” the man said, “I have a very busy schedule. I can’t be called on for any service, like committee work, teaching, or other such things. I just won’t be available for special projects ...read more

Tags: Servanthood

Denomination: Christian Church

The Dirt Is On The Inside

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Oct 3, 2009

THE DIRT IS ON THE INSIDE A young boy asked his mother if he could help her wash the windows. She welcomed his offer and told him to begin with the one in the kitchen because it was the dirtiest. He went outside and worked diligently until he thought it was clean. Then with a dry cloth he rubbed ...read more

Tags: Sin General

Denomination: Baptist

Many Years Ago I Worked As A Chief Teller In A ...

Contributed by Herman Abrahams on Nov 8, 2009

Many years ago I worked as a chief teller in a commercial bank. In addition to having the important responsibility of ensuring that we kept enough cash in the branch and to clear surplus cash, I also had to take care of the bank’s stationery store. This involved counting the stock of forms on hand ...read more

Tags: Attitude General

Denomination: Charismatic

Lantern In A Porthole Saves Man Over ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 3, 2009

Lantern in a Porthole Saves Man Over Board There is a story of an Atlantic passenger lying in his bunk in a storm, deathly sick—seasick. A cry of “Man overboard!” was heard. The passenger thought, “God help the poor fellow. There is nothing I can do.” Then he thought at least he could put his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-11

Tags: Attitude General

From Obscurity To Importance Because Of An ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2009

From Obscurity to Importance Because of an Event Prior to June of 1815 hardly anyone in the world had heard of a small village in Belgium. It was in fact so small that it was scarcely found on any map. But after June 18, 1815 that microscopic village became infinitely important because of what ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Tags: Greatness

The Story Is Told Of Six Wwii Navy Pilots Who ...

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Feb 4, 2010

The story is told of six WWII Navy pilots who left their aircraft carrier on a mission. After searching for enemy submarines, they tried to return to their ship shortly after dark. But the captain ordered a blackout of all lights on the ship. The frantic pilots radioed repeatedly asking for just ...read more

Tags: Doubt

Denomination: Salvation Army

Gollum And The Ring

Contributed by Davon Huss on Feb 15, 2010

GOLLUM AND THE RING Many of us are familiar with the Lord of the Rings trilogy. We cannot help but remember the character named Gollum. He was a hideous, pathetic creature who was possessed by the power of the ring. In fact, the ring was the reason for his hideous appearance. His obsession ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:25

Tags: Immortality

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hoping More People Do The Right Thing

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 29, 2010

HOPING MORE PEOPLE DO THE RIGHT THING A recent (March 2010) AFP article hit the presses this week: CHICAGO (AFP) – People fell onto a bag of cash like a pack of hungry piranhas after more than $100,000 tumbled out the back of an armored truck onto an Ohio street, local media reported. The bag ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When 19th Century American Artist James Whistler ...

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on May 11, 2010

When 19th century American artist James Whistler was at the height of his artistic career, a wealthy patron purchased one of his pictures on the condition that the artist would accompany him home and help select a spot to hang the picture. Once at his mansion, the man held up the picture first here ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Number Of Years Ago The National Council Of ...

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jun 7, 2010

A number of years ago the National Council of Churches declared a week in October to be “Peace and Justice” week. They created an interesting poster to promote the emphasis. The poster depicted a globe or world held aloft by many different colored human hands. What they didn’t realize is that this ...read more

Tags: Religion

Denomination: Nazarene

Keep On ...

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Oct 15, 2010

“Keep On Praying!” “Though the foe of right oppress, Keep on praying; God is ever near to bless, Keep on praying; Let not fear your heart appall, Naught of evil can befall, Stronger is your God than all. Keep on praying. “Pilgrim, have you weary grown? Keep on praying; God is still upon the ...read more

Tags: Prayer Persistence

Denomination: Christian Church

Revenge In Witnessing

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jun 10, 2011

REVENGE IN WITNESSING Yubis was filled with grief and didn't know where to turn. Yubis' husband--a pastor--was brutally murdered as a martyr in Colombia for his faith and teachings of Jesus Christ. As a result, their two-year-old daughter was despondent--and she stopped speaking. She would only ...read more

Tags: Persecution

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Man On The Street

Contributed by Michael Buckingham on Jul 18, 2011

MAN ON THE STREET When you meet someone on the street, you don’t know anything about them. Everyone is different, so be kind and courteous and don’t get caught up in discrimination. We all subconsciously stereotype people, but there isn’t one person in the world that fits perfectly into a ...read more

Tags: Pride

Denomination: Baptist

Tough Ladies And Human Nature

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 29, 2011

TOUGH LADIES AND HUMAN NATURE I used to enjoy the old "Where's the Beef?" commercial. Everyone, it seems, knows a "where's the beef" type of lady. Germany has them, too: BERLIN (Reuters) - A feisty 90-year-old German woman chased away three would-be burglars from her rural farmhouse with her ...read more

Tags: Human Life

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Worship Is More Than Experience

Contributed by Perry Greene on Oct 17, 2011

WORSHIP IS MORE THAN EXPERIENCE There was a woman who went on a short term missions trip to Kenya, helping the missionaries there. Before she left, she stopped at a remote village where she attended a medical clinic. As the native women outside the clinic began to sing together, she found herself ...read more

Tags: Worship General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Flotsam And Jetsam

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jan 19, 2012

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Flotsam and jetsam are commonly used terms. They are used to describe the wreckage and debris that floats in the water after a shipwreck. What isn't so well known is that there is a difference between flotsam and jetsam. Flotsam is anything that ends up in the water resulting ...read more

Tags: Sin General

Denomination: Brethren

Encouraging Babies  PRO

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Feb 23, 2012

ENCOURAGING BABIES In 1995 twin girls Kyrie and Brielle were born prematurely. Weighing only 2 pounds each, they were watched over very carefully each in their respective incubators. Kyrie began putting on weight immediately, but Brielle struggled--she cried and cried, leaving her gasping and blue ...read more

Tags: Encouragement

Denomination: Lutheran

Faith Like That

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jul 2, 2012

FAITH LIKE THAT The bishop's car ran out of petrol. His wife, who was a passenger remembered seeing a garage half a mile back down the road. He got out the car and started to search the boot of the car for a container, but the only one he could find was his baby grandson's potty - so that had to ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: Brethren

Joining For The Perks

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Nov 13, 2012

JOINING FOR THE PERKS Lay down our lives? You mean total sacrifice? Partial commitment is not allowed. I remember a man in a church I attended long ago who had a grandson who was in the Army and his grandson was about to be deployed into a war zone. This man got up in church and with tears ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Nazarene