In Sermon Illustrations: "Honey From The Rock"

Andy Stanley Tells The Story Of When He Was 13 ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Andy Stanley tells the story of when he was 13 and learning the meaning of the phrase, “Actions speak louder than words.” His dad was the Associate pastor of First Baptist in Atlanta when the senior pastor was asked to resign. Charles Stanley was asked to preach on Sundays until a suitable ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

An Observation About Context

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 16, 2020

Context is very important, even in the little things. For example, people have done a lot of damage to Bible verses, stories, doctrines, etc., because they did not or do not consider the context. Someone once remarked that a Bible verse out of its context is like a diamond away from a necklace: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Context, Temptations And Testings

Denomination: Baptist

Treasure In The Mud  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 4, 2004

TREASURE IN THE MUD A number of years ago, there was a geologist by the name of Dr. Williamson who was doing some work in the country of Tanzania. One day, he found himself driving in a deserted area, slipping and sliding along a rain-soaked road. Suddenly his four-wheel drive vehicle sank up to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46

Tags: Parable Treasure

In October 1947, There Was A Geologist By The ...

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Mar 19, 2007

In October 1947, there was a geologist by the name of Dr. John Williamson who was doing some work in the country of Tanzania. One day, he found himself driving in a deserted area, slipping and sliding along a rain-soaked road. Suddenly his four-wheel drive vehicle sank up to its axles in the mud ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

First Of All, What Is A Shepherd And What Does ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

First of all, what is a shepherd and what does he do? I think that Dr. Andrew Bonar, a close friend and biographer of Robert Murray M’Cheyne, says it best when he had this to say to a friend of his about sheep and shepherds. Dr. Andrew Bonar told me how, in the Highlands of Scotland, a sheep would ...read more

Tags: People In Acts

The Story Of The Candy Cane

Contributed by Darrin Fish on Dec 12, 2007

The story of the candy cane • A Candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that could be used as a witnessing tool, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. • He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus. • He began with stick of pure white, hard candy. • White to ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

The Gates Will Not Prevail

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 17, 2011

THE GATES WILL NOT PREVAIL Jesus said: "Upon this rock (of Peter's testimony that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God) I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" Matthew 16:18 Now the odd thing about Jesus' statement was this: Gates don't attack. ...read more

Tags: Hell

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hymns For Each Business

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 15, 2019

The Weatherman's Hymn - There Shall Be Showers Of Blessings. The Contractor's Hymn - The Church's One Foundation. The Tailor's Hymn - Holy, Holy, Holy. The Politician's Hymn - Standing On The Promises. The Optometrist's Hymn - Open My Eyes That I May See. The ...read more

Scripture: John 10:9-10

Tags: Humor, Laughter, Jokes

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grace Story/Joke

Contributed by Bruce Blythe on Apr 13, 2021

There are not many stories/jokes that illustrate Grace (plenty of definitions of Grace though!) so I made this one up for my sermon on Romans 11 (Reciprocity No, Grace Yes). Hope people find it helpful. Blessings. Bruce A Jew, an Islamic and a Christian were drinking coffee on a ship. Then the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Grace Alone, By Grace We Are Saved, Reciprocity

Denomination: Baptist

Fighting Temptation

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Oct 4, 2023

Have you seen the Kid’s Candy Challenge videos? • What happens in the Kid’s Candy Challenge is the parent tells their small child or children that they can have some candy • But they have to wait until mom or dad gets back • The candy is set right in front of them • Along with a phone to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Sin, Temptation, Jesus Cannot Sin

Denomination: Baptist

Trust God And You Will Be Firm

Contributed by Arulselvam Rayappan on Jan 13, 2026

Trusting the Lord is a recurring theme in the Prophet Isaiah. “Unless your faith is firm, you shall not be firm” Is 7: 14. Advent is a time of trusting the Lord. God alone can save those who place their trust in Him. At times we are confused concerning the choices we have to make. On the one hand ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14

Tags: Fear, Trusting God, Afriad

Denomination: Catholic

Some Years Ago I Read The Story Of A Young Girl ...  PRO

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Aug 3, 2004

Some years ago I read the story of a young girl that came what became well known as Covenant House here in L.A…. “She came to our front door Tuesday morning, dressed in dirty rags, holding a little aluminum paint can in her arms. From the second she stepped inside our shelter, she mystified us. ...read more

Tags: Death, Betrayal

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Divine Laws Sow-Reap, The King

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 14, 2022

THERE ARE SOME DIVINE LAWS: Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. This mighty king invites all the young men from his kingdom to gather at the gate of the castle. The King has a challenge to all that would like to be the next ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7, Isaiah 40:29-30

Tags: Work, Honesty

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Shanty Remodel  PRO

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Feb 26, 2002

THE SHANTY REMODEL "In the upper portion of New York City, many citizens may often have noticed, especially in the past years, a great number of miserable shanties, standing on the choicest sites. Though perhaps on the corner of a splendid new avenue or looking out on a magnificent prospect, the ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General, Holiness, Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Many People Remember Former New York Mayor Rudy ...

Contributed by Adam Couchman on Jun 18, 2007

Many people remember former New York Mayor Rudy Gulliani specifically because of his leadership following the World Trade Centre attacks in September, 2001. But he will also be remembered for dramatically reducing the crime levels in New York City. For many years New York’s reputation throughout ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Sandbar Faith

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2008

SANDBAR FAITH Have you ever stepped on ground that seemed unsteady, but you really had to go on, just to get where you were going? Just recently we took a trip up to the (northern part of South Korea) Hwacho'n area and then down to the Chuncho'n areas. We stopped at a nice restaurant where they ...read more

Tags: Faith

Whom God Loves, He Chastens

Contributed by Clark Tanner on May 15, 2009

WHOM GOD LOVES, HE CHASTENS George MacDonald was a 19th century orator and story-writer who C.S. Lewis once called his master as relates to story-telling and relating truth through fantasy. One of MacDonald’s short stories was titled, "The Gifts of the Child Christ." The main character of the ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: Orthodox

Thanksgiving At Plymouth ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 18, 2009

Thanksgiving at Plymouth Colony Think of that little band of people who crossed the Atlantic in a boat that was 26 feet by 112 feet and landed on the New England coast during a bitter cold winter. At times that first year the daily ration of those who were well was only five grains of corn. In ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Tags: Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Holiday

Forgiving And Forgetting

Contributed by Davon Huss on Feb 15, 2010

FORGIVING AND FORGETTING Mr. Peale tells a story about a man who suffered from many health problems: headaches, skin troubles, gastric disturbances, insomnia. It did not take Mr. Peale long to discover that one basic cause was the burning anger that he felt toward his brother. The brother, the ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Staying In The Shallow End

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 28, 2011

STAYING IN THE SHALLOW END He stays at the shallow end of the pool for a long time, refusing invitations to come out into the deeper water, even with his dad. But after a long time considering it, my grandson Zion Brave Bennett thrusts himself into the pool, swimming underwater and then ...read more

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational