In Sermon Illustrations: "Horrible Times"

Playing God

Contributed by Brad Henry on Dec 9, 2011

PLAYING GOD Have you ever felt like you were adrift in the ocean with no clue on how to get to shore? A lot of times in life we get a curveball when we are expecting a fastball. We get frustrated when we try to figure God out. Without knowing it a lot of times we even try to play God. When you ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Faithful Unto Death

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on May 29, 2012

FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH When Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the city was buried for 1700 years. When it was rediscovered, artifacts left a detailed picture of what was happening in the city at the time. For example, archeologists could identify the time by the clothes people were wearing, the produce ...read more

Tags: Obedience

Denomination: Baptist

What Commitment?

Contributed by Tim Smith on Jul 1, 2012

WHAT COMMITMENT? When I was in my first year of ministry, I walked into our District preachers meeting at the same time as Bobbie Potter, who was pastor of Munholland UMC in Old Metairie. He asked if I preach last Sunday which I did. Then he asked, "What did you ask them to commit to?" I said I ...read more

Tags: Worship General

Denomination: Methodist

There Is No Racial Distinction In The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Mar 29, 2017

All human beings are equally created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus to lay down His life for us (John 3:16). The “world” obviously includes all ethnic groups. I like to use the following illustration which works as well with ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27

Tags: Human Life, Jesus Died For All

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

True Meaning Of Christmas

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Jan 3, 2023

A wealthy Boston family held a christening party after the baptism of their baby. Guests and friends swarmed into their palatial home. Soon the party was in full swing. People were having a wonderful time enjoying talking to one another, eating, drinking and being merry. Suddenly somebody asked, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21, Luke 2:8-12

Tags: Christmas, True Meaning Of Christmas

Getting "me" Out Of The Way

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 13, 2023

If we were all honest, we would probably have to admit that we are all guilty of reading a text while we're driving. We see it all the time. People are swerving from their lane into our lane and almost hitting other cars. It can be a serious situation. The way we live can also impact those ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:23-33

Tags: Selfishness, Selflessness

Denomination: Baptist

It Happened At Work…

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Sep 3, 2023

Church chuckle: It Happened at work… Like the situation that a nurse shared which happened at the hospital where she works. One night a young intern came into the hospital ward shaking her head. "There’s an old man out there by the vending machines," she continued, "and he’s putting ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23

Tags: Funny Stories, The Work Place, Vending Machines, Work, Humor, Labor Day  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Repent For Better Health

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 10, 2025

Since this is the season of Lent, it’s a good time to repent of the unhealthy habits we have developed over the years. That means we tell God: “You’re right, and I’m wrong.” That’s the beginning of repentance. Then we need to make a plan. There’s an old saying: Those who fail to plan, plan to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-6, Acts 3:19

Tags: Diet, Food, Repent, Health, Sleep, Exercise, Bible Reading  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

General Macarthur And Winston Churchill Both ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 30, 2001

General MacArthur and Winston Churchill both said, "We don’t answer criticism. We don’t respond to slander. We don’t respond to accusation. If we did ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:1-2

Tags: Leadership General, Christian Disciplines

As Blaise Pascal Observed, "Truth Is So Obscure ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 10, 2002

As Blaise Pascal observed, “Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that, unless we love the truth, we cannot know it.” James Emery White, You Can ...read more

Late Faith Is Unavailing. There's Little Use ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 12, 2005

Late faith is unavailing. There’s little use accepting arks once the rain begins to fall. Death is such an instant storm that by the time you reach for an umbrella, you already need ...read more

Tags: Death

Late Faith Is Unavailing. There's Little Use ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2006

Late faith is unavailing. There’s little use accepting arks once the rain begins to fall. Death is such an instant storm that by the time you reach for an umbrella, you already need ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Quote From Generation Me By Jean Twenge- We Live ...

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 8, 2007

Quote from Generation Me by Jean Twenge- We live in a time when high self-esteem is encouraged from childhood, when young people have more freedom and independence than ever, but ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Planned Parenthood Reports It Generated $882 ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 20, 2007

Planned Parenthood reports it generated $882 million in FY ’04-‘05, one-third of which ($275 million) came from American taxpayers. During that same time period the ...read more

Tags: Abortion

Hunting Area — Large Oaks

Contributed by Gary Kins on Jun 25, 2007

Hunting Area - Large Oaks Tree stands last when you put them in oaks because they withstand the winds of winter. One time the mighty oak was just an acorn covered with soil that ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

To Follow Christ Is To Walk With Him First Into ...

Contributed by Tony Abram on Jan 24, 2009

To follow Christ is to walk with Him first into the presence of His Father. If that is so, we had better know how to act in the divine presence now (in this present life) and then (in the life everlasting). ...read more

Tags: Knowing God's Will

A Little More Tired At Close Of Day, A Little ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"A little more tired at close of day, A little less anxious to have our way; A little less ready to scold and blame; A little more care of a brother's name; And so we are ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Nothing Is More Certain Than That A General ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Nothing is more certain than that a general profligacy and corruption of manners make a people ripe for destruction. A good form of government may hold the rotten materials together for some time, but beyond a certain ...read more

Tags: Sin General

The Hero Is Known For Achievements; The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"The hero is known for achievements; the celebrity for well-knownness. The hero reveals the possibilities of human nature. The celebrity reveals the possibilities of the press and media. Celebrities are people who make news, but ...read more

Tags: Heroism

How Trust Is Earned

Contributed by John Bright on Jul 11, 2025

Integrity is WHAT I STAND ON: A COMMITMENT TO MY PROMISES Matthew 5:37 “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” Can you be trusted? There is an old saying: Trust is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:37

Tags: Trust, Integrity

Denomination: Methodist