In Sermon Illustrations: "How To Be Great"

A Surprise Ending For A Couple Who Met ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 16, 2012

A SURPRISE ENDING FOR A COUPLE WHO MET ON-LINE A couple from Zenica, Central Bosnia, are divorcing after accusing each other of being unfaithful following an online affair. “They met online, where he called himself “Prince of Joy,” and she called herself “Sweetie.” Their real names were Sana and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-33

Tags: Marriage Faithfulness

Fly To The Light  PRO

Contributed by Joe Bertone on Aug 20, 2012

FLY TO THE LIGHT Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky has this huge sanctuary that seats thousands upon thousands. Sometimes birds get in there. The facilities department has the job of trying to figure out how to get these birds out. The last thing you want Sunday morning is a bird ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12

Tags: Light, Darkness, Escape, Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

All Moms Know This Stuff  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 7, 2012

ALL MOMS KNOW THIS STUFF One mom was out walking with her 4-year-old daughter when her girl picked up something from the ground and started to put it in her mouth. The mother tells what happens in her own words: "I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that." My daughter quickly ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31

Tags: Mother's Day

Dmv

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 26, 2012

When my wife and I attended Freed-Hardeman College (now University), one of our teachers gave a chapel talk about the importance of names. In so doing, he told us HIS story of the difficulties he had growing up with the name, “RC” Oliver. As a child entering school, his teacher and principal did ...read more

Tags: Humor, Commandments God's Name

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Yanov Torah

Contributed by Perry Greene on Mar 13, 2013

THE YANOV TORAH During World War II, Jewish inmates of the Yanov labor camp in occupied Poland defied their Nazi guards, secretly conducting religious services inside their darkened barracks. To observe their ritual, the Jews had cut religious scrolls into sections, bound the parchment pieces ...read more

Tags: Bible Study, Scripture, The Word

Denomination: Independent/Bible

On Shepherds  PRO

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 11, 2014

What do we know about the shepherd's life? It's a full time commitment. Sheep are helpless to defend themselves against attack from their natural enemies: lions, bears, wolves, hyenas and foxes which can come in both the day and night so there is never a moment a shepherd can relax. Sheep must be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Tags: Shepherd, Shepherd's Life

Denomination: Methodist

Clean Pigeon

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 9, 2015

Lester Roloff told about visiting a friend in Massillon, Ohio who had a number of pigeons. During the visit his friend showed him one of the birds and said, “See this bird. She just flew 500 miles from St. Louis to Massillon non stop.” Roloff interrupted his host: Come on, non stop! How do you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Tags: Clean, Holiness, Sanctify

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Out Of Tune

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Aug 1, 2018

Main Idea: God is perfect and He cannot tolerate any sin in His presence. Verse: “As for God, His way is perfect” (Psalms 18:30 NKJV). Illustration: Once there was a famous conductor who was asked to direct a world class orchestra. He chose a famous piece of music and the orchestra gathered ...read more

Tags: Sin, Salvation, Perfection, Need For Christ

Denomination: Charismatic

Catching The Flu

Contributed by Michael E. Bartee Sr. on Nov 10, 2018

Catching The Flu is definitely dangerous! Perhaps you have read about the flu epidemic that swept the world in 1918? It killed 50 million people. One fifth of the world’s population. It spread rapidly because it was so contagious and people didn’t know what it was or how to prevent it. I am ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-47, Acts 1:8

Tags: Evangelism, Revival

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Have You Lost The "scent"?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 1, 2021

DEMAS LOST THE "SCENT" A man bought a new hunting dog. Eager to see how the dog would perform, the man took him out to track a bear. No sooner had they gotten into the woods than the dog picked up the trail. Suddenly he stopped, sniffed the ground, and headed in a new direction. He had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:10, 1 John 2:15-16

Tags: Compromise, Worldliness, Backsliding, Values, Loving The World  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Things That Happened At Midnight In The Bible

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 12, 2022

"MIDNIGHT" — Did you ever notice how many things in the Bible took place at midnight?   A. It was at midnight that the Lord God passed through Egypt, killed all the firstborn, and brought Israel out of the land of bondage with his mighty hand and stretched out arm (Ex. 11:4; ...read more

Tags: Parables, Lord's Prayer, Persistence, Midnight, Prayer  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

New Church Treasurer

Contributed by Davon Huss on Apr 4, 2022

The day the old church treasurer resigned, the church asked the local grain elevator manager to take the position. He agreed under 2 conditions: 1. No treasurer’s report would be given for the first year 2. No questions be asked about finances during that year The people were surprised but finally ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:10

Tags: Giving, Tithing, Money

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Of Embraced Sacrifice Is Greater Than The Power Of Coercion

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Apr 8, 2022

"The cross has become the most widely recognized symbol in the world. It marks more graves, graces more jewelry, and sits atop more churches than any other design. The making of the sign of the cross is known from basilicas to baseball diamonds. Finding a logo has become big business, but no ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-42, Mark 15:21-41

Tags: Sacrifice, The Cross, Symbols

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Unthankful Pig

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 6, 2022

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD THE LESSON OF THE PIG? Seems a big fat pig is roaming around the forest and finds all likes of delicious juicy acorns on the ground. The acorns are strewn on the ground. The pig eats and eats the acorns until the acorns are gone. The pig takes a long nap. When the pig wakes up ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:33

Tags: Pigs, Unthankful

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Covenant?

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Nov 20, 2022

Devotional - Genesis 9:7-28 (also glance at Chapters 10-11) What was the command to Noah and his family? – populate the earth (we exist today because of Noah and family) Covenant – “berith” – a brand new word! What can we learn about this word in context? – a promise and commitment to do ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:7-28

Tags: Agreement, Covenant, Promise, Population

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Get Off The Bench And Get In The Game!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 2, 2023

A well-known coach was once asked, “How much does college football contribute to the national physical-fitness picture?” “Nothing,” the coach replied abruptly. “Why not?” the startled interviewer asked. “Well,” said the coach, “the way I see it, you have 22 men down on the field desperately ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-13

Tags: Service, Ministry, Church, Disciples, Spiritual Gifts, Volunteers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Traveling With A Pack?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 30, 2023

I have several different pairs of glasses. I really focus on one pair. A rose colored pair of glasses makes everything appear rosy. Everything you see will be rosy as we have a rose filter. Years ago I read about a pet dog. The little girl bottle fed the puppy and raised it to adult ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-26, Romans 12:2

Tags: Change, Paradigm, Attitudes

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Was The Church Chosen To Replace The Fallen Angels?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 24, 2024

Augustine believed that God created the order of angels to exist in a perfect harmonic balance with one another which was subsequently lost due to the fall of Satan (and those who followed Satan in his rebellion). This showed the tragedy which developed as a result of Satan’s rebellion. Not only ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:1-4

Tags: Church, Worship, Heaven, Satan, Angels, Demons, Rebellion, Spirits, Sovereignty Of God, Devils  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Church Makes You Throw Up!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 12, 2024

Marty, a little boy, was in church one Sunday with his mother Doris, when he started feeling sick. 'Mummy,' he inquired, 'can we leave now?' 'No,' his mother replied, 'the service isn't over yet.' 'Well, I think I'm about to throw up.' Marty ...read more

Tags: Church, Children, Mothers, Sick

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Funny Prayers

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 2, 2025

I found this collection of funny prayers on-line: • Lord, I ask that you give me the superpower to eat as much pizza as I want without gaining any weight. It would truly be a miracle and make my life complete. Amen. • Lord, I ask that you make all the calories in donuts and ice cream disappear, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:5

Tags: Holy Spirit, Food, Prayer, Flesh

Denomination: Methodist