In Sermon Illustrations: "How To Get Stronger"

Redemption - Doctor Story

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 3, 2023

This story is reported as true ... though true or a parable ... it speaks to the importance ... of the One ... of one who can save. It was almost 1:00 in the morning... when the phone rang. Dr. Leo Winters, ...a highly acclaimed surgeon... was abruptly awakened ...from his nights sleep. There ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21, Ephesians 1:7, John 8:36, Matthew 26:28, 1 John 1:9, Isaiah 43:25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Sin, Blood, Salvation, Redemption, Lamb, Redeemed  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Growing Together In The Body Of Christ

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 2, 2023

If we are going to be spiritually healthy, we need all the encouragement and support we can get. And in this section our "trainer" is telling us that spiritual fitness calls for team effort. Yes, we are to be oaks of righteousness, but God desires us not to be isolated oaks but growing ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-13, Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Pastors, Networking, Healthy Churches, Fellowship, Church, Support, Revival, Unity, Encouragement  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Behold, I Cometh!

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Aug 21, 2023

Once a pastor was frustrated because his church seemed dead and unenthusiastic. He attended a pastor’s conference for encouragement. The keynote speaker suggests sitting down quietly and creating suspense. Speak on the second coming of Christ. Then stand to the pulpit and raise your hand and shout ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Tags: Preacher Joke, Fellowship, Meeting, Humor, Enthusiasm  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Little Word That Changes Everything

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 26, 2025

Opening (attention hook) (Hold up a big card with the word IF written on it) “Does anyone know this word?” (Let them shout: IF!) “This is a tiny word… but it can change what happens next.” >> The Story There was a little girl named Lily, and Lily loved to ask questions. One morning her ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15, James 1:22

Tags: Obedience, Choice

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Before You Hit Send

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

Think about the last text thread that went completely sideways. You typed something fast because you were frustrated. You hit send. And three seconds later your stomach dropped because you realized you said it wrong, or you said too much, or you said the exact thing that was going to make the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19

Tags: Slow To Speak, Self Control

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jeannette George Tells A Story About An ...  PRO

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 11, 2001

Jeannette George tells a story about an experience she had on a short flight from Tucson to Phoenix. Across the aisle from her sat a young woman and her baby, both dressed in white pinafores. The baby had a little pink bow where there would eventually be hair. The mother was smiling, as the baby ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14, Ephesians 1:1-14

Tags: God's Provision, God The Father, Love, Unconditional

Denomination: Baptist

On Our Trip Home From Orlando After The ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Pace on Apr 11, 2002

On our trip home from Orlando after the conference that I attended, we got to meet a lady who shared one of the most powerful testimonies that I have ever heard. Because that week’s Bible Study was on the subject that I am preaching on today she shared her testimony and I think it fits so well… Let ...read more

Tags: Abortion

Denomination: Baptist

John 3:16" In Chicago During The Great ...  PRO

Contributed by Billy Kryger on Aug 19, 2002

“John 3:16” In Chicago during the Great Depression there was a little boy who sold newspapers on the street corner to help provide for his family. His tattered jacket that was about three sizes too small provided little relief from the bitter Winter Chicago wind.. On one particularly cold day ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Tags: Becoming A Christian

Denomination: Baptist

Lake Moses Washington, Friday, May 24, 1985. 1:oo ...  PRO

Contributed by Kent Lenard on Nov 4, 2002

LAKE MOSES WASHINGTON, FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1985. 1:OO AM I rolled and tossed in bed, feeling uneasy about our son John and his family who are missionaries in South Africa. PRAY! the command I sensed was urgent. Now I am wide awake sending passionate pleas to heaven. Please Lord, help John and ...read more

Tags: Prayer General, Prayer Supplication

Denomination: Baptist

Whoever Takes The Son  PRO

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Dec 2, 2003

Whoever Takes the Son Many years ago, there was a very wealthy man who shared a passion for art collecting with his son. They had priceless works adorning the walls of their family estate. One day, the nation was at war and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, ...read more

Tags: Christmas Advent

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Outhouse And Penthouse!" Isaiah 42: 1-4 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 7, 2004

“Outhouse and Penthouse!” Isaiah 42: 1-4 Key verse(s): 1a: “‘Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight . . .’” Have you ever wanted to lead something? Have you ever wanted to be the one that everyone else follows? Leadership isn’t something that everyone ought to aspire ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-4

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Lutheran

I Heard Bro. J. T. Pugh Tell A Story Of One Of ...

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Feb 8, 2006

I heard Bro. J. T. Pugh tell a story of one of the four men who made such a dramatic impact on his life. He mentioned that this man was an evangelist back in the 1940’s. The nation was still in the midst of great financial throes from the Great Depression and from the Second World War. He said ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: Pentecostal

Father, Forgive Them...  PRO

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Mar 27, 2009

FATHER, FORGIVE THEM... Many years ago, long before any of us were born, and long before our great grandparents were born, a young man walked into town. His clothes were old and well worn. His shoes had holes, and he carried all of his possessions in a small, dirty bag. When he first arrived in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:34

Tags: Forgiveness General

Denomination: Anglican

The Ride Home From Coco Beach

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 10, 2009

THE RIDE HOME FROM COCO BEACH We were driving back to the hotel at 70 miles an hour on the interstate when a major rain storm hit, we could hardly see and then it happened. It was like something right out of Nascar - cars going airborne spinning and crashing into each other. I watched cars right ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Columbia Explosion: Impending Doom

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 3, 2011

THE COLUMBIA EXPLOSION: IMPENDING DOOM The Bible says, "...all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). And, "...the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). Do you remember when the space ship, Columbia, blew up on re-entry on February 1, 2003? Seven crew members lost their ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Tags: Judgment

Our Greatest Need

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Dec 20, 2012

If we were to go out on the streets and ask people at random, “What is your greatest need?” we would probably get a number of different responses. We wouldn’t be surprised in this economy if we got several answers of people needing a job so they could provide for their home and family. If people ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Baptist

Being Ready

Contributed by Richard L. Brown on Oct 1, 2016

Being Ready Luke 12: 32-38 This illustration is about not being afraid for the return of the Master. When I was a young boy in the Fourth Grade at Yost Elementary School, our teacher, Mrs. Conley, would periodically leave the room and say, “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Just work quietly at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:32-38

Tags: Following Directions, Being Prepared

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Great Quotes By Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 16, 2020

While Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave many memorable quotations about freedom, civil rights, humankind and other critical issues, as a Christian pastor, some of his most notable quotes were on matters of faith. 1. “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” ...read more

Scripture: Amos 4:4, Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Justice, Civil Rights, Equality, Martin Luther King

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Godliness

Contributed by Marc Heatherington on Aug 5, 2021

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness . . 2 Peter 1:5-6 The Greek word for godliness is sometimes translated as piety. Both words have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:6, 1 Timothy 2:2, 1 Timothy 2:10, 1 Timothy 3:16, 1 Timothy 6:3, 1 Timothy 6:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Godliness, Perseverance

Denomination: Baptist

Growing Up Is So Common And Predictable It's ...

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Jul 24, 2007

Growing up is so common and predictable it’s taken for granted. Until May 1975, when our first child was born, my wife, Mary, and I thought we could just stand back and watch it happen. We had been eagerly planning and anticipating the miracle as only first-time parents can. We had prepared the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist