In Sermon Illustrations: "Importance"

The Craigslist Murder

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 29, 2011

THE CRAIGSLIST MURDER When Charlene Sanders drove home from a routine day of work April 28, the last thing she expected was that she would be telling family of her husband's death later that night. At about 9 p.m. on April 28, Jim Sanders invited a young man and women into his home to view a ring ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-13

Tags: Heroism

Lucado On Thankfulness

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Nov 23, 2011

LUCADO ON THANKFULNESS Max Lucado tells about living as an American in Brazil. One day, as he was walking along the street on his way to the University to teach a class, he felt a tug on his pants leg. Turning around, he saw a little boy about 5 or 6 years old with dark beady eyes and a dirty ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Would Jesus Buy?

Contributed by Ken Pell on Dec 4, 2011

WHAT WOULD JESUS BUY? Some of you are familiar with the name, Morgan Spurlock. He produced the documentary "Super-Size Me." He has produced another lesser-known production titled "What Would Jesus Buy?" Please note: I am not recommending the movie it is a bit distasteful but it makes a good point. ...read more

Tags: Christmas Advent

Denomination: Nazarene

The Bottom Line

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 8, 2012

THE BOTTOM LINE A dairy farmer went to buy a new pickup truck. He had seen an ad in the paper about discounts and factory rebates, so he decided to trade in his old clunker. He chose a new model and was ready to write the check for the full amount. The salesman said, "Wait, I haven't given you the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-28

Tags: Discipleship

Lesson On Mahatma Gandhi

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 27, 2017

I HAVE MANY PEOPLE I GREATLY RESPECT... ONE OF THOSE MEN I RESPECT FROM THE TWENTIETH CENTURY IS: MAHATMA GANDHI... Several stories have made an impression in my heart. I read once that Mahatma Gandhi attended a church in Northern Africa. Gandhi had read about Jesus' teachings and he loved ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:22

Tags: Respect, Gandhi Makes A Difference

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Dear Abby Letters – How To Dress In Church  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

DEAR ABBY LETTERS – How To Dress In Church Dear Abby: May I respond to your reply regarding attire in church? As a priest and pastor, I’m appalled at how some people come dressed for Sunday worship. You said that “Dress codes have been greatly relaxed in recent decades,” which I find to be ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

A Catholic Sister, Sister Chris Schenk, Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

A Catholic sister, Sister Chris Schenk, was shocked when she took theology classes several years ago (1994) that taught Mary Magdalene, “a woman who had been one of Jesus’ most courageous apostles had been turned into a prostitute.” Then Schenk learned there were efforts to restore the reputation ...read more

Scripture: John 20:11-18

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Do You Remember The Movie "Hook" From The Early ...

Contributed by Scott Brewer on Aug 7, 2007

Do you remember the movie “Hook” from the early 1990’s? According to Stephen Spielberg, when Peter Pan grew up he became a self-absorbed, ladder climbing, workaholic baby boomer. So goes the story line of the movie. In some early scenes Peter promises his son numerous times that he would come to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Let Me Use An Illustration From Physical Science ...

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 3, 2008

-Let me use an illustration from physical science to give us some insight into the infilling of the HS. If you’ve ever done a speedometer check, then you are probably familiar with the formula for determining velocity or speed. When you take the distance traveled and divide it by the amount of time ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Bishop Will Willimon Is The Resident Bishop For ...

Contributed by Matthew Mobley on Mar 28, 2008

Bishop Will Willimon is the resident bishop for the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. But before he was elected bishop in 2004, he was dean of the chapel at Duke University – one of the most prestigious universities in America. He tells this story from his days at Duke about ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

In The City Of Philadelphia There Was A Little ...

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Jun 26, 2008

In the city of Philadelphia there was a little third-class hotel. Into it one night there came two tired elderly people. They went up to the night clerk and the husband pleadingly said, “Mister, please don’t tell us you don’t have a room. My wife and I have been all over the city looking for a ...read more

Tags: Kindness

Denomination: Lutheran

C ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 23, 2008

CHRISTIANS? Let’s go for a second to the lastest Barna Poll on Born Again Christians. In order to do this we need to understand a little information about what they consider to be a Born Again Christian. In Barna Research Group studies, born again Christians are not defined on the basis of ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Easter, Redemption

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Easter, Redemption The apostle Paul wrote about this redemptive work of Christ upon the Cross and victory that is available to the children of God through the resurrection of Christ. He writes, "So you are no longer a slave..." (Galatians 4:7) Jesus said, "So if the Son sets you free, you will ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:7

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual Problem—spiritual Cure

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 2, 2008

Spiritual Problem--Spiritual Cure I picked up a recent book which I received from the AACC Convention called "Caring for People God's Way." The book is written by three people Tim Clinton, Archibald Hart and George Ohlschlager. The book is considered a new guide for Christian Counseling and is ...read more

Tags: Peace

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Else Did He Tell You?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 12, 2009

WHAT ELSE DID HE TELL YOU? A police officer pulled a guy over for speeding and had the following exchange: Officer: May I see your driver’s license? Driver: I don’t have one. I had it suspended when I got my 5th DUI. (Driving Under the Influence) Officer: May I see the owner’s card for this ...read more

Tags: Confession Of Sin

Four Ways To Minister Like The Good Samaritan

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 2, 2022

As we study the characteristics of the Good Samaritan, let’s ask ourselves if these qualities are true of us as well. He opened his eyes. Although all three men physically saw the critically wounded man, only the Samaritan looked and stopped to help. Before we can meet needs, we must be aware of ...read more

Tags: Service, Ministry, Parables, Neighbor, Kindness, Good Samaritan  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Evidence For The Resurrection Is Reliable And True

Contributed by Timothy Lueking on Apr 3, 2023

It was the middle of the 1800s and a man by the name of Simon Greenleaf was teaching a class on evidence of law at Harvard University. Greenleaf was considered by many to be the greatest expert on evidence of law the world has ever known. He had been praised for his knowledge and when it comes to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Matthew 28:1-10, 1 Peter 1:3

Tags: Reliability Of Truth, Jesus The Risen Savior, Easter, Resurrection, Evidence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fake News Or Truth?

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Sep 30, 2024

Donald Trump has often spoken of what he calls, “fake news” when describing what he considers biased reporting. And it is true that most reporting about Trump is negative, while his opponents receive more favorable treatment. But did you know that the phrase “fake news” was first coined by ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:6-12

Tags: Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Fake News, Sure Witness, Jesus Is Son Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Sovereign God Has Fixed The Time For My Death

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 10, 2024

There is a scene in the Civil War motion picture, "Gods and Generals", that is telling. The movie follows the rise and fall of Civil War hero General Thomas Jackson, and does not try to hide his Christianity. Throughout the picture, Jackson's dependence on God is shown, but never ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:1

Tags: Death, Chosen, Election, Free Will, Calling, Sovereignty Of God, Man's Choice  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Philippian Jailer Got Saved - Crisis

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Oct 2, 2025

How the Philippian jailer got saved - Crisis This Philippian jailer was saved! He was saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. And if you have never trusted in the Lord, He wants to save you the same way. But let's take a closer look at how the Lord touched the jailer's ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Tags: Crisis, Christian Service, Philippian Jailer, Demon Possession, Spiritual Transformation, Evangelism, Paul, Salvation, Missions, Silas  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist