In Sermon Illustrations: "Influence For Christ"

The Cost For Preaching The Truth About Baptism

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 22, 2024

Baptism is identification with Christ. Baptism allows the believer in Christ to openly identify with Christ who died, was buried and who rose again on his behalf. It is a public testimony to say I have identified with Christ. I will live for Christ. On October 15, 1517, an Augustinian monk nailed ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-34

Tags: Baptism, Persecution, Immersion, Reformation, Church History, Count The Cost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Zanzibar Is An Old City In East Africa. A City ...  PRO

Contributed by Gregory Fisher on Jul 1, 2004

Zanzibar is an old city in East Africa. A city with an unfortunate past. It is filled with ornate architecture, and it is the home of the Swahili Institute, the official guardians of the Kiswahili language. But, for nearly 300 years it was the home of something else. It was the home of one of ...read more

Tags: Salvation By Grace, Salvation, Redemption, Ransom For All, Ransom From Sin, Missionary, Missionary Work, Gospel Impact, Grace, Grace Of God, Justification, Slavery, Sola Gratia  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

In His Autobiography, Breaking Barriers, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2006

In his autobiography, Breaking Barriers, syndicated columnist Carl Rowan tells about a teacher who greatly influenced his life. Rowan relates: Miss Thompson reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a piece of paper containing a quote attributed to Chicago architect Daniel Burnham. I listened ...read more

Tags: What Is Evangelism?

The Count Of Monte Cristo Tells The Story Of ...  PRO

Contributed by David Ward on Dec 16, 2004

The Count of Monte Cristo tells the story of Dantes (James Caviezel) who is unjustly accused and sentenced to life in France’s most dreaded prison. During his years in prison, Dantes’ makes friends with a priest, (Richard Harris) whose godly influence has a huge impact on Dantes’ spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:17-21

Tags: Character, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your Spirit Does Matter

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2009

YOUR SPIRIT DOES MATTER A preacher wrote: "Today we have people who claim to be Christians shouting ’God hates fags’ at the funerals of soldiers who have died in Iraq, because these ’Christians’ believe God is punishing America for its tolerance of homosexuals. A recent editorial in the paper ...read more

Tags: Anger

Girls Growing Up Too Fast

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 14, 2009

GIRLS GROWING UP TOO FAST A study by Girlguiding reveals 3 leading potential "triggers" for serious mental health problems in girls: premature sexualization, commercialization and alcohol misuse. The report reveals a loss of childhood innocence and says girls today experience high levels of ...read more

Tags: Children

History Is Always A Great Teacher To Those Who ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 2, 2009

History is always a great teacher to those who want to learn it’s lessons. Abraham Lincoln knew this and one author had this to say about him. o He was not a born king of men…but a child of the common people, who made himself a great persuader, therefore a leader, by dint of firm resolve, patient ...read more

Tags: Leadership, Leadership General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sit So He Can Walk, So They Can Run

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Aug 9, 2009

SIT SO HE CAN WALK, SO THEY CAN RUN I wonder who amongst us this morning feels insignificant. On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, a 42-year-old African American woman who worked as a seamstress, boarded a Montgomery City bus to go home from work. On that bus on that day, Rosa Parks initiated a new ...read more

Tags: Action

Denomination: Anglican

Peer Pressure In The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 9, 2010

Peer Pressure in the Classroom A few years ago psychologist Ruth W. Berenda and her associates carried out an interesting experiment with teenagers designed to show how a person handled group pressure. The plan was simple. They brought groups of ten adolescents into a room for a test. Subsequently, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Tags: Youth

Changing Our Lives Due To The Harshness Of This ...

Contributed by Michael Hahn on Apr 14, 2012

Changing our lives due to the harshness of this world - Coming or going: leaving or staying? Which one will we be happy doing? The psalmist wrote: "Happy is the man who does not go in the company of sinners, or take his place in the way of evil-doers, or in the seat of those who do not give honour ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-4

Tags: Self

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Father's Legacy

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 30, 2012

A FATHER’S LEGACY Ken Hemphill tells the story of what took place at his church when he was pastor of FBC of Norfolk. He was out on the sidewalk welcoming people as they got out of their cars. About 3rd in line was a father & his teenage son. The father had a golf shirt on, and he evidently was ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Tags: Father's Day

President Mckinley Had A Mother Who Taught Him Well

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 31, 2022

As a lawyer, as a congressman, as Governor of Ohio, and as President of the United States, William McKinley had a close relationship with his mother. He either visited her or sent a message to her every day. When she became seriously ill, he arranged to have a special train standing by, ready to ...read more

Tags: Teach Your Children, Godly Mothers, Will Of God, Hymns

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dr. M. R. Dehaan Is The Source Of This Final ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Dr. M. R. Dehaan is the source of this final story: The expression "face the music" is said to have originated in Japan. According to the story, one man in the imperial orchestra couldn’t play a note. Being a person of great influence and wealth, he had demanded that he be given a place in the ...read more

Tags: Faith

I Remember The Time When Everywhere You Look You ...  PRO

Contributed by Sylvester Fergusson on Jul 17, 2007

I remember the time when everywhere you look you could see butterflies: butterflies of various shades and colours: yellow, brown, green, white and even multicoloured ones. Nowadays one can hardly see any. Yet caterpillars seem to be present in abundance. Just the other day I was inspecting a tree ...read more

Denomination: Adventist

Spiritual Values In Collegians A Ucla Study ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 7, 2008

Spiritual Values in Collegians A UCLA study found college juniors are more likely to be engaged in a spiritual quest compared to when they first entered college as freshmen. The study showed 41.2% of freshmen in ’04 reported they considered developing a meaningful philosophy of life “very ...read more

Proper Attitude

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2008

PROPER ATTITUDE - Ephesians 5:18-20 >1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory. Chuck Swindoll said: “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more ...read more

Graham's Flame In His Hand

Contributed by Donny Granberry on Nov 17, 2008

GRAHAM'S FLAME IN HIS HAND Billy Graham said this, "When I was a young biblical study major in college, I had questions that many young believers have. I struggled with what I thought were inconsistencies in the word of God, and therefore I had little power in my ministry. My anointing was ...read more

Tags: Bible Truth

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Multi-Tasking ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 13, 2009

MULTI-TASKING YOUTH About 64% of U.S. teens go online while watching TV, and 49% do so from three times a week to several times a day, reports researcher Grunewald Associates LLC. 73% of TV-online multitasking kids are engaged in “active multitasking,” defined as content in one medium influencing ...read more

Tags: Youth

Republican, Democrat, And Libertarian Arrive At Heaven

Contributed by Gregory Artz on Aug 31, 2022

A Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, and an unassuming man all arrived at the gates of Heaven. First the Republican spoke to St Peter, “I am sure am glad I made it here, I was sure to give plenty of money to the poor.” St Peter replied, sorry sir, your name is not in the book. Then the Democrat ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 146:1-4, Revelation 20:11-15

Tags: Heaven, Politics, Book Of Life

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Patriotism, Regionalism And Getting Past Our Geographic Biasis.

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Oct 18, 2025

I’d like to introduce you to another great Daniel. Now this man is remembered as a great, a great in his sport and a great in New Zealand. Here he is playing in the jersey of the Worlds most successful rugby franchise, consistently the best team in New Zealand also. You can all appreciate just how ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:16-18

Tags: Regionalism, Abednego, The Fiery Furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar, Adonay, Judeah, Sadrach, Patriotism, Daniel, Babylon, Preference, Bias, Meshach  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army