In Sermon Illustrations: "Influence For Christ"

Where Are The Men?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 1, 2016

WHERE ARE THE MEN? Churches in America are needing more than just a few good men. Here are the statistics from God Facts: *** The typical U.S. Congregation draws an adult crowd that’s 61% female, 39% male. *** On any given Sunday, there are 13 million more adult women than men in America’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-10

Tags: Men, Church Attendance, Ministry To Men

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bold Witness

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

Hugh Hewitt in his book “The Embarassed Believer” contends that most Christian are embarrassed believers. They do not talk about their faith or church. They don’t have Bibles on the corner of their desks. They never engage others in spiritual conversations. And the result has been the dramatic ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Tags: Witness, Witnessing, Embarrassed

Denomination: Methodist

Consecrated To Do God's Will

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 25, 2017

Years ago a young girl entered a little Presbyterian Church out of curiosity. There she heard the gospel for the first time and was converted. She later heard God’s call on her life to go to China as a missionary. She was the only daughter of a multi-millionaire. She was socially prominent and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24

Tags: Sacrifice, Consecrated Life

Denomination: Charismatic

Inspired To Share Your Faith

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

Tom Mercer writes, “Years ago, I heard an incredible story about a guy who, while walking through an intersection in a large city, noticed a police officer directing traffic in the middle of the street. As he walked by, the man sensed the Holy Spirit prompting him to go up to the officer and tell ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4

Tags: Evangelism, Witnessing, Sharing Your Faith

Denomination: Methodist

Seperated But In The Presence Of The Lord

Contributed by David Goering on Sep 13, 2018

Going to a zoo is educational, for people of all ages, and when you are there you might be in the presence of a lion, tiger or a bear, but at the same time you are separated from these ferocious animals. The scripture teaches us that in the world to come unconverted men will be separated from the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, Revelation 14:10-11, Isaiah 66:23-24

Tags: Judgment, Unrepentant, Damnation, Torments, Hell, Separation, Lake Of Fire  (view more)  (view less)

A Story Of Adoption From India

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 24, 2019

In Bihar, India there is a man named Augustine Jubakumar. He leads a missions called Gospel Echoing Missionary Society. (Gems). In 2015 I had the privilege to visit India and teach in several bible schools and preach in several churches. GEMS includes schools, orphanages, bible schools, a hospital ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:4-7

Tags: Love, Salvation, Adoption

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Not Enough Scriptures

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Sep 23, 2019

I and several other preaching students were permitted to visit Brother G. E. Steward, a masterful preacher of the gospel, who was holding a gospel meeting in Houston, TX, in the summer of 1972. We were permitted to bring lessons at that meeting. He was following Brother Keeble’s manner of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11, Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Faith, Disciples, Word Of God, Sound Doctrine, Masterful Preacher, Gospel Meeting, Training Preachers, Scriptures, Power In The Word, Sermon Delivery, Marshall Keeble, Power In Preaching, G E Steward  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Advent Scripture Reading Plan

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jan 22, 2020

ADVENT Scripture Reading for December Prophecy December 1 - Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 December 2 - Mark 1:2-3 December 3 - Isaiah 11.1-2 December 4 - Isaiah 61.1-2 December 5 - Matthew 24:36-44 December 6 - Jeremiah 33:14-15 December 7 - Zechariah 6:12-13 Preparations - Bethlehem December 8 - Micah ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2

Tags: Advent Sermon Series, Advent Scripture Reading Plan

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Did Jesus Really Weep?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 30, 2020

When Jesus went to call Lazarus back from the grave......HE WEPT. Some have wondered why he wept. The Jews must have thought it was from sorrow, because they said, "Behold how He loved him" (John 11:36). Yet we wonder why he wept, if he was going to call him back to life? Maybe ...read more

Scripture: John 11:35, John 14:1-6

Tags: Death, Heaven, Lazarus, Weeping, Funerals  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Things Get Smelly!

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 22, 2021

When I was around eight, we were visiting some cousins out on the farm and as all kids back then we played tag. I went zipping around the barn and stepped in a slick patty. I fell, slid and rolled through a copious amount of bovine excrement. When I was able to stand up I went to the porch and ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 16:4-12

Tags: Love, Forgiveness, Stink

Denomination: Baptist

He Had A Gun To His Head When He Called My Office...

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 7, 2022

When I was pastoring in Texas, an unknown man called our church office and asked for the Senior Pastor. The call was transferred to me and I quickly discovered that I had a frantic man on the line whom I didn’t know. He told me how horrible his life was and how he couldn’t stand living in “hell ...read more

Tags: Desperation, Jesus, Salvation, Rescue, Witnessing, Suicide  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Conference With The Devil

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 15, 2022

A fictitious story has been told of a conference between Lucifer and his demons. It seems as though Satan was upset because he had not deceived enough souls and so he called for a conference with his head demons. "What are we going to do! We are not claiming enough souls for the Kingdom of ...read more

Tags: Today, Time, Evangelism, Satan, Parable, Demons, Excuses, Invitation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preserved And Protected By The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 26, 2022

When my mother used to make jam, I would watch her pour wax over the top of the preserves until it was at the brim of the jar. She would then carefully wipe some wax around the rim itself and place the rubber-lined lid on tight. The wax and the vacuum caused by the cooling preserves would seal that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:13

Tags: Holy Spirit, Preserve, Protection

People Leading To The Flood

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 31, 2022

Genesis 5 Focus is v1…. In v1-2, isn’t God just repeating Himself? – God detailed the 2 types of “man” He created – male and female! What’s significant about v3? – Adam and Eve had other children as alluded to in earlier chapters; v3 indicates that Seth was a special person! Why do you think ...read more

Tags: People, Godliness, Pride, Population, God's Promise, Ages  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Stop Pushing Your Car And Step On The Gas!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 6, 2022

The Argentine evangelist, Santiago Garaballe, once gave an illustration of a man who bought a new car. He had never owned a car in his life. The car came with a powerful engine under the hood. What if the man then spent the rest of his life pushing it around! Come on family let's go for a ride! ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Tags: Holy Spirit, Resurrection, Victory, Flesh, Defeat, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dead Religion

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 13, 2022

Steven Cole gives us a powerful personal application of the story in Luke 13:10-17. Luke concludes this story by noting that Jesus’ opponents were being humiliated, but the multitude was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him (Lk 13:17). As we saw before, Jesus and His teaching ...read more

Tags: Faith, Church, Satan, Preaching, Revival, Religion, Kingdom Of God, Outlines  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Carrying The World On Your Shoulders?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 15, 2023

Bruce Larson tells how he helped people struggling to surrender their lives to Christ: "For many years I worked in New York City and counseled at my office any number of people who were wrestling with this yes-or-no decision. Often I would suggest they walk with me from my office down to the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:22, Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: Burdens, Problems, Cares, Faith, Worry, Surrender  (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

A Game Of Redemption And Unity

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 16, 2024

In Korea, there's a popular game called "Ice or Free." The rules are simple: one person is 'it' and chases others. Players can freeze themselves if cornered by shouting "Ice," becoming immune to being tagged. They remain frozen until a teammate tags them, setting ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-2

Tags: Spiritual Support, Christian, Responsibility, Redemption, Unity, Cycle, Spiritual Growth, Community  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

George Muller's Miracle After 52 Years Of Praying

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 8, 2024

Muller himself interceded for more than half a century for the salvation of a small group of men. He once wrote: “In November, 1844, I began to pray for the conversion of five individuals. I prayed every day without a single intermission, whether sick or in health, on the land or on the sea, and ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

Tags: Evangelism, Missions, Prayer, Intercession, Miracles, Faithfulness, Waiting On God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational