In Sermon Illustrations: "Influence"

George Washingtons Farewell Address -- Excerpts ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 4, 2006

George Washingtons Farewell address -- excerpts from it on Christian Values: …27 Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Senior, Was A ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 19, 2002

Ill: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Senior, was a physian. As such he was very interested in the use of ether. (Ether was used to put people to sleep in the 19th century.) In order to know how his patients felt under its influence, he once had a dose administered to himself. -As he was going under, in a ...read more

Let The Lower Lights Be Burning  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jan 30, 2004

[Illustration] Jesus stressed the positive effect we can have on others when He said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 RSV). But if sin dims our testimony so that our “light” is no longer visible, ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

On The Lighter Side: The Wisdom Of Cowboys  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 11, 2004

On the Lighter side: The Wisdom of Cowboys: Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier ’n puttin’ it back in. If you’re ridin’ ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still ...read more

Tags: Disciplines General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Have Read Somewhere Of A British Scientist In ...

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 29, 2004

I have read somewhere of a British scientist in India who years ago, was greatly troubled by the Hindu custom of drinking the water of their sacred river Ganges. He knew the water was full of impurities and most harmful to those who persisted in taking it. He wondered what he could do to stop the ...read more

Tags: Sin General, Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith And Works  PRO

Contributed by David Parks on Aug 26, 2010

FAITH AND WORKS There was once a Scotsman who rowed people across a river. On one oar he had carved the word 'faith' and on the other oar he had carved the word 'works'. One day as he was rowing, one of the passengers noticed the carvings and asked him about them. The Scotsman did not reply but ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:3-4

Tags: Faith Vs. Works

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Noble Savages

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 3, 2011

NOBLE SAVAGES For a while people have believed that our problems exist because we are too civilized. If we would just get back to nature and throw away all of the modern conveniences and the ideas found in the Christian religion, then we would be like the noble savages of old. A good example ...read more

Tags: Missions

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Solving Problems; It's In The Angle

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 15, 2015

“With 900 million members worldwide and growing, Facebook is building its first European data storage facility—60 miles south of the Arctic Circle in Lulea, Sweden. The reason: natural air conditioning. Some Internet “server farms” spend as much to cool the machines as power them. Facebook’s Nordic ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-12

Tags: Fruitfulness, Christian Growth

The Guest  PRO

Contributed by James Chandler on Jan 11, 2007

The Guest Author Unknown A few months before I was born, my dad met a stranger who was new to our small Tennessee town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family. The stranger was quickly accepted and was around to welcome me ...read more

Tags: Truth

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

With His Life In Disarray, Steven Lavaggi Sat On ...  PRO

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 23, 2000

With his life in disarray, Steven Lavaggi sat on his bedroom’s wooden floor, and began searching his Bible for answers. His wife had just left him to marry a writer for The Rolling Stone Magazine. Ten days later, Steven discovered his son was stricken with Juvenile Diabetes. As if coping with the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:3-15

Tags: Leadership General, Workplace Evangelism

Denomination: Baptist

Be A Magnet!  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 29, 2003

Be a Magnet! MAGNET DEMONSTRATION A piece of steel metal under ordinary conditions-- in the "As-is" situation -- does not have magnetic properties. It is not a magnet. It can not attract and/or hold. It can not do the work of a magnet. Why? The molecules are in "chaos". Each molecule has a Plus ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:2

Tags: What Is Evangelism?, Sharing My Testimony

Called To Serve

Contributed by Dr Fr John Singarayar Svd on Dec 1, 2023

In 1884, a devastating famine struck India, claiming over 50 lakh lives. In the midst of despair, Christian organizations from America, driven by compassion, sailed to India to provide medical aid and sustenance. Dr. John, accompanied by his daughter Ida Scudder, arrived in Ranipet. The dire ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Tags: Service, Called

Denomination: Other

Who Is Leading People To Christ? Recent Barna ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2006

Who Is Leading People To Christ? Recent Barna research finds that among Christians who embraced Christ before their teen years, half were led to Christ by their parents, with another 20% by some other friend or relative. 7% accepted Jesus in response to a minister’s personal prompting and 12% cited ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Ultimately, When Your Friends Close Their Eyes ...

Contributed by Kent Tucker on Jan 15, 2007

Ultimately, when your friends close their eyes for the last time here on earth, where will they open their eyes? At a funeral, you usually hear that the deceased is in a better place now. Well, there are two places out there. One is better and one is not. It is what they do with Christ that will ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Nothing Grows Under A Banyan Tree." This South ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Mcnair on Oct 27, 2004

"Nothing grows under a banyan tree." This South Indian proverb speaks of leadership styles. The banyan is a great tree. It spreads its branches, drops air-roots, develops secondary trunks and covers the land. A full grown banyan may cover more than an acre of land. Birds, animals, and humans find ...read more

Tags: Leadership General

Denomination: Baptist

Father's Day Is Almost Upon Us And It Reminded Me ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Jun 13, 2009

FATHER’S DAY IS ALMOST UPON US and it reminded me of a story I read about a dad who really understood his role. Some years ago, in a military academy, the students mutinied, probably a reaction to the hard demands of such an environment. The students had struck in everything: lessons, study ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:4

Tags: Father's Day

Denomination: Wesleyan

Many People Have Been Richly Blessed By What They ...

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 3, 2010

Many people have been richly blessed by what they learned at their mother’s knee. Consider John and Charles Wesley. Their names would probably never have lighted the pages of history if it hadn’t been for their godly mother who taught them that the law of love and Christian witness was to be their ...read more

Tags: Mother's Day

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stepping In His Big Tracks

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jan 4, 2012

STEPPING IN HIS BIG TRACKS I remember once when we had a two-foot snow in Smyrna, Tennessee— something rare even then. I’d gone out into the snow early that morning and it was really futile, because the snow was so deep and so soft that when I stepped down into the snow, the snow went so far up my ...read more

Tags: Parenting

Denomination: Baptist

Facing The Music

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Mar 19, 2012

FACING THE MUSIC Many years ago a man wanted to play in the Imperial Orchestra, but could not play a note. Since he was, however, a person of great wealth and influence, he demanded to be allowed to join the orchestra so that he could perform in front of the king. The conductor agreed to let him ...read more

Tags: Judgment

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

He Still Loves ...

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Jul 21, 2008

“He Still Loves Us” It is said that one of the most distinguished statesmen of the times of the American Revolution was once a hopeless drunkard. He had been engaged to a beautiful girl, but his indulgence had compelled her to break the engagement and sever herself from his influence, which was ...read more

Tags: Compassion

Denomination: Christian Church