In Sermon Illustrations: "Inviting"

While At Mcdonalds This Past Week I Saw A ...

Contributed by Charles Newman on Mar 14, 2009

While at McDonalds this past week I saw a grandmother almost in tears of frustration as she tried to strap her toddler granddaughter into a car seat. They couldn’t leave to go to their next destination until the little girl was safe and secure in the car seat. The little child kicked and screamed ...read more

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Denomination: Methodist

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

Stand By Your ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 13, 2009

STAND BY YOUR SIGN When an individual or a congregation has the attitude of compromise in regard to spiritual values and truths, dark days are ahead. All who strive to be Christians feel a certain amount of pressure from the world. Through the strength that Christ gives, we can overcome the world ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Tags: Truth

A Farmer Plants Sour Apples Near Edge Of Orchard ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 3, 2009

A Farmer Plants Sour Apples Near Edge of Orchard To Camouflage The Sweet Ones in the Middle A farmer repeatedly invited his neighbor to come over to his orchard and pick some apples and make fresh, sweet apple cider. The neighbor kept turning down the offer. Finally, the farmer asked why the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Tags: Commitment To Christ

Daddy, Are You There?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 7, 2009

DADDY, ARE YOU THERE? Oh how blessed it is to know that when the times of pain come and when our hearts become broken, we have Someone to whom we can turn that will give us Strength and that will keep us Safe. Only Jesus does that! A little girl and her father were returning from the funeral of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 61:1-3, Psalm 147:3

Tags: Fear, Comfort, Trust, Strength, Grief, Sorrow  (view more)  (view less)

The Nobodies Of The Church  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 6, 2010

THE NOBODIES OF THE CHURCH Janet Reno, Attorney General of the United States during the Clinton administration, was interviewed on "60 Minutes" on June 26, 1999. She seems to hold this ancient opinion of Christians. Here is how she defined a cultist: "A cultist is one who has a strong belief in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

A Dying Church  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 5, 2011

A DYING CHURCH An artist was once asked to put on canvas what he considered to be the picture best symbolizing a decaying and dying church. After several months, he returned and reported that he had finished the task. The hour finally arrived when the painting was to be unveiled. Several people ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Tags: Church Growth

Invalids' Prayers Bring Revival  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 4, 2011

INVALIDS' PRAYERS BRING REVIVAL Max Lucado told of a church in Scotland back in the 1940s that was struggling to keep the doors open. A couple of its members were two older ladies who were invalids and couldn’t get out for worship any longer. But these ladies refused to allow their infirmities to ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-20

Tags: Prayer Persistence, Serving

Wynton Marsalis: Someone To Play With

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 8, 2011

WYNTON MARSALIS: SOMEONE TO PLAY WITH People are preoccupied with their own thoughts and interests. When we show interest and concern for another person’s interest or concern, it meets a deep need. People feel cared for and valued. Wynton Marsalis is a recognized musician. He is invited to teach ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Tags: Humility

I Recently Read An Insightful Story That Would ...  PRO

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Feb 8, 2012

I recently read an insightful story that would serve as a good reminder for us both as we prepare to part ways. The story is about a group of climbers who set out to scale a large mountain in Europe. The view boasted a breathtaking peak of snowcapped rocks. On clear days the crested point reigned ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Tags: Complaining, God Brings Purpose

Denomination: Baptist

Pastor And Leadership Speaker John Maxwell Te...

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 28, 2015

Pastor and Leadership speaker John Maxwell tells the story of his brother who was called to active duty during the Pueblo crisis in Korea. He says he could remember standing in his father’s office when my father found out the news and went to his brother, hugged him and said, “Larry, I’m going to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:33-38

Tags: Perseverance, Conversion

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

There's Room At The Cross For You

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 4, 2022

I grew up hearing this great old hymn being sung during many times of invitation. I was reminded of this great song while preparing my sermon on the Parable of the Great Supper from Luke 14 where Jesus told His disciples to go into the "highways and hedges and compel them to come in, that My ...read more

Tags: Great Supper, Evangelism, Gospel, Parables, Witnessing, Great Commission  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ephesians 5:15-16, "Be Very Careful, Then, How ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Ephesians 5:15-16, “Be very careful, then, how you live— not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Jesus calls us to “make the most of every opportunity to fulfill His mission and ours. “D. L. Moody said that his ‘greatest mistake’ occurred ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Last Year A Former Homeless Man Was Buried At ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Last year a former homeless man was buried at the prestigious St. John’s Episcopal Church, across from the White House. St. John’s is called the “church of presidents” since nearly every U.S. leader since James Madison has worshiped there. In an unusual memorial, former members of Congress and ...read more

Tags: Jesus Teachings

People On A Plane And People On A Pew Have A Lot ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

People on a plane and people on a pew have a lot in common – All are on a journey. Most are satisfied with a predictable experience. We like to say, “It was a nice flight/It was a nice worship service.” We exit the same way we enter, and we’re happy to return next time. A few are not content ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

I Want To Close By Sharing The Devil's ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

I want to close by sharing the Devil’s Beatitudes with you. 1. Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend even an hour once a week with their fellow Christians – they are my best workers. 2. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked -- ...read more

Tags: Satan

One Neat Dad From A Treasury Of Bible ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 18, 2007

One Neat Dad from a Treasury of Bible Illustrations: Did you ever notice in the TV family The Walton’s how the father was always available; or in Little House on The Prairie, how Laura’s dad was always there for the tight squeezes? Contrast these situations with the modern dad who is gone from ...read more

Tags: Parenting

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Now It's Mighty Easy To Sit In Our Churches And ...

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Jul 24, 2007

Now it’s mighty easy to sit in our churches and talk about what needs to be done. It’s mighty easy to talk about how the Gospel needs to be shared, but who will do it if not you and I, and who better than you? Ask Carl Froling. Several years ago, shortly after she started attending the church, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Tony Campolo Is A Baptist Professor And Preacher ...

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Sep 6, 2007

Tony Campolo is a Baptist professor and preacher who has the gall to insist that we look at things, even sacred cows, from a truly Christian perspective. He’s a compelling motivational speaker who speaks to many kinds of audiences. He once was invited to speak at a sales conference sponsored by a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist