In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus Before Pilate"

I Don't Want To Be One!

Contributed by Christopher Gregas on Sep 8, 2012

I DON'T WANT TO BE ONE! There was a pastor that was giving a "children’s sermon" to all the young children. And as they sate before him, a bright-eyed three-year-old girl listened intently as he explained that God wanted them all to get along and love each other. "God wants us all to be one," he ...read more

Tags: Unity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

That's All I Want

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Mar 2, 2013

THAT'S ALL I WANT Here, I am prompted to share a humorous yet insightful Church story involving a Sunday school girl. Given the task of reciting the first verse of Psalm 23 before a huge Church crowd (including her anxious parents), this girl is said to have uttered unwittingly out of nervousness ...read more

Tags: Trust

Denomination: *other

If He Gets Loose

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Apr 20, 2013

IF HE GETS LOOSE The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel mic. Unlike todays wireless mics, this had a wire attached to it. He was an energetic preacher and as he preached, he swung his hands and he moved briskly about the platform, jerking the mic cord as he went. Then he moved to one side, ...read more

Tags: Preaching

Denomination: Brethren

John The Baptist And The Mandaeans

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 6, 2013

JOHN THE BAPTIST AND THE MANDAEANS One religion exists to this day that reveres John as their main prophet: The Mandaeans were originally native speakers of Mandaic, a Semitic language that evolved from Eastern Middle Aramaic, before switching to colloquial Iraqi Arabic and Modern Persian. ...read more

Tags: John The Baptist

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Raptured?

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 16, 2014

Herbert Washington, whom co-workers at Significant Plastics Inc. say was unduly concerned with the rapture and the second coming of Christ, suffered a serious heart attack when co-workers pretended they’d been caught away without him. "We didn’t mean to scare him to death," said one woman. "He’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Tags: Second Coming, Rapture

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Anger Where There Should Be Joy

Contributed by Christopher Sweeney on Feb 19, 2017

When I was five years old, my sister was born. My brother’s birthday was March 7 and mine was October 6th. The logic of a five-year-old was that the older person’s birthday came earlier in the year. So when my little sister was born on August 9th before my birthday, I was naturally upset. Instead ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Tags: Joy, Anger, Selfish, Jealousy, Jealously  (view more)  (view less)

Watch Where Your Mouth Steps

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 1, 2020

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Before you condemn a person for losing a battle with their personal demons be sure you count your own battles and losses. No ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1

Tags: Condemnation, Battles

Denomination: Baptist

A Prerequisite To Forgiveness

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2022

A pastor finished his message early one Sunday and he wanted to check his congregation’s understanding. So he asked, “Can anyone tell me what you must do before you can obtain forgiveness of sin?” There was a short pause and then, from the back of the room, a small boy spoke up, “You have to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:32-35

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness

Let The Lion Out

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on May 23, 2023

Charles Spurgeon on preaching the Word: There seems to be to have been twice as much done in some ages in defending the Bible as in expounding it, but if the whole of our strength shall henceforth go to the exposition and spreading of it, we may leave it pretty much to defend itself. I do not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 19:7-11, Deuteronomy 8:1-5

Tags: Bible, Gospel, Truth, Preaching

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Loving Congregation

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 2, 2025

This is the greatest need we have in the local congregation today – to be seen as a place where love for on another is present. What does that look like? A quote from St. Francis of Assisi: “Blessed is the servant who loves his brother as much when he is sick and useless as when he is well and an ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35, 1 Peter 4:8

Tags: Love, St Francis Of Assisi

Denomination: Methodist

Excuses

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 4, 2025

Police officers probably get more excuses than anybody (other than God). Here are some I found around the internet: “Sorry officer, I was throwing those beer cans out the window so my wife won’t see how much I drank tonight.” 😊 “If you are going to write me a ticket, please do it quickly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:18-20

Tags: Excuses, Police

Denomination: Methodist

A Boy Came Home From Sunday School And His Mother ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Nov 25, 2001

A boy came home from Sunday school and His Mother said, "What did you discuss at Church?" The boy said, "Marriage"! His Mother said inquisitively, "What did you learn about marriage?" The little boy thought for a moment and ...read more

Tags: Commitment, Communication, Conflict, Marriage General, Marriage Struggle, Romantic Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A 3-Year-Old Boy Found A Quarter In The Driveway ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 15, 2002

A 3-year-old boy found a quarter in the driveway as he and his family were leaving to go to church one morning. When they returned home, he pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to his mother. “You can have ...read more

One Of England's Greatest Preachers, W. E. ...  PRO

Contributed by Martin Wiles on May 9, 2002

One of England’s greatest preachers, W. E. Sangster, in Let Me Command, said, “The easiest way to embarrass a congregation of twentieth century Christians is to ask them two simple questions. ‘When is the last time you ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of, Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Baptist

The Star Of Bethlehem  PRO

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Dec 2, 2003

THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM Bill Keane’s comic strip, Family Circus, has communicated a beautiful truth about Christmas. As the children were setting up their nativity set, little Dolly held up the baby Jesus and declared, “Here’s the ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Christmas Advent

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Are Now Raised Up With Christ, And Therefore ...

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jun 10, 2004

"We are now raised up with Christ, and therefore since He is far above all things, we are to allow our minds and hearts to be transformed so that we no longer seek and pursue the things that are passing away. We are to be focusing on and seeking ...read more

Tags: Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Orthodox

I Like This Quote - "What Establishes ...

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Aug 7, 2004

I like this quote - “What establishes preeminence in the Christian community is not office, title, or territory, not the charismatic gifts of tongues, healing or inspired preaching, but only our response to Jesus’ question ‘Do you love Me?’ “ says, ...read more

Tags: Confession Of Sin, Faith General, Repentance

Denomination: Evangelical Free

It Is Clear From Acts 2 That The Members Of The ...

Contributed by Jay Robison on Aug 30, 2004

It is clear from Acts 2 that the members of the early church depended on one another. They were unified and interconnected. As a church today, we depend on one another. We are a family. I depend on you for an example of holiness, for enthusiasm about what we are ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Baptist

Evangelism Is Nothing More Or Less Than The ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 28, 2004

Evangelism is nothing more or less than the Christian’s honest response by testimony and actions to the forgiving love of God known and experienced through the life, death, and resurection of Jesus. It is, first of all, an expression of joy, gratitude, and praise. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15

Tags: What Is Evangelism?, Sharing My Testimony

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wash Me!" Was The Anguished Prayer Of King ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 15, 2005

“Wash me!” was the anguished prayer of King David. “Wash!” was the message of John the Baptist. “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me,” said the towel-draped Jesus to Peter. Without our being washed clean, we ...read more

Tags: Repentance