In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus Before Pilate"

In Appreciation

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Sep 17, 2011

IN APPRECIATION In Enterprise, Alabama, you will see one of the most unusual monuments ever built. It is a monument to honor the boll weevil, the little insect that nearly destroyed the cotton on which the town's economy depended. Why a monument to so destructive an insect? Because before the ...read more

Tags: God Brings Purpose

Denomination: Baptist

Infinite Wisdom

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 12, 2012

INFINITE WISDOM An angel appears at a faculty meeting and tells the dean, "In return for your unselfish and exemplary behavior, the Lord will reward you with your choice of infinite wealth, wisdom, or beauty." "Give me infinite wisdom!" declares the dean, without hesitation. Done!" says the ...read more

Tags: Wisdom

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

When Was The Last Time You Took Some Time Out To ...

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 3, 2007

When was the last time you took some time out to play the age-old children’s game, “Who am I? Well, after the sermon this morning you will be able to tell all of your friends that you last played it at church during the worship service. That is how we are going to start out this morning, with a ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

I Am…  PRO

Contributed by Rev Dr Randall M Deal Sr on Mar 16, 2008

I am… BLESSED when I come in and BLESSED when I go out (Deut 28:6) SAFE wherever I go (Psa 91:11) REDEEMED from the hand of the enemy (Psa 107:2) The SALT of the earth (Matt 5:13) The LIGHT of the world (Matt 5:14) VALUABLE! (Matt 10:31) Exercising my AUTHORITY over the enemy (Luke 10:19) VALUABLE ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Some Missionary Bible Translators Were Working ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Jul 10, 2001

SOME MISSIONARY BIBLE TRANSLATORS were working very hard to find a word for peace in a primitive tribal language. At last, a native who was working with them found a combination of words that had the concept—“a heart that sits down.” So ...read more

Tags: Fear And Worry, Peace, God Brings Hope

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Air War  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 24, 2002

THE AIR WAR It was said of Desert Storm, “the air war won the ground war.” The fervent, faithful praying of a few in a well-developed prayer center can win the ground war for the troops of Christians going out into their places of work and ...read more

Once At A Meeting, Some Young People Were ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Jul 26, 2003

Once at a meeting, some young people were discussing the text, “ye are the salt of the earth.” They were suggesting uses of salt, and the meaning. Salt gives flavor to food. It preserves food to keep it from decaying. Then one girl said, salt makes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13, Matthew 5:13

Tags: Growth In Christ, Basics Of Christianity, Sharing Your Faith

Denomination: Baptist

Dr. Harry Ironside Used To Tell About A Group Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Henes on Jun 23, 2004

Dr. Harry Ironside used to tell about a group of believers who thought only of "fellowship." They had little concern for reaching the lost or for defending the faith against its enemies. In front of their meeting place they hung a sign: JESUS ONLY. But the wind blew away some of ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

My Dad Had A Set Of Metallic Dog Figures And Used ...

Contributed by Charles Salmon on Apr 25, 2005

My dad had a set of metallic dog figures and used to amaze us kids by putting the dogs on a table then moving a powerful magnet under the table. The "dogs" would move as the magnet drew them to itself. Just so, Jesus, ...read more

Tags: Cross Agony

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ