In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus Before Pilate"

Unsung Heroes: They Helped A Desperate Father

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 14, 2023

Introduction: True friends are those willing to help. These unsung heroes helped a desperate father bring his son to Jesus. Text, Mark 9:17-20a, KJV: 17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18 And wheresoever he taketh him, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:17-20

Tags: Jesus, Evil Spirits, Unsung Heroes

Denomination: Baptist

Fighting Temptation

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Oct 4, 2023

Have you seen the Kid’s Candy Challenge videos? • What happens in the Kid’s Candy Challenge is the parent tells their small child or children that they can have some candy • But they have to wait until mom or dad gets back • The candy is set right in front of them • Along with a phone to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Sin, Temptation, Jesus Cannot Sin

Denomination: Baptist

Behave Like Children

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

Warren Wiersbe writes, “We tell the children to behave like adults, but Jesus tells the adults to model ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-17

Tags: Jesus, Children, Child Like Faith

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Are The Synoptic Gospels?

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 15, 2026

We call Matthew, Mark, and Luke the Synoptic Gospels because they share a lot of the same content – “synoptic” means “common view.” They often include different ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36

Tags: Witness, Transfiguration Of Jesus, Synoptic Gospels

Denomination: Methodist

Fly To The Light  PRO

Contributed by Joe Bertone on Aug 20, 2012

FLY TO THE LIGHT Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky has this huge sanctuary that seats thousands upon thousands. Sometimes birds get in there. The facilities department has the job of trying to figure out how to get these birds out. The last thing you want Sunday morning is a bird ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12

Tags: Light, Darkness, Escape, Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Honeymoon With God

Contributed by Kevin Karhoff on Mar 15, 2013

Your honeymoon with God should never be over. Kyle ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:2

Tags: Surrender, Jesus Christ, Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Kyle Idleman On Waiting Until Later

Contributed by Kevin Karhoff on Mar 19, 2013

I suspect there are a lot of fans who feel okay about a half-hearted relationship with Jesus, because they have every intention of one day going all in and being completely committed. They don’t feel convicted about not following Jesus because in their minds they know that one day they will. They ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:59-60

Tags: Surrender, Jesus Christ, Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Kyle Idleman On Tomorrow

Contributed by Kevin Karhoff on Mar 19, 2013

When fans are asked about when they will get serious about their commitment to follow Jesus, the most common answer is tomorrow. There is a tendency to treat our relationship with Jesus like the diet we keep meaning to start. I'm going to start eating right, as soon as I finish off this chicken ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:59-60

Tags: Surrender, Jesus Christ, Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Son Of God  PRO

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 2, 2014

THE SON OF GOD "The SON OF GOD became a Man..........so that Men may become the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12

Tags: Jesus, Son Of God, Deity Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Atheism To Ben Hur

Contributed by Garris Hudson on May 19, 2016

FROM ATHEISM TO BEN HUR "After six years given to the impartial investigation of Christianity as to its truth or falsity, I have come to the deliberate conclusion that Jesus Christ was the Messiah of the Jews, the Savior of the world and my own personal Redeemer." -- General Lew Wallace, one-time ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:1

Tags: Conversion, Testimony, Jesus Christ, Atheism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is No Racial Distinction In The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Howard Gunter on Mar 29, 2017

All human beings are equally created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27). God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus to lay down His life for us (John 3:16). The “world” obviously includes all ethnic groups. I like to use the following illustration which works as well with ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27

Tags: Human Life, Jesus Died For All

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life's Challenges

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 18, 2017

Whenever I think about how difficult life is, I'm always reminded and encouraged by these two verses, especially this week. Imagine this: Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and God's only Son, who is about to be arrested and crucified for me ... prays for me. What if we treated one another like this ...read more

Scripture: John 17:11-12

Tags: Life Challenge, Servanthood, Faith In Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Baby Chased Away The Darkness

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Jul 25, 2018

Main Idea: Jesus was a baby that changed the whole world. Verse: “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman…” (Galatians 4:4 NKJV). Illustration: Once upon a time there was a village. In the village there lived many men. They were always mad at each ...read more

Tags: Salvation, Baby Jesus, Birth Of A Savior

Denomination: Charismatic

Faith Is Trust In God

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Aug 2, 2018

Main Idea: Putting your faith in Jesus is like sitting in a chair. Verse: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV). Illustration: (Point to a chair) Do you ...read more

Tags: Faith, Trust In Jesus, Faith And Belief

Denomination: Charismatic

What Child Is This?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 20, 2020

What Child is this? • To the seeker, He's the Way; • to the philosopher, He’s the Truth; • to the penitent, He’s the Life. • • He is Joshua's captain, • He is Moses' smitten rock, • He is Ruth’s Kinsman Redeemer, What Child is this? • He is David’s Covenant King, • He is Esther’s ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12

Tags: Messiah, Christmas, Jesus, Salvation, Prophecy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Names

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 9, 2022

Our country boasts 18 doctors named Dr. Doctor and another called Dr. Surgeon. Yes, we have a dermatologist titled Dr. Rash, a psychiatrist who goes by Dr. Couch, and an anesthesiologist named Dr. Gass. But when it came time to name Jesus, the Hebrew name, "Yeshua" has the same sound ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:21

Tags: Jesus, Name, Identity, Yeshua, Names  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Concept Of Grace  PRO

Contributed by Rick Labate on Feb 19, 2003

THE CONCEPT OF GRACE There is a great article that illustrates the concept of grace written by Charles Stanley. “One of my more memorable seminary professors had a practical way of illustrating to his students the concept of grace. At the end of his evangelism course he would distribute the exam ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, Matthew 13:1-9

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness In Jesus, Two Or Three, Surrender

Denomination: Adventist

The Phone Rang. Dad Put Down His Garden Tools, ...  PRO

Contributed by James Wilson on Oct 18, 2000

The phone rang. Dad put down his garden tools, wiped the sweat from his face and rushed into the house to grab the phone before its final ring. With his mind on his Saturday morning chores, he didn’t notice the sliding glass patio door was closed. Mom found him in a pool of blood with glass ...read more

Tags: Second Coming, Assurance Of Salvation, Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Baptist

During The War In Vietnam, A Young West Point ...  PRO

Contributed by Mary Lewis on Feb 12, 2001

During the war in Vietnam, a young West Point graduate was sent over to lead a group of new recruits into battle. He did his job well, trying his best to keep his from ambush and death. But one night when they had been under attack, he was unable to get just one of his men to safety. The soldier ...read more

Tags: God's Forgiveness, Forgiveness In Jesus, Lord's Supper

Denomination: Baptist

I've Fallen, And No One Will Help Me Out!  PRO

Contributed by Christopher Stanley on Aug 30, 2002

I'VE FALLEN, AND NO ONE WILL HELP ME OUT! I was watching The West Wing one day and heard this story from Leo McGarrey, the Chief of Staff. I have adapted it for use in a sermon with The Good Samaritan. A man is walking down the street one day when he falls into a hole. He cries out for help ...read more

Tags: Jesus Teachings, Parable Good Samaritan, Compassion

Denomination: Methodist