In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus Came"

John Denver's Lost Opportunity

Contributed by Garris Hudson on May 23, 2016

JOHN DENVER’S LOST OPPORTUNITY One day in a frequent flyer room, I looked over and saw John Denver. It was pretty obvious with his distinct features and signature guitar that it was him. I went over and said, "John!" He jumped up, stuck out his hand and said, "I haven’t seen you in a while." I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Evangelism, Salvation, Witnessing, Lost

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Solar Powered

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Apr 27, 2021

The other day I was sitting on my back porch. On my porch is a bird bath with a small solar-powered fountain. The fountain only works when the sun is directly on it and, since that day was a clear day, the fountain was operating at full steam. As I was sitting enjoying the day a brief passing ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12

Tags: Spirit, John, Light, Power, Life, Darkness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[269]. A Message From A Poem – The Hem Of His Garment

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 20, 2026

[269]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT This is a short poem resulting from thinking about just what a small touch did. I can imagine this woman being hesitant and withdrawing in shyness, hoping she’d be cured but nor causing trouble. However the Lord knew all things. God knows ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:19-22, Matthew 9:4, 1 Samuel 16:7

Tags: Fringe, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Touched His Garment, 12 Years Bleeding, Faith, Healing, Wholeness, Hem, Touch  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In A Prayer Letter To His Supporters Billy Graham ...  PRO

Contributed by Tony Britt on Feb 6, 2002

In a prayer letter to his supporters Billy Graham told this Story: there was a mother in an African nation who came to Christ and grew in her commitment and devotion to the Lord. As so often happens, however, this alienated her from her husband, and over the years he grew to despise and hate her ...read more

Tags: God's Omnipotence, Repentance

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Heard A Story About 2 Boys That Were Members Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 27, 2002

I heard a story about 2 boys that were members of the same diving team at school, Bill Duncan and Joey Miller. They practiced diving together and Bill knew that he was just a mediocre diver but he was so proud of his friend Joey who was an excellent diver. The problem was that in practice Joey was ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness General, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Christian Church

Let The Walls Come Down!  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 10, 2002

LET THE WALLS COME DOWN! One of the greatest all-time blunders in history took place in East Germany. Erich Honecker, the iron-fisted East German leader, stepped down due to an illness and was replaced by a reformer, Egon Krenz. Just before a news conference, with mass demonstrations in Berlin ...read more

Tags: Humanity Of Christ, Christmas

We Were On Shipboard," Relates A Captain's Wife, ...

Contributed by Steve Smith on Jan 6, 2007

"We were on shipboard," relates a captain’s wife, "lying on side from storm in a Southern harbor. We were obliged, first to make our way ashore. The waves were rolling heavily. I became frightened at the thought of attempting it, when one came to me, saying, ’Do not be afraid: I will take care of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Soren Kierkegaard, The Great Danish Theologian Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Soren Kierkegaard, the great Danish theologian of another century, tells the story of a prince who was running an errand for his father one day in the local village. As he did so, he passed through a very poor section of the town. Looking through the window of his carriage, he saw a beautiful young ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Why Did God Become A Man?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

WHY DID GOD BECOME A MAN? Why would the Son of God want to become human? What would possess Him to leave His eternal home to enter this world plagued by pain and sorrow? Why would He give up the worship of angels to endure abuse at the hands of sinful man? Why did God become a man? Max Lucado in ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Because The Prince Had Come  PRO

Contributed by J.d. Tutell on Jan 13, 2012

BECAUSE THE PRINCE HAD COME A man named Phillip Keller was born in Kenya and then moved to the United States. To describe this principle he tells the story of the growing up there. The majority of people did not really think of themselves as subjects of the King of England. After all they ...read more

Tags: Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Baptist

A Pastor's Dream Of His Own Worship Service  PRO

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 28, 2014

A PASTOR’S DREAM OF HIS OWN WORSHIP SERVICE The story is told of a pastor of a large church who had a dream one night that really opened his eyes. He dreamed that he could see his own church worship service on Sunday morning. But there was something very strange happening. The choir was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

Tags: Church, Worship, Devotion, Intimacy With God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dead Man Walking

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 25, 2025

In some of the Maximum-Security Prisons in the United States ... when a prisoner is taken to be executed ... the guard that is leading the procession continual shouts out, ... "Dead man walking". It means, ...to clear the way ... to quiet down ... for this prisoner is on their last walk ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:15, Romans 5:12

Tags: Sin, Cross, Prison, Slave, Dead, Walking, World, Death  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Bible Leads Brazilian Prostitutes To ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 10, 2010

Bible Leads Brazilian Prostitutes to Christ "Pastor is it OK to sell a Bible to a prostitute?" You see Laura was a member of a small church in Brazil. She sold Avon products to supplement the family income. One of her weekly routes took her through the red light district. One day after asking her ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Tags: Bible Influence

The Parable Of The Fig Tree  PRO

Contributed by Ty Tamasaka on Jul 26, 2011

THE PARABLE OF THE FIG TREE 6 "Then Jesus told this story: 'A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. 7 Finally, he said to his gardener, 'I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:6-9

Tags: Suffering Joy In

Denomination: Other

In An Atmosphere Of Calm—communion Mediation  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Rogers on Dec 10, 2001

IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF CALM-- Communion Mediation Lucinda Norman, in an article for Lookout magazine, describes her Christmas shopping experience at a busy mall. People had been pushing, elbowing and cutting in front of her all day. Hardly able to take it anymore, she says, “During a 10-minute ...read more

Tags: Peace, Christmas

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Power Of Forgiveness

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 10, 2025

Our sins, transgressions, and iniquities can manifest in our physical bodies. In Matthew 9:2, Jesus tells a paralyzed man, "Your sins are forgiven. Take up your bed and go." He got up! In 30+ years of ministry, I have seen plenty of folks receive healing from physical problems caused ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:2, Ephesians 4:32

Tags: Forgiveness, Healing

Denomination: Methodist

Pastor Neimoller A Doctor In Nazi Germany Wrote ...  PRO

Contributed by Johnny Small on Mar 4, 2002

Pastor Neimoller a doctor in Nazi Germany wrote the following poem prior to World War II. It has a message that we need to consider today. In Germany they first came for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up ...read more

Tags: Holidays Civic, Justice, Independence Day, Social Justice, Political Freedom, Needy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

How To Receive The Lord's Righteousness - A Terrific Trade

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 29, 2025

This is David's message to us in Psalm 37:5-6, where he tells us to trust in the Lord. David said, "Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday." *How is the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: Horrible Times, Shelter, God's Peace, Rest, Hardships, Cares, Cast Your Cares, Evil, Trust, Suffering, Trusting God, Righteousness, Rejoice, Pain, Peace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Many Years Ago Charles G. Finney Was Preaching In ...  PRO

Contributed by John Dobbs on Mar 2, 2001

Many years ago Charles G. Finney was preaching in Rochester, New York. Far up in the balcony was a brilliant and able lawyer. He was chief justice of the court of New York. As he listened to the minister, he became convicted of his need to follow Christ. "That man is speaking the truth," he said ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-26, John 15:1-11

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Confession Of Sin, Emotions

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Was Talking To A Pastor Friend On The Phone ...

Contributed by Andrew Hamilton on Oct 26, 2002

I was talking to a pastor friend on the phone recently and he said listen to this – ‘who is this denomination? See if you can guess. I am a newly formed denomination that has been in existence for a few decades. We came out of the mainstream church because we didn’t believe there was enough ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance