In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus In The Midst"

Two Boys

Contributed by Ray Mckendry on Mar 12, 2019

Two Boys Two young boys are playing happily in the garden and are great companions for some time, but then something bad happens. One boy gets ill and is stunted and is never the same again, while the other one grows to full and healthy mature manhood even though he suffers far more than his sick ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:15, Ephesians 2:16

Tags: Reconciliation, Jesus' Cross

Denomination: Baptist

Not Afraid To Offend God

Contributed by Jw Worcester on Feb 8, 2021

The true “Lord’s Prayer” is John 17, also sometimes called the High Priestly Prayer. In verses 1 – 20 Jesus had already prayed for Himself and His mission. He also prayed for His disciples. Jesus prayed this prayer before Jesus and the disciples left for the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was ...read more

Scripture: John 17:22, John 17:24

Tags: Grieve, Knowing Jesus

Calling Me Home

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 13, 2023

I want you all to go back in time with me for a moment when you were a child. We didn’t have xbox, or playstation, or video games. We actually went outside and played face to face with our friends. If you were like me, you'd gather with your friends in the neighborhood and would be out most ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:23-31

Tags: Expectant, Jesus' Voice

Denomination: Baptist

Look!

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Dec 30, 2024

E. Stanley Jones, Methodist Doctor and Missionary to India once wrote: The early Christians did not say: "Look what the world has come to!" - but, "Look what has come to the world." They saw not merely the ruin, but the resource for the reconstruction of that ruin. They ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14

Tags: Jesus, Gospel, Incarnation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joseph: The Portrait Of Christ (Bible Gateway)

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jan 4, 2025

Joseph: the Portrait of CHRIST (Bible Gateway) The Life of Joseph Genesis 30:24 – Genesis 50:26 1. A shepherd. 2. Loved by his father. 3. Sent unto his brethren 4. Hated by his brothers. 5. Prophesied his coming glory. 6. Rejected by his brothers. 7. Endured unjust punishment from his brothers. 8. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 30:24, Genesis 50:26

Tags: Jesus, Joseph, Comparison

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lead By Example

Contributed by John Bright on Oct 3, 2025

Lead by example. This is different than ordering folks around. When James and John ask for places of authority, Jesus warns them against acting like the world. Jesus describes what it will look like in the church: Mark 10:43-45 “43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:43-45

Tags: Jesus, Example, Authority

Denomination: Methodist

The Pit

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 18, 2026

The Pit man fell into a pit and couldn't get himself out. A subjective person came along and said: "I feel for you down there." An objective person came along and said: "It's logical that someone would fall down there." A Pharisee said: "Only bad people fall into ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-27

Tags: Jesus, Helping Others

Denomination: Methodist

One Saturday Afternoon A Father And His Six-Year ...  PRO

Contributed by Brent Zastrow on Apr 18, 2001

One Saturday afternoon a father and his six-year old son Mickey were fishing near a bridge by the Kokomo Reservoir when a woman lost control of her car, slid off the bridge and hit Mikey at a rate of about 50 mph. Sheriff Marr, the boys grandfather, had seen the results of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 9:10

Tags: Saint, Miracles Of Jesus, Jesus Christ, God's Provision

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Crisis Of All Religion  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mavis on Jul 23, 2001

THE CRISIS OF ALL RELIGION Jesus is unique....This is highlighted in the ministry of a well-known missionary in India, Dr. E. Stanley Jones. Jones often lectured to Hindu audiences having Hindus as chairmen of the meetings. On one such occasion the chairman was a chief minister of state. During ...read more

Tags: Apologetics Jesus, World Religions, Testimonies About Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Looking For The Father  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Aug 30, 2001

LOOKING FOR THE FATHER Author Michael Green writes: Only Jesus fully understands God the Father. Great people have discovered and taught many true and noble things about God. Nobody has known him with the intimacy of Jesus, who could call him Abba, "dear daddy." When that holy man, Mahatma ...read more

Tags: World Religions, Testimonies About Jesus, Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In May 1897 The Demise Of Author Mark Twain Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Tim George on Jan 8, 2002

In May 1897 the demise of author Mark Twain was reported a bit too early. When the news reached Mr. Twain he was reported to have said, “The news of my death has been greatly exaggerated.” Had someone thought to go to Mark Twain himself they would have know he was ...read more

Tags: Apologetics Jesus, Testimonies About Jesus, Messianic Prophecies

Denomination: Baptist

Crosses Are Heavy  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 11, 2002

CROSSES ARE HEAVY In March of 1997, Scott Mathews wanted the young people of Carthage, Missouri to understand the love of God. The theme for youth group that month was, “The Cross.” So they built a 500 lb, 8 by 14 foot redwood cross. It took ten students to move it. Crosses are heavy, you ...read more

Tags: Jesus Christ, Forgiveness In Jesus, Easter Good Friday

A Stone From The Old West

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 11, 2014

THE PRECIOUS STONE NO ONE SAW Back when the Old West was being settled, pioneers flocked across the country to California and Oregon. In one particular spot on the Eastern slopes of the Rockies there was a large, dirt covered rock protruding in the middle of the trail. Wagon wheels were broken on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Tags: Jesus Christ, Capstone, Rejecting Christ, Jesus Is Cornerstone

Staring At The Great Stone Face

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 2, 2023

Perhaps you remember Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story about the great stone face. A little lad lived in a village where there was a mountain with a rock formation which they called the great stone face. The people had a legend that someday someone would come to the village who would look like the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4, Hebrews 12:1-3

Tags: Glory, Jesus, Worship, Vision, Focus, Looking To Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Was Salome?

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

By comparing Matt. 27:56 with John 19:25, it seems likely that Salome was sister to Mary (Jesus’ mother). “By inference from the other Gospel accounts, Salome is also identified with the mother of the sons of Zebedee (Mt. 27:56) and with the sister of Mary the mother of Jesus…. (John 19:25)… If ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:56, John 19:25, Mark 10:35-40

Tags: Jesus' Family, Mary's Sister, Jesus' Aunt, Salome

Denomination: Independent/Bible

If Jesus Is Like My Daddy, I Don't Want Him In My Life.

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 1, 2023

When I was pastoring in Texas, I was asked by one of our AWANA leaders to come to her group and talk to a little girl who really wanted to meet her pastor. She had a question for me. So, I paused what I was doing and found my way to where her group met in our church. The little girl was so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Evangelism, Fear, Children, Parents, Trust, Divorce, Assurance, Promises Of God, Fathers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Missionary Had Arrived In A Small Chinese ...  PRO

Contributed by Danny Pinksen on Jun 28, 2001

A missionary had arrived in a small Chinese town. After she arrived, she soon noticed that a gang of bandits had just destroyed the little town and everything in it. Then a native Christian, showed the missionary the ruins of his home; a burnt roof and structure, and furniture, all turned to ashes. ...read more

Tags: Joy, Birth Of Jesus, Christmas Advent

Denomination: Holiness

The Cross Made The Difference

Contributed by David Simpson on Apr 20, 2020

I (David Simpson) grew up as part of the spiritual family of Hardwick Christian Church. Along with my parents and sisters, I learned about Jesus and Bible there. I don’t ever remember a Sunday throughout my childhood and into my teen years when I was not in that church building and doing life with ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:5, John 3:16

Tags: Communion, Good Friday, Cross, Lord's Supper, Blood Of Jesus, Cross Of Jesus, Sacrifice Of Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

Singer Michael Card Wrote A Song Called The ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Dec 7, 2000

Singer Michael Card wrote a song called The Promise, and he wrote a little Christmas devotional on this theme: He noted: Christianity is founded on a promise. Faith involves waiting on a promise. Our hope is based on a promise. Promises are made with words. … .that part of myself that goes ...read more

Tags: Christmas Advent, Birth Of Jesus, Advent, Hope, Forgiveness In Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Again, There’s A Great Deal Of Internet ...  PRO

Contributed by Kyle Meador on Jan 2, 2001

Again, there’s a great deal of Internet research and revisionist thinking going on about these characters in the Christmas story. Some of have suggested that things would have been considerably different if these wise men had actually instead been wise women. And things sure would have been ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:40, Acts 16:40, Acts 16:29-31, Philippians 2:5-11, Acts 16:9-27, Acts 16:16-34  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Wall, Birth Of Jesus, Christmas, Mirror, Mary Jesus Mother  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational