In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus Is Coming"

Chillin Ain’t What I Thought It Was

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 3, 2020

Last week the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage came up with a brilliant idea. At least, at the time, it seemed brilliant. “Why don’t we,” she began, “take Monday off and just chill?” Since it's been a long time since I did any chillin, I had to ask her, "What do we chill ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Humor, Vacation, Day Off

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It’s All Over But The Lying

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 28, 2020

The one thing I don't like is when somebody deliberately lies to me. Trust me; this has happened quite a few times in my life. Sometimes, by accident, they say something that isn't true; they just got their facts mixed up. Other times, it’s a ploy to deceive me and get something from ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 120:2

Tags: Christmas, Truth, Lying

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What’s Pete Got To Do With Anything?

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 20, 2021

If there's anybody that can be conned, it's Yours Truly. It's not so much that I'm stupid; I'm just naïve. I believe when somebody says something, they mean exactly what they say. So, if you can't swindle me, you might as well hang it up and get a real job. I must ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:12-13

Tags: Blame, Accusations

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

These Old Bones Of Mine

Contributed by James Snyder on May 20, 2023

I had a frightening experience the other day. I know I must be getting old because things that never frightened me before frighten me. I also see things I never saw before. Going into the bathroom one morning, I looked in the mirror, and my grandfather looked back at me. I almost passed out. With ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:8, Psalm 34:20

Tags: Joy, Age, Humor, Bones

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Practice Makes Perfect Tjbts

Contributed by Blake Henson on Jun 6, 2023

Practice makes perfect shows that without good practice you can't expect to succeed in sports, but the same is true in your Christian life also. You can't just half prepare and expect to be a successful Christian. URL: https://youtu.be/eI92sWLcDIo SUMMARY In this video we see two teams. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:14

Tags: Christian Walk, How To Get Stronger

Knowing Everything Is A Blessing And A Curse

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 5, 2023

If you ever spent more than five minutes with me, you would conclude that I do not know everything. I would agree 100%. It is not bad that I don't know everything. I know today more than I knew ten years ago, if that is any consolation. The thing that is surprising to me is that I do not ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5

Tags: Blessing, Curse

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Didn’t Lose My Marbles They Just Retired

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 24, 2024

For some people, getting old is a real challenge. And it probably is for many people, but it hasn't been too much of an issue for me. Don't let this get out, but getting old has been more of a blessing than a curse for me. I thought it would be terrible and didn't know what I would do ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 143:5

Tags: Age, Memory

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Unwanted Items—the Ark Of The Covenant

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 16, 2025

Unwanted Items—The Ark of the Covenant Introduction: To “frame” this illustration, we’d need to look at a couple of chapters in 1 Samuel. In chapter 4, the writer tells us of Israel’s decision, foolish as it was, to bring the Ark of the Covenant out of the Tabernacle and down to the battlefield. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 5:1-12

Tags: Philistines, Ark Of The Covenant, Unwanted Items

Denomination: Baptist

A Story Of Hudson Taylor

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

Hudson Taylor began the study of medicine as well as Greek, Hebrew, and Latin. He realized, however, that the most important preparation of all must take place in the realm of his own soul. In China he would have to depend utterly upon his Lord for protection, supplies -- everything. Lest a ...read more

Scripture: John 14:13-26

Tags: Hudson Taylor, Trust

Denomination: Anglican

Getting Old Is Not As Bad As I Thought

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 6, 2026

Dr. James L. Snyder I was celebrating and eating an Apple Fritter. I'm not sure what I was celebrating at the time, but it doesn't matter as long as I'm celebrating with an Apple Fritter. Life has its way of opening up doors of celebration. While I was in this celebratory mood, I ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:29

Tags: Old Age, Grey Hair

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Runaway Elephant

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 23, 2025

When I was about five years old, my family lived in a far-away country called Burma—a warm, green land filled with rice fields, parrots, and elephants that helped people pull heavy logs out of the forest. Burma even has towns with funny names like Maymyo and Meowmya—names that sound as if cats ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:11-12, Psalm 121:7-8, Isaiah 41:10, Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Protection, Trust, Angels, Courage

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Unexpected Grace  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 26, 2002

UNEXPECTED GRACE I left work early so I could have some uninterrupted study time right before the final in my Youth Issues class. When I got to class, everybody was doing their last minute studying. The teacher came in and said he would review with us for just a little bit before the test. We went ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10

Tags: Grace, God's Provision

Chris Had A Vision To Share The Gospel With Every ...

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Nov 11, 2002

Chris had a vision to share the gospel with every student at Dunwoody high school. Problem was that Chris was a skater and had very few friends. But he did have a great dream. Mark grew up in Miami with his mom. His folks split up and he moved to Atlanta, when he became a teen be fell to alcohol ...read more

Tags: Sharing My Testimony, Sharing Your Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Had An Experience Just This Week Of God ...  PRO

Contributed by David Haun on Dec 21, 2003

We had an experience just this week of God stepping in when a call is given. The miracle started about two weeks ago when I "accidentally" came across an account of a new movie showing in selected theaters. The movie was reviewed as one of the best in recent years and was titled "The Gospel of ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are We There Yet? (06.28.05--Direction--John ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 28, 2005

Are We There Yet? (06.28.05--Direction--John 21:11-14 ) WHen I’m There, will I know that I am there? When we finally reach that point in life where all things finally work together and we’ve arrived at our life’s goal, that place where the many years of education, accumulated wisdom and just plain ...read more

Scripture: John 21:11-14

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Lutheran

Let Go Of That Balloon! (07.08.05--Joy Every ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 6, 2005

Let Go of That Balloon! (07.08.05--Joy Every Day--Ecclesiastes 11:1-6) Carpe diem! Engraved in the keystone of the old fellowship hall I passed every day on my way to the office, I had glanced at it countless times. But on this particular day, with my youngest daughter in the car, her question ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Tags: Joy

Denomination: Lutheran

Two Ships In The Night! (07.18.05--Pride--Numbers ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 14, 2005

Two Ships in the Night! (07.18.05--Pride--Numbers 22:29) There’s a time to be right and a time to be righteous. That’s what the old farmer told me as I hefted the last hay bale into the loft. I had just had an encounter with a bully at school and I was feeling both peeked and embattled at the ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:29

Tags: Wait, Worship, Christian Love, Christian Disciplines, Patience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

Foot In Mouth Disease! (07.20.05--Pride--John ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 19, 2005

Foot In Mouth Disease! (07.20.05--Pride--John 7:51) Open mouth, insert foot! There are few times in life more embarrassing than when we say something we didn’t mean to say or let something slip that should not have been said. On the occasion of a recent birthday in our household, I was given ...read more

Scripture: John 7:51

Tags: Humility, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Lutheran

In Donald Miller's Book "Blue Like Jazz," He Has ...  PRO

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Aug 4, 2005

In Donald Miller’s book “Blue Like Jazz,” he has a chapter called “Love: How to Really Love Other People” He was at a lecture by Greg Spencer that talked about the metaphors that we use around (amongst other things) relationships. We talk about how we value people, invest in people, how we say ...read more

Tags: Compassion, Unconditional Love

Denomination: *other

Do Some Screaming! (09.15.05--Heavenly ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Sep 13, 2005

Do Some Screaming! (09.15.05--Heavenly Citizens!--1 Cor 15:31) The hog-nose snake flipped over on its back and coiled itself up into a neat coil. It lay seemingly lifeless in front of us somehow waiting for us to either move on or dare to pick it up. Banking on the former, I am sure it was pleased ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:31

Tags: Discipleship, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Lutheran