In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus Our Shepherd"

Traditions  PRO

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Jul 7, 2009

TRADITIONS When the Shema prayer (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) was recited during a service at an old synagogue in Eastern Europe, half the congregation stood up and half remained sitting. The half that was seated started yelling at those standing to sit down, and the ones standing yelled at the ones ...read more

Tags: Bitterness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

People Who Claim To Have Faith And Yet Are Simply ...

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Dec 3, 2009

PEOPLE WHO CLAIM TO HAVE FAITH AND YET ARE SIMPLY FILLED WITH PIOUS GOOD WISHES TO THOSE IN NEED (CHRISTIAN BROTHER) WITHOUT GOOD ACTIONS GIVE TO THE LIE OF PIOUS WORDS. THE THOUGHT ONLY COUNTS IF SOMETHING TANGIBLE IS DONE TO HELP THE INDIVIDUAL. OUR FAITH BECOMES AN ACT MAKE PRETEND. IT SPEAKS ...read more

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Baptist

There Is A Statement That Says

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Dec 21, 2009

There is a statement that says “Perception is reality.” I think that means that one’s understanding is taken as reality, even when it is perverted and false. Here’s an example: Some early studies concerned with prejudice show that we’re quite capable of reordering our perceptions of the world ...read more

Tags: Truth

Denomination: Pentecostal

Imagine A Very Dangerous Rope Jungle Bridge (As ...

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Jan 13, 2010

IMAGINE A VERY DANGEROUS ROPE JUNGLE BRIDGE (AS THE LAW) WE MUST CROSS IT – BUT WE COULD NEVER DO IT OURSELVES BECAUSE ITS SO DANGEROUS TO CROSS ONE FALSE STEP AND WE WILL PERISH INTO THE CHASEM – BUT WE HAVE A GUIDE WHO GOES BEFORE US (CHRIST) HE HAS CROSSED THE BRIDGE BEFORE AND HAS ALWAYS ...read more

Tags: Fulfillment

Denomination: Baptist

The Joy Of Citizenship

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on Mar 15, 2011

THE JOY OF CITIZENSHIP Arnold Schwarzenegger once said: "As long as I live, I will never forget that day 21 years ago when I raised my hand and took the oath of citizenship. Do you know how proud I was? I was so proud that I walked around with an American flag around my shoulders all day long." ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:17-22

Tags: Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Lutheran

I Want To Be Pretty  PRO

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Jan 24, 2012

I WANT TO BE PRETTY "I want to be pretty." This is the title of a popular tv program that was airing when we lived in Poland. It was a reality tv show in which in every episode you follow the changes of two women who are the heroes of the program. Each of these women work with a team of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:30

Tags: Faith, Love, Beauty, Faithfulness, Patience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

The Security Of A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 3, 2012

THE SECURITY OF A FORTRESS Deep in the Arabian desert is a small fortress. It stands on the edge of the desert. It was at this place that Thomas Lawrence, also known as “Lawrence of Arabia”, used to seek shelter. Though it wasn’t a beautiful place, it was a great place because of its security. It ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:1-3

Tags: Security

Standard Of Comparison  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 27, 2012

STANDARD OF COMPARISON Michael Green, in his book Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, shares a good lesson which I think is appropriate for beginning our message this evening. He states: All of us frequently compare ourselves favorably with someone else. We all think of someone whom we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16, Exodus 7:8-23

Tags: Holiness

The Vastness Of Space

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jan 2, 2015

I have read that the nearest star to our sun is called Proxima Centauri, and it’s about 4.22 light years away. As you know, a light year is not a measurement of time; it is a measurement of distance. Light is the fastest thing we know of, and a light year is how far it takes light to travel in a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-23

Tags: Creation, Astronomy

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Asking The Visitor To Leave

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018

Note: This story is told from my perspective - Jim Butcher of Madison WV. I was visiting with one of our long-time members a few months ago and she related an interesting story about her visit to Madison Baptist decades ago. Rosemary was sitting along the aisle, waiting on the service to begin, ...read more

Tags: Church, Worship, Welcome, Greeting, Welcoming  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

What Great Men Said About The Bible

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

List to what great men in the past have said about the Bible. Abraham Lincoln: "I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book." W. E. Gladstone: "I have known ninety-five of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Truth, Word Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Evel Knievel Fell Short Of The Goal

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 19, 2023

One of the fads of 1970s America was the motorcycle jump. This trend reached its high (and low) point on September 8, 1974. Thousands of spectators gathered around the Snake River Canyon in Idaho to see if Evel Knievel could jump across the chasm in a specially designed “sky cycle.” In the end, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23

Tags: Sinners, Sin, Judgment, Failure, Sinful Nature, Glory Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Heaven, Not Earth Is My Home.

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Jul 4, 2023

In his book, "The Treasure Principle" Randy Alcorn says that the greatest deterrent to giving is the illusion that Earth is our home. He tells the following story. Suppose your home is in France and you're visiting America for three months, living in a hotel. You're told that you ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:13, 2 Corinthians 5:20, Luke 12:15, Revelation 19:7-9

Tags: Money, Heaven, Home, Rewards, Treasures  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Six Ways To Be A Modern Day Barnabas

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 2, 2023

Below are six ways to encourage someone. When was the last time you encouraged someone in any of the following ways? Have you ignored some gentle promptings by the Spirit to encourage someone? Perhaps today you might ask God to whom you might send a note or make a call? Yes, dear brother or ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:36

Tags: Encouragement, Barnabas, Serving, Ministry To Others, Volunteers, Fellowship, Support, Giving  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joy In The Circumstances Of Life

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Dec 4, 2023

The ingredients of our life can lead to joy if we look at them from God’s viewpoint. I am reminded of the family that sat down to a meal with their grandpa and dad, an old farmer. The farmer was asked to ask the blessing on the breakfast of biscuits and gravy. They bowed their heads as the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-11

Tags: Circumstances, Joy

Denomination: Baptist

The Fixer-Preacher - Pastor Appreciation Help

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Jun 24, 2025

Proverbs 17:22, A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. The Fixer-Preacher Helping the church with Pastor Appreciation Day I was recently invited to preach for the Sunday morning service. Ice Breaker: For an introduction, I stated the following: This is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22, Romans 13:7, Hebrews 13:7, 1 Timothy 5:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Ephesians 4:11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Humor, Laughter, Pastor Appreciation, Introductions, Ice Breaker, Pastor Humor, Icebreakers, Sermon Starters  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Small Courtesies, Small Considerations, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

Small courtesies, small considerations, habitually practiced in our daily lives, give a greater charm to the character than any display ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Christian Love

One Of The Best Ways To Get Yourself A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

One of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our Founding ...read more

Tags: Political Freedom

Actually, There Is Only One First Question Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Actually, there is only one first question of government, and it is How should we live? or (this is the same question) What ...read more

Tags: Government

Whatever Greatness We Have Is What God Produces ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

Whatever greatness we have is what God produces in us. Nothing will ever deny us of the greatness he wants for us ...read more

Tags: Greatness