In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus Saves Us"

A Better Vow  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 22, 2003

A BETTER VOW Eric Snyder, Minister of the Farwell Church of Christ tells this story: I recently did a wedding. During the wedding rehearsal, the groom pulled me aside and made me an offer. He said "Look, I’ll give you $100 if you’ll change the wedding vows. When you get to me and the part ...read more

Tags: Submission, Romantic Love, Oneness, Marriage, Marriage General, Miracles Of Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Questions For Mary  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 30, 2004

QUESTIONS FOR MARY Max Lucado has twenty-five questions that he wants to ask Mary the mother of Jesus, here are a few of my favorites. What was it like watching him pray? When he saw a rainbow, did he ever mention a flood? Did you ever feel awkward teaching him how he created the world? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Divinity Of Christ, Annunciation, Mary Jesus Mother, Mary, People In The Gospel  (view more)  (view less)

The Debt Is Paid

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

Main Idea: Because of our sin, we owe a great debt that is impossible to pay, but Jesus paid the debt. Verse: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NKJV). Illustration: One time I was buying a sandwich at a store and I did not ...read more

Tags: Jesus Paid Our Debt, Debt Is Paid, Sin, Wages Of Sin

Denomination: Charismatic

Great Christmas Illustration

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 19, 2022

Jesus came to offer Himself for the sins of the world. o He was born in another man’s stable. o He was laid in another man’s manger. o He would preach in another man’s boat. o He would ride into Jerusalem on another man’s colt. o He would eat His last supper in another man’s upper room. o He ...read more

Tags: Messiah, Christmas, Sacrifice, Jesus, Birth Of Christ, Others, One Another  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cheap Crosses

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 22, 2024

At a religious festival in a South American country, a series of booths lined the midway. One booth sold trinkets and necklaces. Printed on the front of the booth was a sign that said, “Cheap crosses here!” Many Christians today are looking for cheap ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23, Romans 12:1-2, Luke 6:46

Tags: Cheap, Discipleship, Obedience, Following Jesus, Lordship Of Christ, Works, Crosses  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love Lifted Me!

Contributed by Rick Palmer on Nov 4, 2018

God took a big basket and put everything in my life that was important, everything of value, and everything worth living for into the basket. Then he lifted it up very high and turn that basket upside down and shook it until it all scattered. Let me clarify, at the age of 36 I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:19, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Timothy 2:25, Ezekiel 18:30, Proverbs 28:13, Acts 3:26, Psalm 40:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Judgement, Salvation, Divorce, Pray For The Lost, He Choose Me, Salvation Testimony, Lifted From The Mire, Depravity, Suicide, Cross Of Christ, Iniquity, Cross Of Jesus, Jesus The Rock  (view more)  (view less)

[300]. A Poem Message - There Is One Who Sticks Closer Than A Brother

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 27, 2026

[300]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - THERE IS ONE WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER The disciples walked with Jesus for more than three years and they knew His faithfulness over all that time. The Lord will never desert one of His own. In the storm, He is in the boat. In the death of a very close ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:8, Genesis 15:18, 2 Chronicles 20:7, James 2:23, Proverbs 18:24  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Friend, Friendship, Friend Of God, Christian Poems, Closer Than A Brother, Jesus, Abraham  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[134]. A Message From A Poem – I Am With You Always

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 17, 2025

[134]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS This poem was written in a time of great trial that had been a lengthy one. It is so precious to know the Lord is with us always and never will He sleep or miss something. He knows our end from our beginning. I want to honour God in this ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:4-5, Matthew 28:20

Tags: Emmanuel, Jesus, Presence Of Jesus, Delight Yourself In The Lord, Close At Hand, I Am With You Always, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Commit Your Way To The Lord  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Have You Ever Heard Of The Woman Who Hated ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on May 17, 2001

Have you ever heard of the woman who hated Mother’s Day? According to the Toronto Star’s website, there was such a woman. If you think the spirit of Mother’s Day has been spoiled by the commercialism of cards, flowers and once-a-year sincerity, you stand united with the woman credited with giving ...read more

Tags: Bible, Forgiveness In Jesus, Inspiration, Funny, God's Provision, Mother's Day, Taste, Spoil  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Story Of The Chair

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 22, 2024

Those of you who have heard of Evangelism Explosion by D. James Kennedy know the illustration of the chair. You know, a person can say ‘Yes, I see that chair. That’s a chair. I acknowledge that’s a chair. I believe that’s a chair. And I think that chair could hold me up if I sat in it.’ But ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:10-13, Ephesians 4:30-32

Tags: Cross, Assurance, Blood Of Jesus, Faith In Christ, Works, Grace, Mercy, Trust, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[258]. A Message From A Poem – The Christian’s Life The Christian’s Hope

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 8, 2026

[258]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE CHRISTIAN’S LIFE THE CHRISTIAN’S HOPE Nothing is more meaningful than being a Christian who knows he/she has passed from death into life. It is a precious position that those in the world do not know; nor do they care. {{1 John 3:14 “We know that we have ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 4:1, 1 John 3:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:8

Tags: Expectation, Life In Jesus, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, World, Hope, Difficult, Church Members  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Jacob's Ladder!" John 20:19-31 Key Verse(S) ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 29, 2005

“Our Jacob’s Ladder!” John 20:19-31 Key verse(s) 19:“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!.’” It’s hard to keep your mind on hope when you are ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Tags: World, Vision, Easter Resurrection, Eagle, Challenge, Breathe, Friend, Hedge, Jesus, May Day, Need  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

[118]. Poem Message – He Comes For Me – The Blessed Hope – He Comes For Me

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 2, 2025

[118]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HE COMES FOR ME – THE BLESSED HOPE – HE COMES FOR ME Those who rightfully look forward with anticipation to the Rapture, know that the Lord is coming FOR THEM INDIVIDUALLY as well as for His Church. This event is known as “the blessed hope”, and it is such a joy ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17

Tags: The Blessed Hope, The Coming Of The Lord, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Rapture Poem, Come Lord Jesus, The Rapture  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[144]. A Message From A Poem – In The Manger Laid – Christmas Poem

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 27, 2025

[144]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IN THE MANGER LAID – CHRISTMAS POEM This was written as a simple Christmas poem. There is not much I want to say about it. My thoughts were that the poem can be used on cards or greetings, or for children’s pageants and that sort of thing. It is not meant to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:6-7, Luke 2:15-16, 1 John 4:2

Tags: Birth Of Jesus, Shepherds, Christian Poetry, Christmas Poem, Poem For Christmas, Mary, Christmas, Manger  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[326]. Poem - Victory Through Sorrow’s Deep Sea – Easter Poem – Part 1

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 27, 2026

[326]. POEM - VICTORY THROUGH SORROW’S DEEP SEA – POEM FOR EASTER – PART 1 SPECIAL NOTE – This poem is too long for SermonCentral’s limited space for Sermon Illustrations, so I have had to cut it in half but don’t really want to do that. THIS IS PART 1. This is a serious poem. It covers the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:13-16, Psalm 69:14-15, Isaiah 53:6-7

Tags: Easter, Suffering, Victory, Gethsemane, Sorrow, Calvary, The Cross, Golgotha, Man Of Sorrows, Jesus Before Pilate, The Crucifixion, Easter Message, Christian Poems, Poem For Easter, Jesus Dies For Sins, The Lamb On The Cross  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Next Time You’re In An Airport Notice The ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Feb 1, 2001

Next time you’re in an airport notice the difference between passengers who have confirmed tickets and those on standby (Hybels, Too Busy Not to Pray 113). Those who have confirmed tickets are relaxed, their confident and expectant. Those on standby hang around the ticket counter, they pace and ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16, Genesis 4:1, 1 John 5:11-13

Tags: Faith, Confusion, Assurance Of Salvation, Born Again, God Brings Hope, Forgiveness In Jesus, Uncertainty  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Recently One Of The Testimonies At A Missions ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jul 23, 2001

Recently one of the testimonies at a Missions conference was so powerful it seemed to take the breath away from the people attending. It was the story of a blind woman by the name of Pani. She was listening to the Jesus film in her village as those with their sight were watching. Pani was greatly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:35-43, Luke 18:35-43

Tags: Deliverance, Forgiveness For Others, Cross Agony, Joy, Serving, Miracles Of Jesus, Listen  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dr. Elizabeth Targ, A Psychiatrist At The Pacific ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Oct 15, 2001

Dr. Elizabeth Targ, a psychiatrist at the Pacific College of Medicine in San Francisco, has also tested out prayer on critically ill AIDS patients. All 20 patients in the study got pretty much the same medical treatment, but only half of them were prayed for by spiritual healers. Ultimately, 10 of ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16

Tags: Prayer, Miracles Of Jesus, Prayer Answered, Healing, God's Omnipotence, Evangelism, Witnessing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Know Christmas Is Almost Here  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Nov 13, 2001

YOU KNOW CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST HERE WHEN: 10) There are more pine needles on your carpet than on your tree 9) The credit card is smoked along with the turkey and ham. 8) It’s A Wonderful Life has been shown for the 13th time 7) A trip to the mall and back is more challenging then the Indy 500 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-12, Luke 2:19-20

Tags: Drummers, Christmas, Christmas Advent, Baby Jesus, Peace, Love, Joy, Hope  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christianstein  PRO

Contributed by Ray Navarro on Dec 7, 2001

It was a dark and stormy night. You could hear the thunder in the distance. Bats flapped their wings in the darkness of the night. There the castle stood. The wolves were howling; the trees were swaying in the wind as it whistled. And inside the castle, a faint light shown…from a ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-9, James 5:7-9, Luke 9:28-62, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Tags: Family, Misconceptions, Patience, Restore, Inclusive, Jesus Teachings, Joy, Tithe, Welcome  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Adventist