In Sermon Illustrations: "John Wesley"

Unsung Heroes-Claudius Lysias

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 22, 2023

Introduction: He was a high-ranking officer in the Roman army, mentioned only a couple of times in Scripture. We don’t know if he ever became a Christian, but we do know that he saved the life of Paul the apostle at least twice! Text: Acts 24:22-23, KJV: 22 And when Felix heard these things, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:22-23

Tags: Paul, Persecution, Claudius Lysias

Denomination: Baptist

He Must Increase And I Must Decrease

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Mar 30, 2023

HE MUST INCREASE, BUT I MUST DECREASE. When you need assurance of Eternity and answer the Gospel call- He must increase and I must decrease! When He bids you take up your cross and be willing then to give all- He must increase and I must decrease! When the storms of life threaten, and you ...read more

Scripture: John 3:22-36, John 20:30, John 1:29

Tags: God First, John The Baptist, Jesus First, Preeminence Of Christ, Exalt Christ, Premience Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A Perfect Preacher  PRO

Contributed by David Parks on Jan 30, 2003

A PERFECT PREACHER After hundreds of years, a model preacher has been found to suit everyone. He preaches exactly 20 minutes and then sits down. He condemns sin but never hurts anyone. He works from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. In every type of work from preaching to custodial service. He makes $60.00 a ...read more

Tags: Church, Leadership General, Leadership, John The Baptist, Hope, Pastor, Pastors, Qualification, Sin, Thanksgiving, Thankful, Thanks  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Great Quotes On Forgiveness

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 10, 2022

When everything in you wants to hold a grudge, point a finger and remember the pain. God wants you to lay it aside. Why? Because, when you release it, you will be set free. - R.T. Kendall Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing that you were the prisoner. - Max ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness, Forgiving Others

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Precious Blood  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 18, 2002

PRECIOUS BLOOD Several years ago in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, George and Vera Bajenksi’s lives were changed forever. February 16, 1989. A very normal Thursday morning. The phone rang at 9:15 a.m. "There’s been an accident..." It involved their son Ben. As they approached the intersection of ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-40

Tags: Easter Good Friday, Blood, Lord's Supper, Jesus Christ

: "The Boy Who Believes In The Holy ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on May 30, 2001

Illus.: “The Boy Who Believes in the Holy Spirit Isn’t Here” A children’s catechism class was learning the Apostles Creed. Each child had been assigned a sentence to repeat. The first one said, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.” The second child said, “I believe ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-7, John 14:21-22, John 14:15-21

Tags: Holy Spirit General, Holy Spirit, Creed, Children, Basics Of Christianity, Believe, Third Person  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Wesleyan

Willing To Be Corrected, Citation: Jack Hayford, ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Feb 8, 2003

[Willing to Be Corrected, Citation: Jack Hayford, Midday Connection (11-28-01), used with permission from the Moody Broadcasting Network] Pastor Jack Hayford tells the following story… Early in his career, Matt Redman, the popular Christian musician in Britain, was singing with his church’s praise ...read more

Scripture: John 4:24, John 4:24, John 4:24

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Temptation Pride

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Right Name Opens Doors  PRO

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Aug 15, 2011

THE RIGHT NAME OPENS DOORS Mark Roberts wrote of a time when he visited the Capitol as a guest of Congressman John Campbell. As long as he was with the congressman, he could walk freely around the Capitol, entering many areas that were reserved "for authorized personnel only," reserved for members ...read more

Scripture: John 15:16, John 16:23-24, John 14:13-14

Tags: Prayer How To

Denomination: Baptist

Bless Assurance: Fanny Crosby

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 16, 2021

ASSURANCE: free from doubt, a positive declaration intended to give confidence, a sure promise, in a religious sitting it means salvation by the inner witness of the Holy Spirit that we are justified. No harm will come, with great faith. FANNY JANE CROSBY was born in 1820 and died in 1915 at the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, John 14:27, John 14:1-3

Tags: Assurance, God Can

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Ignorance Of Sheep

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 16, 2022

City dwellers generally have limited knowledge of sheep; not usually pets. “What are you doing with that sheep? You should take it to the zoo,” the officer said. The following week, the same police officer sees the same man with the same sheep in the front seat, with both of them wearing ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-27, John 10:7-10, John 10:1-18

Tags: Sheep, Ignorance, Shepherd

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Free Indeed!

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Sep 30, 2023

Once a pastor was speaking on the topic of Spiritual Freedom. He began to wax poetical in his delivery as he repeated over, and over this phrase… “I’m free! I’m free! Praise God I’m free indeed!” After service a little boy shook his hand and said, “Preacher, I’m free! I’m free! I’m free indeed!” ...read more

Scripture: John 8:32, John 8:36, John 8:21-36

Tags: Freedom, Sermons Of Jesus, Pastor Jokes, Laughter The Best Medicine

Denomination: Baptist

We'll Stay Out Of The Way  PRO

Contributed by Bob Hager on Apr 26, 2001

WE'LL STAY OUT OF THE WAY The Call to Worship had just been pronounced starting Easter Sunday Morning service in an East Texas church. The choir started its processional, singing "Up from the Grave He Arose" as they marched in perfect step down the center aisle to the front of the church. The ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25, John 17:6-19, John 11:1-25, John 11:1-44, John 4:23-24, John 20:26-29, Mark 8:33  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Easter Resurrection, Indifference, Hope, Wholehearted

Denomination: Methodist

Three Boys In The School Yard Were Bragging About ...  PRO

Contributed by Dale Johnsen on Dec 28, 2000

Three boys in the school yard were bragging about who had the better father. The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, and they give him $100." The second boy says, "That’s nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, John 3:1-36

Tags: Humility, Gifts Prophecy, Workplace

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

We Must Be Ready To Allow Ourselves To Be ...  PRO

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 28, 2001

"We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and cancelling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions. We may pass them by, preoccupied with our more important tasks, as the priest passed by the man who had fallen among ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17, John 13:1-17

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Doing God's Will, Humility

Denomination: Baptist

A Twelve Year Old Boy Became A Christian During ...  PRO

Contributed by Jon Sigler on Jun 20, 2001

A twelve year old boy became a christian during a revival. The next week at school his friends questioned him about the experience. "Did you see a vision?" asked one friend. "Did you hear God speak?" asked another. The youngster answered no to all these questions. "Well, how did you know you were ...read more

Scripture: John 6:41-51, John 6:44-47

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation, Promises Of God, Lordship Of Christ

Denomination: Holiness

We Must Be Wary Of Defining Friendship With God ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2001

We must be wary of defining friendship with God in terms of our relationships with one another. Friendship is a divine idea, and it must, therefore, ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13-15, John 15:14-15

Tags: Friendship General, Church Small Groups

An Old Lady Spent Much Of Her Summer Setting And ...  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 27, 2002

An old lady spent much of her summer setting and swinging in the old swing hanging on her front porch. Her husband had been dead several years and she had withdrawn from all but the closest family. Her lonely time grew and grew?? One spring day, the old lady went out in the garage and dug the old ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1, John 11:1-44

Tags: Disappointment

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Man Flew Into Chicago & Hired A Taxi To Take ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 2, 2002

A man flew into Chicago & hired a taxi to take him downtown. As he was riding along they came to a red light & the driver went right on through the red light. The man said, "Hey, the light was red. You’re supposed to stop." The driver said, "Yeah, I know, but my brother does it all the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, John 8:12

Tags: Holiness, Light, Shine, Darkness, Evangelism Fear Of  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

If God Intended Man To Live On Bread, Why Didn't ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Jul 31, 2002

‘If God intended man to live on bread, why didn’t he create a bread tree?’ And the answer, in effect, is that God could have created a tree that produced crusty loaves of bread, but he prefers to offer us a grain and invite us to buy a field and plant the seed. He prefers that we till the soil ...read more

Scripture: John 6:54, John 6:51

Tags: Giving Yourself

Denomination: Methodist