In Sermon Illustrations: "Kingdom Character"

Called To Testify

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on Apr 5, 2011

CALLED TO TESTIFY In 1981, my father was called as a court witness to testify to a number of thefts that occurred at his employer. Now, we had just moved from Pennsylvania to Minnesota, and dad was brand-new to the job as the corporate purchasing agent. So, dad reports to the CEO on day one, ...read more

Tags: Jesus Temptation

Denomination: Lutheran

King Of The Jungle

Contributed by Randy Wilson on Aug 1, 2011

KING OF THE JUNGLE I'm reminded of the lion who woke up one morning and decided it was time to stroll through the jungle and check on his kingdom. He came first to a giraffe chewing on some leaves up in a tree. "Hey, long neck," he asked, "Who's the king of the jungle?" "Why you are on great ...read more

Tags: Lordship Of Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Position Versus Discipleship

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 7, 2013

POSITION VERSUS DISCIPLESHIP C. Gene Wilkes, in his book Jesus on Leadership, says, "Confusion arises when you equate higher 'positions' with leadership . . . As long as 'position' is honored above discipleship -- being a follower -- church leaders will honor the ambitious over the obedient." We ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Tags: Faith Vs. Works

The Word Of God Sent Through The Prophets

Contributed by Pastor Amos Dele Dada on Jun 7, 2013

THE WORD OF GOD SENT THROUGH THE PROPHETS You want success - believe the word of God he has sent through his prophets. Period. Imagine The German Army and the USA Army and United Kingdom Army gathered against Canadian Army. And God sends Pastor Dada, call him a Prophet for this purpose to the ...read more

Tags: Basics Of Christianity

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Conference With The Devil

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 15, 2022

A fictitious story has been told of a conference between Lucifer and his demons. It seems as though Satan was upset because he had not deceived enough souls and so he called for a conference with his head demons. "What are we going to do! We are not claiming enough souls for the Kingdom of ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Satan, Parable, Demons, Excuses, Invitation, Today, Time  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Love Of God

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 12, 2023

Several years ago, John MacArthur had the opportunity to spend several days traveling with the well-known gospel musicians, Bill and Gloria Gaither. At one point, he asked Bill what, in his estimation, were the greatest Christian lyrics ever written, aside from the inspired Psalms. Without ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1, John 3:16, Romans 5:8

Tags: Jesus, Cross, God's Love, Hymns

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Tale Of Choices And Consequences

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 16, 2024

Once, there was a traveler named Samuel, whose heart was set on reaching a city famed for its eternal beauty and joy. However, during his journey, he stumbled upon a quaint, comforting village. Lured by its immediate solace, Samuel decided to rest there for a while. As days turned into weeks, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Tags: Christian Dilemma, Heaven, Journey, Eternal Joy, Losing Sight, Spiritual Goal, Earthly Comfort  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Satan's Three-Fold Attack

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 9, 2020

Satan tempts us in three separate ways according to I John 2:15-16: "The lust of the flesh is the desire to DO something apart from the will of God. The lust of the eyes is the desire to HAVE something apart from the will of God. The pride of life is the desire to BE something apart from ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, 1 John 2:15-16

Tags: Lust, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grace - A Poem By Elicia Roy

Contributed by Elicia Roy on Mar 18, 2021

GRACE What is this thought of undeserved grace? A sinner condemned to a tormenting place. Unable to hope, without a way out, Weeping and gnashing of teeth all about. Separated from love and life, Only surrounded by pain and strife, Nothing I could do to change my state, A sinner condemned to a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: The Grace Of God, The Gospel, The Cross

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Is Your ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Where Is Your Treasure Intro: Long ago, in a kingdom far, far away, a rich king hired a “fool” to entertain him and make him laugh when he was sad. He gave the fool a golden scepter and told him that when he met a greater fool than he, to pass the golden scepter to that person. Years passed ...read more

Tags: Money

A Preacher’s Family Had Started Putting Up ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 10, 2001

A preacher’s family had started putting up a nativity scene in their front yard. All of them were carrying out the little statues to put in the nativity scene. Finally everything was in place - Mary & Joseph & the manger & the baby, & angels & shepherds & all the barnyard animals. Then ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Christmas Advent, Herod

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Few Years Ago, Time Magazine Featured A ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 11, 2001

ILL. A few years ago, Time Magazine featured a story about Peter Sellers. It told about him appearing on the Muppet Show & being interviewed by Kermit The Frog. His interview began with Kermit telling Peter Sellers, "Now, just relax & be yourself." Peter Sellers responded, "I can’t be myself ...read more

Tags: Leadership General, Faith, Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fairy Tale Princes Story Turns Sour After ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Biolsi on Nov 24, 2001

“Fairy tale Princes Story Turns Sour After Newlyweds Lose Money.” So read the headlines of the Daily Herald in Chicago on February 20, 1996. A newlywed couple had left a black zippered case on the roof of their car as they sped away from the reception to begin their honeymoon. The case had all ...read more

Tags: Holiness, Love Of The Disciples, Faith

Denomination: Baptist

I Can't Change Jesus  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Jan 2, 2002

Illus.: “I Can’t Change Jesus” Bill Irwin, a man who is blind, has a talking computer he uses to study the Bible. He’s had a few chuckles over some of the pronunciations. "For a long time," Bill says, "the computer pronounced Holy Bible as ’holly bibble’ until I figured out how to modify it." ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8, Hebrews 6:17-20

Tags: God's Omniscience, Jesus Teachings, Divinity Of Christ

Denomination: Wesleyan

Criticism Is Always Difficult To Accept, But If ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 2, 2002

Criticism is always difficult to accept, but if we receive it with humility and a desire to improve our character it can be very helpful. Only a fool does not profit when he is rebuked for his mistakes. Several years ago I read a helpful article on this subject. It stated that when we are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:34

Tags: Humility, Christian Disciplines, Forgiveness General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Gotta Have Faith  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 30, 2002

YOU GOTTA HAVE FAITH "Maybe it’s time we reconsider what it means to be intelligent,” says David Brooks of the Weekly Standard. After being questioned about his experience and smarts for the job as President, George W. Bush has amazed us during these troubled times. Experts are confounded. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Tags: Faith General, Independence Day, Political Freedom

Losing Control, One Mistake At A Time  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Sep 5, 2002

LOSING CONTROL, ONE MISTAKE AT A TIME "According to the Associated Press, on December 14, 1996, a 763-foot grain freighter, the Bright Field, was heading down the Mississippi at New Orleans, Louisiana, when it lost control, veered toward the shore, and crashed into a riverside shopping mall. At ...read more

Tags: Faith, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: United Methodist

A Man Stood On The Side Of The Road Hitch Hiking ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Oct 24, 2002

A man stood on the side of the road hitch hiking on a very dark night in the middle of a storm. The night was rolling and no cars passed. The storm was so strong, he could hardly see a few feet ahead of him. Suddenly he saw a car come towards him and stop. The guy, without thinking about it, got ...read more

Tags: Paranormal, Supernatural

Denomination: Evangelical Free

As We Conclude – Today I Want You To Imagine That ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Nov 19, 2002

AS WE CONCLUDE – today I want you to imagine that your life is over… and you are led to a room.. there are 2 chairs in the room, one is for you and one for God and there is a DVD player. God pops in the DVD. It has your name on it – it says “Steve Malone – What Might have Been” IMAGINE – ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, Gifts General, Good News, Death Nearness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Blind Songwriter, Ken Medema, Wrote The Cry ...

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 23, 2005

The blind songwriter, Ken Medema, wrote the cry of our hearts when he wrote these words: "If this is not a place where tears are understood, Then where shall I go to cry? And if this is not a place where my spirit can take wings, Then where shall I go to fly? I don’t need another place for tryin’ ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ, Unity

Denomination: Charismatic