In Sermon Illustrations: "Knowing Jesus"

Two Tombstones

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 3, 2010

TWO TOMBSTONES A tombstone in a small English village reads, "Here lies a miser who lived for himself, And cared for nothing but gathering wealth. Now where he is or how he fares, Nobody knows and nobody cares." In contrast, a plain tombstone in the courtyard at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-6

Tags: Christian Love

Whose Jeans?  PRO

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 9, 2010

WHOSE JEANS? After going on a diet, a woman was really feeling good about herself, especially when she was able to fit into a pair of jeans she had outgrown long ago. "Look, look!" she shouted while running downstairs to show her husband. "I can wear my old jeans again!" Her husband looked at her ...read more

Tags: Pride

Denomination: Brethren

Why Do You Ask?

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 24, 2010

WHY DO YOU ASK? A vicar was walking along the road when a lady stopped him and this question. "Vicar" she asked. "What do you think about cremation?" Without hesitation the vicar replied, "You know the scriptural principle don't you?" "No" the lady replied. "You bury treasure but you burn ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Brethren

Baseball Justice

Contributed by Brad Henry on Jul 25, 2011

BASEBALL JUSTICE When I was 8 years old my parents took me to see the Pittsburgh Pirates play in Forbes Field. As you know with me nothing is normal. Well a foul ball came and hit me in the leg. I went down to pick it up and a big guy cam over and wrestled the ball from me. OK, there wasn’t much ...read more

Tags: Justice

Are You Ready?

Contributed by Brad Henry on Aug 11, 2011

ARE YOU READY? Are you ready to dwell in the “house of the Lord forever”? If not then ask yourself why? Most of us cling on to something that is sinful just because we are comfortable here. That is like asking a baby to experience life outside the womb. They would say “No Way” I have a great ...read more

Tags: Heaven

One Sunday Morning The Minister Asked The ...

Contributed by Bill Burress on Feb 25, 2012

One Sunday morning the minister asked the congregation, "Whoever wants to go to heaven, stand up!" Everyone stood except one man sleeping in the back of the church. When the preacher told them they could sit down he asked the question, "Anyone who wants to go to hell, stand up!" About that time ...read more

Tags: Heaven

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Holy Joy

Contributed by Ken Pell on Apr 6, 2012

HOLY JOY Richard Foster describes holy joy like this: "Joy, not grit, is the hallmark of holy obedience. ...It is a cheerful revolt against self and pride. ...Utter abandonment to God is done freely and with celebration. And so I urge you to enjoy this ministry of self-surrender. ...The saints ...read more

Tags: Joy

Denomination: Nazarene

There Was An Ot Professor Who Taught Young People ...

Contributed by Ken Henson on Jul 5, 2012

There was an OT professor who taught young people that were preparing for the ministry. At the beginning of the class he would take off his coat and bow. He would bow to the class of his students. Some of his faculty members were upset at this gesture. And he said, "I bow to them because you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-9

Tags: Humility, Luther

Denomination: *other

I Don't Want To Be One!

Contributed by Christopher Gregas on Sep 8, 2012

I DON'T WANT TO BE ONE! There was a pastor that was giving a "children’s sermon" to all the young children. And as they sate before him, a bright-eyed three-year-old girl listened intently as he explained that God wanted them all to get along and love each other. "God wants us all to be one," he ...read more

Tags: Unity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Too Busy To Die

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 13, 2022

Too busy to read the Bible, too busy to wait and pray; Too busy to speak out kindly, to someone who passes by the way! Too busy working and worrying, to think of the life to come; Too busy building earthly mansions, to plan for the Heaven above. Too busy to help a brother, who faces trials and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27

Tags: Hell, Death, Heaven, Salvation, Funerals  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let The Lion Out

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on May 23, 2023

Charles Spurgeon on preaching the Word: There seems to be to have been twice as much done in some ages in defending the Bible as in expounding it, but if the whole of our strength shall henceforth go to the exposition and spreading of it, we may leave it pretty much to defend itself. I do not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 19:7-11, Deuteronomy 8:1-5

Tags: Bible, Gospel, Truth, Preaching

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Human Dignity

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Nov 28, 2024

Human Dignity Scripture: Matthew 6:5-6 I overheard my mum requesting salt from the neighbours. However, there was salt in the house. Why was she requesting salt from the neighbours? I questioned her. She responded to me by saying: Since our neighbours are not wealthy and frequently ask us for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-6

Tags: Human, Dignity

Denomination: Other

Excuses

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 4, 2025

Police officers probably get more excuses than anybody (other than God). Here are some I found around the internet: “Sorry officer, I was throwing those beer cans out the window so my wife won’t see how much I drank tonight.” 😊 “If you are going to write me a ticket, please do it quickly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:18-20

Tags: Excuses, Police

Denomination: Methodist

Pearls From God—communion Meditation  PRO

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 27, 2003

PEARLS FROM GOD-- COMMUNION MEDITATION The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. With her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please!" Quickly the mother checked ...read more

Tags: Fulfillment, God's Provision

Denomination: Wesleyan

Here Is A Story By An Unknown Author. In The ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Apr 8, 2009

Here is a story by an unknown author. In the mountains of Virginia years ago there was a boys’ school class which no teacher could handle. The boys were so rough that the teachers resigned. A young but gray-haired teacher applied for the job. The old school director scanned him up and down, then ...read more

Tags: Sin Punishment Of

Denomination: Pentecostal

Divine Laws Sow-Reap, The King

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 14, 2022

THERE ARE SOME DIVINE LAWS: Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. This mighty king invites all the young men from his kingdom to gather at the gate of the castle. The King has a challenge to all that would like to be the next ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7, Isaiah 40:29-30

Tags: Work, Honesty

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

From Roast Turkey To Reindeer

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 9, 2023

Nothing is more confusing than being in the middle of two holidays. I have just finished Thanksgiving, and now Christmas is before me. Each year, it gets more difficult to adjust to the next holiday. It’s hard for me to keep up. For months, the focus was on that roast turkey for Thanksgiving. And ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Turkey, Reindeer, Christmas, Thanksgiving

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Visited Planet,

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 14, 2009

“The Visited Planet,” by J.B. Phillips Once upon a time a very young angel was being shown round the splendours and glories of the universes by a senior and experienced angel. To tell the truth, the little angel was beginning to be tired and a little bored. He had been shown whirling galaxies and ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Tags: Christmas

The Difference Christmas Makes

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 24, 2023

At Christmastime, we set up our Christmas trees and toy trains. We may even walk along singing carols, or we may preach a sermon, but these bits and pieces are barren if we are thinking only of them or even thinking only of being in heaven, and are not stopping to ask ourselves, “What difference ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Tags: Shepherds, Christmas, Glory, God's Glory, Ordinary People, Making A Difference  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed