In Sermon Illustrations: "Let Your Light Shine"

I'm Her Brother

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 23, 2008

A true story from Reader’s Digest: Recently my girlfriend, Karen, got a job at a local hardware store. "The owners don’t want us hanging out with our friends," she said. "If you stop by, tell them you’re my brother." On my first visit, I walked to the customer service desk and asked the older ...read more

Tags: Family

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sometimes It Concerns Me, The Number Of People ...

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Aug 21, 2008

"Sometimes it concerns me, the number of people who can quote my songs… but they can't quote the scriptures ... I mean, if entertainment is what you want, I suggest Christian entertainment … because I think it is good. But if what you want is spiritual nourishment, I suggest you go to church or ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Too Much ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 9, 2008

TOO MUCH TROUBLE A site foreman had ten very lazy men working for him, so one day he decided to trick them into doing some work for a change. "I’ve got a really easy job today for the laziest one among you," he announced. "Will the laziest man please put his hand up." Nine hands went up. "Why ...read more

Tags: Servanthood

A Man Is In The Barber Shop Getting A Haircut. As ...

Contributed by Donny Granberry on Oct 21, 2008

A man is in the barber shop getting a haircut. As he is leaving, the barber points out a man who is homeless, filthy, dirty, unkept and says, "Do you see that man?" He replied, "Yes, I see him." The barber said, "There is not a God, because if there was, he would not allow him to live so ...read more

Tags: Apologetics Jesus

Denomination: Assembly Of God

I Love Bumper Sticker Theology. It May Not Always ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2008

I love bumper sticker theology. It may not always be the most sound theological statements, but they generally at least have the ability to make you think. The one in particular that I am thinking about said, "God is my Co-pilot." Do you remember the sticker? It took a great deal of heat. Perhaps ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Punctuating Advent  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

PUNCTUATING ADVENT You may have chuckled when I started this sermon by talking about the importance of punctuation. But prudent punctuation is no joke. In Russia, a period actually saved a man's life. The Czar had condemned the man to death and sent this telegram to the jailer: PARDON IMPOSSIBLE. ...read more

Tags: Christmas Advent

The Famous Architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2009

The famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, designed some unusual buildings. On a university campus in Florida stands a library designed by Wright with an extremely low ceiling, so low that if you are six feet tall and not careful, you keep bumping your head. A man who was having this trouble asked ...read more

Tags: Pride

What Good Are You?

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jan 12, 2009

"WHAT GOOD ARE YOU?" Hideyoshi, a Japanese warlord who ruled over Japan in the late 1500s, commissioned a colossal statue of Buddha for a shrine in Kyoto. It took 50,000 men five years to build, but the work had scarcely been completed when the earthquake of 1596 brought the roof of the shrine ...read more

Tags: Idolatry

Denomination: Baptist

Luis Palau, "Experiencing God's Forgiveness", ...

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 6, 2009

Luis Palau, "Experiencing God’s Forgiveness", Multnomah Press, 1984 ) A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death. "But I don’t ask for justice," the mother explained. "I ...read more

Tags: Mercy

Denomination: Baptist

Run To The Refuge

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 13, 2009

RUN TO THE REFUGE Bunker gear, over 1,000 degrees of heat, protection from fire scene elements, provides a refuge/safety for self... importance of ARFF truck...refuge, responsible for protection of firefighters, T3000 3,000 gal. of water, large truck, nozzles, discharge 1,000 gpm...truck was place ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 35:6-34

Tags: God In The Hardships

Adam & Eve's First Argument

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 13, 2022

When Adam stayed out very late for a few nights, Eve became upset. "You're running around with other women," she charged. "You're being unreasonable," Adam responded. "You're the only woman on earth." The quarrel continued until Adam fell asleep, only to ...read more

Tags: Marriage, Adam, Suspicious, Jokes, Arguments, Eve  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mom, Why Do You Have White Hair???

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 5, 2022

One day, a little girl is sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly notices that her mother has several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast to her brunette hair. She looks at her mother and inquisitively asks: “Why are some of your hairs white, ...read more

Tags: Sermon Introductions, Aging, Humor, Mothers, Mother's Day, Grandmothers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Positive Attitude

Contributed by David Swanger on Jan 24, 2024

A beginning driver for an interstate trucking company, made several long tiring trips with an older driver. Though twice his age, this older man seemed to thrive on these long trips. After one such trip, as they sat drinking coffee, the younger man commented on how his partner looked as if he had ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:24

Tags: Choice, Attitude

No 'i' In The Lord's Prayer

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 11, 2024

No "I" in the Lord's Prayer You cannot pray the Lord's Prayer and even once say "I." You cannot pray the Lord's Prayer and even once say "My." Nor can you pray the Lord's Prayer and not pray for one another. And when you ask for daily ...read more

Tags: Brother, Prayer, Selfishness, Lord's Prayer, Self, Others, Daily Bread, One Another, Another  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sports Widow Gets Even

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 22, 2025

"'Cash, check or charge?' I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase.  As she fumbled for her wallet, I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse. 'So, do you always carry your TV remote?' I asked. 'No,' she replied, 'but my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:19

Tags: Marriage, Sports, Revenge, Getting Even, Sports Widow  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Count The Cost

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Jul 24, 2025

I want to tell yall a true story about counting the cost. This happened to a friend, who shall remain nameless to protect her dignity. My friend had been going through a lot and needed something therapeutic to do and so took up gardening. Growing your own food is always a good idea, right? The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:28, Luke 14:29, Luke 14:30

Tags: High, Count The Cost, Building, Cost, Adversity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Paul Harvey Told About A 3-Year-Old Boy Who Went ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 20, 2001

Paul Harvey told about a 3-year-old boy who went to the grocery store with his mother. Before they entered the grocery store she said to him, "Now you’re not going to get any chocolate chip cookies, so don’t even ask." She put him up in the cart & he sat in the little child’s seat while she ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, Prayer Of Faith, Prayer Supplication

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus The Explorer, Citation: D. James Kennedy, ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Aug 3, 2001

[Jesus the Explorer, Citation: D. James Kennedy, "Message from an Empty Tomb," Preaching Today, Tape No. 66.] For many centuries the men and women in Europe looked out upon the western sea, what we call the Atlantic Ocean, and they saw the sun coruscating upon the glittering surface of the waters ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection, Miracles Of Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Judge Not . . .  PRO

Contributed by Dru Ashwell on Dec 16, 2001

JUDGE NOT . . . A small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand in a trial -- a grand-motherly, elderly woman. He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know me?" She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I’ve known you since you were a young boy. And ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Tags: Real People, Truth, Leadership General, Holiness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A School Superintendent Told His Assistant ...  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 21, 2002

A school superintendent told his assistant superintendent the following: "Next Thursday at 10:30am, Haley’s Comet will appear over this area. This is an event which occurs only once every 75 years. Call the school principals and have them assemble their teachers and classes on their athletic fields ...read more

Tags: Communication General

Denomination: Pentecostal