In Sermon Illustrations: "Let Your Light Shine"

I May Never See You Again

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 17, 2017

Phillips Brooks of Boston became quite ill and would see no visitors. However, when Robert Ingersoll, the noted atheist, heard that his friend was sick, he called at his home and was admitted at once. "I appreciate this very much," said Mr. Ingersoll. "But why do you see me when you deny ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:1

Tags: Heaven, Atheism, Hell, Death

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Flag Folding & The Meaning Of Each Fold!  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 9, 2002

Flag Folding & The Meaning of Each Fold! Unknown I guess this settles the "One Nation Under God" debate once and for all. Do you know that at military funerals, the 21 gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776? Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention ...read more

Tags: Funeral, Appearance, Motives, Holidays Civic

Denomination: Assembly Of God

I Am A Mother Of Three (Ages 14, 12, 3) And Have ...

Contributed by Gerald Albers on Feb 25, 2007

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called "Smile." The class ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

British Airways 2069 Left Heathrow's London ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 26, 2007

British Airways 2069 left Heathrow’s London Airport everything seemed to be going quite well at first. Six hours into the flight some of the passengers were asleep, some of the reading lights were on, everyone was comfortably settled in when suddenly everyone was jarred awake by a violent dip of ...read more

Shouts Of Praise  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Shouts of Praise There is a loud declaration of our Lord's purpose for coming to earth at the triumphal entry. "As Jesus approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives... Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-10

Tags: Easter Palm Sunday

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No More Merry Christmas: Henry Wadsworth ...

Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Dec 19, 2008

No More Merry Christmas: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow On July 13th, Frances changed Henry’s life by saying "YES" to Him in marriage. Less than a year later, their little home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was blessed with the birth of their first child, Charles. Eventually, the Longfellow household ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Church Of God

The Man Who Missed ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 18, 2010

The Man Who Missed Christmas George Mason’s life was centered in his business. He lived alone and refused all invitations to socialize. His brother’s family had urged him to visit but the children always made too much noise. Besides, he didn’t want to buy presents for his nephews and nieces. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Tags: Christmas

Listen To This True Story About God's Love: I Am ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Listen to this true story about God’s love: I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

Chrysostom On Ecclesiastes  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 21, 2011

CHRYSOSTOM ON ECCLESIASTES Eutropius had fallen into disgrace. As the highest-ranking official in the Byzantine Empire (late fourth century), he served as the closest adviser to the emperor Arcadius, then ruling in Constantinople. But Eutropius abused his imperial power and aroused the anger of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2 Kings 16:10-16

Tags: Evangelism How To

Zacharias: Changed Lives Show The Truth Of ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 11, 2011

ZACHARIAS: CHANGED LIVES SHOW THE TRUTH OF CHRIST In his book Has Christianity Failed You? Ravi Zacharias points to one of the greatest proofs for the truth of Christ and the reality of his resurrection: the changed lives of Christians. He writes: "During the course of nearly 40 years, I have ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thomas Campbell And The Restoration Movement  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 8, 2011

THOMAS CAMPBELL AND THE RESTORATION MOVEMENT Back in early 1800's there was a preacher in Western Pennsylvania named Thomas Campbell. He was a preacher for the Old-light, Anti-burger, Seceder Presbyterian Church. Each of those phrases described a political division within the Presbyterian Church ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30, John 17:17-23

Tags: Divisions

Praying For Unity

Contributed by Jw Worcester on Feb 8, 2021

As I think of the unity of God’s Gospel to us, I’m reminded of the unity I’ve experienced over the years with other saints on short term mission trips, volunteer positions at a crisis pregnancy center and a “Rescue Mission”, Promise Keepers (Men’s nationwide Ministry), and the Urban-Suburban ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14

Tags: Self Image, Reflecting Christ

No Room Giving?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 26, 2022

NO ROOM… THE SAD STORY CONTINUES… In the early 70’s Linda and I were at my Mom and Dad’s for Christmas. We had no children. My Dad pastored 65 years, 42 in Frankfort, Ky. There were 5 of us children. We had a traditional spot where we all sat around the tree. Mom, my wife and my sister distributed ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:33, 2 Corinthians 9:6

Tags: Giving, Purpose

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Unwanted Items-Fresh Meat On The Street?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 2, 2025

Introduction: This illustration is the first in a series about things that either aren’t wanted, left behind, or otherwise abandoned. Here’s hoping some of these illustrations will be useful! Text: 2 Kings 7:7, KJV: 7 Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 7:7

Tags: Caution, Meat, Unwanted, Abandoned Things

Denomination: Baptist