In Sermon Illustrations: "Light Bulb"

Looks Great, But What Does It Do?

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Dec 17, 2010

LOOKS GREAT, BUT WHAT DOES IT DO? I once read about a certain Mr. Wahlstrom who purchased an old bombsight and took it apart to see what made it work. As he began to put it back together, he decided to add to it some spare parts he had from other projects. Over time, friends and neighbors took an ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When Does God Settle Accounts?

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 13, 2011

WHEN DOES GOD SETTLE ACCOUNTS? The story is told of a farmer in a Midwestern state who had a strong disdain for God. As he plowed his field on Sunday morning, he would shake his fist at the church people who passed by on their way to worship. October came and the farmer had his finest crop ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 75:1-10

Tags: God's Judgment

The World Is Without Hope

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jun 5, 2011

THE WORLD IS WITHOUT HOPE In Kurt Vonnegut’s novel, Cat’s Cradle, an important book comes to light. It is titled, "What Can a Thoughtful Man Hope for Mankind on Earth, Given the Experience of the Past Million Years?" The chief character is anxious to read it. But when he does, he finds that it ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:12

Tags: God Brings Hope

Denomination: Nazarene

The Color Of Colors

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Jan 10, 2012

THE COLOR OF COLORS For 51 years Bob Edens was blind. He couldn’t see a thing. His world was a black hall of sounds and smells. He felt his way through five decades of darkness. And then, he could see. A skilled surgeon performed a complicated operation and, for the first time, Bob Edens had ...read more

Tags: Opportunity

Denomination: *other

The Black And White Boxes

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 24, 2012

THE BLACK AND WHITE BOXES I have in my hands two boxes which God gave me to hold. He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black, and all your joys in the white." I heeded His words, and in the two box both my joys and sorrows I stored. But though the white became heavier each day, the black ...read more

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A "Kept" Woman

Contributed by Aaron Mishoe on Mar 22, 2012

A "KEPT" WOMAN You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind, But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3) There were times when I thought I could go no longer, But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15) At times, I’ve wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong, But the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:3

Tags: Women

Denomination: Holiness

There Are 2 Ways Of Handling Pressure

Contributed by Tim Spear on Dec 6, 2012

There are 2 ways of handling pressure: One is illustrated by a bathysphere, the miniature submarine used to explore the ocean in places so deep that the water pressure would crush a conventional submarine like an aluminum can. Bathyspheres compensate with plate steel several inches thick, which ...read more

Tags: Stress, Temptation Resisting

Denomination: Baptist

The Game ‘dungeons And Dragons' First Came To ...

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Apr 23, 2009

The game ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ first came to light in 1974. Players of D&D create characters which they live out in an alternative reality. And so D&D is a fantasy role playing game where players embark upon imaginary adventures in a created world. Although there’s a few variations of the game, a ...read more

Tags: Worldliness

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Object Lesson: Your Reputation

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Apr 27, 2009

OBJECT LESSON: YOUR REPUTATION (Light a candle on stage.) It’s easy to keep a fire going. What do you do to it? Not much. You work to get it started, and then it pretty much burns on its own. You may have to protect it, maybe do a little maintenance on it. But the fire is automatic. But if ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 25, 2009

THE POWER OF GOD Hudson Taylor: "Many Christians estimate difficulties in the light of their own resources, and thus attempt little and often fail in the little they attempt. All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His power and presence with ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13

Tags: Power

It's Up To ...

Contributed by Tony Abram on Sep 4, 2009

It’s Up to You…………… One song can spark a moment, One flower can wake the dream. One tree can start a forest, One bird can herald spring, One smile begins a friendship, One handclasp lifts a soul. One star can guide a ship at sea, One word can frame the goal. One vote can change a nation, One ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-37

Tags: Christian Values

There Is The Enemy!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

Stedman illustrates this point noting that "As the Battle of Trafalgar was about to begin, Admiral Nelson came across two officers of his own flagship who were arguing hotly and about to take sword to each other. Nelson stepped between them and said, "Stop." Then, pointing to the ...read more

Tags: Unity, Body Of Christ, Working Together, Division, Church  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Things That Mom Would Never Say!!!!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 5, 2022

THINGS THAT MOM WOULD NEVER SAY.... 1) “How on earth can you see the TV sitting so far back?” 2) “Yeah, I used to skip school a lot myself when I was your age!” 3) “Just leave all the lights on … it makes the house look more cheery.” 4) “Let me smell that shirt — Yeah, it’s good for another ...read more

Tags: Humor, Mothers, Mother's Day, Sermon Introductions

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

John Stephen Ahkwari  PRO

Contributed by John Harvey on Jul 29, 2004

John Stephen Ahkwari Today friend, I’d like to take your mind back to October 20, 1968. I invite you to come with me to the Mexico City, Olympic Stadium. The time, 7.00 P.M. The closing ceremonies had just been completed. The spectators and athletes, still warm from the euphoria of the ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Baptist

Choosing To Love!" 1 John 2:7-11 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 2, 2005

“Choosing To Love!” 1 John 2:7-11 Key verse(s): 9-10:“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.” We live in a choice culture. In fact, we live in a culture ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 26:1-25, 1 John 2:7-11

Tags: Christian Love

Denomination: Lutheran

John Todd Was A Preacher Back In The Late ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Aug 14, 2001

ILL. John Todd was a preacher back in the late 1800’s. When he was 6 years old, both of his parents died. So a kind-hearted aunt raised him until he left home to study for the ministry. Years later, this aunt became seriously ill, & even though she was a Christian, she wrote him a letter ...read more

Tags: Government

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Paul Never Stopped Being A Ring Leader For Jesus ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 25, 2007

Paul never stopped being a ring leader for Jesus and as I have been reading about the founding of this nation in America neither did the Colonial pastor’s in America and the majority of its government leaders. These ring leaders for Jesus paid the price for their faithfulness to the Gospel and the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Commander Hansen Had No Idea How Or Why His ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Commander Hansen had no idea how or why his outpost was being attacked. The outpost where he was stationed was suddenly up against a very powerful enemy... one he had never encountered before. Oh, he had heard of them, sure, but he never expected that he would meet them head on. They had been at ...read more

Tags: Faith General

History Of "The Star Spangled Banner"

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 19, 2011

HISTORY OF "THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER" An American lawyer was dispatched to negotiate for the release of several prisoners, including a civilian named Dr. William Beanes. Although the negotiation for prisoner exchange was initially successful, Francis Scott Key and the American official, Colonel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Tags: Independence Day

Peale: A Simple Christmas In Africa

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

PEALE: A SIMPLE CHRISTMAS IN AFRICA Norman Vincent Peale writes of spending Christmas in Africa with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was hesitant but his wife told him he would love every minute of it. And yet, as Christmas day approached he was troubled because everything Christmas was ...read more

Tags: Christmas Eve

Denomination: Methodist