In Sermon Illustrations: "Little Faith"

Barefoot Christians: A Parable  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 7, 2009

BAREFOOT CHRISTIANS: A PARABLE "I arrived in the city of EVERYWHERE early one morning. It was cold, and there were flurries of snow on the ground. As I stepped from the train to the platform, I noticed that the baggage man and the redcap were warmly attired in heavy coats and gloves, but oddly ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:10-12

Tags: Christian Love

Cargo Cults

Contributed by Craig Sully on Apr 7, 2010

CARGO CULTS First noticed in the late 19th century, the concept of the cargo cult came to prominence in the years immediately following WWII. As the Japanese and American armies began to island hop their way to victory and defeat across the Pacific, they literally took over these small territories ...read more

Tags: Ignorance

Denomination: Pentecostal

Serving Others

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever the cost”. - Arthur Ashe In a small, dusty town in western Oklahoma one November there lived a young single mother struggling to make ends meet. ...read more

Scripture: John 13:12-14

Tags: Humility, Christian Service

Denomination: Charismatic

What God Told Me At 4 A.m. In Guangzhou, China

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 13, 2018

Note: this story is told by me - Jim Butcher of Madison WV. I want to tell you a story about an insight that God gave me into John 14:1-4, the passage where Jesus speaks of going to prepare a place for us. This is the story of something that happened to me several years ago while I was in ...read more

Tags: China, Adoption, New Jerusalem, Eternity, Father, Family, Heaven  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

I Was Scammed!

Contributed by Paul Robinson on Mar 7, 2023

It was the summer after my freshman year of Bible college. On this particular day, I was lounging at home, when all of a sudden, my cell phone rang. I didn't recognize the number, but I answered anyway. The man on the other end said, "Congratulations! You've won the Dreams Come True ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:10

Tags: Scams, Wasted Life, The Devil's Tricks

Denomination: Baptist

Misapplied Scriptures: "God Is No Respecter Of Persons”, Acts 10:34

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 25, 2023

Introduction: “God is no respecter of persons!” How many times have we heard that during an invitation? It’s sad, but this is another verse that’s been misapplied over the years. Text: Acts 10:34, KJV: 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34

Tags: Salvation, Peter, Cornelius

Denomination: Baptist

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

The Reason For Evangelism

Contributed by John Bright on May 15, 2025

The Reason for Evangelism The “WHY” might be the most important missing part for choosing to not share a personal testimony and the Good News with other folks. I recently read the book, “Five Little Words to Change a Life,” by Nick and Rozanne Savoca (2022). Nick shares an experience that uses a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 15:11-32

Tags: Evangelism, Prodigal Son

Denomination: Methodist

God's Plan For Pain!" Matthew 16:21-28 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 6, 2005

“God’s Plan for Pain!” Matthew 16:21-28 Key verse(s): 25:“‘For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.’” “And whatever you do, make sure you don’t hurt yourself!” The tractor tire was heavy; definitely a two man job. Perched on the back of his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Lutheran

Remember Me!" Luke 23:32-43 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 22, 2005

“Remember Me!” Luke 23:32-43 Key verse(s): 42-43:“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise’.” Did you ever notice that there are some problems that no matter how long you work with them or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Tags: Jesus, Paradise, Jesus Christ

Denomination: Lutheran

Just As We Are!" Exodus 14:13-14 Key Verse(S) ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Apr 29, 2005

“Just As We Are!” Exodus 14:13-14 Key verse(s) 14:“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Keeping a positive outlook on life is pretty hard when nothing much positive seems to be happening in your life. Let’s face it, when things are going bad, really bad, there is nothing worse ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:13-14

Tags: Disappointment

Denomination: Lutheran

In 1998, Teresa And I Took Our Kids On A Short ...  PRO

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 7, 2006

In 1998, Teresa and I took our kids on a short vacation to St. Simon’s Island off the coast of Georgia. It would turn into one of the most memorable vacations that we would take over the course of the years. It was there that we begin to chase lighthouses scattered along the coastlines of ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Real St. Nick  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 9, 2002

THE REAL ST NICK A vast multitude was imprisoned in every place," wrote an eyewitness. "The prisons -- prepared for murders and robbers -- were filled with bishops, priests, and deacons ... so there was no longer room for those condemned of crimes."[1] You’d hardly expect to find old St. Nick ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Mercy Resting Upon Wrath!" John 8: 12-20 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 4, 2004

“Mercy Resting Upon Wrath!” John 8: 12-20 Key verse(s): 16: “‘But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me.’” The young man sat before the bench, head held low, hands hanging loosely at his side. His crime had been serious and parents, ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-20

Tags: Divinity Of Christ, Judgement

Denomination: Lutheran

Thank You Sir! May I Do Another?" Matthew 4:1-11 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 3, 2005

“Thank You Sir! May I Do Another?” Matthew 4:1-11 Key verse(s): 9-10:“Then the devil left him and angels came and attended him.” “Thank you sir! May I do another?” Crouching on the ground, the recruit seemed barely touched by the sergeant’s rough treatment. He was doing push-ups; and a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Lutheran

I Will, With God's Help

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Mar 5, 2009

I WILL, WITH GOD'S HELP I read a marvelous story remembered by Reverend Mary Moore Roberson. She writes: "Some years ago, I served on the lay staff of my home parish under the supervision of the priest charged with pastoral care. Barbara took to appearing, first at the door to his office and ...read more

Tags: Mercy

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Movement To Jesus Within Islam

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 26, 2009

A MOVEMENT TO JESUS WITHIN ISLAM In an article entitled, "A Movement to Jesus Within Islam" this story is told: There was a Muslim holy man, a Sufi master, named Isaac. He lived in a remote region of a Muslim country, where he had a large following. Several thousand people looked to him for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Islam

Karole Shirley Demonstrates Compassion Of Christ ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 2, 2009

Karole Shirley Demonstrates Compassion of Christ for Welfare Recipients Who Want to Work Almighty God - Our Creator - is an expert at taking ordinary people and making them extraordinary individuals - all one has to do is accept His free Plan of Salvation - it’s just that simple! It is really nice ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Tags: Workplace Unemployment, Unemployment

The Real Mccoy

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 18, 2010

THE REAL MCCOY It was about a seventy-two-year-old Baptist preacher names Charles McCoy. McCoy was pastoring a Baptist church in Oyster Bay, New York, when at age seventy-two he was told by his denomination to retire. A lifelong bachelor, he had cared for his mother for as long as she lived. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Following Christ

Denomination: Anglican

God Answers The Persistent Prayers Of A Father ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 18, 2010

God Answers the Persistent Prayers of a Father and a Congregation for a Wayward Daughter You never know what effect your prayers are having or what catastrophe you are preventing in the lives you are accountable for. In his book, “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire”, Jim Cymbala tells the story of his wayward ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Tags: Prayer Persistence