In Sermon Illustrations: "Living Together"

Why Wait So Long-----I Worked For This Department ...

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Mar 31, 2010

WHY WAIT SO LONG-----I worked for this department store in SF for many years. We had a return policy that went like this: If you are not satisfied with what you purchased return the item for a full replacement or for full store credit. Now that may not sound like an unusual return policy, I’m sure ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness, Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Good Name: The Case Of Butch O'hare

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 9, 2011

A GOOD NAME: THE CASE OF BUTCH O'HARE His name was Butch O'Hare, one of the heroes of World War II. He was a fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific. One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:1

Tags: Character

The Devastating Power Of Criticism

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 25, 2014

"Go where you’re celebrated, not where you’re tolerated." - Author Unknown I know a number of people whose lives have been profoundly affected by the criticism of others. For some, it was being cruelly taunted at school by their peers, for others, a close family member who criticized or ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:15

Tags: Criticism, Judgemental, Evil Tongue

Denomination: Charismatic

The Lost Art Of Saying Thank You

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy - because we will always want to have something else or something more.” - David Steindl-Rast Everyone likes to feel appreciated. I remember a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:17

Tags: Thanks, Unthankfulness, Gifts

Denomination: Charismatic

The Ballerina - Using Your Talents

Contributed by John Gullick on Oct 22, 2015

Let me tell you a story - it is a modification of a story I wrote a few years ago and I simply want to draw out that each person invested what God had invested in them. It is called the Ballerina. Once upon a time there was an orphan ballerina - how she loved to dance. She was the most elegant of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-44

Tags: Gifts, Talents, Ballerina

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Death

Contributed by Don Berry-Graham on Feb 29, 2016

IN LATE WINTER DURING THE FIFTY-NINTH YEAR of his life, John Donne braved the weather and rough roads of the English countryside to keep his final preaching engagement before the king in London. He had spent most of that winter, what would be his last, battling “consumption,” and on several ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Tags: Death, Dying

Denomination: Baptist

Killer Alcohol

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 22, 2008

Killer Alcohol Dr. Adolph Lorenz, a famous surgeon, refused a drink at a banquet. He was asked "Are you a tee-totaler?" He responded, "Yes, my success depends upon my brains being clear, my muscles firm, and my nerves steady. No one can take alcoholic liquor without blunting these physical powers, ...read more

Tags: Alcohol

Not A Guest, But Family

Contributed by Tim Smith on Dec 10, 2008

NOT A GUEST, BUT FAMILY Ellen Porter tells the story of Mitsuyo, a Japanese exchange student coming to live with her family. Her father had written and warned Ellen that Mitsuyo was a willful child, but she saw no signs of that at all. She dressed the same each day, was silent while eating at the ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Methodist

Do Not Hinder Prayer

Contributed by James Dina on Jul 19, 2020

Do not hinder prayer. Those that live without prayer in the world, live without God in their lives. “Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the peoples who do not call on your name.” (Jeremiah 10:25). To restrain prayer is worse than not to pray. The latter indicate only ...read more

Scripture: Job 15:4-5, Psalm 60:11, Psalm 51:15, Matthew 12:37, Isaiah 50:4, James 3:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith, Prayer, Words, Tongue, Hypocrite, Hinder  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Look At Outer Darkness

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 29, 2023

Introduction: Jesus spoke of “outer darkness” at least three times. There were a couple of times when I experienced something like this, and it wasn’t pleasant! No one needs to face outer darkness, so don’t let it happen to you. Text: Matthew 8:10-12, KJV: 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:10-12

Tags: Light, Outer Darkness, Fear

Denomination: Baptist

Just An Old Shoebox

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on May 23, 2024

Just an Old Shoebox It was just an old shoebox, With a pink faded ribbon wrapped around. The old house was sad and sat strangely quiet, Ever since Momma graced Heaven’s dawn. It’s like she had just turned loose of living, To dutifully follow Dad on. Brother and I had moved things for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:19, John 14:1-3, Lamentations 3:21

Tags: Mother's Day, Memories, Junk, Secrets, Treasures, Shoebox, Precious Memories  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

It's The Man's Job! Everybody Knows That.

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Feb 5, 2026

Luke 10:19 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. I was so excited when I discovered Luke 10:19 because I realized this means I have power over June bugs!! Y'all know what a june bug is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:19

Tags: Marriage, Hysteria

Denomination: Charismatic

In His Book The Renew Mind (Bethany House, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

In his book The Renew Mind (Bethany House, 1981), Larry Christiansen tells a story that is a perfect illustration for our sermon text for today. I’d like for you to imagine that you live in a run down apartment. As I describe this, I actually picture in my mind my apartment in St. Paul I shared ...read more

Tags: Jesus Temptation

Finishing Well

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

John Baker was too short and too slight to be a runner for his high school track team but he loved to run. His best friend was tall and lanky and had the perfect build to be a runner but wanted nothing to do with the sport. So John went to the track coach to convince him to let John on the team ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24

Tags: Finish, Running The Race, Overcoming, Ending Well

Denomination: Methodist

Unsung Heroines-Rhoda Of Jerusalem

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 13, 2022

Introduction: She’s only mentioned in one passage, and often for what she didn’t do. But this unsung heroine knew what she had seen, and nothing was going to change her mind! Text: Acts 12:11-17, KJV: 11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:11-17

Tags: Prayer, Peter, Rhoda, Unsung Heroines

Denomination: Baptist

Practice Makes Perfect Tjbts

Contributed by Blake Henson on Jun 6, 2023

Practice makes perfect shows that without good practice you can't expect to succeed in sports, but the same is true in your Christian life also. You can't just half prepare and expect to be a successful Christian. URL: https://youtu.be/eI92sWLcDIo SUMMARY In this video we see two teams. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:14

Tags: Christian Walk, How To Get Stronger

[072]. A Poem Message – Excerpts Certain Psalms Part 3 – Psalms 40, 31

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 1, 2025

[072]. A POEM MESSAGE – EXCERPTS CERTAIN PSALMS PART 3 – PSALMS 40, 31 {{Psalm 33:1-3 “SING FOR JOY in the LORD, O you righteous ones. Praise is becoming to the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre. SING PRAISES TO HIM with a harp of ten strings. SING TO HIM A NEW SONG. Play ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:1-3, Psalm 31:15, Psalm 40:3, Psalm 40:6-8, Psalm 31:14, Psalm 31:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Sacrifice, Psalms, Trust, Deliver, New Song, Secret Place  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Tribute To Ms. Gossips-A-Lot

Contributed by James Snyder on May 3, 2025

I was sitting in the shopping mall, drinking coffee and taking a break. I don't like going to the mall, but sometimes I have to go and pick up something for The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Sometimes, I think she does it on purpose, knowing how much I dislike it. I try to make the most ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:19

Tags: Community, Gossip

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

[179]. A Message From A Poem – Lost Three Things - Lost One Coin

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 27, 2025

[179]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LOST THREE THINGS - LOST ONE COIN In this trilogy of poems we are looking at three objects lost – a sheep, a coin and a son. All three were loved and precious and the owners knew stress at the lost. When each was found it resulted in great rejoicing. These three ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 11:8, Genesis 6:6, Luke 15:8-10

Tags: Heart Of God, The Heart Of God, Grieved, Christian Poems, Parable, Lost, Lost Coin, Lost And Found, Rejoicing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Swallowed Alive? (08.22.05--Under ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 18, 2005

Swallowed Alive? (08.22.05--Under Pressure!--Genesis 25:32-33) When you are captive to pressure, there are only two ways to go. You can either lose you temper and flail against the wind or you can wait it out and eventually overpower it. I lost the chock to my power drill the other day. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:32-33

Tags: Emotions

Denomination: Lutheran