In Sermon Illustrations: "Look"

The Problem With Church 200 Years Ago

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018

I was recently reading an interesting book about life in America 200 years ago. One intriguing detail that the author shared was that back then most people only bathed once a year. It made me think of how unpleasant it would have been to gather on a sultry August Sunday morning in a sanctuary ...read more

Tags: Church, Worship, Sin, Sinfulness

Denomination: Baptist

The Deadly Hand

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 7, 2019

It was the nearly dark as James entered the room , over in the corner a poker game was getting ready to start. James joined in the poker game looking to beat the other players out of their hard-earned money. In this worldly realm it was just another poker game, with only money at stake, but in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5

Tags: Sin, Temptation

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus Is Watching You!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 18, 2020

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shone his flashlight around, looking for valuables, and when he picked up a CD player to place in his sack, a strange, disembodied voice echoed from the dark saying, "Jesus is watching you". He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Honesty, Jokes, Omnipresence Of God, Jesus Is Watching

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hiring A Dog

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 17, 2021

A sign was hung in an office window. It read: Help wanted. Must type 70 words a minute. Must be computer literate. Must be bilingual. An equal opportunity employer. A dog was ambling down the street and saw the sign. He looked at it for a moment, pulled it down with his mouth, and walked into ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:26

Tags: Service, Gifts

Denomination: Methodist

Keep Your Eyes On Me

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME One day, a man hired an experienced guide to lead him on a hike into the Swiss Alps. After many hours, they came to a high and remote mountain pass. To the man’s dismay, he saw the path had almost been washed out. What could he do? To the left was a sheer rock cliff, to his ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2

Tags: Disciplines General

For Always  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Dec 23, 2001

FOR ALWAYS In 1994 two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on Biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments, and a large orphanage. It was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:6-7, Luke 2:6-7

Tags: Birth Of Jesus, Angels

Denomination: Church Of God

In 1994 Two Americans Answered An Invitation From ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 1, 2002

In 1994 two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on Biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments, and a large orphanage. It was nearing the ...read more

Tags: Christmas Advent, Descriptions Of God, Promises Of God

Denomination: Church Of God

Lake Moses Washington, Friday, May 24, 1985. 1:oo ...  PRO

Contributed by Kent Lenard on Nov 4, 2002

LAKE MOSES WASHINGTON, FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1985. 1:OO AM I rolled and tossed in bed, feeling uneasy about our son John and his family who are missionaries in South Africa. PRAY! the command I sensed was urgent. Now I am wide awake sending passionate pleas to heaven. Please Lord, help John and ...read more

Tags: Prayer Supplication, Prayer General

Denomination: Baptist

Douglas Hyde Was A Major Leader In The Communist ...

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jul 31, 2006

Douglas Hyde was a major leader in the Communist Party in England during the 1930’s and 1940’s. However, in 1948 he converted to Christianity. Later he wrote a fascinating little book, Dedication and Leadership, in which he pointed out that the means of developing leaders among the communists were ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:6-15

Tags: What Is Evangelism?, Godliness

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Mother Is Born By Regina ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 27, 2010

A Mother Is Born by Regina Phillips My first child, a daughter, was born on July 27, 2000, and I found I was completely unprepared. I thought I was ready for her birth. I had read my books and articles on childbirth and baby care; I had bought everything on my shopping checklist. The nursery was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:15

Tags: Children, Mothers

An Observation About A Billboard Worker

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 24, 2024

Text: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, KJV: 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. How many of you have seen anybody changing the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, John 15:5

Tags: Assistance, Billboards, Clergy Appreciation Month

Denomination: Baptist

[184]. Poem – Mirror Mirror On The Wall, Who’s The Worst Of Us All?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 5, 2025

[184]. POEM MESSAGE – MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL, WHO’S THE WORST OF US ALL? This is an unusual poem I think, the name taken from the saying, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of us all?” Here we have a reflective poem and a challenging one in our personal lives. There is often so ...read more

Scripture: James 1:23, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Matthew 9:2, Revelation 12:10

Tags: Mirror Mirror On The Wall, Sin, Reflection, Shame, Disgrace, Mirrors, The Accuser, Forgiveness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A New Perspective On Ugly Sweaters

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Nov 5, 2019

I am not stylish. I will never be named “best dressed” minister. I do not enjoy clothes shopping. Yet, even though shopping is a task, there are occasions when I do need to pick up an item or two and even though I don’t have an eye for what’s fashionable I can sense when something is absolutely ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

Tags: Goodness, Humanity, Dignity, Image Of God, Love Neighbor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The House With The Unused Room

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 11, 2020

How many times have you seen a house that looked so promising, you couldn’t help but want to buy it? That very thing happened to me some time ago. I was interested in buying a home, and sure enough, there was one caught my eye! It wasn’t too far from where I was working, the price seemed ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:5

Tags: Israel, Houses, Wasted Space, Real Estate

Denomination: Baptist

I Thought You Loved Me  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 9, 2008

I Thought You Loved Me Girls, picture this. It is a warm summer day. The birds are singing happily. The wind is blowing gently. You and that special guy are sitting outside in the sun just thrilled to be together. You have been dating now for two whole weeks and you have never known a more ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Tags: Action

The Dear Lady Was Visiting The Church For The ...  PRO

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 2, 2001

The dear lady was visiting the church for the first time. The Pastor’s family was greeting the worshipers at the front door after the service. They happened to be having a dinner on the grounds, and the Pastor invited the rather stout visitor to stay. Said the dear lady to the Parson, "Your ...read more

Tags: Truth, Faith, Christian Love

Denomination: United Methodist

One Night A Wife Found Her Husband Standing Over ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 14, 2001

One night a wife found her husband standing over their infant’s crib. As she watched him looking down at their very first baby, she saw on his face a mixture of emotions: …disbelief, doubt, delight, amazement, enchantment, skepticism. Touched by this unusual display and the deep emotions it ...read more

Tags: Thought, Romantic Love, Mind, Marriage Obligations, Dealing With Conflicts  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

More Government Procreation Policies: In ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

More Government Procreation Policies: In September, a pro-population town council member in Inari, Lapland (Finland), vowed to give up his political career if only the town’s women produced at least 80 babies next year and 85 the year after. At the other end of the spectrum, India’s Health Minister ...read more

Tags: Marriage General, Television And Movies, Sexuality

I Believe The Doctrine Of Election, Because I Am ...  PRO

Contributed by W. Bryan Wheeler on Jan 19, 2002

‘I believe the doctrine of election, because I am quite certain that, if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen Him; and I am sure He chose me before I was born, or else He never would have chosen me afterwards; and He must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I never could ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian, Forgiveness In Jesus, Grace

Denomination: Baptist

In A Peanuts Cartoon, Lucy Demands That Linus ...  PRO

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Feb 3, 2002

In a Peanuts cartoon, Lucy demands that Linus change TV channels and then threatens him with her fist if he doesn’t. "What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?" asks Linus. "These five fingers," says Lucy. "Individually they are nothing, but when I curl them together like ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-3

Tags: Church Small Groups, Unity

Denomination: Other