In Sermon Illustrations: "Look"

Remember The Duck

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2022

A little boy visiting his grandparents was given his first slingshot. As he practiced in his Grandma’s backyard, he spied her pet duck. On an impulse, he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck fell dead. The boy panicked. Desperately he hid the dead duck in the woodpile only to look up ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:25

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness

Strike While The Iron Is Hot - Salesman

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 3, 2023

Now ... Salespeople especially understand what it means to ... Strike while the iron is Hot I was reading an article written by Pat Zaby, .... a nationally known Real Estate speaker. He stated, ... One weekend, I told a friend that I was thinking of buying a convertible.... So, ... the first ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9, Mark 2:1-12, Mark 10:46-52

Tags: Moment, Strike, Awake, Act, Opportunity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Fishing With A Net

Contributed by John Bright on May 12, 2023

Dr. Daniel B. Wallace has taught Greek and New Testament courses on a graduate school level since 1979. He wrote about this idea based on Matthew 4 “19 He said to them, “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people.” 20 They left their nets immediately and followed him.” “It’s strange ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:19

Tags: Fishing, Evangelism, Hell

Denomination: Methodist

Hilarious Marriage Joke To Share!!!!!!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 8, 2024

There’s a very funny story going around like a virus about a man who went to his doctor after weeks of serious symptoms. The doctor examined him carefully, then called the patient’s wife into his office. The doctor told her, "Your husband is suffering from a rare form of anemia. The bad ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-31

Tags: Death, Marriage, Husbands, Wives

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spit It Out!

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Mar 5, 2024

Use part one to open the sermon. Part one: Spit it Out! One Sunday morning after church as I was shaking hands with a young dad, suddenly he said, “Pastor, excuse me, please.” He had noticed his little 4-year-old with something in her mouth. Fearing what she may have in her mouth, he demanded her ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17, 1 Peter 3:15, Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Soul Winning, Winessing, Salvation, Testimony, The Gospel, Ashamed, Sharing The Gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Why We Believe That Jesus Rose From The Dead

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 25, 2024

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, the Christian faith is a foolish fantasy. However, if the resurrection of Christ did occur, it confirms His life, message, and atoning work. It is the basis of our hope of life beyond the grave. Christ is alive, and the evidence is overwhelming. Here are some of ...read more

Tags: Church, Easter, Resurrection, Gospel, Disciples, Witnesses  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of God's Word In The Philippines

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 17, 2024

Joanne Shetler, a dedicated missionary, spent years living among the Balangao people in the Philippines. Her mission was to translate the Bible into their language and share the good news of the Savior. However, progress was slow. One day, Ama, a man who had adopted Joanne as his Balangao ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Bible, Salvation, Missions, Miracles, God's Word, Genealogies Of The Bible  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Tragedy Of What Happened At Port Royal

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 13, 2024

Port Royal once situated on the island of Jamaica has been called “the richest and wickedest city in the world." It was the natural rendezvous for most of the pirates of the Caribbean. Liquor, women prostitutes, homosexual rendezvous, gambling, dope – every vice thrived in Port Royal “in ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:7

Tags: Homosexuality, Lot, Sodom, Gomorrah, Wrath, Sin, Judgment, Repentance, Righteousness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Talking Dog For Sale!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 13, 2024

A guy sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog for Sale." He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees an old black mutt just sitting there. "You talk?" he asks. "Yep," the mutt replies. "So, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:22, Colossians 3:9, Exodus 20:16

Tags: Sermon Introductions, Truth, Lies, Deceit, Dogs  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Those Cookies Are For Your Funeral!!!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 12, 2024

As an elderly man lay dying in his bed, death’s agony was suddenly pushed aside as he smelled the aroma of his favorite homemade chocolate chip cookies drifting up the stairs. Gathering his remaining strength, he lifted himself from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of ...read more

Tags: Cookies, Mean People, Marriage, Heaven, Husbands, Wives, Funerals, Cruelty, Death  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gossip Test

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 11, 2025

Do I get excited when I hear, “Have you heard…?” Does my heart do a little dance when someone starts with, “You won’t believe what I just found out!” If so, you know the answer—it’s gossip. If you find yourself pulling up a chair and grabbing some popcorn, it’s time to rethink your choices. The ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:20

Tags: Prayer, Gossip, Power Of Words, Test

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Kindness That Echoes Eternity

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Apr 13, 2025

A few years ago, a sports columnist named Steve Rushin wrote about a moment at a baseball game that stuck with me. It didn’t involve a home run or a dramatic win—but something much quieter and more meaningful. Steve and his teenage son were at a Minnesota Twins game, sitting among the crowds when ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:35

Tags: Humble, Giving, Kindness

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Two Chairs

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Jul 29, 2025

A youth pastor once stood before a group of students with two chairs. He placed one on the far left side of the stage and the other on the far right. He said, “Let’s imagine this chair represents loyalty to God — trusting Him, following His ways, surrendering your heart. And this chair over here ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:113, Psalm 119:105

Tags: Obedience, Choose, Make A Choice, Divided, Double Minded, Commitment, Law  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Grandpa, The Genius

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 18, 2025

Grandpa, the Genius It certainly looked like this would be a terrible day! You see, I was providing my grandfatherly childcare to my grandson Dawson, who was probably 5 years old at the time. He loved bowling, but like most five-year-olds, he became extremely and easily bored. It was a rainy day, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:5, Proverbs 22:6, Proverbs 17:6, Proverbs 16:31, Ephesians 6:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Grandparents, Kids, Children, Family, Humor, Relationships  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[281]. A Message From A Poem – The Lord Is

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 31, 2026

[281]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE LORD IS This poem is the second shortest one I think I have written. I use lots of metaphors here – a metaphor is when you say something is another thing. A simile is saying something is like another thing. There is no rhyme scheme in the poem but there is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1, Psalm 18:2

Tags: Metaphor, Christian Poems, The Lord Is

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stoy Of Apostle John - His Hobby

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 25, 2026

There are times ... when our lives move... so fast, ... that we need to slow down ... and let our souls catch up ... with our bodies. According to Early Church tradition ... when the Apostle John was Bishop at Ephesus, ... he had a hobby ... of raising pigeons. On one occasion... we are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:10, Matthew 11:28, Psalm 37:7, Exodus 34:21, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 4:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Mind, Still, Hobby, Rest

Denomination: Anglican

Prison Vs. Full-Time Work

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Oct 28, 2011

PRISON VS. FULL-TIME WORK In prison you spend the majority of your time in an 8' X 10' cell. At work you spend most of your time in a 6' X 8' cubicle. In prison you get three meals a day. At work you only get a break for one meal and you have to pay for that one. In prison you get time off for ...read more

Tags: Workplace

Denomination: Brethren

We Know Our Future Includes A Promise. But We Do ...  PRO

Contributed by Ed Lu on Nov 26, 2011

We know our future includes a promise. But we do not know how to transition into that promise. Maybe ’not knowing’ is just an excuse – we just straight out refuse to take that next step. That’s because while we are in the present, we often permit the past to occupy and govern our emotions. We drag ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:17-21, 2 Kings 5:1-14

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Baptist

A Mother's Christmas Prayer

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 19, 2012

A MOTHER'S CHRISTMAS PRAYER On Christmas Day, Mike Nicholas, a tall and slim young man with dark hair was making his way south on I-85 just below High Point, NC trying to hitch a ride. For two years, he hadn't been home. His family had heard nothing from him. He and his mother had a disagreement ...read more

Tags: Christmas Eve

Denomination: Methodist

The Eventual Rescue

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 5, 2012

THE EVENTUAL RESCUE How many of you like Winnie the Pooh stories? In one poignant story, we see Pooh Bear walking along a river bank. Eeyore, his stuffed donkey friend, suddenly appears floating downstream, on his back of all things, and is obviously troubled about the possibility of drowning. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-37

Tags: Compassion