In Sermon Illustrations: "Looking Ahead"

Play For The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 9, 2008

PLAY FOR THE MASTER The young man had waited for this moment for many months even years. He had practiced and practiced. It was his premiere appearance as a concert violinist. The audience heard much about his amazing talent, and they packed out the prestigious concert hall to hear him. They ...read more

Tags: Obedience

Charles Crabtree, Former Assistant General Sup. ...

Contributed by Donny Granberry on Oct 21, 2008

Charles Crabtree, former Assistant General Sup. of the Assemblies of God told this story. I met a distinguished-looking gentleman in his mid-40s, who immediately began to impress upon me how educated he was. After a few minutes of a well-rehearsed oral résumé, I must confess I was impressed. He ...read more

Tags: Action

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Girl And The Lions

Contributed by Jesse Bennett on Nov 9, 2008

THE GIRL AND THE LIONS A 12-year-old girl in rural Ethiopia was kidnapped from her family. Her captors yelled at her, beat her, and almost raped her during her seven-day ordeal. They wanted to force her into marriage by selling her to the highest bidder; who knows what kind of situation she would ...read more

Tags: Grace

Denomination: Baptist

A Young Banker Was Driving His Bmw, In The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2008

A young banker was driving his BMW, in the mountains, during a snowstorm. As he rounded a turn the vehicle slid out of control and toward a cliff. At the last moment he unbuckled his seatbelt and jumped from the car. Though he escaped with his life, his left arm was caught near the hinge of the ...read more

Tags: Money

A Young Banker Was Driving His Bmw, In The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 27, 2008

A young banker was driving his BMW, in the mountains, during a snowstorm. As he rounded a turn the vehicle slid out of control and toward a cliff. At the last moment he unbuckled his seatbelt and jumped from the car. Though he escaped with his life, his left arm was caught near the hinge of the ...read more

Tags: Money

I Know How It Works. I Built It.

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Jan 12, 2009

"I KNOW HOW IT WORKS. I BUILT IT." Years ago, the early part of the last century, a man’s car broke down on the side of the road. He was out working on the car, unsuccessfully trying to get it started, when another man stopped to help. The second gentleman looked at the engine, worked on it for ...read more

Tags: Creation

Denomination: Baptist

When Dwight L. Moody Was In London During One...

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Feb 9, 2009

WHEN DWIGHT L. MOODY WAS IN LONDON DURING ONE OF HIS FAMOUS EVANGELISTIC TOURS, SEVERAL BRITISH CLERGYMEN VISITED HIM. THEY WANTED TO KNOW HOW AND WHY THIS POORLY EDUCATED AMERICAN WAS SO EFFECTIVE IN WINNING THRONGS OF PEOPLE TO CHRIST. MOODY TOOK THE THREE MEN TO THE WINDOW OF HIS HOTEL ROOM AND ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Baptist

In Seminary, Every Student Was Asked This ...

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Feb 19, 2009

In seminary, every student was asked this question and it was sort of a psychological test that with the other tests could reveal some possible issues of the student and point to the fitness of the student for pastoral ministry. For example, I said, “Jesus.” Because as a potential pastor, I thought ...read more

Tags: David

Denomination: Church Of God

Giving, Greed And Salvation

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Mar 12, 2009

GIVING, GREED AND SALVATION A very old rich skinflint in declining health finally gets serious about his eternal state. He goes to the local pastor and asks what he can do to account for the fact that he’s never given God much time or given the church a dime. The pastor just looks at him with that ...read more

Tags: Greed

Denomination: United Methodist

Don't Do Road Rage If You Have A Christian Bumper Sticker!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 29, 2022

I love the story of the stressed-out woman who was tailgating a man as they drove on a busy boulevard. When he slowed to a stop at a yellow light, the woman hit the horn, cussing and screaming in frustration and gesturing angrily. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and ...read more

Tags: Stress, Satan, Obedience, Humor, Hypocrisy, Testimony, Police  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Story Of The Christian Lion

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2022

A missionary in Africa was walking through a jungle when he heard the ominous roar of a lion behind him. He was very scared and dropped immediately to his knees and started praying feverishly! "Oh Lord," prayed the missionary, “You know I have served you my whole life. I have even ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

Tags: Thanksgiving, Protection, Prayer, Humor

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be A Christian But Don't Act Like One!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 28, 2022

I love the story of the stressed-out woman who was tailgating a man as they drove on a busy boulevard. When he slowed to a stop at a yellow light, the woman hit the horn, cussing and screaming in frustration and gesturing angrily. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Tags: Satan, Discipleship, Kingdom Of God, Hypocrites

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Spotless Puppy

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 19, 2023

A minister said that once he had a small, white Highland terrier puppy which he kept spotlessly clean by frequent washing, brushing, and powdering. One night a winter storm dropped a fresh blanket of snow on the countryside, and the next morning the whole world seemed to glisten under the splendor ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23

Tags: Roman Road, Sinners, Justification, Holiness, Adam, Conviction, Sinful Nature, Second Adam, Jesus, Sin, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Am More Alive Than Ever - D. James Kennedy

Contributed by Timothy Lueking on Apr 3, 2023

D. James Kennedy wrote a book called "Skeptics Answered" and in this book, he made this observation that has always stuck with me. It reminds me of a quote from D.L. Moody many years before. Kennedy wrote, "There will, in fact, come a time when some of you will probably be standing ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25-26

Tags: Death, Easter, Resurrection, Life, Eternal Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Just Say The Word

Contributed by Samuel M on Jul 6, 2024

The Centurion said, "But just say the word, and my servant will be healed." He meant that if Jesus said the word or gave a command, it would trigger millions of mighty angels (under his control) to instantly act upon the word and fulfil it. These millions of angels are very powerful and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:8

Tags: Faith, Healing

Blindness

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 22, 2025

Aero Condor was experiencing money problems in Peru and needed to cut back expenses. So, rumor had it they hired two blind pilots. Story soon spread about these pilots, but no one believed it. So one day the plane was loaded and up came the two pilots, with dark glasses and walking sticks. The ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:10, Matthew 15:14, Matthew 23:16-19, Matthew 23:24-26, Luke 6:39, John 9:39-41, John 12:40, Romans 2:19, 2 Corinthians 4:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Blind, Spiritual Blindness, Hard Hearts, Not Understanding, Lack Of Discernment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Factor In Fallenness

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 1, 2025

A few years ago, our congregation joined with many churches in the area praying for a 6-year-old boy with extremely aggressive form of brain cancer. Of course, we prayed for a full healing so that the boy could have a long life. He died within 6 months. His parents grew in their faith of a God ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4, 1 Peter 3:17

Tags: Healing, Prayer, Suffering, Fallenness

Denomination: Methodist

What Can Wash Away My Sin?

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 4, 2025

Your hands are wonderful creations of God! Look at your hands. But if left to do whatever we want – those hands get us into trouble. Try telling a child, “Don’t touch that!” Eve used her hand to pick a forbidden fruit. Adam received the forbidden fruit from Eve. Cain used his hand to murder ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:16, Genesis 4:11

Tags: Eve, Adam, Cain, Hand

Denomination: Methodist

It All Started With An Apple

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 24, 2025

In my backyard I have two apple trees. They grow low to the ground and in July the apples are plentiful but small and green. Harvest is not until late September here in Ontario. But the low hanging branches present an enticing temptation to pick the apples. One beautiful morning I noticed an ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:7-25, Romans 6:1-4, Romans 3:21-31

Tags: Original Sin, The Fall, Sin, Obedience, Temptation, Adam  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gossip-Free Church

Contributed by John Bright on Sep 23, 2025

I like to illustrate this kind of thing by talking about gossip. I believe it is the most tolerated sin in every congregation. As always, I like to share my definition of gossip. Something is not gossip if it can pass three tests: ? 100% Truth - You heard/saw it directly – can’t be repeated from ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29

Tags: Truth, Gossip, Holier Than Thou

Denomination: Methodist