In Sermon Illustrations: "Looking To Jesus"

No Salvation Without Surrender  PRO

Contributed by Kevin Karhoff on Feb 18, 2013

NO SALVATION WITHOUT SURRENDER So in case some left it out or forgot to mention it when they explained what it meant to be a Christian, let me be clear: There is no forgiveness without repentance. There is no salvation without surrender. There is no life ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-18, Luke 9:24

Tags: Commitment, Surrender, Jesus Christ

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Cotton Pickin' Son Of God

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 28, 2014

We were having our weekly AWANA meeting at our church when something really funny happened. The children were sharing their Bible verse for the week -- John 3:16. One of our little boys was struggling with remembering the words. He was asked, "Can’t you remember John 3:16?" The boy struggled to ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-18

Tags: Salvation, Bible Study, Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Does Your God Bleed?  PRO

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 4, 2014

DOES YOUR GOD BLEED? A little boy went up to a missionary Sunday School leader in another country. The boy said, "I like what you say about the God of the Bible but I can’t see him. But if I go to the temple I can see my God." The missionary said to the little boy, "Son, may I ask you a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Tags: Salvation, Cross, Blood Of Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Is Dead, But I Spoke To Him This Morning!

Contributed by Silas Eke on Feb 28, 2015

Once Billy Graham was challenged when giving a message on the reality of God and His Son Jesus Christ; somebody said to him. “Hi, Billy, you talk very much about God as if He lives. He is dead. He has no more power in the affairs of men.” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

Tags: Christ's Death, Jesus Is Alive

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Infinite Can Penetrate The Finite!!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 1, 2016

Herbert Spencer, one of the popularizes of agnosticism over a century ago, observed accurately that a bird has never been known to fly out of space. Therefore, he concluded by analogy that it is impossible for the finite to penetrate the infinite. Even if God does exist, we can never know Him ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14

Tags: Jesus, Creator, Infinite, Agnosticism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Einstein Was So Brilliant

Contributed by Garris Hudson on May 19, 2016

WHY EINSTEIN WAS SO BRILLIANT "As a child I received instruction both in the Bible and in the Talmud. I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene.... ..No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-17

Tags: Jesus, Wisdom, Atheism, History

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grab The Rope

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Aug 1, 2018

Main Idea: To be saved, you must let go of what you are trusting in and grab onto Jesus. Verse: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:30-31 NKJV). Illustration: One time there was a man who ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:30-31

Tags: Trust In Jesus, Faith, Salvation

Denomination: Charismatic

Unsung Heroines-Joanna, Wife Of Herod’s Steward

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 22, 2022

Introduction: Joanna is only mentioned in two verses of Scripture. What she did for Jesus and the disciples truly shows she was an unsung heroine. Text: Luke 8:3, KJV: 3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:3, Luke 24:10-11

Tags: Jesus, Joanna, Unsung Heroines

Denomination: Baptist

The Wave

Contributed by Gregory Artz on Nov 5, 2022

In elections there is a term “The Wave”. This term means that a large change is coming, and one side is going to have substantial losses in the upcoming election. In the news you will hear about an upcoming “Blue Wave” or a “Red Wave”. However, as Christians, we will choose to trust in the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:20, Matthew 8:23-27

Tags: Heavenly Citizenship, Sovereignty Of Jesus

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

That's My King!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 20, 2022

THAT’S MY KING! “He’s enduringly strong, He’s entirely sincere, He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. He’s God’s Son. He’s a sinner’s savior. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s unparalleled. He’s ...read more

Tags: Lord, Jesus, King, Preachers

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Cannot Swim To Hawaii

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Sep 20, 2024

If you put three swimmers on the coast of California and ask them to swim to Hawaii, the Olympic swimmer might swim 500 miles before she dies. The second swimmer might be a good swimmer and swim 25 miles before he dies. The last swimmer does not know how to swim very well and swims only one mile ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 29:29, John 8:58, Matthew 25:31-33

Tags: Jesus Is The Way, Other Religions

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Unwanted Items-The Unwanted Salary

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 11, 2025

Unwanted items-the unwanted salary Introduction: Have you ever been so angry with your employer that you threw your pay away? Something like that happened in the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20)! (Full disclosure: Sermon Central has previously accepted a message on this text in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-15

Tags: Jesus, Money, Unwanted Things

Denomination: Baptist

Fly To The Light  PRO

Contributed by Joe Bertone on Aug 20, 2012

FLY TO THE LIGHT Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky has this huge sanctuary that seats thousands upon thousands. Sometimes birds get in there. The facilities department has the job of trying to figure out how to get these birds out. The last thing you want Sunday morning is a bird ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12

Tags: Light, Darkness, Escape, Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Years Ago, Leslie Flynn Penned A Book Called, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2001

Years ago, Leslie Flynn penned a book called, Great Church Fights. In it he chronicled the way people in different churches would go after each other – all in the name of Jesus Christ. A young father heard a commotion out in his backyard, he looked outside and saw his daughter and several ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Matthew 14:13-21

Tags: Jesus Teachings, Love Of The Disciples, Unity

Mom Of The Miracle  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 5, 2002

MOM OF THE MIRACLE September 4, 1990, was the beginning of a new era for the Ellison Family of Long Island. It was mom Jean’s first day of a new teaching job, and daughter Brooke’s first day of seventh grade. But things didn’t unfold as planned. Brook was hit by a car that day, and ...read more

Tags: Parenting, Mother's Day, Miracles Of Jesus

Just For You  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 24, 2002

JUST FOR YOU In Peggy Noonan’s book When Character Was King, she tells about a meeting between President George W. Bush and President Vladimir Putin of Russia. It was their first meeting as world leaders and Bush wanted to be sure they connected-- that they looked for depth of soul and ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Tags: Crucifixion, Easter Resurrection, Jesus Christ

A Pastor Was Preparing A Christmas Message And ...  PRO

Contributed by Harold Miller on Dec 15, 2000

A pastor was preparing a Christmas message and fell asleep in his study at the church. He dreamed that he was in a world into which Jesus had never come. He walked out on the streets, but no church spires pointed to heaven. He was summoned by a weeping child to visit her dying mother, but on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11

Tags: God Brings Hope, Forgiveness In Jesus, Jesus Is The Way, Christmas Advent

Denomination: Mennonite

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

C.s. Lewis: The Chronicles Of Narnia — Thirsty  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 25, 2002

C. Cs. Lewis "The Chronicles of Narnia" "Are you not thirsty?" said the lion. "I’m dying of thirst," said Jill. "Then drink," said the lion. "May I- could I- would you mind going away while I do?" said Jill. The lion answered this only by a look and very low growl. As Jill gazed at its ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:1-7

Tags: Jesus Teachings, Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Choose Wisely  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 6, 2002

CHOOSE WISELY There are many who believe that hell is not a literal place prepared for those who reject God. Part of the refusal to believe this comes from the way Hell has been represented to us. It’s become a cartoon of sorts. There is a Far Side cartoon showing the devil (complete with a ...read more

Tags: Hell, Jesus Teachings, Second Coming