In Sermon Illustrations: "Looking"

Paint Me With Diamonds

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Oct 22, 2011

PAINT ME WITH DIAMONDS A woman decided to have her portrait painted. She told the artist, "Paint me with diamond rings, a diamond necklace, emerald bracelets, a ruby broach, and gold Rolex." "But you are not wearing any of those things," he replied. "I know," she said. "It's in case I should ...read more

Tags: Greed

Denomination: Baptist

Hell Is Past Calvary

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 28, 2012

HELL IS PAST CALVARY Adrian Rogers once recalled hearing about a nightclub called "The Gates of Hades." The story goes that a newcomer to the city was looking for this nightclub and he stopped a policeman to ask directions. It just so happened that there was a church on that same street called ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:28

Tags: Hell

The Wonder Of The Hummingbird

Contributed by David Simpson on Jan 15, 2013

A few weeks ago, a hummingbird came and fluttered in front of my face. I was stunned. I've never seen one up that close and personal. It was so close I counted the number of times it flapped its wings - 25 beats per second - or 1500 flaps per minute! (No I looked it up!) It is the only bird ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 71:19

Tags: Creation, Wonder

Denomination: Christian Church

Baptism

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Sep 13, 2020

The story is told about the baptism of King Aengus by St. Patrick in the middle of the fifth century. Sometime during the rite, St. Patrick leaned on his sharp-pointed staff and inadvertently stabbed the king's foot. After the baptism was over, St. Patrick looked down at all the blood, realized ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38

Tags: Baptism, Suffering

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Valentine's Day, Romantic

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 24, 2021

“Every Valentine’s Day our campus newspaper has a section for student messages. Last year my roommate surprised his girlfriend with roses and dinner at a fancy restaurant. When they returned from their date, she leafed through the paper to see if he had written a note to her. Near the bottom of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:16

Tags: Love, Marriage, Romance, Dating, Valentine's Day  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Mom Is The Best Preacher In The Family!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 19, 2022

Dr. G. Campbell Morgan had 4 sons and they were all preachers. Someone once came into the living room when all the family was there. They thought they would see what Howard, one of the sons, was made of so they asked him this question: "Howard, who is the greatest preacher in your ...read more

Tags: Children, Mother's Day, Pastors, Mother, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Just Takes Over

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Jul 21, 2022

One day my friend was looking at the beautiful blooming wisteria vine entwined in the fence by her home thinking how the woody vines just take over everything around them and choke the life out of it. They are extremely hard to eradicate once they've taken hold. Wisteria is actually an ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:23

Tags: Death, Sin, Wages

Denomination: Charismatic

Where Are The Nail Prints In Your Hands?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 4, 2023

During the Middle Ages there was a popular story which circulated about Martin of Tours, for whom Martin Luther was named. It was said that Satan once appeared to St Martin in the guise of the Savior himself saying that he was Jesus. Martin was ready to fall to his feet and worship this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Tags: Temptation, Blood Of Jesus, Atonement, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Cross  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seven Stages Of Temptation

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 9, 2024

SEVEN STAGES OF TEMPTATION 1 THE LOOK --- "When he is drawn away" 2 THE LUST --- "By his own desires" 3 THE LURE --- "And Enticed" 4 THE CONCEPTION ---- "When desire has conceived" 5 THE BIRTH -- "It gives birth to sin" 6 THE GROWTH ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Overcoming, Tests, Trials, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Victory, Lies, Tribulation, Defeat, Sin, Lust, Deception, Satan  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Taking Your Cut

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 22, 2025

A lady lost her handbag in the bustle of Christmas shopping. It was found by an honest little boy and returned to her. Looking in her purse, she commented, "That's funny. When I lost my bag there was only a $100 bill in it. Now there are five $20 bills." The boy quickly replied, ...read more

Tags: Self Interest, Shrewd

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Puppy Story Concerning Martin Luther

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 1, 2025

The Great theologian Martin Luther ... had visitors for dinner one day. His puppy ... happened to be at the table, ... looking for just a morsel ... from his master hand. The puppy watched motionless with open mouth and eyes widened in anticipation. Martin Luther said, "Oh, if I could ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:19-20, Luke 14:7-14, Matthew 15:36

Tags: Christ, Hope, Anticipation

Denomination: Anglican

The Word Is Alive - Let It Flow Through You Even Once

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 28, 2026

A man told his pastor that he received no inspiration ... from reading trough the Bible. His response speaks volumes: "Let it flow through you once," replied the elderly pastor ... "Then you will tell a different story!" Beloved ... it is so alive that you must not look to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-16, Isaiah 55:11

Tags: Alive, Word, Scriptures

Denomination: Anglican

He Led Them Up The Steep Slope Out Of The River ...  PRO

Contributed by Todd Anderson on Dec 8, 2005

“He led them up the steep slope out of the river valley and then slightly to the right apparently by the very same route which they had used that afternoon in coming from the hill of the stone table. On and on he lead them into dark shadows out into pale moonlight. Getting their feet wet with the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-3

Tags: Narnia

Denomination: Lutheran

In An Article In Campus Life A Young Nurse Writes ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 9, 2001

In an article in Campus Life a young nurse writes of her pilgrimage in learning to see in a patient the image of God beneath a very “distressing disguise.” Eileen was one of her first patients, a person who was totally helpless. “A cerebral aneurysm (broken blood vessels in the brain) had left her ...read more

Tags: Giving General, Christian Disciplines, Compassion

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Claude And Amanda Tackett Were A Typical Young ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Cassara on Sep 8, 2001

Claude and Amanda Tackett were a typical young mid-western couple, living in Louisville KY. They were members of the Southeast Christian Church. Claude had recently completed law school and was doing well in his first job as a lawyer. In January of this year, Amanda gave birth to their first ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships, God Brings Hope, Disappointment

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Showing Forgiveness To Jim Bakker  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

SHOWING FORGIVENESS TO JIM BAKKER Former televangelist Jim Bakker speaks of events that occurred immediately after his release from prison: When I was transferred to my last prison, Franklin [Graham] said he wanted to help me out when I got out-with a job, a house to live in, and a car. It was my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:8-11

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, God's Provision, God's Forgiveness

Make Yourself At Home  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Rogers on Feb 20, 2002

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME Becky Pippert, is a Christian author from Naperville, Illinois. While doing campus ministry she met a student named Bill on a college campus in Portland, Oregon. Bill was brilliant, and always looked like he was pondering something deep. He had messy hair, and the entire ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ, Christian Love, Promises Of God

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Value Of Life A Store Owner Was Tacking A Sign ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 15, 2002

Value of Life A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read ’Puppies for Sale.’ These signs had a weird way of attracting children. And sure enough, a little boy appeared at the sign. "How much are you gonna sell those puppies for?" he asked. The store owner replied" Anywhere from ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Elderly Man Was Desperately Ill. Knowing The ...  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Rogers on Dec 10, 2001

An elderly man was desperately ill. Knowing the time for his departure was near, he called for his closest friends to come see him one last time. Attending him were his doctor, his pastor and his business manager. The old man said, “I know you can’t take it with you, but who knows for sure? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:6-10, 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Tags: Money

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

On New Year's Day, 1929, Georgia Tech Played Ucla ...  PRO

Contributed by Mike Leiter on Jan 15, 2003

On New Year’s Day, 1929, Georgia Tech played UCLA in the Rose Bowl. In that game a young man named Roy Riegels recovered a fumble for UCLA. Picking up the loose ball, he lost his direction and ran sixty-five yards toward the wrong goal line. One of his teammates, Beeny Lom, ran him down and ...read more

Tags: God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Vineyard