In Sermon Illustrations: "Lords Coming"

When The Blacksmith Strikes His Hammer Repeatedly ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 27, 2008

When the blacksmith strikes his hammer repeatedly on the anvil it is said that the same anvil will wear out many hammers. Those who strike Christians are creating boldness in the body of Christ. When Christians are persecuted there is more courage. Tell about the workers at Youth for Christ in Shri ...read more

Tags: Prayer General

Stanley Jones In His Book Liberating Ministry ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Stanley Jones in his book Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome writes: "Prayer is surrender--surrender to the will of God and cooperation with that will. If I throw out a boathook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the ...read more

Tags: Prayer General

A Man Said: In A Small Southern Town There Was A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

A man said: In a small southern town there was a "Nativity Scene" that showed great skill and talent had gone into creating it. One small feature bothered me. The three wise men were wearing fireman’s helmets. Totally unable to come up with a reason or explanation, I left. At a "Quik Stop" on ...read more

Tags: Worship General

Hope Changes Everything

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Jan 3, 2009

HOPE CHANGES EVERYTHING From Parade magazine comes the story of self-made millionaire Eugene Land, who greatly changed the lives of a sixth-grade class in East Harlem. Mr. Lang had been asked to speak to a class of 59 sixth-graders. What could he say to inspire these students, most of whom would ...read more

Tags: God Brings Hope

Denomination: Christian Church

Bible By The Numbers

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 9, 2009

BIBLE BY THE NUMBERS The number 40 is an important spiritual symbol in the Bible. Noah’s flood -- 40 days and nights Moses on the mountain -- 40 days and nights Elijah in the wilderness headed for Sinai/Horeb to hear the still, small voice -- 40 days Jesus tempted in the wilderness for 40 days ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: *other

Linda Was On Vacation, Playing The Slot Machines. ...

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Feb 24, 2009

Linda was on vacation, playing the slot machines. It was her first time in a casino, and she wasn’t sure how the machines operated. "Excuse me," she said to a casino employee. "How does this work?" The worker showed her how to insert a bill, hit the spin button, and operate the release ...read more

Tags: Money

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Commitment Or Contentment?

Contributed by Don Jones on Mar 10, 2009

COMMITMENT OR CONTENTMENT? Four masked men came in with assault rifles screaming at the preacher and members during the worship service. They said that anyone who would deny their faith could leave safely, but the pastor had to stay and face the outcome. Silence fill the church, and finally, ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Character And Environment—secular View

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 17, 2009

CHARACTER AND ENVIRONMENT--SECULAR VIEW Best-selling secular author and expert in consumer behavior, Malcolm Gladwell, in his book, "The Tipping Point" comes to this conclusion: "Character, then, isn't what we think it is--or rather, what we want it to be. It isn't a stable, easily identifiable ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Spurgeon On Trusting God  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2009

SPURGEON ON TRUSTING GOD Charles Spurgeon writes: "There is One who cares for you. His eye is fixed on you, His heart beats with pity for your woe, and His omnipotent hand shall bring you the needed help. The darkest cloud shall scatter itself in showers of mercy. He, if you are one of His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:4

Tags: Grace, Trust, Anxiety, Surrender, Struggles, Trial  (view more)  (view less)

The Spotless Puppy

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

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

More Than The Pope

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 6, 2023

There’s a joke about the Pope coming to visit New York. His entourage had ordered a stretch limo for him. As he approached, they held the rear door open for him, but the Pontiff said that it had always been an ambition of his to drive in New York himself. So he got into the front seat, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-11

Tags: Pride, Status, Humility

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Ice Storm Train (1917)

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 4, 2025

In December 1917, a massive ice storm paralyzed New England. A passenger train froze on the tracks outside Hartford, leaving hundreds stranded in subzero temperatures. The passengers had no food, no heat, and no way home on Christmas Eve. Then something remarkable happened. Families living along ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:33-40

Tags: Christmas, Helping Others, Incarnation, Humanity, Trains  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

Tim (The Rock) Raines Returns To The Montreal ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 17, 2001

Tim (The Rock) Raines returns to the Montreal Expos at age 41 Apr. 13, 2001. From THESTAR.COM MONTREAL (CP) - Tim Raines wasn’t prepared for the deafening cheers from the usually quiet crowd when he stepped to the plate in his first game back in Montreal. For Raines, it was like being in the ...read more

Tags: Season, Miracles Of Jesus, Easter Resurrection

Tim (The Rock) Raines Returns To The Montreal ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on May 23, 2001

Tim (The Rock) Raines returns to the Montreal Expos at age 41 Apr. 13, 2001 writes the TheStar.Com. MONTREAL (CP) - Tim Raines wasn’t prepared for the deafening cheers from the usually quiet crowd when he stepped to the plate in his first game back in Montreal. For Raines, it was like being in the ...read more

Tags: Gifts Healing, God In The Hardships, Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Evangelical Free

You Might Be In A Country Church If.......  PRO

Contributed by Dru Ashwell on Dec 16, 2001

You might be in a country church if....... 1. The doors are never locked. 2. The Call to Worship is "Y’all come on in!" 3. People grumble about Noah letting coyotes on the Ark. 4. The Preacher says, "I’d like to ask Bubba to help take up the offering" and five guys stand up. 5. The ...read more

Tags: Church Small Groups, Country Church, Church General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Missing The Circus  PRO

Contributed by Ryan Johnson on Mar 6, 2002

MISSING THE CIRCUS A little boy who lived far out in the country in the late 1800s had reached the age of twelve and had never in all his life seen a circus. You can imagine his excitement, when one day a poster went up at school announcing that on the next Saturday a traveling circus was coming ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Tags: Fulfillment, Abundant, Lukewarm, Life, Risk  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Irwin Mcmanus In His Awesome Book ‘the Barbarian ...  PRO

Contributed by Butch Vernon on Nov 6, 2005

Irwin McManus in his awesome book ‘The Barbarian Way’ speaks of rhinos and their limitations. ‘But my favorite of all is the group designation for rhinos. You see, rhinos can run thirty miles an hour, which is pretty fast when you consider how much weight they’re pulling. They’re actually faster ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Baptist

Retold From "The Book Of Virtues" ...  PRO

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jan 2, 2003

ILLUSTRATION… Retold from "The Book of Virtues" Editor: William J. Bennett There is a story that centers on a king and the members of his court who were continually full of flattery. "You are the greatest man that ever lived...You are the most powerful king of all...Your highness, there is nothing ...read more

Tags: God's Omnipotence, Rededication

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seeing The Rainbow From God's Side  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Jul 19, 2003

SEEING THE RAINBOW FROM GOD’S SIDE Some years ago it was my privilege to be one of the speakers in a large Bible Conference held in Dallas, Texas. Inasmuch as I was conducting a revival meeting in Houston that same week, it was necessary for me to fly to and from the Dallas appointment. My oldest ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:16-17, Mark 4:35-41

Tags: God's Love

Denomination: Baptist