In Sermon Illustrations: "Lost Job"

Leave Hungry  PRO

Contributed by Terry Cavanaugh on Apr 26, 2002

Tommy Tenney, in his new book tells this story. He believes that God spoke to him and said, “You know, Tommy, your favorite worship services and My favorite services are not the same. You leave you services full and satisfied, but when you leave, I’m still hungry.” He writes, “God whispered this ...read more

Tags: Worship General, Church Practices, Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Methodist

Dead In Unrighteousness  PRO

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Oct 18, 2002

DEAD IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS Several years ago a movie came out called “Death Becomes Her”. I don’t recommend it. It was dark humor at best, but the few funny parts weren’t worth the cost of the movie rental; much less, a theatre ticket. But the basic premise of the movie turns out to be a great ...read more

Tags: Jesus Teachings, Evangelism The Lost, Dead To Sin

Denomination: Orthodox

There Is A Movie That Was Recently Produced That ...  PRO

Contributed by James May on Oct 20, 2002

There is a movie that was recently produced that was titled “Shallow Hal”. In that movie, Hal was given a gift of seeing a woman, not as she physically looked but as their heart would appear. There were some who were over weight, some who were not so physically appealing to the normal observer, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-7

Tags: Christian Values, Evangelism The Lost, Romantic Love

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Our Greatest Desire  PRO

Contributed by Bill Bendert on Oct 28, 2002

OUR GREATEST DESIRE In the first Harry Potter book (and movie), Harry stumbles on a mirror in Hogwarts castle. It is the mirror of Erised. Erised, of course, is the word "desire" written backwards, as if seen in a mirror. This magical mirror shows the one looking into it whatever they most ...read more

Tags: Humanity Of Christ, Evangelism The Lost, Finding Fulfillment

Denomination: Lutheran

Elie Wiesel, Nobel Prize Winner And Author Is A ...  PRO

Contributed by William Norman on Nov 4, 2002

Elie Wiesel, Nobel prize winner and author is a Holocaust survivor. He tells the story of two men and a youth who were hung at a Nazi concentration camp. All of the prisoners, including Wiesel, were paraded to the gallows to witness this horror. The older men died quickly, but the death throes of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-35, Mark 3:20-35

Tags: Promises Of God, God In The Hardships, Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Baptist

I Somehow Sensed That Destiny Was Waiting…a ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Feb 3, 2003

“I somehow sensed that destiny was waiting…a hunger had been birthed in my heart that just wouldn’t go away. The gnawing vacuum of emptiness in the midst of my accomplishments just got worse. I was in a frustrating funk, a divine depression of destiny…I just sensed that something awaited us from ...read more

Tags: Worship Benefits, Evangelism The Lost, Church Practices

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Certain Man Was Troubled With Dizzy Spells. He ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Gabriel on Mar 18, 2004

A certain man was troubled with dizzy spells. He went from one doctor to another and none could tell him what the problem was. He tried everything, it seemed. Finally, it was bothering him so much he started to lose weight, and he couldn’t sleep at night. He became a nervous wreck and his health ...read more

Tags: Hope, God's Provision, Expectation, Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Baptist

Come Home

Contributed by Joe Bertone on Aug 27, 2012

COME HOME Longing to leave her poor Brazilian neighborhood, Christina wanted to see the world. Discontent with a home having only a pallet on the floor, a washbasin, and a wood-burning stove, she dreamed of a better life in the city. One morning she slipped away breaking her mother’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:12-14

Tags: Salvation, Lost, Home, Seek, Found, Wander  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Worst People...

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 2, 2020

Spurgeon said - "Often those who are thought to be the worst of people turn out the best. Many of the most precious pearls have been found in the deepest sea; and some of the most grateful hearts have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-3, Luke 17:14-19

Tags: Sin, Salvation, Redemption, Gratitude, Lost, Election  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Were Desperate Without Christ!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

Steven Cole has a good discussion on salvation writing… As I’ve often said, salvation is a radical word. You don’t need saving if you’re in pretty good shape. All you need then is a little help. You need saving when you’re perishing and are helpless to save yourself. The Bible uses a number of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1

Tags: Evangelism, Grace, Mercy, Salvation, Gospel, Lost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faking It

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 8, 2021

One of my wife’s third graders was wearing a Fitbit watch, which prompted my wife to ask, “Are you tracking your steps?” “No,” said the little girl. “I wear this for Mommy so ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1-13

Tags: Deception, Torah, Works Righteousness, Religious But Lost

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Prodigal Son In The Key Of F

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 14, 2022

Feeling footloose and frisky, a foolish fellow forced his father to fork over his fourth of the family farthings and flew far to a foreign field where he fast frittered his father's fortune feasting foolishly with faithless friends. Fleeced by his fellows and folly, and facing famine he found ...read more

Tags: Humor, Repentance, Parables, Lost, Prodigal Son  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Light In The Dark

Contributed by Carl Allen on Jul 8, 2022

While leaving in Germany, I had the fortune of going camping in the black forest. I found out quickly why they call it the black forest. When the sun goes down it is pitch black and you can barely see your hand in front of your face. We had just finished setting up camp and I had to run back out ...read more

Scripture: John 9:5, Psalm 119:105

Tags: Found, Direction, Light, Darkness, Lost, Saved  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Funnnnnnnnny Story About Lazarus!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 13, 2022

A teacher in children's church was telling the story of the rich man and Lazarus. She said that Lazarus sat outside the rich man's gate covered with sores and begging for food. And that the rich man passed Lazarus without even seeing him. But when they both died, Lazarus went to Heaven, ...read more

Tags: Hell, Death, Heaven, Salvation, Lost, Funerals  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Are His Hands And Feet.

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 27, 2023

After World War II, a group of German students volunteered to help rebuild an English cathedral that had been severely damaged by German bombs. As work progressed, they became concerned about a large statue of Jesus, whose arms were out-stretched and beneath which was the inscription: “Come unto ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: Service, Ministry, Outreach, Discipleship, Witnessing, Lost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Can't Remember When I Was Saved!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 12, 2023

If you have not realized it yet, over time you are going to forget some things. I think of the two older men that were playing golf. One had trouble seeing and other had trouble remembering. The one with a seeing problem said to the other, "Now, watch my ball, for I can’t see where it ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, 1 John 5:1-13

Tags: Memory, Salvation, Gospel, Assurance, Lost, Saved  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

So God Made A Farmer

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 6, 2024

In James chapter 5, we see a comparison between the patient farmer in the field waiting for his crops and the waiting believer in Christ preparing to meet the Lord at His return. Paul Harvey did a masterful job of describing the life of the farmer years ago. And on the 8th day, God looked down ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12, 1 Thessalonians 5:13-18

Tags: Return Of Christ, Prophets, Farmers, Waiting, End Times, Prophecy, Second Coming, Last Days, Rapture, Patience, Job  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Time-Lapse Of Sin  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mavis on Apr 4, 2001

THE TIME-LAPSE OF SIN Time-lapse photography compresses a series of events into one picture.Such a photo appeared in an issue of National Geographic. Taken from aRocky Mountain peak during a heavy thunderstorm, the picture captured the brilliant lightning display that had taken place throughout ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost, God's Provision, Sin Hurtful To God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In Preparation For A Meeting In A Large City, ...  PRO

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Apr 5, 2001

In preparation for a meeting in a large city, famed evangelist Billy Sunday wrote a letter to the mayor in which he asked for the name of individuals he knew who had a spiritual problem and needed help and prayer. How ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost, Sin General, Sharing My Testimony

Denomination: Baptist

How Righteous Are You?  PRO

Contributed by Richard Wilson on Nov 26, 2001

HOW RIGHTEOUS ARE YOU? Some folks think they are good really good people. Let’s suppose that a person on sins 3 times a day. A sin in the morning, a sin during the day and a sin at night. Sounds like a pretty good person! Let’s think for a moment. If that person is saved at 10 years old and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:22-23

Tags: Evangelism The Lost, Emotions, Sin Separates From God

Denomination: Baptist