In Sermon Illustrations: "Lost Souls"

#8230; Claire Schenot Burkat, "Five ...  PRO

Contributed by Troy Borst on Aug 28, 2001

ILLUSTRATION… Claire Schenot Burkat, "Five Myths of the Perfect Pastor" His sermons were over their heads. His opinionated views alienated his colleagues. Coworkers found him boastful, even arrogant. A physical disability drove him to over-function in ministry. The first two congregations he ...read more

Tags: Heart-Soul, Leadership General, Paul, Apostles General, Surrender  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Word Is A Sword

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 28, 2026

BIBLE ".... My word will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." END (Isaiah 55:11) So, unlike any other book, ... the Scriptures are (1 Finger) Living ...... (2 Fingers) and active and: (3 Fingers) Thirdly, ... It is a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:11, Mark 14:47, Hebrews 4:12-16

Tags: Word, Piercing, Joints, Spirit, Soul, Alive, Living, Sword  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

God's Cures/Remedies For...

Contributed by Timothy Brown on Feb 14, 2010

God's Cures/Remedies for... * Worry: John 14:1, "Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me..." * A broken heart: Psalm 147:3-6, "He heals the brokenhearted, binding up their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is ...read more

Tags: Anxiety

Denomination: Baptist

John Donne Was An English Cleric And Poet Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Nov 10, 2002

John Donne was an English cleric and poet of exceeding intellect who lived his adult life in the early 1600’s. King James I appointed him the dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. But in 1623 he became ill and felt he was dying of the plague, which was taking so many lives at that time. While ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:7-12, Psalm 139:1

Tags: Death, Evangelism The Lost, Promises Of God

Denomination: Methodist

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

They Took Away…  PRO

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Apr 17, 2002

They took away what should have been my eyes, (But I remembered Milton’s Paradise). They took away what should have been my ears, (Beethoven came and wiped away my tears). They took away what should have been my tongue, (But I had walked with God when I was young). He ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, Evangelism The Lost, Human Body

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lucky Dog

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 15, 2022

A family put the following ad in the "Lost and Found" section of the paper: "Lost Dog: Crippled in front paw, blind in left eye, mange on back and neck, tail missing. Recently neutered. Answers to the name 'Lucky'". He truly was a lucky dog, because in spite of all ...read more

Tags: Lost, Lost Sheep, Prodigal Son, Luke 15, God's Love, Parables  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[111]. A Message From A Poem – Harvest Through Death

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 19, 2025

[111]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HARVEST THROUGH DEATH This poem lay for 27 years waiting to be finished and now it is. Its theme is the fruit of Christ’s sacrifice as the Grain of Wheat. Jesus told to Andrew and Philip a truth I am sure the disciples did not understand. {{John 12:24-25 “Truly, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18, John 12:24-25

Tags: Dying To Oneself, Harvest, Upon This Rock, Redeemed, Souls, Grain Of Wheat  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thinkers Down The Ages Have Puzzled Over The ...  PRO

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 18, 2000

Thinkers down the ages have puzzled over the place of mankind in this immense universe in which we find ourselves. Perhaps you, like me, in a quiet moment have wondered, "What am I? Who am I?" G K Chesterton summarized it rather ...read more

Tags: Sin Fall Of Man, Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Baptist

A Famous Actor Was An After Dinner Speaker At A ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 9, 2001

A famous actor was an after dinner speaker at a big function and when he stood up to speak, he invited his audience to choose a poem for him to recite. There was a long silence until a retired clergyman raised his hand and asked for Psalm 23. The actor was slightly taken back, but agreed to do ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-7

Tags: Parable Lost Sheep, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Anglican

Oscar Wilde, Once Wrote, "There Are Two Tragedies ...  PRO

Contributed by Edward Frey on Aug 14, 2001

Oscar Wilde, once wrote, “There are two tragedies in this life. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.” In a way, Mr. Wilde recognized one of the most challenging aspects of being human. We want so much. We measure our lives by how much we get or do not get. Often we are ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost, Fulfillment, God's Provision

Denomination: Lutheran

A Few Years Ago, Time Magazine Featured A ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 11, 2001

ILL. A few years ago, Time Magazine featured a story about Peter Sellers. It told about him appearing on the Muppet Show & being interviewed by Kermit The Frog. His interview began with Kermit telling Peter Sellers, "Now, just relax & be yourself." Peter Sellers responded, "I can’t be myself ...read more

Tags: Leadership General, Evangelism The Lost, Faith

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Billy Graham, Who Has Often Played The 20th ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 10, 2001

Billy Graham, who has often played the 20th century role of John the Baptizer, had these comments about the disease running rampant in our world: "We’re suffering from only one disease in the world. Our basic problem is not a race problem. Our basic problem is not a poverty problem. Our basic ...read more

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Evangelism The Lost, Repentance

Irony At The Cross  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 15, 2001

IRONY AT THE CROSS Only at the cross of Christ does man see fully what it is that separates him from God; yet it is here alone that he perceives that he is no longer separated from God. Nowehere else does the inviolable holiness of God, the impossibility of overlooking the guilt of man stand out ...read more

Tags: God's Forgiveness, Evangelism The Lost, Compassion

When You Have Nothing Left But God, Then For The ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

When you have nothing left but God, then for the first time you become aware that God is ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost, Poverty, God's Provision

All I've Got  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

ALL I'VE GOT “You’ll never realize Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you’ve ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost, Fulfillment, Faith General

Stephen Olford Is Without Question One Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Feb 4, 2002

Stephen Olford is without question one of the great Preachers of the World: Son of a missionary to Africa Did not want to go through the trials and tribulations of a missionary. Was mistreated by Christians in England and rebelled against God. Studied to become an engineer. ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, Evangelism The Lost, Repentance

Denomination: Baptist

The Hope In A Rocket  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Feb 28, 2002

THE HOPE IN A ROCKET October Sky is a great movie. It is based on the autobiography of former NASA science engineer Homer Hickam, Jr. It is about four boys who embody the hope of a community. It’s 1957 in Coalwood, West Virginia where all the boys grow up to be coal miners. Homer Hickam ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:4-12

Tags: Leadership General, Evangelism The Lost, Faith

Denomination: Methodist

A Woman Once Wrote That At A Garage Sale She Had ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 31, 2002

A woman once wrote that at a garage sale she had spotted a handsome antique copper kettle for only $2.50. It was badly tarnished, so she asked the woman running the sale if the discoloration would come out. She cheerfully offered to try some copper cleaner on it and disappeared with it into the ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:11-14

Tags: Evangelism The Lost, Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Best Change  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Dec 3, 2002

THE BEST CHANGE Our world has changed dramatically in the past 100 years, and futurists predict that even greater changes are coming. Consider these facts: We now watch as routine space shuttles that propel people into space and land routinely. Yet, it was under 100 years ago that the first ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost, God Brings Purpose

Denomination: Christian Church