In Sermon Illustrations: "Lost Souls"

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

Never Mind, God  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Apr 30, 2001

NEVER MIND, GOD A man was putting a tin roof on his barn when all of a sudden he slipped and began to slide down the roof. He cried out to God to save him. No sooner had he got the words out of his mouth, a nail caught his pants and stopped him. When he stopped, he said, “Never mind, God. I took ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:7-12

Tags: God's Omnipotence, Help, Prayer, Pride, Provision, Miracles, Fearfully, Soul, Wonderfully Made  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Observation About Aging—and Baseballs

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 7, 2022

Introduction: You just can’t change some facts. Aging is one of those facts! Text: Ecclesiastes 12:1, KJV: 1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; Thoughts: Like most good ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1

Tags: Sports, Aging, Baseball

Denomination: Baptist

Pastoral ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Pastoral Appreciation Pastors are very thankful to the Lord for every worker that God has given to the church of Jesus Christ. There is no greater blessing than to see obedient Christians exercise their gifts under the guidance of agape love. Whether it be the gift of helps, administration, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:11

Tags: Pastors

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Praying In ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Praying in Revival 2 Chronicles 7:14 says: “…if my people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” All true spiritual awakenings that have had a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Tags: Revival

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Nation Of Bible Illiterates  PRO

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Jan 25, 2010

A Nation of Bible Illiterates George Barna wrote The State of the Church in 2002. Barna conducted a survey of self-pronounced Christians and here’s what he found about their knowledge of the Bible. These are Christians. • 48% could not name the four Gospels. • 52% cannot identify more than two ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36, Psalm 125:1-5, Genesis 1:1-19, Galatians 5:18-22, Ephesians 6:10-17, Romans 15:1, Daniel 3:12-23, Isaiah 55:10-12, Romans 12:15, Acts 5:12-42, 1 Peter 1:13-25, Galatians 6:6-10, Psalm 119:11, Revelation 8:1-17, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16, 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, Acts 2:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible Study, Crossroad, God's Promises, Soul Winning, Diarrhea, Healing, Perseverance, Abraham, Help  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Incredible Value Of One Child

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 12, 2023

An elderly preacher was rebuked by one of his deacons one Sunday morning before the service. "Pastor," said the man, "something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There's been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he's just a boy." The ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Evangelism, Children, Holy Spirit, Faithfulness, Success, Spiritual Fruit, Flesh, Fruit Of The Spirit, Souls  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spit It Out!

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Mar 5, 2024

Spit It Out! Sharing the Sweet News We all know how unpredictable children can be—especially when it comes to what they decide to pop in their mouths! One unforgettable Sunday morning, right after church, I was shaking hands with a young dad when, out of nowhere, he went into full “parental ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17, 1 Peter 3:15, Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 6:1-4, Matthew 28:16-20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: The Gospel, Ashamed, Sharing The Gospel, Soul Winning, Unpredictable, Children, Salvation, Obedience, Testimony, Witnessing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

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

I Will Save You  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 10, 2002

I WILL SAVE YOU John Piper puts it this way: If we only knew it, every one of us is stranded on an ice face in Greenland, and the wind is blowing fiercely. Our position is so precarious that even if we inhale too deeply our weight will shift and we will plunge to our destruction. God comes to us ...read more

Tags: Faith Vs. Works, Evangelism The Lost, Lordship Of Christ

Guarded By The Shepherd  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 14, 2003

GUARDED BY THE SHEPHERD Charles Spurgeon says this about the Great Shepherd: What is there in you, dear friend, more than there is in any other professor, why you should not prove an apostate after all? What is there about me that I should stand where so many others have fallen? There is ...read more

Tags: Jesus Christ, People In Acts, Parable Lost Sheep

That's When The Angels Rejoice  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 11, 2004

THAT’S WHEN THE ANGELS REJOICE There’s a gospel song entitled, “That’s When The Angels Rejoice” written by Larry Bryant: When the Model T first hit the street, It didn’t bring all heaven to its feet. And when the first computer was born, They didn’t blow Old Gabriel’s horn. There’s only one thing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32, Luke 15:1-31

Tags: Evangelism The Lost, Parable Prodigal Son, Promises Of God