In Sermon Illustrations: "Luke Chapter 9 Verses 511 Through 62"

Chekhov's Advice

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 6, 2023

The great Russian playwright Anton Chekhov wrote to his younger brother in 1879 responding to a letter in which the brother had signed himself as “your insignificant and obscure little brother.” Chekhov’s answer to this false humility is classic. “Do you know,” Chekhov asked in reply, “before whom ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-11

Tags: Humility, Pride

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sleep In Heavenly Peas?? (Christmas Joke)

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 28, 2023

A little boy and girl were singing their favorite Christmas carol in church the Sunday before Christmas. The boy concluded singing "Silent Night" with the words, "Sleep in heavenly beans." " No," his sister corrected, "not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Tags: Pastors, Birth Of Christ, Christmas, Peace, Preaching, Mistakes, Humor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Called To Serve

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Dec 1, 2023

In 1884, a devastating famine struck India, claiming over 50 lakh lives. In the midst of despair, Christian organizations from America, driven by compassion, sailed to India to provide medical aid and sustenance. Dr. John, accompanied by his daughter Ida Scudder, arrived in Ranipet. The dire ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Tags: Service, Called

Denomination: Other

Llamado A Servir

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Dec 1, 2023

En 1884, una hambruna devastadora azotó la India y se cobró más de 50 lakh de vidas. En medio de la desesperación, organizaciones cristianas de Estados Unidos, impulsadas por la compasión, navegaron hacia la India para brindar ayuda médica y sustento. El Dr. John, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Tags: Service, Called

Denomination: Other

Tinawag Para Maglingkod

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Dec 1, 2023

Noong 1884, isang mapangwasak na taggutom ang tumama sa India, na kumitil ng mahigit 50 lakh na buhay. Sa gitna ng kawalan ng pag-asa, ang mga organisasyong Kristiyano mula sa Amerika, na hinimok ng habag, ay naglayag patungong India upang magbigay ng tulong medikal at kabuhayan. Si Dr. John, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Tags: Service, Called

Denomination: Other

The Significance Of The Manger

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 9, 2023

If you try to point out something to a dog, the dog will often look at your finger instead of the object you’re trying to point to. This is frustrating, but it illustrates a natural mistake we all make from time to time. It’s the mistake many people make when reading the Christmas story in Luke’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Messiah, Christmas, Manger, Shepherds, Sign  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Census At The Birth Of Jesus

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 9, 2023

Historians have been puzzled about the census. The one taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. While all this begins to explain why Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, Luke is making a point. The birth of this little boy is the beginning of a confrontation between the kingdom of God - in all its ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-2

Tags: Mary And Joseph, Quirinus, Caeser Agustus, Bethlehem, Birth, Census  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Winston Churchill's Resolve

Contributed by David Swanger on Jan 19, 2024

After the Nazis drove the British army from the European continent at Dunkirk and obtained France’s surrender in June of 1940, the Germans were certain that victory in Europe was at hand and that Great Britain would seek a peace agreement. France also believed that was true. French General Maxime ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:62

Tags: Resolve, Commitment

Christmas Suicide Myth

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 3, 2024

It is a myth that suicide rates increase during the holidays. It is true that deaths rise around Christmas and New Year’s Day. Authorities are not sure why, but some suspect it is because people delay addressing health concerns until after the holidays and/or because hospitals, nursing homes, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Christmas, Suicide, Christmas Myth

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Mistletoe Mystery

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 3, 2024

The myth: Mistletoe will bring you good luck. Remember that old joke? If athletes get athlete’s foot, what do astronauts get? Missile toe! Mistletoe is an odd plant: it is a parasite that grows atop tree or shrub branches. The association of good luck with mistletoe goes back centuries. The idea ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Christmas, Customs, Traditions, Decorations, Mistletoe, Christmas Myths  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Two Subjects Nobody Wants To Hear Preached About

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Nov 8, 2024

In the 15+ years I have been preaching,I have discovered there are two subjects nobody wants to hear a sermon about: Sin and Giving. Nobody wants to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38

Tags: Sin, Giving, Obstinance

Denomination: Charismatic

Excuses

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 4, 2025

Police officers probably get more excuses than anybody (other than God). Here are some I found around the internet: “Sorry officer, I was throwing those beer cans out the window so my wife won’t see how much I drank tonight.” 😊 “If you are going to write me a ticket, please do it quickly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:18-20

Tags: Excuses, Police

Denomination: Methodist

Coronation Of The Queen

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 25, 2025

CONCLUSION: What kind of offering will we give? I read years ago it was CORONATION DAY in Great Britain. A new queen was going to be set in order. There were invitations sent out. There was a little note attached to the invitations: ALL EXCUSES CEASE. I ponder what might happen if we couldn’t give ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-23

Tags: Challenge, Excuses

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Blood From Jesus' Brow

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 17, 2025

The Gospel of Luke gives us an accurate description of a very real and yet uncommon medical condition: hematidrosis. It occurs during times of great mental and emotional stress. There are tiny blood vessels that surround all our sweat glands, especially on our brows. When a person is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:39-44

Tags: Battle, Sins, Garden Of Gethsemane, Maundy Thursday, Transgressions, Iniquities, Hematidrosis  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

The Last Supper By Leonardo Da Vinci

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 21, 2025

Story: Leonardo da Vinci took seven years to paint his famous picture the "Last Supper". He used living people to depict the figures representing the Twelve Apostles and Christ. He started the fresco with Jesus Christ himself. It is reputed that he viewed hundreds and hundreds of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Tags: Last Supper, Leonardo Da Vinci

Denomination: Anglican

Prayer

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 21, 2025

Story: A friend of mine, Alun Morris was a pastor in a Swiss Pentecostal Church for many years. One day, he went to a funeral and saw a man who he knew to be an atheist come into church and bow his head for about a minute in front of the altar as he came in. It seemed to Alun that the man was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Tags: Prayer, Atheist

Denomination: Anglican

Story Of The Bears

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 21, 2025

Story: One day Bill Morris went out hunting in the woods just outside Prince George in British Columbia, Canada. It had been a slow day and he hadn’t found any game to shoot. Suddenly, he heard a noise behind him. He whirled around and saw two ferocious looking bears coming towards him. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Tags: Christian Bears, Hunting

Denomination: Anglican

Story From Eastern Europe

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 21, 2025

Story: I would like to leave you with a story from Eastern Europe A man came into Court to give evidence, but he considered the Bible too holy to swear an oath on and so refused to do so. The lawyer for the defence approached the bench and asked for the man to be excused that formality, because ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Tags: Judge, Piety, Lawyer

Denomination: Anglican

The Conversion Of John Newton

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 21, 2025

Story: In the 18th Century, John Newton was the slave trader. He swore and cursed. He sold slaves. He nearly lost his life in a storm and it was in that storm that he found God. He renounced his evil ways and eventually became a vicar in the Anglican Church. He helped William Wilberforce in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Tags: Amazing Grace, John Newton

Denomination: Anglican

Charles Blondin

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 21, 2025

Story: In the late 19th century (1859), Charles Blondin (born Jean François Gravelet, 28 February 1824 – 22 February 1897)a famous tightrope walker had a tightrope placed across the Niagara Falls in the USA. He then proceeded to walk across it with a wheelbarrow in front of him. Having ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Tags: Blondin, Niagara Falls, Wheelbarrow

Denomination: Anglican