In Sermon Illustrations: "Matthew 25:39-42:25"

World Evangelism Statistics

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 5, 2022

If you say that Jesus is waiting on the Church to get the Gospel out before His return, let me give you a few statistics on the challenge the Church faces. We have almost 8 billion people on our planet right now. There are almost 2.4 Christians in the world today. If 500,000 people were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Salvation, Gospel, Missions, Witnessing, Lost, Great Commission, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Drowned In Front Of One Hundred Lifeguards!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 4, 2022

The Times-Reporter of New Philadelphia, Ohio, reported in September, 1985 a shocking discovery at a New Orleans municipal pool. The party around the pool was held to celebrate the first summer in memory without a drowning at the New Orleans city pool. In honor of the occasion, 200 people ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Unsaved, Great Commission, Evangelism, Gospel, Tragedy, Witnessing, Lost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Keepers Of The Aquarium

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 4, 2022

The late Sam Shoemaker, an Episcopalian bishop, summed up the situation this way with the way churches are not fulfilling the Great Commission of Christ to share the Gospel with the world: "In the Great Commission the Lord has called us to be -- like Peter -- fishers of men. We've turned ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Great Commission, Great Supper, Evangelism, Outreach, Gospel, Witnessing, Churches  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Melt The Saints And Get Them Into Circulation!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 4, 2022

During the reign of Oliver Cromwell, there was a shortage of currency in the British Empire. Representatives carefully searched the nation in hopes of finding silver to meet the emergency. After one month, the committee returned with its report. "We have searched the Empire in vain seeking ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Gospel, Witnessing, Lost, Great Commission  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

His Rightful Place

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Apr 11, 2022

I have a dog named Simba. I named him Simba because he is the color of a lion and he has the personality of a lion even though he is a chihuahua. One afternoon, we were really tired and I decided to take a quick nap with Simba. Simba has a certain place on the bed beside me where he always lays. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, Luke 10:41

Tags: Putting God First, Resting, Making Room For God, Making Time For God

Denomination: Charismatic

What Is It To Serve God And To Do His Will? ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

What is it to serve God and to do His will? Nothing else than to show mercy to our neighbor. For it is our neighbor who needs our service; God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew 5:7, Galatians 5:13, 1 Peter 5:5

Tags: Servanthood, Love Of The Disciples, Christian Disciplines

Mothers - How We Relate Through The Years

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 8, 2023

Moments with mothers ... and with grandmothers.... Often become the foundation ...of memories ... that in turn ... become stories ... that are shared within the family... for many years. And as Children ... I have found ... we relate....... to our mothers ...differently .... through the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:4, Matthew 19:19, Mark 7:10, Luke 18:20, John 19:25-27  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Children, Mom, Mothers Day, Mothers, Memories, Motherhood  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Power Of An Encouraging Word

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 4, 2023

Mark Eklund was a student in Sister Helen’s nineth grade math class at St. Mary’s School in Morris, Minnesota. He was much less talkative than he had been years earlier in her third-grade class. One Friday Sister Helen sensed the class’s frustration with trying to learn “ne math.” So, she asked ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7, Ephesians 4:32, Luke 10:25-37, Micah 6:8, Matthew 9:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Hope, Encouragement, Friendship, Kindness, Esteem, Love, Mercy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

[097]. A Message From A Poem – Gates Of Hesitation

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 3, 2025

[097]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GATES OF HESITATION This poem tells a story. Jesus told His listeners something – {{Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter by the narrow gate for THE GATE IS WIDE and the way is broad that leads to destruction and many are those who enter by it, for THE GATE IS SMALL and the way ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:21, Matthew 12:30, Psalm 1:1-6, Matthew 7:13-14

Tags: Destruction, Hesitation, Narrow Gate, Two Ways, Broad Gate, Gates  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Bitterness Still In Your Life?

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 1, 2025

Has someone ever said something ... or done something to you ... which you found ... difficult ... to forgive? Every time you hear their name, ... even if the incident happened years ago ... still brings uneasiness ... to your soul. It is ... as though you were reliving the event ... all over ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15, Ephesians 4:26, Matthew 5:23-24, Romans 12:19, Hebrews 12:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Forgiveness, Bitterness, Prisoner

Denomination: Anglican

Stewardship Billfold Story - Humor

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 3, 2025

When I think of stewardship it brings to mind a story about a minister who was baptizing his new converts in a farm pond not far from the church. One of the gentlemen that was being baptized was a prosperous farmer known in his community for his tight grip on the dollar. When his name was called ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:8-12, Hebrews 7:1, Matthew 25:18, Matthew 6:21, Proverbs 3:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Baptism, Money, Steward, Stewardship

Denomination: Anglican

[260]. A Message From A Poem – The Constant Tramp Of Feet Is Reality

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 8, 2026

[260]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE CONSTANT TRAMP OF FEET IS REALITY This poem is an emotive one. Have you ever waited for the coming of a cyclone, a typhoon or hurricane? You know how some people become anxious as the system approaches. Many start to fear. People feel they are trapped. In ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:5, Matthew 19:3-4, 2 Timothy 3:1-2, Matthew 24:37

Tags: Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Tramp Of Feet, Hurricanes, Socialist Order, Climate Change, Male And Female, The Rapture, George Orwell, Coming Judgment, Advancing, Creation, Evil, Transsexual, Days Of Noah  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being Humble - Young Seminarian Story

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 24, 2026

A young seminarian ... was excited about preaching his very first sermon ... in the small church ... he grew up in. After three years in seminary, ... he felt adequately prepared, ... and when he was introduced to the congregation, ... he walked boldly ... to the pulpit, ...his head high, ... ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5

Tags: Pride, Boldness, Confidence, Embarrassed, Humble  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Ronald Regan Story - Embaressed And Humbled

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 24, 2026

Ronald Reagan, ... recalling an occasion when he was governor of California ... made a speech in Mexico City: He shared these words: "After I had finished speaking, ... I sat down ...to a rather unenthusiastic applause, ... and I was a little embarrassed. The speaker who followed me ... ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5, James 4:6, Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21

Tags: Humble, Embarrassed

Denomination: Anglican

[334]. A Message From A Poem - What Foundation Do You Have?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 16, 2026

[334]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - WHAT FOUNDATION DO YOU HAVE? This poem is built on the parable of the house built on sand and the other built on rock. It is a well known parable – {{Matthew 7:24-27 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, AND ACTS UPON THEM may be compared with a wise ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 89:26, James 4:13-14, Ephesians 2:20, Matthew 13:15-16, Matthew 7:24-27  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Salvation, Sand, Cyclone, Foundation, Destruction, Hurricane, House Built On Sand, Build On The Rock, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When I Think Of Stewardship (Humor)  PRO

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 29, 2008

When I think of stewardship it brings to mind a story about a small Church located in a farming community. The pastor of the church would call on every member of the congregation as part of the annual pledge campaign. The next home he was going to visit was Farmer Brown’s. Now Mr. Brown was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:18, Proverbs 3:9, Hebrews 7:1, Matthew 6:21, Malachi 3:8-12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Giving, Stewardship

Denomination: Anglican

The Red Baron And Temptation  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Feb 16, 2013

THE RED BARON AND TEMPTATION Manfred, Freiherr von Richthofen was a famous German First World War fighter pilot. He was better known as the Red Baron because he flew a distinctive a red Fokker aircraft. He shot down more combat planes than any one else on either side in the first World war ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12-14, Daniel 1:5-16, Matthew 25:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Temptation General

Denomination: Anglican

[237 I] [9]. A Message From A Poem - Scenes From The Gospels - Part 9

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 11, 2025

[237 I] [9]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 9 They are here to enjoy! Scenes from the Gospels are very special to me. I love them. They have taken a lot of effort, and many, many months revision to get them as correct as possible with the difficult word limitations. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-4, Matthew 13:10-13, Matthew 9:20-22, Luke 2:41-51, Mark 5:21-24, Mark 5:35-43, Mark 5:21-39, Luke 5:36-39, Matthew 12:22-31  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Haemorrhage, Synagogue Ruler, 12 Year Old Daughter, New Patch On Old Garment, Fresh Wineskins, Dumb, Casting Out Demons, Beelzebul, Twelve Years, Old Wineskins, Worried, Resurrection, Jerusalem, Jairus, Anxious, New Wine, Blind, Jesus, Parents  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Spirit Of Power That We Receive Is Not Like ...  PRO

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Oct 28, 2007

The Spirit of Power that we receive is not like the human power that we recognize as strong. It’s a power unlike anything we can do on our own. A young man growing up in the wrong part of Houston became a bully. He would get in fights in school, in the neighborhood, and began mugging people to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:49, Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 28:19, Luke 9:57-67, Zechariah 4:6, Psalm 33:16-18  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Friend, Friendship

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Those Who Doubt Most, And Yet Strive To ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Those who doubt most, and yet strive to overcome their doubts, turn out to be some of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-36, Matthew 21:18-22, John 20:24-31, James 1:2-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith, Doubt, Apologetics, Worry