In Sermon Illustrations: "Mean People"

Listening For God

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 23, 2008

LISTENING FOR GOD President Franklin D. Roosevelt got tired of smiling that big smile and saying the usual things at all those White House receptions. So, one evening he decided to find out whether anybody was paying attention to what he was saying. As each person came up to him with extended ...read more

Tags: Disciples

The June 23, 2008 Issue Of Newsweek Ran A Feature ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 30, 2008

The June 23, 2008 issue of Newsweek ran a feature article "The Mythology of Munich". It cited a gathering of the War Cabinet in London to consider an offer from Hitler in which, if Britain would agree to stop fighting, he would let them keep most of their empire. While many were thinking it ...read more

Tags: Sin General

Get On The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 11, 2008

GET ON THE PLANE “Many people argue, ’I do believe in Christ. I believe in the Church, and I believe in the Bible. Isn’t that enough?’ No! You must RECEIVE Christ. "I may go to the airport. I have a reservation. I have a ticket in my pocket. The plane is one the ramp. It is a big, powerful ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Everyone Must Have The Same Life ...

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Sep 19, 2008

Everyone Must Have The Same Life Preserver Bruce Revel tells about taking a cruise on a large ocean liner. Soon after boarding the craft, he found out that everyone would be required to participate in a lifeboat drill. “One requirement was that everyone had to wear a life jacket. When the alarm ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Baptist

In A Little Fishing Village In Scotland, The ...

Contributed by Betty Johnson on Sep 22, 2008

In a little fishing village in Scotland, the people gathered to welcome home a fishing vessel that had been away at sea for many days. As the boat neared the shore, the men gazed eagerly toward the dock where a group of their loved ones were waiting. The skipper, looking through his telescope, ...read more

Tags: Second Coming

Denomination: Wesleyan

Most Of You Probably Know That The Show "Friends" ...

Contributed by Ferdinand Funk on Sep 26, 2008

Most of you probably know that the show "Friends" is one of the most watched sitcoms on TV. I have watched it many times, and some of the episodes are pretty funny. But, the show is also very revealing about the way our society and also many people in the church see friendships today. If we don't ...read more

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: Mennonite

Preach The Right Message

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Oct 8, 2008

Preach the Right Message Take a look at the example of Pastor Carlton Pearson from Tulsa, Oklahoma. By all standards, he was a very successful preacher with a church of over 5,000 members. Well-known for being a powerful speaker, he reached many and continued to grow his church. However, one ...read more

Tags: Ignorance

Denomination: Lutheran

A Heavily Booked Commercial Flight ...  PRO

Contributed by Kevin Taylor on Oct 20, 2008

ILLUSTRATION: A heavily booked commercial flight out of Denver was canceled, and a single agent was rebooking a long line of inconvenienced travelers. Suddenly an angry passenger pushed his way to the front and slapped his ticket down on the counter. "I have to be on this flight and it has to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Tags: Humor

Belief In The Resurrection  PRO

Contributed by Todd Leupold on Nov 3, 2008

J. Vernon McGee once pointed out: "Martha believed in a resurrection. But listen, it makes less demand upon faith to believe that in a future day we shall receive glorified bodies than it does to rest now on the assuracne that they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. It is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-38

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Baptist

Previously In Bethlehem...

Contributed by Bob Gillchrest on Dec 29, 2008

PREVIOUSLY IN BETHLEHEM... In order to fix such a mess and to bring the presence of God back into the midst of His chosen people, you have to understand the back story. In the world of drama, every character in a play, or in a television show or movie, has a back story. This is what happened ...read more

Tags: Birth Of Jesus

Denomination: Baptist

Trudge

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jan 8, 2009

"TRUDGE" The word "trudge" gives us a definite picture. We trudge through snow. It is laborious walk. It is tiring. It takes work. It seems to me to be rather unmotivated. Sometimes doing what is right seems like trudging. Sometimes doing what we need to do is not glamorous and exciting. Sometimes ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Church Of God

The Church Is About ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 13, 2009

THE CHURCH IS ABOUT FREEDOM The silkworm makes an amazing journey to becoming a moth. At one point in the journey, the worm spins about itself a remarkable cocoon. The little sack is composed of 400 to 800 yards of silk fiber which seals it from the inside as it waits for metamorphosis. When that ...read more

Scripture: John 8:36

Tags: Christian Liberty

Golden Years

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 13, 2009

GOLDEN YEARS New research finds the happiest Americans are the oldest. Older adults are more socially active than the stereotype of the lonely senior suggests, social activity can help keep away the blues. Duke Univ. aging expert Linda George reports the odds of being happy increase 5% with every ...read more

Tags: Aging

How Do You Give Without Enabling?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 2, 2022

How do you give biblically and with a Christ-like approach to needy people, yet not enable the person to become co-dependent on your giving heart? (1) Learn to distinguish between DIVINE appointments and drive-by-guiltings (Luke 10:33/ 1 Timothy 5:8/ Deuteronomy 15:11 and Galatians 6:10/ ...read more

Tags: Needs, Enabling, Wisdom, Discernment, Giving, Finances, Tithing, Good Samaritan, Sacrifice  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Last Sermon D.l. Moody Preached

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 4, 2022

D.L. Moody was one of the greatest preachers in American history. On November 23, 1899 in the Civic Auditorium in Kansas City, Moody became very sick as he preached. “I must have souls in Kansas City,” he had told the students at his school in Chicago. “Never have I wanted so much to lead men and ...read more

Tags: Moody, Preach The Word, Great Supper, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Parables  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

C S Lewis - The Choice

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Sep 19, 2022

I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Jesus. “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:15

Tags: Jesus, Jesus Divinity, Nature Of Jesus, Moral Teacher

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

General Macarthur Said, I Will Return!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 6, 2024

General Douglas MacArthur, during World War II, famously declared to the people of the Philippine Islands, “I shall return.” This resolute statement was made after he was ordered to leave the Philippines, which were under Japanese invasion. His promise echoed the determination of our Lord Jesus ...read more

Tags: Rapture, Signs, Return Of Christ, Promises, End Times, Prophecy, Second Coming, Last Days  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church Is Not Selfish - President Kennedy Quote

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 9, 2025

Our society ... the world in which we live ... is a self-first ... a self-oriented society. The big question ... often asks by those in the world is ... "What's in it for me?" or "How will I benefit from this?" However, ... we as followers of the Christ ... are a new ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:4, James 3:8-10, John 13:15, Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Body, Self, Selfish, Individual, Benefit, Caring, Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Pres. Teddy Roosevelt Once Told Of A Very ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 11, 2001

Pres. Teddy Roosevelt once told of a very interesting incident in his own life. He wrote, "On the beautiful little island of Islamorada, there are several hundred homes that belong to people who come to stay for the summer. I fell in love with that island & spent 4 summers up there." "I had ...read more

Tags: Church Practices, Growth In Christ

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Have You Been Feeling Lately? Does It Seem ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Feb 4, 2002

How have you been feeling lately? Does it seem like you have a decreased amount of energy? Do you feel fatigued? Have you been craving sugar and eating more than usual? In the last two months have you had difficulty getting out of bed in the morning? Are you sleeping more than usual, been less ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Lutheran