In Sermon Illustrations: "Memories About Dad"

Perfection Achieved  PRO

Contributed by Larry Turner on Dec 4, 2014

Then Jesus concluded with this commandment. “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Wow, now that is a tough one. Be perfect. I am not like Noah, a righteous man. Wait a minute. He was a drunk. Okay like Abraham. He was a liar. How about Moses, short ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:48

Tags: Holiness, Perfection, Finished Work, Christian Maturity

Denomination: Foursquare

Being Committed To Christ

Contributed by Richard L. Brown on Nov 2, 2016

Being Committed to Christ Matthew 4:18-25 , 1 Corinthians 1: 10-18 Last summer Becky and I visited the Biltmore mansion in Ashville North Carolina. It is the single largest home ever built in America. Let me tell you it is something to see. It proved so large and so expensive to maintain, that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-25

Tags: Riches, Christian Values, Being Comitted

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

From Refuge To Valedictorian

Contributed by Matt Neace on Jun 19, 2018

2 Chronicles 15:7 God tells King Asa, "But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded." It is like the following story from the Dallas Morning News: When Albana Gllareva met her high school counselor, the Dallas freshman said bluntly, “I want to be ...read more

Tags: Goals, Focus, Ambition, Determination, Tenacity, Overcoming, Perseverance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Conversion Account Of St. Augustine

Contributed by Matthew Redder on Sep 21, 2018

The story of Augustine's conversion is an inspiring and amazing one. In my opinion it is a miraculous account of God grabbing the attention of Augustine and speaking directly into his heart through the power of a perfectly timed scripture. This could be a great illustration about the power of the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:13-14, Revelation 12:11, Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 119:9, Romans 3:23, Galatians 5:24, Ephesians 4:22-24  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Put On Christ, Miraculous, Power Of The Word, Conversion Of Augustine, Bible, Romans, Conversion, Testimony, Indulgence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Satan Want's To Fill You With Sin

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 15, 2019

Deep Implanted Sin (Eph.:10-13) Illus. The enemy leader is in his command center discussing his battle strategy with those under his command. The enemy is very upset about the latest move by the rebellion forces. They have been attacking in vital areas. Never in this struggle has the rebellion ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:10-13

Tags: Sin, Deception

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Flag And The Cross

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 1, 2020

Symbols evoke feelings of adoration or hatred. In this election year, the elephant and donkey mean different things to different people. Let's talk about a symbol that all Americans should be able to adore. In 1813 General Armistead commissioned Mary Pickersgill to make a huge flag that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24, Galatians 6:14, Colossians 2:15

Tags: Patriotic, Cross, Power Of God, United States, National Anthem, Flag Of United States  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

William Wilberforce

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 13, 2021

Jesus is the supreme example. He cares so much about completing His mission on earth that he lets himself be killed. That total commitment to God’s will literally costs Him His life. It also saves it, as the resurrection proves. There are many examples from history of persons who have proved ...read more

Scripture: John 12:25

Tags: Glory, Die, Hate, Lose

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Have They Done For You Lately

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Oct 4, 2023

I heard an illustration from Pastor Tony Evans that I altered some to fit us here in Arkansas • We love our Razorbacks, we make time for our Razorbacks • Especially Razorback football • Me and my wife love football • But, have you ever thought about how much time we devote to football? • The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11

Tags: Razorbacks, Ask, Seek, Knock

Denomination: Baptist

Grief: God's Answer To Overwhelming Grief

Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on Aug 25, 2025

What follows is a true account, which I (Stephen) was fortunate enough to witness firsthand in the spring of 2015. My wife was an only child raised by a single mom, and as such was very close to her mother. Thus, when her mother died after 90 years my wife was severely grief stricken and would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 1 Samuel 3:9-10

Tags: Death, Prayer, Listen, Grief, Loved One  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Acts 16:16-34 Background:

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 29, 2025

Acts 16:16-34 Background: In today's Scripture, Paul and his mission team were in the city of Philippi. They had been guided to that region by a God-given vision. And people were responding to the good news about Jesus Christ. *But then a young slave girl began to follow the team around. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Tags: Missions, Paul And Silas, Christian Service, Philippian Jailer, Demon Possession, Spiritual Transformation, Evangelism, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Mercy In The Middle Of War

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on May 2, 2026

Illustration: Mercy in the Middle of War There’s a remarkable true story from World War II that my late pastor loved to use when preaching about God’s mercy. It involves two men: Franz Stigler and Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown was flying a B-17 bomber over Germany when his plane was badly ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:8

Tags: Mercy, Longsuffering, Wwii

Denomination: Pentecostal

In A Business Magazine I Read, There Was An ...  PRO

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Dec 6, 2000

In a business magazine I read, there was an article about a company, imaginary I hope, that was planning its Christmas sales campaign. The board of directors was puzzled how they could beat their competitors, then suddenly the chairman had an idea. "We’ll have a crib," he said, getting very ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Baptist

Leighton Ford(Billy Graham’s Bro In Law) ...  PRO

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Feb 2, 2001

LEIGHTON FORD(Billy Graham’s bro in law) was traveling by airplane and found himself next to an empty seat. He was looking forward to the extra room when appeared the stewardess with an elderly woman, 96 yrs of age. ‘Mrs ____ will be sitting here next to your sir’. As the flight proceeded ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ, People In The Gospel, Lordship Of Christ

University Of Chicago Divinity School Each Years ...  PRO

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Apr 24, 2001

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO DIVINITY SCHOOL each years has what is called ’BAPTIST DAY’. On this day each one is to bring a lunch to an outdoor picnic area and the school invites one of the popular lecturers to speak at the theological education center. One year DR. PAUL TILLICH came and spent 2 1/2 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-10, Psalm 34:8

Tags: Apologetics Jesus, Atheism, Jesus, Knowledge, Truth  (view more)  (view less)

There Is Almost Nothing Like It In The World. To ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hiehle on Jul 10, 2001

There is almost nothing like it in the world. To see the eyes and expression on a little boy’s face the very first time he experiences it. Little boys dream about it. Old men still tell about it with great excitement and enthusiasm. Nothing else compares to the thrill of fighting to bring in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:14-15

Tags: Temptation General, Satan, Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Nazarene

God Is Just One Squeal Away, Citation: Rod ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Aug 24, 2001

[God Is Just One Squeal Away, Citation: Rod Cooper, "Worship or Worry?" Preaching Today, Tape No. 108.] We raised pigs. We raised about a thousand pigs a year. In one field we had two or three hundred little oinkers running around. Every day, at four in the morning, as I’d walk into the field ...read more

Tags: Prayer Supplication, God's Provision

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Day Some Manure Came Out From A Prize Bull - ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Sep 6, 2001

One day some manure came out from a prize bull - landing right in the middle of the walkway. It thought to itself, “I’m going to rise above the rest of this dung. I’m not going to live in the gutter - I’m going to be great and famous. That same day, a farmer’s hat fell off on top of the manure. ...read more

Tags: Humanity Of Christ, Apologetics General, Evangelism The Lost

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, Faith, Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prayer Works  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Oct 15, 2001

PRAYER WORKS The researchers at Columbia University conducted a study with 199 women at an in vitro fertilization clinic in Korea. Unknown to the patients and their doctors, groups of strangers from the US, Canada, and Australia were asked to pray for their success in getting pregnant. Pictures ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12

Tags: Gifts Healing, Prayer Answered, Prayer Adoration

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is A Story Of A Young Hippie Who Gave His ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Oct 16, 2001

There is a story of a young hippie who gave his life to Christ during the Jesus Movement of the late sixties and early seventies. One Sunday he went to a church, not knowing it was one of the more “upper class” churches in the area. He was late to the service, and the pastor was about to begin ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-4

Tags: Jesus' Ministry, Christian Love, Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Wesleyan