In Sermon Illustrations: "Message Of The Cross"

Hush Puppies

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Aug 27, 2014

Are you familiar with the brush-suede shoe called Hush Puppies? It was popular when I was a kid. The brand was all but dead until late 1994. Sales were down to 30,000 pairs a year, mostly sold in backwoods outlets and small-town family stores. Wolverine, the company that makes Hush Puppies, was ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:10

Tags: Prayer Power, Importance Of Prayer

Denomination: Baptist

World Trade Center Hero

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

Matt Chandler tells the story of Dave Karnes. When the World Trade Center tumbled to the ground on that dreadfully dark day, more than 3000 people lost their lives. But a few who were buried beneath the rubble miraculously survived. Two of these were Will Jimeno and John McLoughlin, a pair of Port ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Tags: Evangelism, 911, Incarnation Of Jesus, Saving Others

Denomination: Methodist

The Living Word

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

Ravi Zacharias tells of ministering in Vietnam in 1971, and one of his interpreters was Hien Pham, an energetic young Christian. He had worked as a translator with the American forces, and was of immense help both to them and to missionaries such as myself. Hien and I traveled the length of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Scripture, Romans, Living Word, The Bible, Persevering Grace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Why Did Jesus Come?

Contributed by Paul Steen on Dec 9, 2017

For many people, Christmas is a time of sadness. They don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Many are saddened at Christmastime when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons. Turkey dinners may be only a wish ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:4-19

Tags: Christmas, Born Again, Merry Christmas, Happy At Christmas

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Two Angry Brothers?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 20, 2022

ACCIDENTLY, COINCIDENCE OR ON PURPOSE? There were two precious brothers. They loved each other. Their parents owned a huge farm. The brothers worked in harmony alongside their mom and dad for years. Suddenly and unexpectedly the father and mother died. One brother went to a lawyer about the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:29

Tags: Anger, Forgive

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Saving Private Ryan Tells Us About Our Need For Grace

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 24, 2022

Saving Private Ryan is one of my favorite World War II movies. Three out of four brothers are killed in action, and then a search is launched to find the fourth, Private James Ryan, so that he is not killed, leaving his mother childless. Eight men are sent out to find Private Ryan, who is missing ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Death, Grace, Fear, Salvation, Legalism, Works  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You've Got To Earn This!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 20, 2022

Saving Private Ryan is one of the best World War II movies. Three out of four brothers are killed in action, and then a search is launched to find the fourth, Private James Ryan, so that he is not killed, leaving his mother childless. Eight men are sent out to find Private Ryan, who is missing ...read more

Tags: Grace, Law, Salvation, Gospel, Merit, Works  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Excellence Of Giving With Joy

Contributed by Saumiman Saud on Feb 19, 2025

THE EXCELLENCE OF GIVING WITH JOY Heavenly Father, You are so good to me, You gave Your Life to redeem my sins. Oh Lord, give me the opportunity to give to others as well. Sometimes I think about giving, but my faith is so weak, I'm still afraid that if I give, I will be in want. Forgive me, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:7

Tags: Joy, Excellence

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"see? I Was Right."

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

I've been in a discussion with my wife, and we'll call it a discussion, where I have looked at her and said four words I should not have said: "See? I was right." Now, if you've ever done this, you already know the problem. The look on her face made it very clear that being ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:31-32

Tags: Pride, The Gospel

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Afraid Of Christmas?" Luke 2: 8-14 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 21, 2004

“Afraid of Christmas?” Luke 2: 8-14 Key verse(s): 10: “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” “If I hear one more person wish me a “Happy Holiday!” I think I will just burst!” How often have you heard that over the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Lutheran

The Story Of Rick Warren And His Best-Selling ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 20, 2008

The story of Rick Warren and his best-selling book the "The Purpose Driven Life." What is he doing with all the money? USA Today article: June 4th 2006 edition: A uniter, not a divider Warren is no liberal. He backed President Bush in the 2004 election and opposes abortion and stem cell ...read more

Tags: Giving Yourself

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Secure In My Pocket

Contributed by Larry Turner on Jul 28, 2014

My phone was secure. I had it shoved far down into my pants pocket. There was no way it could fall out; no way could I lose it. I denied it at the time but I saw the signs. They read “Please put any items that you do not want to lose in the bins or lockers before getting on the ride.” I chose to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:35

Tags: Dying To Self, False Confidence

Denomination: Foursquare

Imagine A Group Of People Coming To Your Home And ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2002

Imagine a group of people coming to your home and interrupting your Twinkie-eating, TV-watching routine with an urgent message: “Good News! We’re from the United States Olympic Committee. We have been looking for someone to run the marathon in the next Olympics. We have statistics on every person ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:24, 1 Corinthians 9:24, 2 Timothy 4:7, Hebrews 12:1, James 1:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Race, Discipleship, Disciplines

Sing To The Children  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 25, 2002

SING TO THE CHILDREN A tradition that Evelyn Knowles has chosen for posterity is to sing to her babies. The very first time she held each of her newborn grandchildren cheek to cheek and heart to heart, they heard their grandmother softly sing-- Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells ...read more

Tags: Parenting, Children

Islam  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 15, 2002

ISLAM What’s the main idea? On his many caravan rides along the trading route between Syria and Arabia, a merchant named Muhammad observed people of all kinds of faiths. He became increasingly concerned that people were straying from ethical and moral responsibility. In A.D. 610, ...read more

Tags: World Religions

Please Don't Retire  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 25, 2002

PLEASE DON’T RETIRE We’ve got a dangerous practice in America called "retirement." It’s a blessing in some ways, but it’s also dangerous because it implies that your productivity stops when you get to be 62 or 65. It’s dangerous in the church because people look forward to retiring so they can get ...read more

Tags: Giving Yourself, Fulfillment, Family

Dave Galloway Told Of A Soldier Who Had ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 3, 2001

ILL. Dave Galloway told of a soldier who had just returned from Viet Nam. His parents were socialites, very well-to-do. It was near Christmas, and they were getting ready to go out to the first of the round of parties of the Christmas season. Just then the phone rang, & it was their son on the ...read more

Tags: Children, Disappointment, Emotions

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ambassador To The King—communion Meditation  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 24, 2003

AMBASSADOR TO THE KING-- Communion Meditation "I served on the board of a Christian college for several years. During that time, the government of Swaziland wanted to recruit Christian school teachers to come to their country and help them set up a Christian school system. Swaziland is a ...read more

What Is Your Colt?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2003

WHAT IS YOUR COLT? Bill Wilson pastors an inner city church in New York City. His mission field is a very violent place. He himself has been stabbed twice as he ministered to the people of the community surrounding the church. Once a Puerto Rican woman became involved in the church and was led to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-29

Tags: Easter Palm Sunday

Fifteen Years Ago, I Was Serving As Pastor In ...  PRO

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 10, 2003

Fifteen years ago, I was serving as pastor in Alabama and our church was in a capital stewardship campaign to raise money to build a new building. There was one particular lady in our church who was a widow. Her husband had left her a lot of money, and she had a lot more than she really needed. She ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-29

Tags: Gifts Giving

Denomination: Baptist