In Sermon Illustrations: "Mocking God"

Count Your Blessings—no, Really!

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Oct 22, 2008

Count Your Blessings--No, Really! It was a typical Indiana spring day. Outside the house, it was raining. Inside the house...it was raining. Water slowly dripped from the ceiling, reminding me that when you replace your own roof, there's nobody to get mad at when it leaks. I should be a pretty ...read more

Tags: Gratitude

Denomination: Pentecostal

Giving: A Step To Revival

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 30, 2009

GIVING: A STEP TO REVIVAL Today we are focusing our attention on the second step to revival: GIVING. We all say we want revival, but many throw away the second step - but you cannot have revival without taking the second step to revival. This step impacts the life and effectiveness of our ...read more

Tags: Giving General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The World's Most Unwanted Ship

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Jul 2, 2021

The Pellicano is the world's most unwanted ship. Since 1986 she has been the hobo of the high seas. No one wants her. Sri Lanka doesn't. Bermuda doesn't. The Dominican Republic turned her away. So did the Netherlands, the Antilles, and Honduras. The problem is not the boat. Though ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 4:8

Tags: Guilt, Pessimism, Deceit, Sin, Anxiety, Transformation, Bitterness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Big Party Is Waiting For You At Home! (The Modern Prodigal Daughter)

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 15, 2022

I think you are all familiar with the parable that we call the “Story of the Prodigal Son.” Well, I want us to consider it again with a little different twist. Listen to the story in a modern setting as told by Philip Yancey in his book “What’s so Amazing about Grace?” Yancey tells of a prodigal ...read more

Tags: Prodigal Son, Luke 15, Grace, Mercy, Forgiveness, Parables, Lost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Whatever Happened To Hell??

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 18, 2022

Though it’s a frequently used word in the English language, it’s one of the least talked about. It’s used as an exclamation, an interjection, and a noun. What word is it? Hell. Pollsters tell us that most people who use the word don’t believe in the existence of Hell. While 90 percent of Americans ...read more

Tags: Death, Hell, Evangelism, Satan, Sin, Truth, Liberalism, Last Days, Judgment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unsung Heroines-Esther’s Maidens

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 30, 2022

Introduction: Esther was a Jewish maiden who was selected to become Queen of the Persian Empire. The Book of Esther gives additional information about how she truly lived a dream come true. We’re not told how many girls from the Persian Empire were evaluated, but Esther won the contest and became ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:15-17

Tags: Unsung Heroines, Mordecai, Esther, Fasting

Denomination: Baptist

Poem Of The Sheep & Goats

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 16, 2022

Song of the Sheep & Goats When the Son of Man comes again In his glory All the holy angels with Him Throne of glory Throne of greatness He'll sit on then I was hungry; you gave to me I was thirsty; you nourished me I was foreign; you welcomed me I was naked; you covered me I was sick; you ...read more

Tags: Sheep, Song, Poem, Parable, Judgment Day, Goats  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Questions That Churches Must Ask Themselves

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jun 7, 2022

Why is this church here or what really is our mission? Are we truly fulfilling our mission? How did we get here? Were we a split or the first of our faith? If a split, was it because of doctrine or something/someone else? If we are the first, have we fallen from our first love position or is ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1

Tags: Purpose, Division, Church

Denomination: Baptist

Unwanted Donations!?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 10, 2025

Unwanted Donations!? Introduction: What kinds of materials were needed for Israel to make the Tabernacle? Text, Exodus 36:2-7, KJV: 2 And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 36:2-7

Tags: Tabernacle, Freewill Offerings, Material Offerings

Denomination: Baptist

The Parable Of The Good Muslims  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 14, 2002

THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD MUSLIMS It is difficult to imagine more bleak circumstances; the young mother and her small children, truck packed full of all of their belongings, were in process of moving from rural North Carolina to the mother’s childhood home in Connecticut. Life had taken a tragic ...read more

Tags: Parable Good Samaritan, Christian Love, Compassion

Grateful Allen, An ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 8, 2009

Grateful Allen, An Outsider We all know about the good Samaritan, but how many of us have heard of the grateful Samaritan? We are going to meet him today, but firstly I want to tell you about my friend Allen. Allen was quite different from most people. To have called him unconventional would have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:30-37

Tags: Parable Good Samaritan

Unsung Heroines-Rhoda Of Jerusalem

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 13, 2022

Introduction: She’s only mentioned in one passage, and often for what she didn’t do. But this unsung heroine knew what she had seen, and nothing was going to change her mind! Text: Acts 12:11-17, KJV: 11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:11-17

Tags: Peter, Prayer, Unsung Heroines, Rhoda

Denomination: Baptist

Who Invented The Autocorrect?

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 15, 2023

The other day I recognized something that had been happening for quite a while. As I was texting, I noticed that there was AutoCorrect. So whenever I spelled a word, it would finish the spelling before I was done. And, if I was spelling it wrong, it corrected me. A few times, I am typing a word, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:11

Tags: Errors, Correct

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

A U.s. Volunteer Nurse Helps In Haiti After ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 28, 2010

A U.S. Volunteer Nurse Helps in Haiti After Earthquake Gene McCoy is the Sr. Minister of the Memorial Christian Church in Mt. Home, AR. His oldest daughter, Heidi, is a nurse and has gone to Haiti to serve with a medical team. She was written her folks several times, which I have shared via email. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:14

Tags: Compassion

Why Do People Wear Masks?  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 12, 2002

Why do people wear masks? Several years ago, I had a nightmare, it was terrible. For many days my spirit was greatly troubled. In a dream, I saw one of my most serious workers at church dying a terrible death. As my church worker was dying, I saw a battle going against my member. I was ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-17, Hebrews 12:17

Tags: Rejection, Forgiveness For Others, Faithful, Affliction, Anger  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Lake Moses Washington, Friday, May 24, 1985. 1:oo ...  PRO

Contributed by Kent Lenard on Nov 4, 2002

LAKE MOSES WASHINGTON, FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1985. 1:OO AM I rolled and tossed in bed, feeling uneasy about our son John and his family who are missionaries in South Africa. PRAY! the command I sensed was urgent. Now I am wide awake sending passionate pleas to heaven. Please Lord, help John and ...read more

Tags: Prayer Supplication, Prayer General

Denomination: Baptist

Fred Craddock Was A Seminary Professor. Once, ...  PRO

Contributed by Tom Mccrossan on Dec 10, 2003

Fred Craddock was a seminary professor. Once, while he was lecturing at Yale University, he told of going back one summer to Gatlinburg, TN, to take a short vacation with his wife. One night they found a quiet little restaurant where they looked forward to a private meal—just the two of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-23

Tags: What Is Evangelism?, Evangelism Urgency, Evangelism How To

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

On The Battlefield Discernment Is Critical. An ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 8, 2004

On the battlefield discernment is critical. An officer leading his men into battle must be able to make decisions quickly and accurately. Decisiveness can spell the difference between victory and defeat. General Robert E. Lee, one of the greatest military strategists to ever wear an American ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Tags: Goodbye

Denomination: Lutheran

The Four Soils: A Physical Illustration  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 11, 2004

THE FOUR SOILS: A PHYSICAL ILLUSTRATION (The following physical illustration is taken from “Heno Head’s Simple Science Object Talks.” If you decide use it, take note that you need to carefully measure out how much baking soda you use, and how much vinegar you place in each jar. Since we have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-15

Tags: Parable Sower And Seed

For Seventeen Years, [grethel] Beyah Survived In ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 1, 2004

For seventeen years, [Grethel] Beyah survived in an abusive marriage. The family moved repeatedly, usually after they were evicted when they had no money to pay the rent. One cold Chicago winter, Beyah was trying to help her husband load their furniture from the street into a truck. “I just went ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-4