In Sermon Illustrations: "Never Leave"

How Much Of The Spirit?

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Sep 22, 2011

HOW MUCH OF THE SPIRIT? Just as the fuel gauge in our cars are not exact but gives you an idea, we can see in others just how much of the Holy Spirit they allow in their lives by their outside character. Lots of times folks will act very different in church than they do elsewhere. Who are they ...read more

Tags: Revival

Denomination: Baptist

There Was An Ot Professor Who Taught Young People ...

Contributed by Ken Henson on Jul 5, 2012

There was an OT professor who taught young people that were preparing for the ministry. At the beginning of the class he would take off his coat and bow. He would bow to the class of his students. Some of his faculty members were upset at this gesture. And he said, "I bow to them because you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-9

Tags: Humility, Luther

Denomination: *other

Nicodemus Was Ready To Take His Relationship With ...  PRO

Contributed by Kevin Karhoff on Feb 18, 2013

Nicodemus was ready to take his relationship with Jesus to another level, but it wasn’t that easy. It never is. There would be much to lose if he went public as a follower of Jesus. What would people think if they found out that Nicodemus was an admirer of this homeless-carpenter-turned-rabbi ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-18

Tags: Jesus Christ

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Last Night I Had The Privilege Of Writing "paid ...

Contributed by David Tack on Jul 21, 2013

“Last night I had the privilege of writing "paid in full" on someone’s bill. It felt great to see them smile and walk out with no debt on their shoulders. I wondered if that’s how Jesus felt when He went to the Father on my behalf and took my debt that I could have never paid and put ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Tags: Redemption, Remission

Denomination: Baptist

Max Lucado: Interlock Our Understandings  PRO

Contributed by Ken Pell on Aug 6, 2013

In his book, “Imagine Your Life Without Fear” Max Lucado gives some significant insight when he says, "Questions can make hermits out of us, driving us into hiding. Yet the cave has no answers. Christ distributes courage through community; he dissipates doubts through fellowship. He never deposits ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17, Hebrews 10:25, John 1:29-42, Luke 19:1-10

Tags: Fellowship, Discipleship

Denomination: Nazarene

Raptured?

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 16, 2014

Herbert Washington, whom co-workers at Significant Plastics Inc. say was unduly concerned with the rapture and the second coming of Christ, suffered a serious heart attack when co-workers pretended they’d been caught away without him. "We didn’t mean to scare him to death," said one woman. "He’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Tags: Second Coming, Rapture

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ocean Liner

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

I have never been on a cruise; but I have watched people board a luxury liner. That ship may carry the passengers all the way to the beautiful beaches of Hawaii. And the passengers arrive simply by boarding the ship. And I understand it can be a very enjoyable trip. Can you imagine swimming from ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:9-10, Romans 11:6, Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Grace, Trust, Grace Alone

Denomination: Charismatic

A Painless Way To Give In Church

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2019

Having a little trouble with giving at the church? Maybe we could all learn a little lesson from the old country preacher who told everyone to stand up at the beginning of the offering. He then instructed everyone to lean forward to the person standing in front of them and grab their purse or ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:9

Tags: Money, Giving, Stewardship, Tithing, Offerings  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Daddy, Is God Dead?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 13, 2022

A little girl looked up at her daddy while sitting on his lap and asked, "Daddy, I need to ask you something. Is God dead?" The father said, "Honey, why in the world are you asking me such a ridiculous question! What would make you ask me such a question?" His daughter ...read more

Tags: Fathers, Children, Family, Prayer, Revival, Mothers, Home  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pride Is Deceitful

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Oct 4, 2023

You can even have pride in the fact that you aren’t proud • An Amish farmer put on a new pair of overalls • Of course the Amish are famous for their simplicity • So, as he was shaving his mustache one morning he stepped back and admired his new clothes in the mirror • He said This will never do, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:12

Tags: Pride, Proud

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding Isn’t Faith

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 16, 2025

The universe is vast. God is infinitely wise. We will never master every “why.” Years ago, I told a friend how much the problem of evil troubled me. “I want to understand how God could permit it.” He listened, then asked—bluntly—“Why do you think you’ll solve what the greatest minds haven’t? Who ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 55:8-9

Tags: Trust, Mystery

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

These Old Bones Of Mine

Contributed by James Snyder on May 20, 2023

I had a frightening experience the other day. I know I must be getting old because things that never frightened me before frighten me. I also see things I never saw before. Going into the bathroom one morning, I looked in the mirror, and my grandfather looked back at me. I almost passed out. With ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:8, Psalm 34:20

Tags: Joy, Age, Humor, Bones

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

My First Assignment 35 Years Ago Was To An Inner ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 16, 2004

My first assignment 35 years ago was to an inner city parish in Wshington,D.C. Money was stolen from my room; the garage mechanic said my gas tank may have been sabotaged, destroying my engine; one weekend we had 34 windows broken in the school. When a new pastor was sent,the parish held a party ...read more

Tags: Christian Love, Forgiveness In Jesus, God's Love

High Society: The Princeton Society Directory

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Sep 1, 2009

HIGH SOCIETY: The Princeton Society Directory When Katie and I were in Seminary years ago, we were broke. So we did whatever we could to get by. One of the things we did was housesitting for people in town when they were on vacation. What we looked for most was folks who would let us use their ...read more

Tags: God's Love

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Once Upon A Time There Was A Young Boy Named ...

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Oct 14, 2010

Once upon a time there was a young boy named Philip. Philip was born with Downs Syndrome. He was a pleasant and happy as most Downs children are--but he grew increasingly aware of the difference between himself and other children. Philip went to Sunday School at a Methodist church. His teacher, ...read more

Tags: Resurrection, Passion Of Christ

Denomination: Methodist

Keeping The Last Note

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 21, 2011

KEEPING THE LAST NOTE When little Elena was diagnosed with the rare and terminal form of pediatric brain cancer in 2006, her parents were told she had just 135 days to live. The distraught couple vowed to make each moment special for Elena and her sister Gracie, then four. "We wanted to protect ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Sacrifices

The Bible – For Mature Audiences Only

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Nov 5, 2019

Recently I have been preaching sermons on topics submitted by the members of the church. I thought that was a good idea until someone requested I preach from Genesis 38. It’s not your typical children’s bedtime Bible story. It’s more on the lines of a scandalous storyline for a daytime soap ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness, Sin, Rahab, Samson, Judah, Tamar  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Fog

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 12, 2024

The Fog! Romans 12:2 CEV: “Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.” Colossians 2:8 CEV: “Don’t let anyone fool you by using senseless arguments. These arguments may sound wise, but ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2, Colossians 2:8

Tags: Danger, Blind, Fog, Rushing

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[008] Message From A Poem - A Tale Of The Fish’s Tails

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 1, 2024

[008] MESSAGE FROM A POEM - A TALE OF THE FISH’S TAILS “Take the line of least resistance; go with the flow; jellyfish that drift; leave me out of it; I see both sides; don’t involve me; I don’t want to know!” The world is full of compromise and it gets worse. We can expect no less from this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Galatians 5:1, Ephesians 6:11, Ephesians 6:13-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Compromise, Resist, Fish, Stand Firm, Fish Tails, Opposing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Al Was My Father-In-Law. He Was An Uncomplicated ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 29, 2001

Al was my father-in-law. He was an uncomplicated man, easy to like. He was a natural athlete and avid outdoorsman who love to hunt and fish. … Al was the kind of man who didn’t mind what might get said about his wife or daughter, but he never tolerated an insult to his dog. Al’s ragged edge ...read more

Tags: Light