In Sermon Illustrations: "New Jerusalem"

Through The Eyes Of A 3-Year-Old

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

Rena was 3 years old when she went to her first baptismal service. It was new for her and a bit mystifying. As events transpired, she looked up at her father with surprise in her eyes, “Daddy, he pushed that guy under the water? Why did he do that?” The father tried to quietly answer her question ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Baptism, Good Works, Water Baptism, New Start

Denomination: Charismatic

The Touch Of The Master's Hand

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

The Touch of the Masters Hand Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on the old violin, but held it up with a smile; "What am I bidden, good folks," he cried, "Who'll start the bidding for me?" "A dollar, a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:16-17

Tags: Salvation, New Creation In Christ, The Master, Anointing Of The Spirit

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

James S. Hewett, Former Pastor Of Saratoga ...  PRO

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Mar 23, 2008

James S. Hewett, former pastor of Saratoga (California) Presbyterian Church shares this story: “A little boy and his father were driving down a country road on a beautiful spring afternoon. Suddenly out of nowhere a bumblebee flew in the car window. Since the little boy was deathly allergic to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:22, Luke 24:4-6

Tags: Atonement, Sacrifice, Salvation, New Life, Apostles General  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

He Who Is A Stranger To Prayer Is A Stranger To ...  PRO

Contributed by Tony Abram on Apr 1, 2008

He who is a stranger to prayer is a stranger to power. When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don’t, they don’t. ...read more

Tags: New Life, Old Life, Take Off, Put On

Listen To The Words Of Max Lucado From His Book ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 2, 2008

Listen to the words of Max Lucado from his book "When God Whispers Your Name": "For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose. I choose love. No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice ...read more

Tags: Father's Day, Mother's Day, New Year's Day

We Used To Live In This Small Farming Town North ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Emmert on Sep 22, 2008

We used to live in this small farming town north of Manhattan. Down the street from our house was a sweet-natured and friendly family with a strange habit. They never seemed to throw anything away. They had completely filled their front porch with bags of trash and it wasn't long before their yard ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:37-38, Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22

Tags: Change, Transformation, New Life, Born Again, Wineskin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Stranded On An Island

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 17, 2022

A shipwrecked mariner spent years on a deserted island, completely alone. Then one morning he sees a ship offshore and a smaller vessel pulling out towards him. When the boat grounded on the beach, the officer in charge handed the marooned sailor a bundle of newspapers and told ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Tags: News, Rescue, Society, Depravity, Shipwreck, Decay, Stranded  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Price Has Been Paid For You

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Aug 28, 2024

The story is told of a young man who left the old country and sailed to America to make a new life in the new world. Before he left, his father pressed some money in his hand. It wasn't much, but it was all he had. He hoped it would tide the boy over until he found a job. His mother handed him ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:13-14

Tags: Good News, Barriers, Intimacy With God, Missing Out

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Many Years Ago, A Professor From Harvard ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 30, 2001

Many years ago, a professor from Harvard University was speaking to a class on Columbus Day. He said that there were three profound things about Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America: First, when he left Spain he didn’t know where he was going. Second, when he arrived in the New World he ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers, God's Omniscience, Money, New Year

I Read Recently About A Woman Who Was Driving ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Feb 1, 2001

I read recently about a woman who was driving from Alberta, Canada to the Yukon. She didn’t know that you never travel that way alone, especially in a rundown Honda, Civic. So she set off on a road usually reserved for four wheel drive trucks. Eventually she found herself in a truck stop. Two ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, Church Small Groups, Friendship New Friends

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Florencio Varela, Argentina Is One Of The Poorest ...  PRO

Contributed by Greg Waddell on Mar 5, 2001

Florencio Varela, Argentina is one of the poorest townships of the greater Buenos Aires, metropolitan area. The streets are unpaved and strewn with garbage and sleeping dogs. I approached the home of Raul, a young man who had attended our services a couple of times. I was nervious. I had heard of ...read more

Tags: Sharing Your Faith, Evangelism How To, Friendship New Friends

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Louis Mcburney, In An Article For Leadership ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Oct 12, 2001

Louis McBurney, in an article for Leadership Journal, said there are four reasons people reject accountability. 1) I fear rejection, 2) I feel embarrassed, 3) I resent control by ...read more

Tags: Church Small Groups, Friendship New Friends, Leadership General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Must Hang Together, Gentlemen...else, We Shall ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

We must hang together, gentlemen...else, we shall most assuredly hang ...read more

Tags: Christian Love, Church Small Groups, Friendship New Friends

A Pastor Saw Robert Schuller's Tv Program "Hour ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Feb 11, 2002

“A pastor saw Robert Schuller’s TV program “Hour of Power.” One of the things that impressed him the most during the program was watching everyone turning around to shake hands with and greet other worshippers seated near them. The pastor felt that his church was a bit stuffy and could use a bit of ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ, Friendship New Friends, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Church Of God

The Refiner's Fire  PRO

Contributed by Tim Harrison on Apr 9, 2002

THE REFINER'S FIRE The story is told of a group of women that met for Bible study. While studying in the book of Malachi, chapter three, they came across verse three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled the women and they wondered how this statement ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 66:10, Isaiah 48:10, Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:3

Tags: Character, God's Image, Refine, Purify, New Creation, Time  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: *other

As We Conclude – Today I Want You To Imagine That ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Nov 19, 2002

AS WE CONCLUDE – today I want you to imagine that your life is over… and you are led to a room.. there are 2 chairs in the room, one is for you and one for God and there is a DVD player. God pops in the DVD. It has your name on it – it says “Steve Malone – What Might have Been” IMAGINE – ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, Gifts General, Good News, Death Nearness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Life Of Resolutions  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 30, 2002

A LIFE OF RESOLUTIONS Jonathan Edwards, the 18th-century revivalist, sat down at age 17 and penned 21 resolutions by which he would live his life. Throughout his lifetime he would add to this list until, by his death, he had 70 resolutions. He put at the top of his list: "Being sensible that I am ...read more

Tags: Christian Values, Expectation, New Year's Day, Growth In Christ

You Are Who He Says You Are

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 18, 2020

Because you are in Christ, EVERY ONE of these statements is true of you. • I am loved. 1 John 3:3 • I am accepted. Ephesians 1:6 • I am a child of God. John 1:12 • I am Jesus' friend. John 15:14 • I am a joint heir with Jesus, sharing His inheritance with Him. Romans 8:17 • I am united with ...read more

Scripture: John 1:12, John 15:14

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Identity, New Creation, Position In Christ, In Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Auctioneer And The Old Violin

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 20, 2020

Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while To waste much time on the old violin, But held it up with a smile. ‘What am I bidden, good folks,’ he cried, ‘Who’ll start the bidding for me? A dollar, a dollar,’ then ‘Two; Only two? Two dollars, and who’ll make it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, John 3:1-7

Tags: New Birth, Jesus, Salvation, Cross, Redemption, Change, Transformation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Caterpillar Ugly, Butterfly Beautiful  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Caterpillar Ugly, Butterfly Beautiful It is a well-known fact that a caterpillar changes into a butterfly. The butterfly can truthfully say as he looks at the caterpillar, "Such was I, but now I am changed." Every Christian has once been a sinner, living for self and the momentary pleasures ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 4:7-11

Tags: Resurrection, Salvation, New Life, Born Again, Christian Witness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational