In Sermon Illustrations: "New Patch On Old Garment"

Kurt Cobain Ended His Life About 13 Years Ago ...

Contributed by Paul Carlson on Feb 16, 2009

Kurt Cobain ended his life about 13 years ago (4/1994); filled with bitterness and anger. He was the founder and lead singer of the group "Nirvana." His violent suicide prompted a lot of questions. "Why? He had it all a great career, dedicated fans, plenty of money, a beautiful wife and a 19 month ...read more

Tags: Sin Bondage To

Denomination: Baptist

Contagious Anger

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 12, 2009

CONTAGIOUS ANGER Baseball coach Billy Martin told about hunting trip he had in Texas with baseball legend Mickey Mantle. Mickey had a friend who would let them hunt on his ranch. When they reached the ranch, Mickey told Billy to wait in the car while he checked in with his friend. Mantle’s friend ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:24

Tags: Anger

Amazing Forgiveness

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2022

A policeman recounted an incident when he and other officers shot an eighteen-year-old boy and burned the body. Eight years later the policeman returned to the same house and seized the boy's father. The wife was forced to watch as policemen bound her husband on a woodpile, poured gasoline over ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 65:3

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness

The Incredible Value Of One Child

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 12, 2023

An elderly preacher was rebuked by one of his deacons one Sunday morning before the service. "Pastor," said the man, "something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There's been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he's just a boy." The ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Evangelism, Children, Holy Spirit, Faithfulness, Success, Spiritual Fruit, Flesh, Fruit Of The Spirit, Souls  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Patience With Others

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 22, 2024

"Einstein was four years old before he could speak and seven before he could read". Einstein became one of the greatest physicists who ever lived. "Isaac Newton did poorly in grade school." Newton, like Einstein was one of the smartest people of his day as a scientist. "A ...read more

Tags: Patience, Kindness, Time, Maturing, Waiting On The Lord, Teaching, Endurance, Discipleship, Leadership, Suffering  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why We Believe That Jesus Rose From The Dead

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 25, 2024

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, the Christian faith is a foolish fantasy. However, if the resurrection of Christ did occur, it confirms His life, message, and atoning work. It is the basis of our hope of life beyond the grave. Christ is alive, and the evidence is overwhelming. Here are some of ...read more

Tags: Easter, Resurrection, Gospel, Disciples, Witnesses, Church  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Talking Dog For Sale!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 13, 2024

A guy sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog for Sale." He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees an old black mutt just sitting there. "You talk?" he asks. "Yep," the mutt replies. "So, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:22, Colossians 3:9, Exodus 20:16

Tags: Truth, Lies, Deceit, Dogs, Sermon Introductions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Eric Liddell

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

Isaiah 40:31 says But those who hope in the Lord, Will renew their strength They shall soar on wings like eagles They will run and not grow weary They will walk and not be faint This Scripture is best illustrated up by the true story of Eric Liddell You may recall his life story was told in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:20

Tags: Obedience, Principle, Eric Liddell

Denomination: Anglican

Ten Dollars Is Ten Dollars

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 28, 2025

A man named Stumpy illustrates how money affects people. Stumpy and his wife Martha went to the state fair every year and every year when Stumpy saw the antique bi-plane he would say, “Martha, I’d like to ride in that airplane.” Martha always replied, “I know Stumpy, but that airplane ride costs ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-28

Tags: Money, Stewardship

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Story Of Apostle John - His Hobby

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 25, 2026

There are times ... when our lives move... so fast, ... that we need to slow down ... and let our souls catch up ... with our bodies. According to Early Church tradition ... when the Apostle John was Bishop at Ephesus, ... he had a hobby ... of raising pigeons. On one occasion... we are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:10, Matthew 11:28, Psalm 37:7, Exodus 34:21, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 4:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Mind, Still, Hobby, Rest

Denomination: Anglican

Our Team Is Bigger

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 20, 2026

We read about a rebellion in heaven in Revelation 12:7-10: “7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:7-10, Revelation 9:1-3

Tags: Holy Spirit, Angels, Demons, Fallen Angels

Denomination: Methodist

His Name Is Roger Crawford … He's About Forty ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 6, 2001

His name is Roger Crawford … he’s about forty years old. He makes his living as a consultant and public speaker. He has written two books and travels all across the country working for Fortune 500 companies, national and state associations, and school districts. Those aren’t bad credentials. But ...read more

The Citadel Of The Spirit!" Galatians 4: 1-16 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Sep 22, 2004

“The Citadel of The Spirit!” Galatians 4: 1-16 Key verse(s): 16 “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth.” There’s an old proverb that simply states, “Anger begins with folly, and ends with repentance.” I can remember many times in my life when, confronted by someone’s correction, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-16

Tags: Anger

Denomination: Lutheran

I Have A Religion!" 1 Samuel 18:1-12 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 27, 2005

“I Have a Religion!” 1 Samuel 18:1-12 Key verse(s): 11-12:“. . . and he hurled it, saying to himself, ‘I’ll pin David to the wall.’ But David eluded him twice. Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had left Saul.” In a world where we seek only peace and kindness there is, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-12

Tags: Forgiveness General, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Algebra!" Romans 8:9-17 Key Verse(S) ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 25, 2005

“God’s Algebra!” Romans 8:9-17 Key verse(s) 16:“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” One of the unchangeable and mysterious laws of mathematics is that whenever you multiply a positive number by a negative number you will always get a negative number. I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:9-17

Tags: Wait, Promises Of God, God's Omniscience, God's Love, Patience, Perseverance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

Parallels Between Isaac And Jesus

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 19, 2014

PARALLELS BETWEEN ISAAC AND JESUS There is no clearer picture of the Cross and the sacrifice the Father made for us in Christ than Genesis chapter 22. Notice the powerful parallels between Isaac and Christ. Isaac is one of the clearest types of Christ in the Old Testament. 1.Both fulfilled ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 5:8, John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: Typology, Christ, Salvation, Gospel, Cross, Isaac  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Guidance From A Fortune Cookie?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 21, 2020

My wife and I occasionally balance our diets with some good old Chinese food! Besides, every cook deserves at least one day off and I plan on doing this for my favorite gal as often as I can! One of the best things about these restaurants is wondering what kind of "fortune" we'll ...read more

Scripture: John 7:17

Tags: Bible, Guidance, Word, Fortune Cookies

Denomination: Baptist

There Once Was A Weak And Sickly Man. The Man Was ...

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Nov 17, 2008

There once was a weak and sickly man. The man was so sick and he could not afford going to town to the doctor. The man lived in the deep back woods in an old log cabin, his condition seemed to grow worse. Out in front of his cabin was a huge boulder. The rock was massive in front of his place. One ...read more

Tags: Prayer Answered

Denomination: Baptist

[101]. A Message From A Poem – God Of Small Things

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 8, 2025

[101]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GOD OF SMALL THINGS Some people like to think big. There is this fallacy that big is better, especially in the American culture. God does not work with big. He uses availability, particularly in His children. I once preached on this topic showing that God uses ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:3, 1 Samuel 15:17, Matthew 14:17-20

Tags: Message, Goliath, Small Things, Small, Pebbles, Five Loaves And Two Fish, Ebedmelech, Poems, Christian Poetry, Molecules, Atoms  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Top 10 Things You'll Never Hear Dad Say  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mavis on Jun 11, 2001

TOP 10 THINGS YOU’LL NEVER HEAR DAD SAY 10. Well, how ’bout that? I’m lost! Looks like we’ll have to stop and ask for directions. 9. You know Pumpkin, now that you’re thirteen, you’ll be ready for unchaperoned car dates. Won’t that be fun? 8. I noticed that all your friends have a certain ...read more

Tags: Parenting

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational