In Sermon Illustrations: "Now Is The Time"

How The Zulus Catch A Monkey

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 8, 2024

Men who trap animals in Africa for zoos in America say that one of the hardest animals to catch is the ringtailed monkey. For the Zulus of that continent, however, it's simple. They've been catching this agile little animal with ease for years. The method the Zulus use is based on ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Battles, Greed, Temptation, Lies, Defeat, Deceit, Traps, Sin, Lust, Satan, Spiritual Warfare  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lazy Man Search

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Jun 25, 2025

Humor: The Laziest Man Search - Roll Me Over One hot June day, when the foreman didn’t hear or see any activity, he found his workers in the breakroom soaking up the A/C. He said, “This is the laziest bunch of workers I’ve ever seen. I just don’t know which one of you is the laziest.” He reaches ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23, Ephesians 4:28, John 6:27, Psalm 90:17, 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Matthew 9:35-38, Colossians 3:23-24, John 4:35-38  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Humor, Labor, Lazy, Laughter, Zealous, Preacher Jokes, Work Humor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

When Life Sucks You In

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 6, 2025

Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming. One moment, he was perched in his cage singing his little heart out. The next, his whole world collapsed. It started when his owner decided to clean his cage with a vacuum cleaner. She took the nozzle off, stuck the hose inside, and at that very moment the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:2, Romans 8:28

Tags: Faith, Resilience

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Discipleship Calls For Wholehearted Commitment To ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 31, 2009

Discipleship Calls for Wholehearted Commitment to Christ “I have seen the most horrible things, but I have met people who are still full of faith in spite of what they have endured.” That was the opening statement to a gathering of leaders and supporters of Samaritan’s Purse, the organization led ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Tags: Missions

Making Decisions Is The Hardest Part Of My Life

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 3, 2024

If it were not for decisions, my life would be perfect. After all these years, I still wrestle with decision-making. I admit that I often don’t make good decisions. I'm not sure, so don't repeat this, but I think The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage knows this and uses it to her ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Decisions, Choices

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Saint Arnold Janssen

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Jan 10, 2025

Saint Arnold Janssen: A Prophetic Vision of Divine Encounter in a Transformative Century Intro: In a world often fragmented by ideological, cultural, and religious divisions, Janssen's vision offers a hopeful alternative—a spirituality of connection, respect, and mutual ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Tags: Leader, Mission, Founder, Saint Arnold Janssen, Father  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

A Story Of Hudson Taylor

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

Hudson Taylor began the study of medicine as well as Greek, Hebrew, and Latin. He realized, however, that the most important preparation of all must take place in the realm of his own soul. In China he would have to depend utterly upon his Lord for protection, supplies -- everything. Lest a ...read more

Scripture: John 14:13-26

Tags: Trust, Hudson Taylor

Denomination: Anglican

Any Rest That You Receive, Any Comfort That You ...  PRO

Contributed by David Taylor on Apr 18, 2003

Any rest that you receive, any comfort that you find, any hope that you have, and any encouragement you get during the time of suffering is a direct provision from God. When we begin to realize that, then even ...read more

Tags: Emotions, God's Provision, Promises Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Many Years Ago, Roger Babson Published A ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 28, 2004

Many years ago, Roger Babson published a pamphlet entitled “Essentials of Business Success.” The leaflet contained nothing but a reprint of the Ten Commandments. Some time later a western manufacturer wrote to Mr. Babson ...read more

Tags: Commandments General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Could The Veil Be Lifted, We Would See That ...  PRO

Contributed by Adam Deibert on Feb 11, 2005

“Could the veil be lifted, we would see that angels of God are around us to preserve us from unseen dangers. Thousands of times has their care been especially manifested for us in our warfare with the agencies ...read more

Tags: Angels

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Health Insurance Up: The Average Cost For A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Health Insurance Up: The average cost for a family health insurance policy has topped $10,000 for the first time finds a Kaiser Family Foundation 60% employers offered coverage, down from 69% ...read more

Tags: Money

Mainline Decline: In '60, Total Mainline Church ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 3, 2006

Mainline Decline: In ’60, total mainline church membership in the U.S. topped over 29 million, by ’00 this number had fallen to 22 million¾a 21% drop. During this time span, church ...read more

Tags: Church General

Shrinking-Vacation Syndrome A Recent Conference ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 19, 2007

Shrinking-Vacation Syndrome A recent Conference Board study found 40% of consumers have no plans to take a vacation over the next 6 months (the lowest rate in 28 years). A similar Gallup ...read more

There Are Many Monumental Statements We ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

There are many monumental statements we associate with fathers. Statements that reverberate down through the corridors of time. Statements like: Ask your mother. I was watching that It’s only blood, wipe it ...read more

Tags: Patriarchs Joseph

A. Ten Thousand Steps-That's More Or Less How ...

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Nov 29, 2007

a. Ten thousand steps-that’s more or less how many the average person takes in a day. It adds up to 115,000 miles…4 times around the earth. (info taken from Bill Hybels, “Just ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Heating ...

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Jun 23, 2008

THE HEATING APPARATUS Charles Haddon Spurgeon was showing a group of people around the Metropolitan Tabernacle church in London. After some time the famous preacher informed the visitors that we wished to show them the heating ...read more

Tags: Prayer General

My Religious Belief Teaches Me To Feel As Safe ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That ...read more

Tags: Death

I Think That What's Most Disturbing About ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"I think that what's most disturbing about success is that it's very hazardous to your health, as well as to your daily routine. Not only are there intrusions on your time, but there is a kind of corrosion of your own humility and sense of ...read more

Tags: Workplace Success

Various Studies Conducted By Yale, John Hopkins ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on May 15, 2001

Various studies conducted by Yale, John Hopkins and other groups have documented the following; The absence of a father is a stronger factor than poverty in contributing to juvenile delinquency. In 48 cultures around the world crime rates were highest among adults who as children had been raised ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Tags: Parenting, Father's Day, Family

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Is A Praise Chorus?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 31, 2002

WHAT IS A PRAISE CHORUS? An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was. "Well," said the farmer, "It was good. They did something different, however. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns." "Praise choruses," ...read more

Tags: Church Practices, Worship General