In Sermon Illustrations: "Now Is The Time"

When Christ Is In Control

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Aug 5, 2010

WHEN CHRIST IS IN CONTROL Martin Luther was often very graphic in his description of the activities of the Devil. Asked one time how he overcame the Devil, he replied, "Well, when he comes knocking upon the door of my heart, and asks 'Who lives here?' the dear Lord Jesus goes to the door and ...read more

Tags: Jesus Christ

Denomination: Christian Church

Who Needs Your Help?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 17, 2011

WHO NEEDS YOUR HELP? Of the 2,000 passengers on the Titanic, 1517 were lost. At the time the Titanic went down, another ship, the California was only 30 miles away. The Titanic’s operator frantically sent out SOS repeatedly; but the wireless set on the California was closed because there was only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Evangelism Urgency

Where's The Baby?

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Dec 24, 2011

WHERE'S THE BABY? Luis Palau tells of a wealthy European family that decided to have their newborn baby baptized in their enormous mansion. Many people were invited, it was an elegant and elaborate affair. They took off their coats and laid them on the bed in a designated room and soon the time ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40, Matthew 2:2

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Baptist

My Tok Doesn’t Always Tik

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 15, 2025

Dr. James L. Snyder Throughout my life, I have always lived on a schedule. Every day is devoted to certain tasks, and it has worked for me so far. I know what day it is by what I am doing that day. Unlike The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, I cannot multitask. I have to do one thing at a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-16

Tags: Schedule, Planning

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Wanted: Movers

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 28, 2004

WANTED: MOVERS Suppose that one of the local businessmen had purchased a new building and was planning to move all of his stock into the new store. He placed an ad in the paper offering $100.00 per day to anyone who would come to help him make the move. The first workers were there early on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Tags: Grace, Parable Vineyard, Promises Of God

Today We Are All Rushing About Working For That ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Today we are all rushing about working for that next pay raise. But what is that pay raise really going to profit us? We often can’t see the big picture for striving for something greater. Maybe we should have the attitude of this father. The young man was feeling very proud of himself. As a ...read more

Tags: Giving General

I Remember Hearing A Story About A Man Who Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Bradford Robinson on Jun 15, 2001

I remember hearing a story about a man who was visiting a certain school and made a promise to the tiny students that he would give a prize to the one whose desk was found in the best order when he returned. He gave no indication of when that might be. Shortly after he left, a little girl, noted ...read more

Tags: Parable Ten Virgins, Second Coming, Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Methodist

Many Of You Know Charles De Gaulle As The Famous ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

Many of you know Charles de Gaulle as the famous French WWII soldier, statesman, author. What you probably did not know was that Charles and Evonne deGaulle were the parents of a very mentally handicapped child. She was a treasure and a great concern to them both. No matter how bad things were in ...read more

Tags: God Brings Hope, Faith, Easter Resurrection

Impatience  PRO

Contributed by Norm Story on Feb 7, 2003

Once upon a time long ago, you had to turn on the TV set well before your show started so there would be time enough for the tubes to warm up. I see people today pacing impatiently, even a little upset that the microwave popcorn is taking so long. Or do you ever tap your fingers impatiently ...read more

Tags: Peace, Endurance

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

There Is Story About A Chinese Artist, A New ...  PRO

Contributed by Dennis Selfridge on Feb 26, 2003

There is story about a Chinese artist, a new Christian who wanted to paint the parable of the prodigal son. In his first attempt, he painted the father standing at the gate with his arms folded looking sternly down the road at a son coming. Another Christian explained to him that was not the ...read more

Tags: Promises Of God

Denomination: Wesleyan

In High School, A Boy Named Tony, Came To Be One ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

In high school, a boy named Tony, came to be one of my best friends. After high school, Tina and I married and bought a home in Myrtle. My friend also married a pretty, young girl and bought the house next door. By this time, Tina and I had been saved and were trying to live for the Lord. But our ...read more

Tags: Cross Agony

Excuses, Excuses...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Feb 6, 2009

EXCUSES, EXCUSES... This is the time of year when we attempt to fulfill our New Year's excuses...oops, I mean resolutions. And speaking of resolutions...oops, I mean excuses, I found several good ones this week as I prepared for this morning. I make no excuse for any of them. This is one from a ...read more

Tags: Dealing With Conflicts

Denomination: Church Of God

A Light That Lasts

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 30, 2011

A LIGHT THAT LASTS Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb in 1879. Twenty-two years later, in 1901, one of the newfangled gadgets was hung and turned on in the Livermore, Calif., Fire Department. It’s still there, and still on. The old bulb has almost never been turned off in 109 years. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-16

Tags: Promises Of God

The Accident Already Occurred

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 3, 2012

THE ACCIDENT ALREADY OCCURRED There’s a phrase in military aviation which goes like this: "The accident already occurred, we're just waiting for the plane to arrive at the crash site." What does that mean? It means the accident occurred miles before the actual accident occurred, when the pilot or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 11:1-43

Tags: Cause, Idolatry, Effect

Carry Your Cross

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Aug 3, 2020

A story is told about a boy who desperately wanted to meet Christ. He was praying hard about it. One day, the Lord told him to walk up the mountain carrying his cross. He took his cross and began his journey. In some time, he began to feel the heaviness of the cross. He cut out a small portion of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Following Jesus, Carrying The Cross, Denying Oneself

The Joy Of Hearing Your Name

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Apr 26, 2023

This week is the National Football League Draft, a day that thousands of young men have been anticipating for years. I love to watch as the player hears his name called. The smiles. The hugs. Going to the platform and being congratulated by the commissioner. And then donning the jersey and cap of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18

Tags: Heaven, Reward

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Late Erma Bombeck In Her Book, "If Life ...

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 28, 2006

ILL. The late Erma Bombeck in her book, "If Life is a bowl of Cherries, Why Am I Always in the Pits?", recalled the legend of a church where the chimes rang miraculously whenever someone gave a generous gift. But the chimes hadn’t rung for a long time, even though kings & potentates had come ...read more

Tags: Antichrist

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Doctor And Patient Saved From Hell

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Oct 13, 2012

In Beyond Death’s Door, Rawlings shares how his view of the afterlife forever changed on the day one of his heart patients “died” in his office. During a routine stress test on a treadmill, the man’s heart stopped and he collapsed. Immediately, Rawlings and his staff began emergency resuscitation ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:22-31

Tags: Hell

Denomination: Baptist

Let Me Tell You A Story From Alberta History: ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Dec 12, 2002

Let me tell you a story from Alberta history: Cree Chief Maskepetoon met Rev. Robert Rundle, and at their first meeting declared "I will never become a Christian as long as there are horses to steal and scalps to take." Nevertheless Maskepetoon became a staunch friend to Rundle and his attitude ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:20

Tags: Christian Liberty, Anxiety, Forgiveness General, God's Image, Prayer, Moving Forward, Supplication  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Close: (The Following Illustration Can Be Found ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

CLOSE: (the following illustration can be found on the internet – the event occurred April 25, 2003) Maurice Cheeks is the retired All Star point guard who at one time coached the Portland Trail Blazers. His team had just finished warming up for a playoff game against the Dallas Mavericks. The ...read more

Tags: Faith General