In Sermon Illustrations: "Now What"

A Parrot Named Moses

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 14, 2021

A PARROT NAMED MOSES A thief broke into a beautiful suburban house and was looking around for things to steal when he heard a voice say, “Better be careful…Jesus is watching you!” He stopped for a moment and heard it again… The surprised thief froze in his tracks and looked around, shining the ...read more

Tags: Moses, Humor, Jesus Is Watching, Sermon Opener

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Men And A Donkey

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 2, 2023

One of Aesop’s fables tells of an old man and his son bringing a donkey to the market. Passing some people on the way, they hear one remark, “Look at that silly pair—walking when they could be riding comfortably.” The idea seemed sensible to the old man, so he and the boy mounted the donkey and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-8, Matthew 7:1-3

Tags: Criticism, Aesop, Fable, Finding Fault

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jewish Roots Of Discipleship

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

From just before the time of Christ (when Jesus was a child, Hillel was still alive). "He [Hillel] would stand at the gate of Jerusalem and meet people going to work. He questioned them, "How much will you make at work today?" One person would answer, "A denarius." Another ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31, Luke 9:62, Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 1:16

Tags: Discipleship, Jewish, Disciples, Leaving All

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Respond Like Jesus

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 20, 2025

I think that God expects us to respond (not react) when the world pushes back like Jesus responded to the folks who were unable to see what He was doing. It won’t make sense. Here’s an example of what Peter’s teaching would look like in his day: “Peter is telling the Christian merchant in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-16

Tags: Anger, Blessing Others

Denomination: Methodist

Still Standing

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 16, 2025

When I was in ninth grade, I was chosen to recite the Declaration of Independence in a high school patriotic play. I had the whole thing memorized. Every word. Every pause. I had practiced it until it lived in my bones. What I didn’t know — and wouldn’t discover until later — was that my zipper ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 1:27

Tags: Grace, Weakness

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Be Faithful

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 1, 2026

DO WE UNDERSTAND FAITHFULNESS? Have you heard RHONDA VINCENT’S STORY OF FAITHFULNESS? Rhonda and her family were under contract at SILVER DOLLAR CITY TO DO 5—ONE HOUR MUSIC PROGRAMS A DAY. One day it was raining real hard. No one was in the crowd. No one, but the contract was for 5 shows. Rhonda ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:2

Tags: Faithfulness, Choices

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Vicar And The Organist

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jan 12, 2026

Conflicts are not uncommon, but when the Vicar and Organist get into it, stand aside. One week, the Vicar preached on commitment, and how we should move forward into doing service for others. After this sermon, the Organist led the congregation in singing, "I Shall Not Be Moved." The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Tags: Organist, Vicar

Denomination: Anglican

Unwanted  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mavis on Oct 30, 2000

Mother Teresea “We have drugs for people with diseases like leprosy. But these drugs do not treat the main problem, the disease of being unwanted. That’s what my sisters hope to provide. The sick and poor suffer even more from rejection than ...read more

Tags: Compassion, Church, Giving General, Poverty

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Life Of Jesus Christ Was An Absolute ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jan 17, 2001

"The life of Jesus Christ was an absolute failure from every standpoint except God’s. But what seemed to be failure from man’s standpoint was a triumph from God’s standpoint, because God’s purpose is never the same ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Tags: Promises Of God, God's Omniscience, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Willie Nelson Apparently At One Time Owned A Golf ...  PRO

Contributed by Rich Young on Jan 17, 2001

Willie Nelson apparently at one time owned a golf course. He said the great thing about owning a golf course was that he could decide what par for each hole was. He pointed at one hole and said, ...read more

Tags: Faith, Forgiveness General, Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Christian Doctor Carried Out An Interesting ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Jones on Nov 3, 2000

A Christian doctor carried out an interesting survey recently involving his patients. As they waited in the waiting-room, they were asked to fill out a little survey on themselves. One of the questions asked was “What is your number one wish?” On analyzing the answers ...read more

Tags: God Brings Hope, Guilt, Peace

Denomination: Baptist

John Wooden: Won Many College Basketball ...  PRO

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jan 30, 2001

JOHN WOODEN: won many college basketball national championships in a row while at UCLA. Was asked, ‘What does it take to make a winning team? THREE THINGS 1) Get players in right condition (right with God/Salvation) 2) Team them the fundamentals ...read more

Tags: Discipleship, Church Body Of Christ, Assurance Of Salvation

Elton Trueblood Wrote, "It Used To Be That ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 26, 2001

Elton Trueblood wrote, "It used to be that Christianity was a revolutionary faith that turned the world upside down. But today Christians sit in Sunday morning church services looking at their watches, wondering what time dinner will be served, or thinking about the ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To, Church Purpose Of, Book Of Revelation

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Maybe You’ve Heard About The Gorilla In A ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 16, 2001

Maybe you’ve heard about the gorilla in a zoo holding a Bible in one hand & a book about evolution in the other. He was looking confused, so someone asked, “What are you doing?” The gorilla answered, “Well, I’m ...read more

Tags: Bible, Bible Truth, Creation, Evolution

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Recent Survey By George Gallup Jr. Revealed A ...  PRO

Contributed by Lynn Floyd on Apr 25, 2001

A recent survey by George Gallup Jr. revealed a startling trend in our culture. According to Gallup the evidence seems to indicate that there are no clear behavioral patterns that distinguish Christians from non-Christians in our society. We all seem to be marching to the same drummer, ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General, Character, Discipleship

Denomination: Baptist

3 Buddies Were Discussing Death And One Asked The ...  PRO

Contributed by Darrin Hunt on Oct 8, 2001

3 Buddies were discussing death and one asked the group: What would you like people to say about you at your funeral?  "He was a great humanitarian, who cared about his community."  "He was a great husband and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:11-25, 2 Kings 2:11-17, 2 Kings 5:1-17

Tags: Death, Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Baptist

Slowly I Have Realized That I Do Not Have To Be ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

Slowly I have realized that I do not have to be qualified to do what I am asked to do. That I just have to go ahead and do it, even though I can’t do it as well as I think it ought to be done. This is ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, God's Omniscience, Workplace

After The Christening Of His Baby Brother In ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 16, 2002

After the christening of his baby brother in church, little Johnny sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, "That preacher said he ...read more

Tags: Baptism, Parenting

The Barna Research Group Recently Conducted An ...

Contributed by Matthew Rogers on Feb 20, 2002

The Barna research group recently conducted an extensive survey in the twelve largest Christian denominations in the U.S. What they uncovered was shocking. Only 41% of all adults surveyed believed in the total accuracy of the Bible. Only 40% believed Christ ...read more

Tags: Apologetics The Bible, Basics Of Christianity, Lordship Of Christ

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Are Establishing An All-Time World Record In ...  PRO

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Apr 14, 2002

“We are establishing an all-time world record in the production of material things. What we lack is a righteous and dynamic faith. Without it, all else avails us little. The lack cannot be compensated for by politicians, however able; or by diplomats, however ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment

Denomination: Pentecostal