In Sermon Illustrations: "Obeying Jesus"

Unsung Heroes: They Helped A Desperate Father

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 14, 2023

Introduction: True friends are those willing to help. These unsung heroes helped a desperate father bring his son to Jesus. Text, Mark 9:17-20a, KJV: 17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18 And wheresoever he taketh him, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:17-20

Tags: Jesus, Evil Spirits, Unsung Heroes

Denomination: Baptist

Fighting Temptation

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Oct 4, 2023

Have you seen the Kid’s Candy Challenge videos? • What happens in the Kid’s Candy Challenge is the parent tells their small child or children that they can have some candy • But they have to wait until mom or dad gets back • The candy is set right in front of them • Along with a phone to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Sin, Temptation, Jesus Cannot Sin

Denomination: Baptist

Do Not Love The World

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Jan 7, 2025

Now imagine this with me for a second. Let’s say you have a pillow and let’s say the family dog got ahold of that pillow and used it for a litter box… so you took it out and put it in the dumpster, and a family of rats moved into it and used it for a bed. And just before the day the trash truck ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15

Tags: Love Of Jesus, Desire, Love Of The World

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Behave Like Children

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

Warren Wiersbe writes, “We tell the children to behave like adults, but Jesus tells the adults to model ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-17

Tags: Jesus, Children, Child Like Faith

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Are The Synoptic Gospels?

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 15, 2026

We call Matthew, Mark, and Luke the Synoptic Gospels because they share a lot of the same content – “synoptic” means “common view.” They often include different ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36

Tags: Witness, Transfiguration Of Jesus, Synoptic Gospels

Denomination: Methodist

My Six-Eyed Mother

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

I grew up in Amarillo, Texas. And I remember watching my mom navigate the wonderful world of vision changes as I got older. First she started holding the newspaper at arm's length, squinting like she was trying to read smoke signals. Then came the reading glasses. Those little drugstore ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:22-25

Tags: Faith, Spiritual Blindness, Seeking Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[362]. A Message From A Poem – Contemplating Our Dear Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 6, 2026

[362]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CONTEMPLATING OUR DEAR LORD As you see this is a short poem. It is a simple-hearted contemplation about our Lord Jesus. Stanza 1 is the forward look. Stanza 2 is about salvation. Stanza 3 is about songs of praise. Stanza 4 is about the Lord’s coming and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:5

Tags: Jesus, Thoughts, Christian Poems, Contemplating

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jackie Chan Movie. This Man Is Very Innovative ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Pankow on May 3, 2001

Jackie Chan movie. This man is very innovative in the way that he makes fight scenes. Instead of just using normal karate chops and the like, he will use common every day items and create unbelievable fight scenes with them. In one scene, he fights off dozens of men with a common every day step ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Tags: Lordship Of Christ, Jesus, Jesus Teachings, Hands, Wonder, Faith And Works, God The Father  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

A Better Vow  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 22, 2003

A BETTER VOW Eric Snyder, Minister of the Farwell Church of Christ tells this story: I recently did a wedding. During the wedding rehearsal, the groom pulled me aside and made me an offer. He said "Look, I’ll give you $100 if you’ll change the wedding vows. When you get to me and the part ...read more

Tags: Submission, Romantic Love, Oneness, Marriage, Marriage General, Miracles Of Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Where Did That Come From?

Contributed by Rick Palmer on Oct 21, 2018

As a Police Officer we were required to use radar to influence drivers to slow down and obey the laws. One evening I parked at a T-intersection where Main Street intersected a major highway.This intersection was very well lite up because of the businesses located there, a restaurant with a gas ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:23, Matthew 28:14, 2 Peter 2:12-15, 1 John 2:15-16, John 15:19, Galatians 3:23-24, 1 Corinthians 2:14, John 16:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Reprove The World, Gospel Of Jesus Christ, Evangelism, Gospel, Jesus On The Cross, Preach The Gospel, Go Into All The World  (view more)  (view less)

You Probably Do Not Remember The Name Nikolai ...  PRO

Contributed by Lynell Friesen on May 24, 2001

You probably do not remember the name Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin nor should you. But during his day he was as powerful a man as there was on earth. A Russian Communist leader he took part in the Bolshevik Revolution 1917, was editor of the Soviet newspaper Pravda (which by the way means truth), and ...read more

Tags: Miracles Of Jesus, Apologetics General, Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Salvation Is The Only Free Gift That Will Cost ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 25, 2001

"Salvation is the only free gift that will cost you the rest ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ, Assurance Of Salvation, Jesus Teachings

History Records That During The Civil War, Many ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Jun 27, 2001

History records that during the Civil War, many acts of violence were committed by both the armies of the north and the south. Once such act occurred in October of 1862 in the town of Palmyra, Missouri. According to W. E. Sutterfield, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Palmyra, the town was ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, Cross Agony, Lordship Of Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Choosing A Road  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mavis on Jul 23, 2001

CHOOSING A ROAD After a Muslim in Africa was converted to Christ, his friends asked him why he became a Christian. He answered, "Well, it’s like this. Suppose you were going down the road and suddenly the road forked in two directions, and you didn’t know which way to go; and there at the fork ...read more

Tags: World Religions, Apologetics Jesus, Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

During The Time Of The French Revolutution, A ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Aug 11, 2001

During the time of the French Revolutution, a rich aristocrat was sentenced to death just for being an aristocrat. She was put in prison and was allowed to be served by her maid. While she slept, her maid out of a deep love for her mistress put on the mistress’ clothes. When the duchess’ name was ...read more

Tags: Lordship Of Christ, Cross Agony, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Anglican

When Elizabeth Married The Famous Poet Robert ...  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 13, 2001

When Elizabeth married the famous poet Robert Browning, her parents were so upset they disowned her. She and her husband settled far from home in Florence, Italy. Elizabeth loved her mother and father and did everything she could to be reconciled with them. Several times a month she wrote ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Tags: God's Provision, Cross Agony, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

: "Scarred Hands” (James S. ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Aug 21, 2001

Illus.: “Scarred Hands” (James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited, pp. 119-120) A small orphaned boy lived with his grandmother. One night their house caught fire. The grandmother, trying to rescue the little boy asleep upstairs, perished in the smoke and flames. A crowd gathered around the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6-8

Tags: Lordship Of Christ, Forgiveness In Jesus, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Burglar Broke Into A House And Began To Steal ...  PRO

Contributed by David King on Aug 23, 2001

A burglar broke into a house and began to steal all of the valuable. At that moment he heard a voice that said Jesus is watching you. He was so scared he froze for a second. He regained his composure and started stealing again, when the voice came louder Jesus is watching you. He just about ...read more

Tags: Divinity Of Christ, Commandments Steal, Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Pentecostal

In The 18th Century, Selina Countess Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Aug 28, 2001

In the 18th Century, Selina Countess of Huntington invited the Duchess of Buckingham to come and here George Whitfield preach. The Duchess wrote to the Countess of Huntington about the Gospel that Whitefield and his fellow “Methodists” preached as follows: “ It is monstrous to be told that you ...read more

Tags: Temptation Pride, God The Father, Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Anglican

Bryan Chapell Tells This Story That Happened In ...  PRO

Contributed by Dana Chau on Sep 2, 2001

Bryan Chapell tells this story that happened in his hometown: Two brothers were playing on the sandbanks by the river. One ran after another up a large mound of sand. Unfortunately, the mound was not solid, and their weight caused them to sink in quickly. When the boys did not return home ...read more

Scripture: John 6:68-71

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, Christian Disciplines, Christian Love

Denomination: *other