In Sermon Illustrations: "Olden Days"

Are You In The Secret Service?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 2, 2023

A friend was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands. He grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside. The Pastor said to him, “You need to join the Army of the Lord!” My friend replied, “I’m already in the Army ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25

Tags: Faithfulness, Pastors, Attendance, Service, Church, Worship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Coronation Of The Queen

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 25, 2025

CONCLUSION: What kind of offering will we give? I read years ago it was CORONATION DAY in Great Britain. A new queen was going to be set in order. There were invitations sent out. There was a little note attached to the invitations: ALL EXCUSES CEASE. I ponder what might happen if we couldn’t give ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-23

Tags: Challenge, Excuses

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Be Careful Who You Accuse

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 6, 2025

Miss Abigale was the one church member sure to stick her nose into everyone’s business. One day, she accused George, a new member and a man of few words. She told him, in front of others, that he must be a drunk because his truck had been seen in front of the town’s only bar. George did not ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:16-19

Tags: Revenge, Gossip

Denomination: Methodist

Look Different

Contributed by John Bright on Sep 23, 2025

These folks to whom Peter is writing used to look like everybody else. They were a part of the world, so they partied and did all the other things average folks did back then. The Roman world in which Christianity first spread was highly sexualized, and many of the practices today that are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:3-4

Tags: Roman World, Change, Sexuality, Gender

Denomination: Methodist

Puppy Story Concerning Martin Luther

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 1, 2025

The Great theologian Martin Luther ... had visitors for dinner one day. His puppy ... happened to be at the table, ... looking for just a morsel ... from his master hand. The puppy watched motionless with open mouth and eyes widened in anticipation. Martin Luther said, "Oh, if I could ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:19-20, Luke 14:7-14, Matthew 15:36

Tags: Christ, Hope, Anticipation

Denomination: Anglican

A Parable From The Chilean Mining ...

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Oct 16, 2010

A PARABLE FROM THE CHILEAN MINING DISASTER Once upon a time there was a wise, good and powerful King. His kingdom was known as the kingdom of Hope and it was the richest kingdom in the world. He ruled his people with love and justice. The kingdom of Hope was known throughout the world and other ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Post Thanksgiving Wishbone

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 30, 2019

Now that Thanksgiving is over, I can sit back and recoup from the activity. I'm not sure about anybody else, but a holiday such as Thanksgiving takes a lot out of me. Of course, it puts a lot in me, but that's another story. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and Yours Truly were ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:31

Tags: Thanksgiving, Holiday

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Did I Just Call Myself?

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 8, 2020

I am old enough to remember those days when there was nothing like cell phones. Oh, those quiet, golden silent days. At the time, I did not realize just how wonderful that time was. Every time you needed to make a phone call, you had to go to where a phone was. Those were the days of the telephone ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:2

Tags: Superman, Pnone, Telemarketers

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Another Christmas Tree In The Bag

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 26, 2020

It's hard to believe, but another Christmas has come and gone. It comes so slow but leaves so fast. I guess I'll never understand that. This Christmas was probably the most unusual that I have ever experienced. When I was young, I remember those first Christmases; they were so slow in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:35

Tags: Christmas, Humore

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

New Normal: If It's Free, It Ain't For Me

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 13, 2021

Once when I wore a younger man's suit I would take anything free. I assumed it was my right to get something free. Then I had a conversation with my grandfather. If anybody knew how to squeeze a buffalo out of a nickel, it was my grandfather. But you couldn’t trick him by offering him ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 7:1

Tags: Free, Scam

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Ants, Ants, Ants, Where's The Uncles

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 27, 2021

I have learned in my life that the small things are the ones that get you down. You would think the big things are the ones to steal most of your time. But those big things call attention to themselves from the very beginning. You know they're there, you know you have to do something about it, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 30:25

Tags: Humor, Ants, Small Problems, Uncles

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What Would The World Be Without Apple Fritters?

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 24, 2021

Stress is not something new in my life or anybody else's, for that matter. The thing about stress is that you never get used to it, or at least I don't. I don't know what I would do if one week I had no stress at all. When that happens, I'll let you know. This past week has not ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Tags: Stress, Pleasure

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Splish Splash, I Forgot To Take A Bath

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 8, 2022

If you had the opportunity to speak to the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, she would probably tell you that one of my strengths is forgetting. I'm not sure how far into the subject she would get. When it comes to forgetting, I am outstanding on the back lawn, and my expertise in this area ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:2

Tags: Memory, Forgetting

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Doctors Are Always Right

Contributed by James Snyder on May 21, 2022

Last year I suffered what is referred to as a heart attack. I got to the hospital in time, so there was no any major damage. I had one artery known as the "Widow Maker" that was 90% blocked, which seemed to be a very serious thing. Who knew I even had a heart, but doctors are always ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Tags: Medical, Doctors

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It Never Dawned On Me Until

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 20, 2022

I must confess I am too poor to pay attention at this time in my life. I hope one day I will win the lottery and be able to afford to pay attention. But, of course, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage says that you can’t win a lottery unless you play the lottery. Well, I don’t play the lottery. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Attention, Listening

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Whoever Gets The Son, Gets All The Father Has!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 3, 2022

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:10-13

Tags: Evangelism, Faith, Heaven, Salvation, Gospel, Invitation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ding-A-Ling There Goes Spring

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 20, 2024

In my life, time has a way of getting out of control. If I could control time, I would be a very happy dude. My one question in life is, where does time go? And, can I retrieve it? The other night, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I sat in the living room watching a little TV. I then ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 31:14-15

Tags: Spring, Heat

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Came Across Some Interesting Statistics A ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 26, 2001

ILL. I came across some interesting statistics a few years ago. Someone went to the trouble to research what people do with their time, & came up with these results: If we live to be 75, most of us will have spent 3 solid years, 24 hours a day, acquiring an education - grade school, high school & ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, God Brings Purpose, Workplace

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Claude And Amanda Tackett Were A Typical Young ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Cassara on Sep 8, 2001

Claude and Amanda Tackett were a typical young mid-western couple, living in Louisville KY. They were members of the Southeast Christian Church. Claude had recently completed law school and was doing well in his first job as a lawyer. In January of this year, Amanda gave birth to their first ...read more

Tags: Disappointment, God In The Hardships, God Brings Hope

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Poem: Daddy's Table Grace  PRO

Contributed by Chad Martens on Oct 25, 2001

POEM: Daddy’s Table Grace As we sit at the table, Our family’s head bowed low; My thoughts return to childhood And the finest man I know. He didn’t speak good English; He was just a simple man, But when he was talking to the Lord, Even a little child could understand. I was young and ...read more

Tags: Parenting

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ