In Sermon Illustrations: "Our Sins Hurt Others"

The Gossip Test

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 1, 2021

Another basic concept – sin creates spiritual blindness. Let me illustrate with my favorite sin to talk about… GOSSIP. I’ll stop right here and make sure you know how I define gossip. Before you tell someone a story about another person (even disguised as a prayer request), it needs to pass all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:37-45

Tags: Sin, Gossip, Spiritual Blindness

Denomination: Methodist

What Is Corruption?

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 26, 2021

, A little girl asks her father: "Daddy, what is corruption?" -- Go bring me a beer and I'll tell you. -- But mommy said you should stop drinking! -- Get yourself an ice-cream too ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:1-4

Tags: Bribe, Sin, Corruption, Dishonesty

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Seven Life Lessons From Samson

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 13, 2022

Certainly the story of Samson and the prostitute of Gaza stands as a cautionary tale to all of us. Here are some of the obvious lessons: 1) Just because we think we have conquered a certain sin doesn’t mean it will stay conquered forever. 2) The price of long-term spiritual victory is continued ...read more

Tags: Sin, Temptation, Judgment, Samson, Brokenness, Backslidden  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Romans 1:22

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 23, 2019

Romans 1:22 Life is so much vanity. We live on the brink of insanity. This is so very, very odd For creation is in the image of God. We plod along in our sin Knowing that we cannot win. Our souls so easily we sell To that pawnbroker of Hell. Instead of singing, "How Great Thou ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:22

Tags: Sin, Vanity, Hypocrisy, Religion, Traditions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

With Tongue In Cheek, Mark Twain Spoke Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

With tongue in cheek, Mark Twain spoke of the two-faced life we all live: I am constructed like everybody else and enjoy a compliment as well as any other fool, but I do like to have the other side presented. And there is another side. I have a wicked side. Estimable friends who know all about it ...read more

Tags: Leadership General, Sin Deceptive, Holiness

[005]. Message From A Poem - A Mirror On The State Of The World

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 29, 2024

[005]. MESSAGE FROM A POEM - A MIRROR ON THE STATE OF THE WORLD We are citizens of this world, but we also are citizens of heaven. Those dear souls who are unsaved are just citizen of this world. They have singular citizenship. When we look at the awful political systems the world has, and at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, John 16:33

Tags: Sadness, The World, Sin, Suffering, Mirror, Distress, Authority  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Like This Quote - "What Establishes ...

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Aug 7, 2004

I like this quote - “What establishes preeminence in the Christian community is not office, title, or territory, not the charismatic gifts of tongues, healing or inspired preaching, but only our response to Jesus’ question ‘Do you love Me?’ “ says, ...read more

Tags: Confession Of Sin, Faith General, Repentance

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Do You Remember The Incredible Hulk? If You Do ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 29, 2001

Do you remember the Incredible Hulk? If you do you either remember the big green monster from the comics or the television show. Dr. Banner had a serious problem. In an experiment he had unleashed a terrible monster. In times of stress he would turn into this huge raging monster. One of the ...read more

Tags: Sin Bondage To, Christian Disciplines, Anger

You Follow What You're Tied To  PRO

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Oct 31, 2012

YOU FOLLOW WHAT YOU'RE TIED TO Two hunters were out hunting and come upon what appeared at first as an abandoned farm. The barn was sagging, the house was in disrepair, and there were junk cars and car parts lying around. The only thing that made it a working farm were a few chickens pecking away ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-5, Luke 21:5-35, Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

Tags: Fear, Marriage, Sin Bondage To, Sidetracked

Denomination: Baptist

The Law Has A Purpose. In The Case Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Oct 26, 2000

The law has a purpose. In the case of Cain’s wife, there was no need for this law at the beginning. There are over 130,000 genes that we inherit from our parents (Explain genes to the ancient world). Genes are formed in pairs. At the moment of conception, we inherit one gene of each pair from each ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General, Sin Fall Of Man

Denomination: Baptist

Fallen World

Contributed by Tim White on Feb 14, 2013

FALLEN WORLD Crime rate, growth in atrocities of crime, world tension, wars (and as the Bible predicted, rumors of wars), growth and mutation of illnesses, viruses and diseases. Our great grandparents had not concept of Aids. Our nation’s founders never heart of Ebola, the flesh eating disease. ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence, Sin Fall Of Man

Denomination: Baptist

At A Convention With Their Wives, Two Businessmen ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2001

At a convention with their wives, two businessmen who had been roommates in college crossed paths. They sat in the lobby all night talking. They knew they would be in trouble with their wives. The next day they happened to see each other. "What did your wife think?" "I walked in the door ...read more

Tags: Marriage General, Leadership, Forgiveness General, Forgiveness For Others

How Do You Feel About People? A Pastor Arranged ...  PRO

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 2, 2001

How do you feel about people? A pastor arranged for a gathering of the women’s auxiliary. It was to be a garden party on the church lawn, under the old oak. At the last moment, the morning of the party, Mrs. Preacher discovered she left Sister Hissyfit off the invitation list. The parson ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Tags: Forgiveness General, Forgiveness For Others, Prayer Answered, Grace

Denomination: United Methodist

Julia Had Been Singing "Softly And Tenderly" By ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeeva Sam on Apr 5, 2001

Julia had been singing "softly and Tenderly" by her father’s bedside. As the last word hummed in her throat, her father reached toward her. "I want that one," he said. His eyes rose to Julia in an urgent glare. "At the funeral?" she asked. He blinked slowly. "I’ll tell Reverend Walton," she said. ...read more

Tags: Christian Love, Forgiveness For Others, Parable Prodigal Son

Denomination: Methodist

Kay Arthur Writes: If Only… If Only He Had ...  PRO

Contributed by Greg Nance on May 3, 2001

Kay Arthur writes: If only… if only he had known… If only I had known! He had been summoned. What could he do? There was no higher authority to appeal to, no one to mediate. He had been bidden to come – and go he must. Most people looked on him with contempt because of his physical ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, Lodebar, Forgiveness For Others, Forgiveness General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Father's Forgiveness  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 9, 2002

A FATHER'S FORGIVENESS In his book, What’s So Amazing About Grace , Phillip Yancey tells the story of Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway grew up in a very devout evangelical family, and yet there he never experienced the grace of Christ. He lived a libertine life that most of us would call "dissolute"… ...read more

Tags: Parable Prodigal Son, Forgiveness For Others, Father's Day

Forgiving My Enemy  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Apr 18, 2003

FORGIVING MY ENEMY Ronald Reagan’s attitude after the 1982 attempt on his life made an impression on his daughter, Patti Davis: “The following day my father said he knew his physical healing was directly dependent on his ability to forgive John Hinckley. By showing me that forgiveness is the key ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Forgiveness, Forgive, Forgiveness General, Christlikeness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

From Shackles To Statue

Contributed by Lee Strawhun on Sep 17, 2014

It was 1985 when Tim Cole was picked out of a lineup for a rape he never committed but would be convicted of and sentenced to serve 25 years. He was near the Texas Tech campus when the rape occurred and as a result was sent to prison because the victim picked the wrong man and the courts sentenced ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:5-9

Tags: Hope Of Justice, Victim, Forgiveness For Others, Continue In Faith

Denomination: United Methodist

Good Gossip

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“I resolve to speak ill of no man whatever, not even in a matter of truth; but rather by some means excuse the faults I hear charged upon others, and upon proper occasions speak all the good I know of everybody.” – Benjamin Franklin I knew a woman once who took a temporary job working for a large ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:28

Tags: Gossip, Evil Tongue, Encouraging Others, Power Of The Tongue

Denomination: Charismatic

[007]. A Message From A Poem - A Shepherd Left His Comfort Zone

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 1, 2024

[007]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - A SHEPHERD LEFT HIS COMFORT ZONE Shepherds and sheep feature quite often in the biblical record and Jesus used parables and illustrations involving sheep. This poem was developed from a comment a Convention speaker made when teaching on the Lost Sheep. The ...read more

Scripture: John 10:9, John 10:10-11, John 10:14-15, Luke 15:4-6

Tags: Jesus Died For The Sheep, 100 Sheep, Night, Sheep, Lost Sheep, Crucified, The Good Shepherd, Jesus Our Shepherd, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational