In Sermon Illustrations: "Parable Prodigal Son"

The Truth About The Wizard Of Oz

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

Did you know that “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” was written, not about the mythical Land of Oz but it was about Israel, the homeland of the Jewish people. The lyrics were written by Yip Harburg, the youngest of four children born to Russian-Jewish immigrants. His real name was Isidore Hochberg, ...read more

Tags: Israel, Jewish, Wizard Of Oz

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Are Not Saved By Being A Good Samaritan.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 2, 2022

"Recall that the Jewish lawyer asked Jesus, "What shall I DO?. So, here Jesus tosses the "DO" back to him! Don't misunderstand -- Jesus is not teaching a works based way to inherit eternal life, but He is saying in essence if you do this perfectly, without ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5

Tags: Legalism, Pharisees, Good Samaritan, Works, Grace, Law, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

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

Balaam's Error,

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Oct 25, 2024

And this from the Revelation to John at Patmos: Jesus words to the angel of the church at Pergamum give us the view of God as to what happened in Numbers chapters 22-25, and why God was angry with Balaam. Balaam was a deceiver. “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:1-41, Revelation 2:14, Numbers 25:1-3

Tags: Deception, Teaching, Israelites, Pergamum, Stumbling Block, Sexual Immorality, Idols  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Rabbinic Understanding Of Palm Sunday

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

In the Talmud, you can see how the Rabbis tried to harmonize some of the prophesies of the Old Testament, including Palm Sunday. They did not understand the two comings: R. Alexandri said: R. Joshua b. Levi pointed out a contradiction. it is written, in its time [will the Messiah come], whilst it ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11, Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19

Tags: Palm Sunday, Triumphant Entry, Two Comings, Jewish Understanding

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Have You Ever Seen The Walt Disney Movie, ...  PRO

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Feb 25, 2003

Have you ever seen the Walt Disney movie, Hercules? It’s a great movie. Zeus was the father of all the gods. That is god with a small “g.” Zeus had a son named Hercules. Hades who was the ruler of the underworld was angry with Zeus so he devised a plan to overthrow the gods and take over Mt. ...read more

Tags: Romantic Love

Denomination: Lutheran

One Little Boy Grew A New Approach To The Game.  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 10, 2003

ONE LITTLE BOY GREW A NEW APPROACH TO THE GAME. We have this little boy at church, Seth Keown, Seth is 6 years old and plays PeeWee football. Our son is the coach of the Packers. Our grandson Matthew plays on the same team with Seth. There are only two teams in this league, the Packers and the ...read more

Tags: Faith General, Examples Of Faith

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Receiving Signal  PRO

Contributed by Tylor Cates on Jan 24, 2004

Receiving Signal Prop: A cell phone In our church we have a 5-minute kid story in the big church before we take the kids over to the Junior Church so I’ll tell you how I did it and you can adapt it to your needs. Good morning boys and girls today I’m going to teach you an important lesson. (I ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: Baptist

A One Way Street With No Turns!" Luke 9: 49-50 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 8, 2004

“A One Way Street With No Turns!” Luke 9: 49-50 Key verse(s): 49: “‘Master,’ said John, ‘we say a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because his is not one of us.’” “For many years Sir Walter Scott was the leading literary figure in the British Empire. No one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:49-50, Acts 16:12-19

Tags: Envy, Emotions

Denomination: Lutheran

His Dearness Is Our Value!" Isaiah 40: 21-26 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 6, 2004

“His Dearness is Our Value!” Isaiah 40: 21-26 Key verse(s): 25: “‘To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?’” “What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly.” A thing of great value is precious. It is something that we guard and use wisely. I feel that way about the time God has given ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:21-26

Tags: Divinity Of Christ, Lordship Of Christ

Denomination: Lutheran

What Does A Mountain Look Like From An Eagle's ...

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 17, 2006

WHAT DOES A MOUNTAIN LOOK LIKE FROM AN EAGLE’S EYE? When I was a child my Dad pastored a country church in Clemont County, Ohio. Our garden was an important part of our life. We ate from the garden fresh food, and in the winter we had canned food. We were working in the garden, planting Hickory ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: Assembly Of God

I Went Out To Mcdonald's One Crisp March Morning. ...

Contributed by Sylvester Fergusson on Feb 11, 2007

I went out to McDonald’s one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch... an overwhelming ...read more

Denomination: Adventist

Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell Injured During 9/11 ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 1, 2009

Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell Injured during 9/11 Attack on Pentagon On September 11, Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell watched the television in his boss’ office as a second hijacked airplane slammed into the World Trade Center. The Army officer had no idea that minutes later madmen would ram a Boeing 757 into ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Tags: War

Bonnie Laughlin's Answered Prayer

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Nov 16, 2010

BONNIE LAUGHLIN'S ANSWERED PRAYER Psalms 27:13 says, “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” One sacrifice made by Bonnie K. Laughlin was the Christian homeschooling of her son, Caleb Laughlin. Bonnie saw that Caleb needed to develop his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:13

Tags: God's Sovereign Will

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How James Montgomery Boice Faced Faced Death From ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2011

How James Montgomery Boice Faced Faced Death from Cancer On May 7, 2000, Dr. Boice stood in this pulpit for the last time to speak about his cancer that would take his life in a month. Here is an excerpt: "If I were to reflect on what goes on theologically here, there are two things I would ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-39, Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Death Nearness

Fatherhood Tips: Cherish Your Time With Them.

Contributed by Eduardo Quintana on Oct 4, 2015

FATHERHOOD TIPS 1.- Cherish your time with them. When we adopted our first child, we decided that it was outright important for the child to have a mom and a dad that were there for them. My wife quit her job and became a stay at home mother. She is amazing! And I also had to find a job that ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:6

Tags: Fatherhood, Cherish

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Something For Nothing?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 13, 2020

Several years ago, I had to make an urgent flight across the country. Because the only airport with those kinds of connections was a good ways away, I took advantage of a shuttle service. Considering the cost of fuel and parking alone, I figured I could get a ride from the northern terminal all ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-27

Tags: Greed, Motive Or Motivation

Denomination: Baptist

Shemaiah, A Man Of God

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 21, 2020

Text: 1 Kings 12:22, KJV: But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 23 Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying, 24 Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:22-24

Tags: Man Of God, Men Of God, Shemaiah

Denomination: Baptist

Unsung Heroes—barzillai The Gileadite, Part 1

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 2, 2020

Introduction: Barzillai is one of many in the Bible who is mentioned only a few times, but his deeds more than make up for any lack of coverage. When David fled for his life during Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 15-18), he eventually crossed the Jordan River. Barzillai and some other people met the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 17:26-29

Tags: David, Barzillai, Gilead, Mahanaim

Denomination: Baptist

Kicking Rocks By Gary Williams (From Seniors ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on May 22, 2007

Kicking Rocks by Gary Williams (from Seniors Quiet Time Miscellany) One day a nine-year-old boy and a man began a walk to the beach. The man’s body was on vacation, many miles away from home and business, but his heart was still business-blinded. He thought his duty was to make sure that he and ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal