In Sermon Illustrations: "Parable Widow"

Wanted: Movers

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 28, 2004

WANTED: MOVERS Suppose that one of the local businessmen had purchased a new building and was planning to move all of his stock into the new store. He placed an ad in the paper offering $100.00 per day to anyone who would come to help him make the move. The first workers were there early on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Tags: Grace, Parable Vineyard, Promises Of God

When He Was Elected To The Baseball Hall Of Fame ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Harper on Jan 22, 2001

When he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984, Harmon Killebrew said, “My father taught me and my brother to play ball in the front yard. One day my mother came out and told him we were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Tags: Parable Prodigal Son, Parenting, Children

Denomination: Baptist

I Heard About An African-American Who Tried To ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2001

I heard about an African-American who tried to attend a church. Sadly, the church wouldn’t even let him attend a service. The pastor said, "You just need to pray about it." About three weeks later the pastor saw him and asked, "Did you talk to the Lord about it?" The man said, ...read more

Tags: Jesus Teachings, Parable General, Racism

An Invitation (And A Rejection Form)  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 18, 2004

AN INVITATION (AND A REJECTION FORM) Dearest (your name), You are cordially invited to come and enjoy the delicious banquet of my salvation. Serving will begin at My House and will continue for eternity. I’d love for you to come and get to know Me personally–and join my Family. This feast is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:12-24

Tags: Grace, Salvation, Parable Great Banquet

One's As Good As Another  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 19, 2004

ONE’S AS GOOD AS ANOTHER Did you hear about the farmer who asked his neighbor if he could borrow a rope? The neighbor said, “Sorry, I’m using the rope to tie up my milk.” “Milk?” said the farmer. “You can’t tie up milk with a rope.” The neighbor replied, “I know, but when a man doesn’t want to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:12-27

Tags: Parable Great Banquet, Apologetics General

Famous Neighbors  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 26, 2004

FAMOUS NEIGHBORS Can you name some famous neighbors? *Mr. Rogers Neighborhood in his sweater and sneakers … “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood … won’t you be my neighbor?” *Dennis the Menace … “Helloooo Mr. Wilson!” *Ricky & Lucy Ricardo … Fred & Ethel Mertz. *Tim “the Tool Man” Taylor ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Tags: Christian Love, Parable Good Samaritan

Like Limbaugh And Clinton  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 26, 2004

LIKE LIMBAUGH AND CLINTON In the story of the “The Good Samaritan,” these men weren’t physical neighbor. The Jews & the Samaritans hated each other. Generations earlier, when the Jews were in Babylonian captivity, the Samaritans had taken over the land … and mixed their religion with the Jewish ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-27

Tags: Parable Good Samaritan, Christian Love

Sheep Know Shepherd's ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 21, 2009

Sheep Know Shepherd’s Voice The contrast with the shepherd is even greater for the shepherd knows each sheep by name and his sheep follow his voice alone. Lloyd Ogilvie, the former Chaplain of the Senate and Pastor of Hollywood Presbyterian Church tells of being in the Middle East and watching a ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-18

Tags: Good Shepherd, Parable Lost Sheep

We Know A Family Who Had Been Searching In Vain ...

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jun 15, 2010

We know a family who had been searching in vain for their teenage son (+ 18) for a number of months. Finally they located him in Colorado Springs and went down to see him. He was unrecognizable ~ hair not washed for months, uncut beard, and disgusting odor reeked from his body. He had been living ...read more

Tags: Father's Day, Parable Prodigal Son

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Maybe If You Listened...  PRO

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 4, 2011

"MAYBE IF YOU LISTENED..." In the middle of an argument, my Mum would say something like this - "Maybe if you LISTENED for a change, you would understand what I am trying to tell you!" So often I am not so much listening but simply waiting for the other person to finish so that I can get across my ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:13

Tags: Everyone, Parable Sower And Seed, Problem

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ivan The Terrible

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 11, 2014

THE BURIAL CLOTHES OF IVAN THE TERRIBLE In 1547 Ivan the IV became Grand Duke of Russia, and he proclaimed himself "Czar" which is a form of the word "Caesar." He actually claimed to be god on the earth. He later became known as Ivan the Terrible, because he was a cruel, vicious leader. He not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Tags: Righteousness, Jesus Parables, Wedding Banquet

What The Lost Coin Means

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 18, 2019

Ann Punton writes, “Although everyone dressed more or less alike according to social standing, each village had some distinguishing feature. Bethlehem women wore a conical cap. When they married, their husband gave them a number of silver coins which they fixed to their hat. The coins were their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Tags: Search, Found, Parable Of The Lost Coin

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Boss Of A Big Company Needed To Call One Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers. He dialed the employee’s home telephone number and was greeted with a child’s voice, "Hello?" It was a quiet little voice. Feeling put out at the inconvenience of having to talk to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, Matthew 18:1-5

Tags: Obedient, Hearing, Parable Prodigal Son

Martin Luther King Jr. Once Said, "The First ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 27, 2007

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The first question the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But ... the Good Samaritan reversed the ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness General, Parable Good Samaritan

Denomination: Christian Church

The Father’s Reaction To The Prodigal Son ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Mar 23, 2001

THE FATHER’S REACTION TO THE PRODIGAL SON AND HIS ELDER SON MIRRORS THE ANSWER ABRAHAM LINCOLN GAVE TO A QUESTION HE WAS ASKED ABOUT HOW HE WOULD TREAT THE ALL THE CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS ONCE THE CIVIL WAR WAS OVER. EXPECTING VENGEANCE AND EVEN THOUGHTS OF EXECUTION BECAUSE OF ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:14-16

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Parable Prodigal Son, Grace

Denomination: Free Methodist

We’ve Probably All Heard The Expression, ...  PRO

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 10, 2001

We’ve probably all heard the expression, “This separates the men from the boys!” What kinds of things separate the men from the boys? Things that involve danger and risk. Things that take courage and a willingness to sacrifice. Things that are grueling and gut-wrenching. Things that require ...read more

Tags: Character, Love Of The Disciples, Parable Good Samaritan

Denomination: Baptist

Jonathan Edwards Wrote: "I Suppose No One ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on May 23, 2001

Jonathan Edwards wrote: “I suppose no one will doubt that some natural men do reach out to the evidence of the truth of the Christian religion on the basis of rational proofs or arguments. Doubtless Judas thought Jesus was the Messiah on the basis of things he saw and heard. Yet he was a devil all ...read more

Tags: Doubt, Apostles Judas, Parable Sower And Seed

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Greeks Had A Race In Their Olympic Games That ...  PRO

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Aug 3, 2001

The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit. I want to ...read more

Tags: Endurance, Parable Ten Virgins, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

In One Of His Books Leo Tolstoy Tells The Story ...  PRO

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Aug 29, 2001

In one of his books Leo Tolstoy tells the story of a young Russian who inherits his father’s small farm. He immediately starts dreaming of how to expand his property when one morning a well-dressed stranger visits him and makes him an offer that is too good to be true - he could have free of ...read more

Tags: Parable General, Finding Fulfillment, Workplace Balance

Denomination: Independent/Bible

There Was A King Who Had All His World Could ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 11, 2001

There was a king who had all his world could afford. The thing he loved most, however, was to laugh. Once while being entertained a jester came along wishing to join in the festival of activities and also wishing to perform for him. His opportunity came and he put the best comical show together he ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation, Parable Rich Fool, Hell