In Sermon Illustrations: "Pastors Appreciation Day"

Where I Used To Go To Church!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on May 4, 2022

A man was stranded on a deserted Pacific island for years. Finally, one day a boat comes sailing into view, and the man frantically waves and draws the skipper’s attention. The boat comes near the island and the sailor gets out and greets the stranded man. After a while the sailor asks, ...read more

Tags: Division, Church Splits, Church, Worship, Humor, Strife  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Don't Have To Go To Hell.

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jun 6, 2022

One day, when Vice President Calvin Coolidge was presiding over the Senate, one Senator angrily told another to go “straight to hell.” The offended Senator complained to Coolidge as presiding officer, and Coolidge looked up from the book he had been leafing through while listening to the debate. ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness, Salvation, Truth, Judgment, Politicians, Hell, Death, Eternity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Called To Be Faithful

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 12, 2023

Mark Hatfield tells of touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visiting the so-called "House of Dying," where sick children are cared for in their last days, and the dispensary, where the poor line up by the hundreds to receive medical attention. Watching Mother Teresa minister to these ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Holy Spirit, Faithfulness, Success, Fruit Of The Spirit, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seven Facts About False Teachers

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 2, 2023

FALSE TEACHERS... * Have always been in the Church since Acts (Acts 20). * More false teachers will show up near the Rapture of the Church, i.e. “the last days” (II Timothy 3). * False teachers contradict the truth of the Word of God (John 17:17). * False teachers have 3 key wrong doctrines: ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit, Satan, Discernment, False Teachers, False Teaching, Righteous Judgment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Soon And Very Soon, We Are Going To Burger King!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 29, 2023

Kids say the darndest things.....even in church! One day as I was cleaning, I began singing one of my favorite gospel songs, "Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King!" I just love that song. Well, my young son, Cory, was in the next room listening to my song. Suddenly, he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, John 14:1-6

Tags: Humor, Second Coming, Armageddon, Rapture, King Of Kings, Return Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bridge That Wouldn't Break

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 8, 2024

As the Union Pacific Railroad was being constructed, an elaborate trestle bridge was built across a large canyon in the West. Wanting to test the bridge, the builder loaded a train with enough extra cars and equipment to double its normal payload. The train was then driven to the middle of the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Victory, Defeat, Jesus, Sin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unbroken Preachers

Contributed by Samuel M on Sep 8, 2025

These days, pulpits are filled with lot of called unbroken preachers who lack the wilderness experience. These unbroken preachers are making a lot of noise. There's a lot of boasting, hype, and selfish ambition. Their preaching lacks the voice of the Lord. Preachers with wilderness experience ...read more

Tags: Faith, Hope

I Quit

Contributed by David Dunn on Jan 22, 2026

It was the six-year-old boy’s first day of school. His one life ambition? Have as much fun as humanly possible. He marched through the gate with the bold confidence that only a child possesses, ready to squeeze joy out of every moment. But at noon there was a knock at the front door. There ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Tags: Perseverance, Reality

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Artesian Forgiveness!" Matthew 5: 43-48 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 30, 2004

“Artesian Forgiveness!” Matthew 5: 43-48 Key verse(s): 46 “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” Here at Beech Springs one of the things that sets these few acres apart is the artesian well that highlights our front yard. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Kindness

Denomination: Lutheran

Please Don't Mess With My Peanut Butter

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 18, 2020

Normally, I'm a rather calm, cool and collected person. Actually, my creditors trying to collect things from me, mostly money, are responsible for this and I have been officially collected. If I could only collect my thoughts, but the pieces are too small and too few. Anybody who knows me ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Tags: Comfort, Happiness

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Insignificant Is Significant

Contributed by Peter Loughman on May 15, 2008

THE INSIGNIFICANT IS SIGNIFICANT To anyone who knows her, Joanne is not a significant person. Honestly, chances are, Joanne will never accomplish anything significant. In the town that she lives in, Joanne is never going to be someone who people in town will see as an important person. Joanne is ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Knock, Knock; Someone’s In Trouble

Contributed by James Snyder on Feb 27, 2021

For some reason, the last several weeks we have been getting many visitors at our door. I'm not sure if this is a general trend or if it is just our door. Some of them have been salesmen, religious people, scam artists, and a host of other people. They only had one goal in mind, and that was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:31

Tags: Money, Telemarketers, Knocking On Doors

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

A Mother Crab Who Was Having A Hard Time Teaching ...  PRO

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 23, 2001

A mother crab who was having a hard time teaching her young the right way to walk went scurrying at the beach one day. Before too long, the mother crab again chastised her son: "How many times do I have to tell you to walk straight! Stop walking sideways! It¡¦s much more becoming to stroll ...read more

Tags: Children, Parenting

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Man Visited His Longtime Friend, A British ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeeva Sam on Mar 20, 2001

A man visited his longtime friend, a British military officer stationed in an African jungle. One day when the friend entered the officer’s hut, he was startled to see him dressed in formal attire and seated at a table set with silverware and fine china. The visitor asked why he was all dressed up ...read more

Tags: Holiness, Church Purpose Of, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Methodist

Nearly A Century Ago, A Famous English Preacher ...  PRO

Contributed by John Sloat on Apr 3, 2001

Nearly a century ago, a famous English preacher described in vivid detail the practice of one particular lord of the manor. Every year on Christmas day, this lord gave all the poor people who were his subjects a generous basket of food. Every person brought a basket with him and the lord’s custom ...read more

Tags: Giving General, God's Provision

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Forgotten Letter Drop  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Apr 12, 2001

Illus.: The Forgotten Letter Drop Several years ago the city of Pittsburgh constructed a large, new post office at the cost of several million dollars. On the day of it’s opening, the Governor made a speech, the bands played and the people cheered. It was quite a celebration. But when the ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Great Commission, What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Wesleyan

When Abraham Lincoln Was A Boy He Husked Corn For ...  PRO

Contributed by Jonathan Lucas on May 11, 2001

When Abraham Lincoln was a boy he husked corn for three days to pay for a second-hand copy of “The Life of Washington.” After he had read the book he said, “I don’t always intend to delve, grub, shuck corn, split rails, and the like.” “What do you want to be now?” asked Mrs. Crawford. “I’ll be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Tags: Workplace Evangelism, Peace, Leadership General

Denomination: Pentecostal

Vance Havner Says, "God Is Faithful, And He ...  PRO

Contributed by Greg Yount on Oct 28, 2001

Vance Havner says, “God is faithful, and He expects His people to be faithful. God’s Word speaks of faithful servants, faithful in a few things, faithful in the least, faithful in the Lord, faithful ministers. And all points up that day when He will say, “Well done, thou good and faithful ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Faith, Second Coming

Denomination: Baptist

Praise Him In My Heart  PRO

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 4, 2001

PRAISE HIM IN MY HEART Praise God for Christmas. Praise Him for the incarnation, for the word made flesh. I will not sing of shepherds watching flocks on frosty nights, or angel choristers. I will not sing of a stable bare in Bethlehem, or lowing oxen, wise men trailing star with gold, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Tags: Christmas Advent, Christmas, Birth Of Jesus, Farewell, Graduation, Goodbye, Transition  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Fredrick The Great Of Germany, Was A Scoffer, But ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on May 30, 2002

Fredrick the Great of Germany, was a scoffer, but his great general, Von Zealand, was a devout Christian. One day at a gathering, the king was making coarse jokes about Jesus and the whole place was ringing with laughter. Von Zealand arose stiffly and said, “Your majesty, you know I have not ...read more

Tags: Apologetics Jesus

Denomination: Wesleyan