In Sermon Illustrations: "Pastor Samuel"

Open Rebuke Is Better Than Secret Love.

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 25, 2021

The Scripture tells us that "Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Proverbs 27:5-6).   Rebuke means sin is not only pointed out, it is condemned. The church really doesn’t do this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Sin, Preaching, Repentance, Rebuke, Pastors, The Word Of God, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Babel And Pentecost In Contrast

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 19, 2022

"Pentecost was a reversal of the judgment at the Tower of Babel when God confused man’s language (Gen. 11:1-9). God’s judgment at Babel scattered the people, but God’s blessings at Pentecost united the believers in the Spirit. At Babel, the people were unable to understand each other, but at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:11

Tags: Ministry, Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Power, Revival, Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Paul's Persuasion

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 12, 2023

A pastor asked a dying man, "My friend, what persuasion are you?" The man replied, "I am of Paul’s persuasion." The pastor said, "I am afraid you didn’t understand me. Of what persuasion are you?" The man answered, "Oh, I understood you. I am of Paul’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-9, Romans 8:28-39, 1 John 5:1-13

Tags: Assurance, Pastors, Denominations, Faith, Death, Heaven, Salvation, Hope  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Free Indeed!

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Sep 30, 2023

Once a pastor was speaking on the topic of Spiritual Freedom. He began to wax poetical in his delivery as he repeated over, and over this phrase… “I’m free! I’m free! Praise God I’m free indeed!” After service a little boy shook his hand and said, “Preacher, I’m free! I’m free! I’m free indeed!” ...read more

Scripture: John 8:32, John 8:36, John 8:21-36

Tags: Freedom, Sermons Of Jesus, Pastor Jokes, Laughter The Best Medicine

Denomination: Baptist

Sleep In Heavenly Peas?? (Christmas Joke)

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 28, 2023

A little boy and girl were singing their favorite Christmas carol in church the Sunday before Christmas. The boy concluded singing "Silent Night" with the words, "Sleep in heavenly beans." " No," his sister corrected, "not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Tags: Pastors, Birth Of Christ, Christmas, Peace, Preaching, Mistakes, Humor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Burnout In The Ministry Is A Serious Problem.

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 12, 2024

Burnout is a serious problem among pastors around the world. Some statistics include: On average, seminary trained pastors last only five years in church ministry. • 100% of 1,050 Reformed and Evangelical pastors had a colleague who had left the ministry because of burnout, church conflict, or ...read more

Tags: Elijah, Ministry, Burnout, Pastors, Simon Peter, Discouraged, Quitting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Of My Favorite Columns By Erma Bombeck Tells ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 22, 2001

One of my favorite columns by Erma Bombeck tells of God in the act of creating mothers. She says that on the day God created mothers He had already worked long overtime. And an angel said to Him, "Lord, you sure are spending a lot of time on this one." The Lord turned & said, "Have you read ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:8-14

Tags: Communication General, Commitment, Hypocrite, Pride, Sacrifice  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Like The Children Of Israel In Today's Bible ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 22, 2001

Like the children of Israel in today’s Bible reading, Hannah Hurnard, author of Hinds’ Feet on High Places, was once paralyzed by fear. Then she heard a sermon on scarecrows that challenged her to turn her fear into faith. The preacher said, "A wise bird knows that a scarecrow is simply an ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:10-20

I Am Responsible. Although I May Not Be Able ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 13, 2001

"I am responsible. Although I may not be able to prevent the worst from happening, I am responsible for my attitude toward the inevitable misfortunes that darken life. Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1

Tags: God In The Hardships, Human Body

I Think One Of The Area We Need To Work On The ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Oct 12, 2002

I think one of the area we need to work on the most is expressing that love to our kids. I believe that most Dad’s love their children but for some reason it seems to be hard for us to express it. David had that problem. After Absolom murdered Amnon he fled the country and lived in exile for 3 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:1-33

Tags: Parenting

Denomination: Christian Church

There Is A Movie That Was Recently Produced That ...  PRO

Contributed by James May on Oct 20, 2002

There is a movie that was recently produced that was titled “Shallow Hal”. In that movie, Hal was given a gift of seeing a woman, not as she physically looked but as their heart would appear. There were some who were over weight, some who were not so physically appealing to the normal observer, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-7

Tags: Christian Values, Evangelism The Lost, Romantic Love

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Get The Right Perspective. When Goliath Came ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Get the right perspective. When Goliath came against the Israelites, the soldiers all thought, "He’s so big we can never kill him." David looked at the same giant and though, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:24-26

Tags: Faith General, Faith, Perspective

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Holy Sway Bars! (08.02.05--Boldness Too!--2 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 31, 2005

Holy Sway Bars! (08.02.05--Boldness Too!--2 Samuel 4:1) Have you ever followed behind one of those pick-up trucks pulling a hay wagon? Around these parts that can be an every day experience especially during hay baling time. You’re driving along the highway and then, as you come over the crest of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 4:1

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Lutheran

The Bible Tells The Story Of Absalom. He Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Aug 28, 2005

The Bible tells the story of Absalom. He was the son of King David — Israel’s greatest king. Through a series of circumstances, Absalom began to despise his father and made plans to become king in his father’s place. He surreptitiously sowed seeds of division and rebellion in his father’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:1-33

Tags: Salvation, Repentance

Denomination: Methodist

Game's Only Half Over! (10.04.05--Beginning ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 3, 2005

Game’s Only Half Over! (10.04.05--Beginning Again!--2 Samuel 12:20-24) Is there anyone who hasn’t felt the sting of regret and discovered just how bitter it is to live with the thought that if only we hadn’t done this or said that we’d be a whole lot happier at the moment? Beginning again is one ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:20-24

Tags: God's Provision, Regret, Remorse, God's Forgiveness, Face Your Fears, Embarrassment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

Across Nicaragua, Graffiti Plastered Houses, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 20, 2005

Across Nicaragua, graffiti plastered houses, walls, and public buildings. The most prevalent campaign slogan everywhere was: “Daniel 5:25.” Intended to be a simple instruction on how to vote, it literally meant, “Vote for Daniel Ortega, the 5th position on the ballot, on the 25th day of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Tags: Daniel

A Young Preacher-To-Be, Having Passed His ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 19, 2006

A young preacher-to-be, having passed his doctrinal examinations, faced his trial sermon. In a cavernous auditorium sat three ministers and 75 others who came to listen. When he stepped into the pulpit, the vast room and the searching, critical eyes caused him to falter. Two weeks later his name ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:8-16

Tags: Promises Of God, Rejection, God's Love

Denomination: Lutheran

Michael Plant Was One Of The World's Best ...

Contributed by Michael Leon on Aug 11, 2006

Michael Plant was one of the world’s best yachtsmen. Numerous times he navigated the oceans, gaining skill and notoriety. Then early in the fall of 1992, he decided to go all the way and set out from the East Coast on a solo voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to France. He purchased a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:1-3

Tags: Character

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Remember An Experience Early In My Life When ...

Contributed by Bruce Willis on Nov 29, 2006

I remember an experience early in my life when God began teaching me to learn to listen for His voice and to turn to Him for help. I was outside playing on a sunny day. We had a maid, Beulah, who watched over us during the weekdays. Mother of course had 5 children in 6 years and 9 days, so we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Grace In A Barren Place — Julie Martin

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Dec 28, 2006

Grace In a Barren Place -- Julie Martin I was that Mephibosheth Crippled by my twisted pride and Hiding from You in a barren place Where You could not find me Where You would not give me what I deserved. But somehow You found me and I don’t understand why but You Gave me what I do not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Tags: Lodebar

Denomination: Pentecostal