In Sermon Illustrations: "Pastoral Ministry"

Many Years Ago, When We Had Dug Our Potatoes, We ...  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 31, 2003

Many years ago, when we had dug our potatoes, we laid the potatoes on the ground and washed them. We let them dry in the sun, and then my two little sons started putting the potatoes in bags for storage. We counted the potatoes to nine, then Joshua was to pick the biggest potato he saw and place it ...read more

Tags: Giving General

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Daddy, What Does It Feel Like To Die?  PRO

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 19, 2014

Years ago I heard the compelling story of a young pastor whose son was very sick and not expected to live long. Night after night the pastor and his wife would put their boy to bed and say a prayer hoping for a miracle. One evening, the boy looked at his father and said, "Daddy, what does it feel ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, 2 Timothy 3:1-9

Tags: Death, Children, Heaven, Grief

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If The Altar Was Noah's Expression Of His ...

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 14, 2010

"If the altar was Noah's expression of his commitment to God, the rainbow is God's expression of his commitment to Noah ...read more

Tags: Noah

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Disunity Stories  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 26, 2011

DISUNITY STORIES A man was stranded on an island. Alone for a number of years. Finally he was located and some people came ashore to rescue him. Before they took him off the island, he wanted to show them around. He took them to his hut and said "This is the home I built with my own 2 hands." Then ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Tags: Divisions

I Was Wrong  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 24, 2002

I WAS WRONG Jim Bakker is back in the pulpit again. "It’s awesome to die and come back," he told about 400 worshipers at Way of Life Church, where he was the guest speaker Sunday. The former PTL Ministries leader presided over a multimillion dollar TV ministry until he resigned amid a sex and ...read more

Tags: Great God, Grace, God's Love, Repentance, People, Impact  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Graham's Flame In His Hand

Contributed by Donny Granberry on Nov 17, 2008

GRAHAM'S FLAME IN HIS HAND Billy Graham said this, "When I was a young biblical study major in college, I had questions that many young believers have. I struggled with what I thought were inconsistencies in the word of God, and therefore I had little power in my ministry. My anointing was ...read more

Tags: Bible Truth

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Warfield's Faithfulness  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 28, 2011

WARFIELD'S FAITHFULNESS There’s an old story about Dr. Benjamin Warfield. He was a theology professor at Princeton Seminary. While he was still at the height of his academic powers, his wife got sick. And she became an invalid. He took care of her for ten years. During that ten year period, he ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-33

Tags: Marriage Faithfulness

A Dying Church  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 5, 2011

A DYING CHURCH An artist was once asked to put on canvas what he considered to be the picture best symbolizing a decaying and dying church. After several months, he returned and reported that he had finished the task. The hour finally arrived when the painting was to be unveiled. Several people ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Tags: Church Growth

The Missionary Service Of Henry ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 16, 2012

THE MISSIONARY SERVICE OF HENRY MARTYN Henry Martyn had already done more than his share of missionary service in India by his late 20s when he announced he was going to Persia. Doctors had told him that the heat would kill him if he stayed in India, and the heat in Persia was worse. Martyn ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:42-45

Tags: Servanthood

There Were Two Brothers. They Had Not Spoken For ...  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 1, 2002

There were two brothers. They had not spoken for many years. The Father had given them adjoining land, they had built houses and farmed their land and raised their families together. BUT! There had been hurt and pain and disappointment and misunderstanding between the two brothers. They had not ...read more

Tags: Family

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Church Just Had A Change Of Ministers And Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Wayne Major on Aug 10, 2002

A church just had a change of ministers and was to be served by their first woman pastor. One of the parishioners was having a hard time accepting it, not because of any prejudice, but because his favorite pastime was fishing, and he had always enjoyed taking the pastor fishing. He just ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7

Tags: Communication General, Judgement

Denomination: Methodist

Salvation: The Three Envelopes

Contributed by Tim White on Apr 2, 2012

SALVATION: THE THREE ENVELOPES When a pastor was trying at assure a teen of her salvation during times she didn't feel it, the pastor asked her if she had ever trusted and called upon Jesus. She said, "Yes, I did that." The pastor asked, "Did God do His part and save you?" She said, "Oh yes, ...read more

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Had A Cup In His Hand, Not A Sword, But ...

Contributed by Tim Spear on Dec 6, 2012

Jesus had a cup in his hand, not a sword, but that cup was His scepter. He was in complete control. --Brian Bell, ...read more

Tags: Obedience, Sword

Denomination: Baptist

Beloved Christian Reader, In Matters Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Bart Leger on Mar 15, 2001

“Beloved Christian reader, in matters of grace, you need a daily supply. You have no store of strength. Day by day must you seek help from above. It is a very sweet assurance that a daily portion is provided for you in the word, through the ministry, by meditation, in prayer, and waiting upon God ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit Attributes, Grace, Forgiveness General

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Was A Member Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Scott Bradford on Nov 15, 2002

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court for 30 years. At one point in his life, Justice Holmes explained his choice of a career by saying: "I might have entered the ministry if certain clergymen I knew had not looked and acted so much like undertakers." So where is the ...read more

Tags: Joy, God Brings Hope, Emotions

Denomination: United Methodist

From Jeff Faull- Recently, A Colleague Told Me ...

Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 7, 2004

From Jeff Faull- Recently, a colleague told me about an early ministry experience he had near the end of his seminary training. The senior minister at the church where he served as a part time youth minister placed his hand on the youth minister’s shoulder and gave him this advice: "Never invite ...read more

Scripture: James 4:6

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Church Practices

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Missions Is The Growth Measure That Puts Every ...  PRO

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Nov 16, 2004

"Missions is the growth measure that puts every other component in its proper perspective. It is the crown of every church’s ministry, proof that the people of God have embraced a biblical worldview. Jesus Christ came into the world to save every person in it, wherever they live, whatever the ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Denomination: Baptist

When W.e. Sangster Was Appointed General ...

Contributed by Joel Santos on Sep 23, 2004

When W.E. Sangster was appointed General Secretary of the Home Mission Department of Methodist Church in Britain, he divided labor between his subordinates, assigned each responsibility, and gave up all supervision. He never regretted such trust. It was said of Sangster: “his greatest grasp of ...read more

Tags: Leadership General, Leadership

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Of My Favorite Songs Is By The Legendary ...

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 13, 2005

One of my favorite songs is by the legendary Contemporary Christian Artist Larry Norman. Norman is one of a handful of pioneers of contemporary Christian music that paved the way for the ministry (and industry) that it is today. I have played the song before and it is entitled, ‘The Outlaw.’ It ...read more

Tags: Divinity Of Christ, Miracles Of Jesus

Denomination: Church Of God

Word Of Mouth Is The Biggest Purchase Influence, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Word Of Mouth is the biggest purchase influence, from initial awareness right through to actual purchase, according to new DoubleClick report. Companies that track and encourage positive customer recommendations can count on a 20%-30% revenue bounce over companies that ignore customer ...read more

Tags: What Is Evangelism?