In Sermon Illustrations: "Pastoral Ministry"

From Time To Time, My Wife Glenys Says Something ...

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Jul 22, 2008

From time to time, my wife Glenys says something to me that is sweet to hear and extremely powerful. These words arrest me and make me sit and up and listen. Ladies, if you have a man that does not pay attention, you need this sentence because you will get the undivided attention you so desperately ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment

Denomination: Salvation Army

When The Blacksmith Strikes His Hammer Repeatedly ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 27, 2008

When the blacksmith strikes his hammer repeatedly on the anvil it is said that the same anvil will wear out many hammers. Those who strike Christians are creating boldness in the body of Christ. When Christians are persecuted there is more courage. Tell about the workers at Youth for Christ in Shri ...read more

Tags: Prayer General

Odd Disciplines & Behaviors

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 28, 2009

ODD DISCIPLINES & BEHAVIORS What idiosyncrasies might you need to sometimes sacrifice? What rules have you made up that you will not break for anything? In ministry, you often do what needs to be done--period! Alexandre Dumas, the elder, ate an apple at 7 a.m. each morning under the Arc de ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Spiritual Muscle

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 19, 2009

SPIRITUAL MUSCLE I was visiting Pink at the nursing home. His legs had been like sticks, because he could have no therapy until his sore healed. Skin hung down, and he had no muscle. But now he is getting rigorous therapy; the skin has tightened, and muscle is now beginning to form. That’s ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Marked Men

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2009

MARKED MEN There is a professor at Howard University Divinity School, a teacher and scholar, with an unusual name. A name that tells this very story. The distinguished professor of New Testament, the author of the book Troubling Biblical Waters, is named Cain Hope Felder. Dr. Felder tells his ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:10-26

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus

The Story Of The Christian Lion

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 20, 2022

A missionary in Africa was walking through a jungle when he heard the ominous roar of a lion behind him. He was very scared and dropped immediately to his knees and started praying feverishly! "Oh Lord," prayed the missionary, “You know I have served you my whole life. I have even ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

Tags: Thanksgiving, Protection, Prayer, Humor

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The God Who Is Three In One

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 17, 2023

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are mentioned by Jesus in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). The Trinity is seen clearly at the Baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3. The Father speaks from Heaven. The Son is baptized by John. The Spirit descends upon Jesus to anoint His ministry. The Father is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Holy Spirit, Son, Trinity, Godhead, Triune, Father  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Make Yourself At Home  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Rogers on Feb 20, 2002

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME Becky Pippert, is a Christian author from Naperville, Illinois. While doing campus ministry she met a student named Bill on a college campus in Portland, Oregon. Bill was brilliant, and always looked like he was pondering something deep. He had messy hair, and the entire ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ, Christian Love, Promises Of God

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seeing You For Real

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 3, 2011

SEEING YOU FOR REAL Just a few years ago, Leadership Journal did an interview with Saul Cruz, who along with his wife founded Armonia (Harmony) Ministries in Mexico City. They minister to hundreds of poor people all over Mexico today, but they began their ministry by planting a church on the edge ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:17-19

Tags: Servanthood

Six Chairs Of Prayer

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2008

Six Chairs of Prayer Chair One: My attitude towards prayer is that it is not important. I have no motivation to pray and no desire to pray. Nothing is happening in my life in regards to prayer. Chair Two: My attitude towards prayer is that it is optional. I have a motivation and a desire to pray ...read more

Tags: Life

Fred Douglas Shepard Was Born On September 11, ...

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jul 27, 2008

Fred Douglas Shepard was born on September 11, 1855 in Ellenburg, New York in Clinton County. His father died while he was very young and his mother spent most of her adult life as an invalid. It was probably through this that Fred became associated with illness and caring for the sick. Fred lived ...read more

Tags: Love For God

Denomination: Nazarene

Joe Bayly, A Christian Author And Leader, Had A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 2, 2012

Joe Bayly, a Christian author and leader, had a son named Tim who was not following the Lord. This caused great tension in the home until one day Joe told his son he had to move out. Taking Tim aside, he said, "Tim, you're not living for God and you need to leave our home." Tim left, but his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:4-5

Tags: Parenting

Grace At Christmas

Contributed by Joel Arndt on Jan 9, 2020

Early on in my ministry, I was called to the home of one of the people in the congregation who said they had a Christmas gift for me. Shortly after getting out of my vehicle I heard shouting coming from the house that I was called to. I gently knocked on the door and the woman of the house opened ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:23

Tags: Christmas, Grace, Forgiveness, Gift

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Everybody's Doing ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 9, 2008

“Everybody’s doing it.” This is a common phrase used today to excuse our behavior, but it is no excuse. We were shocked a decade ago when youth ministries guru Josh McDowell did an extensive survey of Bible-believing church teens that showed that more than half of them were sexually active, even ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:14

Tags: Purity

Brownies Teach Stewardship

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Nov 26, 2024

A 6th grade Sunday school teacher was struggling with a lesson. She was preparing to teach a lesson on how Christians manage their material blessings. She knew that when her students were in confirmation class the pastor would share what the Bible says about stewardship of time, talents, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Tags: Giving, Stewardship, Tithing, Offerings

Denomination: Lutheran

Daily Warrior's Prayer

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jun 29, 2025

DAILY WARRIOR’S PRAYER HEAVENLY FATHER, I praise and worship you because YOU are GOD. I am honored to be YOUR servant and I take my stand today against the devil and his schemes against me, my family, and my ministry. FATHER, as I take up each piece of the armor, please secure it in place on ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Tags: Armor Of God, Warrior's Prayer

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Small Congregation In The Foothills Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Crow on Sep 2, 2003

A small congregation in the foothills of the Great Smokies built a new sanctuary on a piece of land willed to them by a church member. Ten days before the new church was to open, the local building inspector informed the pastor that the parking lot was inadequate for the size of the building. Until ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:21

Tags: Prayer Adoration, Prayer Answered

Denomination: Baptist

The Call Of Bishop Cowther

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

The Call of Bishop Cowther That day, as the slaves were packed into the Portuguese slave ship, they probably did not know that they would be free within a few hours. Even as they were freed by the captain of the British frigate, I don’t think anyone knew the incredible long range results. One of ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will

We Get A Whole Bunch

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 9, 2008

We Get a Whole Bunch Pastor John R Ramsey once wrote, "For some time I have had a person provide me with a rose boutonniere to pin on the lapel of my suit every Sunday. Because I always got a flower on Sunday morning, I really did not think much of it. It was a nice gesture that I appreciated, but ...read more

Tags: God's Love

One Of Hitler's Bodyguards Was A Man Named Kurt ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Mar 28, 2001

One of Hitler’s bodyguards was a man named Kurt Wagner. He adored Hitler and reverenced him as a god. At the end of the war, with Hitler a suicide in a Berlin bunker, Kurt’s faith was shattered and he planned a suicide. Going for a final cup of coffee, he picked up a discarded Gospel tract and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tags: Grace, God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Wesleyan