In Sermon Illustrations: "Pay Attention"

As An Infantry Company Commander In Vietman In ...  PRO

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Aug 3, 2004

As an infantry company commander in Vietman in 1967, I saw Viet Cong soldiers surrender many times. As they were placed in custody, marched away, and briefly interrogated, their body language and facial expressions always caught my attention. Most hung their heads in shame, staring at the ground, ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost, God's Provision

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thankful People Are Happy People  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 19, 2011

THANKFUL PEOPLE ARE HAPPY PEOPLE I read a news story once of a woman who was getting ready to jump off a 44 story building in New York City. Witnesses said that she did not look like the type of person who would do such a thing. She was very distinguished and well dressed. All the attempts ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5

Tags: Family, Gratitude, Share

Unusual People, Unexpected Places

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 8, 2011

UNUSUAL PEOPLE, UNEXPECTED PLACES Akiane Kramarik is only 12 years old, but she has abilities far beyond her years. Her mother chose to give birth to her underwater at the family home on July 9, 1994 in Mount Morris, Illinois. The family now lives in Idaho. Akiane speaks four languages, writes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Tags: Christian Witness

Don't Give Pain The Short Shrift!" Luke 13:10-17 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 9, 2005

“Don’t Give Pain the Short Shrift!” Luke 13:10-17 Key verse(s): 16:“‘Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?’.” Many things in this life get short shrift. Perhaps its the lot of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17, Luke 13:6-9

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, God's Creation

Denomination: Lutheran

The Story Of Rick Warren And His Best-Selling ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 20, 2008

The story of Rick Warren and his best-selling book the "The Purpose Driven Life." What is he doing with all the money? USA Today article: June 4th 2006 edition: A uniter, not a divider Warren is no liberal. He backed President Bush in the 2004 election and opposes abortion and stem cell ...read more

Tags: Giving Yourself

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A True Story - A Woman Entered A Haagen-Dazs ...  PRO

Contributed by Scott Weber on Mar 23, 2001

A true story - a woman entered a Haagen-Dazs store on the Kansas City Plaza for an ice-cream cone. After making her selection, she turned and found herself face to face with Paul Newman. He was in town filming the movie Mr. and Mrs. Bridge. Newman’s blue eyes caused her knees to ...read more

Tags: God's Omnipotence, Church Practices, Promises Of God

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Can Still Drive!!  PRO

Contributed by Michael Cassara on Sep 8, 2001

I CAN STILL DRIVE!! At a nursing home in Florida, a resident group was discussing ailments: "My arms are so weak I can hardly lift this cup of coffee," said one. "Yes, I know, my cataracts are so bad I can’t even see my coffee," replied another. "I can’t turn my head because of the arthritis in my ...read more

Tags: Human Body, Faith, Truth

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Nicky Gumbel Tells This Story In Alpha Of Two Men ...  PRO

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on May 7, 2002

Nicky Gumbel tells this story in Alpha of two men who grew up as best friends, except that their lives took divergent paths. One became a judge, and the other a criminal. At one point the criminal ends up in the Judge’s court. He is obviously guilty, but he was the judge’s friend. If the judge ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1

Tags: Redemption, Salvation, Grace

Denomination: *other

At A Nursing Home In Florida, A Resident Group ...  PRO

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 25, 2002

At a nursing home in Florida, a resident group was discussing ailments: "My arms are so weak I can hardly lift this cup of coffee," said one. "Yes, I know, my cataracts are so bad I can’t even see my coffee," replied another. "I can’t turn my head because of the arthritis in my neck," said a third, ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life, Family

Denomination: Mennonite

When Billy Graham Was Driving Through A Small ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Apr 3, 2003

When Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his quilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court. The judge asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?" When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:8

Tags: God's Provision, God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Baptist

Years After The Death Of President Calvin ...

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Apr 11, 2003

Years after the death of President Calvin Coolidge, this story came to light. In the early days of his presidency, Coolidge awoke one morning in his hotel room to find a cat burglar going through his pockets. Coolidge spoke up, asking the burglar not to take his watch chain because it contained an ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Baptist

The Monument  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 11, 2003

THE MONUMENT I never dreamed it would be me My name for all eternity Recorded here at this hallowed place Alas, my name, no more my face. "In the line of duty" I hear them say My family now the price will pay My folded flag stained with their tears We only had those few short years The badge no ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Holidays Civic

Healthcare Has Gotten Out Of Hand. Many Of Us Get ...  PRO

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 27, 2004

Healthcare has gotten out of hand. Many of us get our medications via the internet from foreign countries to save money. Most popular: Canada, New Zealand and Australia…medicine from…down under… Healthcare insurance is so high that many people gravitate toward certain jobs mostly for the ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ, Apologetics General

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Questions About Moms  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 5, 2004

QUESTIONS ABOUT MOMS What’s the difference between moms and dads? ~ Moms work at work and work at home, and dads just got to work at work. ~ Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them. ~ Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power ’cause that’s who you gotta ask ...read more

Tags: Parenting, Mother's Day

The Real Deal?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 28, 2004

THE REAL DEAL? Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Person asked a young accountant who was fresh out of school, "What starting salary were you thinking about?" The Accountant said, "In the neighborhood of 100,000 a year, depending on the benefits package." The interviewer ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16, Romans 3:20-26

Tags: Parable Vineyard, Grace, Labor Day, Workplace

To Seek To Earn, Merit, Or Purchase Salvation Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 25, 2005

To seek to earn, merit, or purchase salvation is to insult the Giver. Imagine yourself invited to a banquet in the White House by the president of the United States. You are seated at a table that is filled with the choist foods. Every effort is made to give you a most enjoyable evening. At the end ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:9-12, 2 Corinthians 12:7-17

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation

Denomination: Baptist

The Value Of The Necklace  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 13, 2005

An American tourist in Paris, who purchased an inexpensive amber necklace in a trinket ship, was shocked when he had to pay quite a high duty on it to clear customs in New York. This aroused his curiosity, so he had it appraised. After looking at the object under a magnifying glass, the jeweler ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7

Tags: Finding Fulfillment

Denomination: Lutheran

What Makes A Good Church?  PRO

Contributed by Al Edmonds on Dec 27, 2005

"WHAT MAKES A GOOD CHURCH?" If all the lazy folks will get up, And all the sleeping folks will wake up, And all the discouraged folks will cheer up, And all gossiping folks will shut up, And all the dishonest folks will confess up, And all the estranged folks will make up, And all the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Apostolic

Christ Has Come To Give His People The Knowledge ...

Contributed by William Huegel on Dec 30, 2005

Christ has come to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. During the Spanish-American War, Clara Barton was overseeing the work of the Red Cross in Cuba. One day Colonel Theodore Roosevelt came to her, wanted to buy food for his sick and wounded Rough ...read more

Tags: Grace

Denomination: Baptist

George Barna Claims "People's Faith Commitment ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 10, 2006

George Barna claims "People’s faith commitment impacts their moral perspectives. There is a clear relationship between a deep Christian commitment and serious concern about the moral state of America. This is one of those moments in history when genuine, fervent leaders of righteous character and ...read more

Tags: Christian Values