In Sermon Illustrations: "Pearly Gates"

The Old Man With The Rags  PRO

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 5, 2004

THE OLD MAN WITH THE RAGS A beggar lived near the king’s palace. One day he saw a proclamation posted outside the palace gate. The king was giving a great dinner. Anyone dressed in royal garments are welcome. The beggar went on his way. He looked at the rags he was wearing and sighed. Slowly ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:10

Tags: Confession Of Sin, Repentance

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Man Got A Job As A Night Watchman At A ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

A man got a job as a night watchman at a factory. There had been a lot of thefts by the workers on the night shift and so every morning when the night shift workers passed through his gate it was his job to check their bags and pockets to make sure that nothing was being stolen. Things were going ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Arguably, No Landmark In On The West Coast Is ...

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Mar 13, 2007

Arguably, no landmark in on the west coast is more famous or readily recognizable than the Golden Gate Bridge. It is an amazing wonder of architectural work. Most would not know that the south pier rests on the San Andreas Fault line. What a contrast between flexibility and strength. In his ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Foundation Made The Difference  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 5, 2011

THE FOUNDATION MADE THE DIFFERENCE On Oct. 17, 1989, a massive earthquake struck the San Francisco area. Buildings built on solid ground sustained much less damage than those built on shaky ground. The south pier of the Golden Gate Bridge sits directly on top of the San Andreas fault, yet it is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27, Matthew 7:21-29

Hiding The Word Of God

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 10, 2012

HIDING THE WORD OF GOD During World War II, Jewish inmates of the Yanov labor camp in occupied Poland defied their Nazi guards, secretly conducting religious services inside their darkened barracks. To observe their ritual, the Jews had cut religious scrolls into sections, bound the parchment ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Love Your Neighbour

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Oct 12, 2021

Canadian Folk singer (and believer) Bruce Cockburn wrote this song for his church in San Franciso. The story is told in Christianity Today, October 12, 2021. ORDERS; (Bruce Cockburn) The just the merciful the cruel The stumbling well-intentioned fool The deft the oaf the witless pawn The golden ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Tags: Parables, Neighbor, Love

Denomination: Pentecostal

By The Power Of His Holy Spirit Filling And ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Jul 2, 2007

By the power of His Holy Spirit filling and empowering us, let us fulfill the fervor of Dorothea Day’s poem “My Captain”: Out of the night that dazzles me, Bright as the sun from pole to pole, I thank the God I know to be For Christ the conqueror of my soul. Since His the sway of ...read more

Tags: Commandments Steal

Denomination: Methodist

One Day, Marty Was Knocking On Some Doors To Hand ...

Contributed by Traci Loewe on Jul 30, 2007

One day, Marty was knocking on some doors to hand out some flyers for their churches upcoming Bible camp. Marty noticed a young lady watching TV in her apartment. There were some old toys outside of her door, so it was obvious to him she might have some children that could come to camp. Marty ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Do You Have Enough Points To Get To Heaven?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 12, 2023

I heard a story the other day about a guy who died and stood before the gates of heaven. An angel met him and said, “We have a new plan for getting into heaven. We’re now using a point system and you need 1,000 to enter.” The man told the angel that this would be no problem as he started rattling ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23

Tags: Justification, Sinners, Evangelism, Grace, Forgiveness, Sin, Heaven, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Are To Work While We Wait. A Gardener For A ...  PRO

Contributed by E. Lee James on Oct 19, 2001

We are to work while we wait. A gardener for a large estate in northern Italy was conducting a visitor through the castle and the beautiful, well-groomed grounds. As the visitor had lunch with the gardener and his wife, he commended them for the beautiful way they were keeping the gardens. He ...read more

Tags: Second Coming

Denomination: Baptist

The Fellowship Of The Unashamed  PRO

Contributed by Larry White on Jan 11, 2002

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED "I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line, the decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes ...read more

Tags: Endurance, Discipleship, What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Baptist

There Are Many Heresies Among Us; All Of Them ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 15, 2002

There are many heresies among us; all of them detract from the eternal truths of God. The most dangerous one is the one we hear as the new theme of political speeches and commencement addresses. This heresy is rooted in academia and thrives in prideful minds. This heresy is very evident in popular ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Prophet-Leaders, Like The Late David Koresh, Make ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 10, 2002

Prophet-leaders, like the late David Koresh, make confusing and inflated promises of fellowship manipulation through emotion and intimidation tactics in order to build their own kingdoms. Where did this so-called prophet lead his loyal followers? On April 19, 1993, (day fifty-one of the siege), ...read more

Making The Way Safer  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2003

MAKING THE WAY SAFER A story comes out of the long ago of a king who organized a great race within his kingdom. All the young men of the kingdom participated. A bag of gold was to be given to the winner, and the finish line was within the courtyard of the king’s palace. The race was run, and the ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Christian Love

Half A Cloak  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 6, 2003

HALF A CLOAK There is a legend about Martin of Tours who is said to be the first military chaplain. He followed the Roman Army from place to place ministering to the soldiers, and to people in the places they conquered. One cold winter day he was following the Roman Army into a city. There was a ...read more

The Devil's Great Deception

Contributed by Steaven Snow on Oct 13, 2004

The Devil’s Great Deception Last Saturday, two ladies from the church were out soul-winning. As they approached a large yellow house with quaint burgundy shutters, they noticed the ramp leading up to the front door. It led up to a large porch with a swinging gate. When they knocked on the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2

Tags: Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Baptist

There Is An Old Story Told About A Little Girl ...  PRO

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Oct 20, 2004

There is an old story told about a little girl who had been passed from one orphanage to another. She was very shy and felt rather unattractive. The other children would not play with her and her teachers considered her to be a problem child. In this particular orphanage there was a rule that all ...read more

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: Baptist

But The Tongue Is As Volatile As It Is Vital. ...

Contributed by Bart Leger on Feb 14, 2005

“But the tongue is as volatile as it is vital. It was Washington Irving who first said, ‘A sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows keener with constant use.’ It was James, the half brother of Jesus, who first warned: The tongue is a fire…a restless evil and full of deadly poison (James ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Christian Love

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Half A Cloak  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 22, 2005

HALF A CLOAK There is a legend about Martin of Tours who is said to be the first military chaplain. He followed the Roman Army from place to place ministering to the soldiers, and to people in the places they conquered. One cold winter day he was following the Roman Army into a city. There was a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:41-43

Tags: Jesus Teachings

Backward Christian Soldiers

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Oct 29, 2006

Backward Christian Soldiers Backward Christian soldiers, fleeing from the fight, With the cross of Jesus, nearly out of sight. Christ our rightful Master, stands against the foe; Onward into battle, we seem afraid to go. Chorus: Backward Christian soldiers, fleeing from the fight, With the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational