In Sermon Illustrations: "Powerful Name"

The Sad Story Of Stephen Foster

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 1, 2021

One cold January morning in 1864 a man was found lying in a heap in the seedy Bowery section of New York, bleeding from a slashed throat. He had staggered to a wash basin, which fell and shattered. A doctor at the scene used black sewing thread somebody found to suture the wound. The man—an almost ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:10

Tags: Depression, Loneliness, Alcholism, Homelessness, Drugs  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Wise Heart

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jul 15, 2021

Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. KJV This does not mean you sugar coat the Word, but rather choose words or actions that do not offend in such a way no one wants to listen. Too many times Christians are rude and crude not ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:21

Tags: Speech, Lips, Sweetness, Prudent, Wisdom  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Bible Characters Who Prayed

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 6, 2022

BIBLE CHARACTERS WHO PRAYED: * Abraham prayed and God gave him a son. • Moses prayed, and the Israelites were delivered from Egypt. • Joshua prayed and the sun stood still in the valley of Aijalon • Gideon prayed, and He defeated the Midites with three hundred men. • Hannah prayed, and God gave ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

Tags: Prayer, Miracles, Bible Characters, Answers To Prayer

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He's No Stranger

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Sep 2, 2023

He’s the wisest man in the church; There’s nothing he can’t do. If you turn down your ministry, He’ll be there to do it for you. He’s also a very faithful member, And shows up right on the dot. Then if you don’t keep your commitment, He’ll cover you and fill in your spot. He’s obviously ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:12, Colossians 3:23

Tags: Labor Day, Funny, Poem, Blame Shifting, Work, Lazy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Empowered To Serve

Contributed by John Bright on Nov 9, 2023

In every war there are stories of courage, bravery, and acts of heroism that go beyond all human limitations. Do you know the name Desmond Doss? He was a soldier in WW2 that came from Lynchburg, Virginia. Because of his faith tradition that prevented him from carrying a weapon, he enlisted as a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:59-60

Tags: Courage, Heroism, Bravery, World War 2

Denomination: Methodist

Things You Do When You Are Obsessed With Prophecy!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 30, 2023

Things you do when you are obsessed with biblical prophecy: 1. You always leave the top down on your convertible in case the Rapture happens while you are driving! 2. You never buy green bananas. 3. Bar code scanners make you nervous. 4. You refuse a tax refund check because the amount comes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:12-18, John 14:1-6

Tags: Return Of Christ, Prophecy, Second Coming, Antichrist, Parousia, Rapture, Tribulation, Revelation, End Times  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prejudice Is Forming Opinions Before You Know Facts

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 28, 2024

In 1884 a young man died, and after the funeral his grieving parents decided to establish a memorial to him. With that in mind they met with Charles Eliot, president of Harvard University. Eliot received the unpretentious couple into his office and asked what he could do. After they expressed their ...read more

Tags: Favoritism, Prejudice, Partiality, Judgementalism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cookie-Jar

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 7, 2025

A pastor was teaching the Ten Commandments to a group of children. When he came to “Thou shalt not steal,” he leaned forward and said, “Now, children, what would the cookie jar say to you if it could talk?” A little girl lifted her hand and said, “It would say, ‘Suffer the little children to come ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:7, Romans 7:19, Galatians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 1:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Temptation, Desire, Choice, Grace, Obedience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Let Me Tell You A Story From Alberta History: ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Dec 12, 2002

Let me tell you a story from Alberta history: Cree Chief Maskepetoon met Rev. Robert Rundle, and at their first meeting declared "I will never become a Christian as long as there are horses to steal and scalps to take." Nevertheless Maskepetoon became a staunch friend to Rundle and his attitude ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:20

Tags: Christian Liberty, Anxiety, Forgiveness General, God's Image, Prayer, Moving Forward, Supplication  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

..  PRO

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jan 12, 2006

ILLUSTRATION... http://www.cbn.com/entertainment/sports/ChristianAthletes/billy_blanks.asp The words, "Not by sight but by faith" adorn the walls of Billy Blanks training center -- a testament to his faith in Christ to overcome many obstacles. "Faith without works is dead" -- is another ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Heard Bro. J. T. Pugh Tell A Story Of One Of ...

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Feb 8, 2006

I heard Bro. J. T. Pugh tell a story of one of the four men who made such a dramatic impact on his life. He mentioned that this man was an evangelist back in the 1940’s. The nation was still in the midst of great financial throes from the Great Depression and from the Second World War. He said ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: Pentecostal

Crucified With Christ

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Crucified With Christ "The Christian's Passion" Jesus said, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me" (Luke 9:23). We have just passed Easter--celebrating what Christ did for us on Calvary and the victory He won over sin and death. The Bible ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Easter Good Friday

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keys To ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Keys to Wisdom Proverbs 4:7-8 says, “Wisdom is supreme; though it costs you all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.” The whole of Scripture gives us some practical applications that can be accomplished by all who are willing to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:7-8

Tags: Wisdom

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

T ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Thanksgiving First Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” On Thanksgiving Day, families gather around their televisions to watch football games ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

First Step To ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

First Step to Spiritual Revival The need for turning to God has never been more urgent than today. The latest fads of social Christianity and religious programs have been unable to deliver Americans from their economic concerns, fear of terrorist attacks and moral decline. Many in America have ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:14-15

Tags: Revival

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Too Many Hypocrites

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

TOO MANY HYPOCRITES One of the most common excuses given for someone not surrendering to the Gospel of Christ is found in this statement, "There are too many hypocrites in the church." Many persons who are seen by outsiders to be "hypocrites" may be true, yet immature, Christians. Christians ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:25

Tags: Church General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Messiah Sighting In Brooklyn

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 30, 2009

MESSIAH SIGHTING IN BROOKLYN In 1993 I saw a news report on T.V. it was about a "Messiah sighting" in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, New York. Twenty thousand Lubavitcher Hasidic Jews live in Crown Heights, and many of them believed the Messiah was dwelling among them in the person of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Tags: Jesus Christ

What Are You Doing, Lord? Amazing Grace

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 31, 2011

WHAT ARE YOU DOING, LORD? AMAZING GRACE A couple days ago I was commuting to the church from Boissevain where we were camping this week, and heard an interview with a young woman named Kristen James Anderson, ironically on the last day of our free satellite radio. She came from a great family, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:5

Tags: Grace

Coming Soon !?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 13, 2020

Many of us, I'm sure, remember hearing the words "Coming soon to a (fill in the blank) near you . . ."m intended to grab your attention. Well, sometimes that did indeed happen, as a lot of us want to find something new, maybe the latest and greatest thing to come our way. There are a ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-3, Acts 1:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Tags: Immanence, Coming Soon, Return Of Christ

Denomination: Baptist

The Man Of God Who Spoke To Ahab, King Of Israel

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 25, 2020

The man of God who spoke to Ahab, king of Israel Text: 1 Kings 20:28 And there came a man of God (identity unknown), and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 20:28, 1 Kings 16:31

Tags: Ahab, Man Of God

Denomination: Baptist