In Sermon Illustrations: "Practical Faith"

Jesus's Presence In The Ordinary

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Jul 22, 2008

JESUS'S PRESENCE IN THE ORDINARY Dr. Dale E. Turner writing for Health Action News in July 1993 tells an interesting story of John W. Gardner, founding Chairman of Common Cause. Turner quotes Gardner as saying that it is “a rare and high privilege to help people understand the difference they can ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will

Denomination: Salvation Army

Jesus Took Our Place At Calvary

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Sep 19, 2008

Jesus Took Our Place At Calvary A man named Goho rose to be chief of the tribe. He was a good man, and far wiser and advanced in understanding than his fellow tribesmen. The year he became chief, the tribe brought in 40 heads. He judiciously suggested that the tribe use one head each year as a ...read more

Tags: Atonement

Denomination: Baptist

Some Problems Depend On Your Perspective. This ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 22, 2008

Some problems depend on your perspective. This past week I read about a college student that sent a letter home to her parents from college. Dear Mom and Dad, I’m sorry to be so long in writing. Unfortunately, all my stationery was destroyed the night our dorm was set on fire by demonstrators. ...read more

Tags: Attitude General

God Blesses Christian Parents

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Nov 17, 2008

GOD BLESSES CHRISTIAN PARENTS How wonderful for children to have parents who are truly "in the Lord." They will be able to honor such men and women, thus activating the promise mentioned in verse 3. Nancy’s Grandparents took her Grandfather’s mother into their home and cared for her when she ...read more

Tags: Home

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Was A Time When My Folks Visited Me And Saw ...

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 13, 2009

There was a time when my folks visited me and saw a bizarre arrangement in my living room. I had a nice sofa, but I couldn’t afford end tables. So, I’d taken cardboard boxes and covered them with blankets to hold lamps and magazines. It was clever, but it didn’t look nice. Frankly, it looked pretty ...read more

Tags: Sanctification

Denomination: *other

Liberals Give Less Than ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 16, 2009

LIBERALS GIVE LESS THAN CONSERVATIVES A couple years ago, a Syracuse University professor named Arthur C. Brooks wrote a book called "Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism". He was not particularly excited about the outcome of the study he’d done (he’d been raised ...read more

Tags: Poverty

Temple Of Greed

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Mar 12, 2009

TEMPLE OF GREED Stanford Kurland ran Countrywide Mortgage through 2006. Then after the mortgage crisis began (for which Kurland may be partially responsible) he opened up PennyMac, a company that says they will help bail out the mortgage industry by buying the troubled mortgages at a reduced rate ...read more

Tags: Greed

Denomination: United Methodist

Simple Confession, Profound Forgiveness

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2022

In 1818 one out of six women who had children died of something called “childbirth fever.” A doctor’s daily routine back then started in the dissecting room, where he performed autopsies, and from there he made his rounds to examine expectant mothers. No one even thought to wash his hands...at ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:9

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness

The Discipline Of Prayer

Contributed by John Bright on Sep 24, 2025

We refer to many of the practices that aid in our ongoing sanctification as Spiritual Disciplines. These include prayer, Bible reading/study, tithing/generosity, fasting, silence, and worship. This is not a complete list. All Spiritual Disciplines have the same goal – increasing your intimacy ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7, John 15:4, Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:2

Tags: Prayer, Spiritual Disciplines, Richard Foster, Prayer Forms

Denomination: Methodist

How To Get Rid Of Your Preacher

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Sep 26, 2025

How to Get Rid of Your Preacher I heard the tale of a preacher Who was boring and out of touch. Most of his sermons were dry or dead, And he spoke softly way too much. He had heard an awful rumor, From church gossip it had been told, “The church was going to fire him, Hire a young one, handsome ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:15

Tags: Preaching, Pastor, Appreciation, Preachers, Pastor's Appreciation Day, Honor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Ashamed When It Counted The Most

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 18, 2019

Ashamed when it counted the most My two sisters, when they were somewhat younger, liked to play the piano and took lessons for some time. I like music, too, but not all the practicing that went along with it! We found out there was going to be a “recital” where all of the students in their ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 1 John 2:28

Tags: Christian Life, Shame, Rewards

Denomination: Baptist

Friends And Acquaintances?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 26, 2020

Junior high/middle school basketball is always fun to play, and more fun to watch. These youngsters have acquired some skill—more or less—and it’s still more for fun than for competition. Oh, sure, we wanted to win, and few athletes that don’t want to win will ever get very far in any kind of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:3

Tags: Youth, Book Of Life, Athletics, Friends, Relationship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

No Room Giving?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 26, 2022

NO ROOM… THE SAD STORY CONTINUES… In the early 70’s Linda and I were at my Mom and Dad’s for Christmas. We had no children. My Dad pastored 65 years, 42 in Frankfort, Ky. There were 5 of us children. We had a traditional spot where we all sat around the tree. Mom, my wife and my sister distributed ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:33, 2 Corinthians 9:6

Tags: Giving, Purpose

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Lesson From A Band Concert

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 19, 2024

Introduction: Sometimes you can find an example or illustration from places you wouldn’t normally expect. Such an instance happened to me recently, Here’s the verse that came to mind when I saw what took place: Text: John 16:13, KJV: 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide ...read more

Scripture: John 16:13

Tags: Holy Spirit, Teaching, Encouragement

Denomination: Baptist

I Arrived In The City Of Everywhere Early One ...

Contributed by Danny Presswood on Jan 26, 2009

"I arrived in the city of EVERYWHERE early one morning. It was cold, and there were flurries of snow on the ground. As I stepped from the train to the platform, I noticed that the Baggage man and the redcap were warmly attired in heavy coats and gloves, but oddly enough, they wore no shoes. ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

Elton Trueblood Wrote, "It Used To Be That ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 26, 2001

Elton Trueblood wrote, "It used to be that Christianity was a revolutionary faith that turned the world upside down. But today Christians sit in Sunday morning church services looking at their watches, wondering what time dinner will be served, or thinking about the ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To, Church Purpose Of, Book Of Revelation

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Are Establishing An All-Time World Record In ...  PRO

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Apr 14, 2002

“We are establishing an all-time world record in the production of material things. What we lack is a righteous and dynamic faith. Without it, all else avails us little. The lack cannot be compensated for by politicians, however able; or by diplomats, however ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment

Denomination: Pentecostal

William Barclay, A Man Who Had A Profound Way Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Clyde Grimes on Dec 28, 2002

William Barclay, a man who had a profound way of making biblical truths come alive, once said, “It is when men see that we are prepared to suffer for the faith which we say we hold, that they will begin to believe that we ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Discipleship

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Our Persistent Prayer  PRO

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on May 7, 2003

OUR PERSISTENT PRAYER Billy Graham said, “Heaven is full of answers to prayers for which no one ever bothered to ask.” Have faith in the God of the dream; let’s ask God to bring the dream to completion. God’s answer is ready; ...read more

Tags: Prayer Adoration, Prayer Persistence

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Step Mom- The Scenario Is Found At The End Of The ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 15, 2003

Step Mom- The scenario is found at the end of the movie where she says things to her children that are meant to last the rest of their lives. She is dieing of cancer and she wants to leave them with words of comfort and principles for life. Moms on the go know that their faithful instruction makes ...read more

Tags: Parenting

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational