In Sermon Illustrations: "Preachers"

Helen Keller Was Born Blind And Deaf. She Was ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 26, 2007

Helen Keller was born blind and deaf. She was brought to a minister to explain the plan of salvation to her. In the simplest of terms the minister told the girl about Jesus. As she heard the Gospel, her face lit up and she spelled out in the hand of the preacher, “I knew all the time there must be ...read more

The Past Few Weeks I Have Been Reading A Book ...

Contributed by Mike Gillett on Feb 28, 2007

The past few weeks I have been reading a book called "Christ Centered Preaching" by Bryan Chapell, an excellent book dealing with expository preaching that I believe all preachers would do well to read. He makes good solid basic practical preaching points in the comments that didn’t make the main ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Holiness Is Not

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2009

WHAT HOLINESS IS NOT John Charles Ryle, Anglican bishop of Liverpool in the 19th century speaks of holiness. He says, "It is not knowledge...nor great profession...nor doing many things...nor zeal for certain matters in religion..." He continues that holiness is not "morality and outward ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14

Tags: Holiness

Whyte In Prayer

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 13, 2011

WHYTE IN PRAYER Scottish minister Alexander Whyte was known for his uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be grateful. One Sunday morning the weather was so gloomy that one church member thought, "The preacher certainly won’t think of anything for which to thank ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Tags: Gratitude

Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall!

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 12, 2012

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" These famous words were said by President Ronald Reagan in a speech at the Brandenburg Gate near the Berlin Wall on June 12, 1987. 29 months later the wall was torn down. Interestingly, these famous words were originally written by Peter Robinson, a ...read more

Tags: Preaching

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pastor, Don't Get Too Excited Over Compliments!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 25, 2021

A NEW MAN AFTER THAT SERMON The minister’s sermon on this particular Sunday was considerably longer than normal. However, it was so well prepared and inspiring that he just knew it would be a big hit with the congregation. At the end of the service he stood shaking hands with the people as they ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Church Members, Compliments, Boring Sermons, Preaching, Humor, Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is A Story About George Whitefield And ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

There is a story about George Whitefield and John Wesley, two of the greatest preachers in the 1700’s til now. They disagreed on doctrinal matters, very sharply. One person asked Wesley if he expected to see Whitefield in heaven. Wesley said no. The person replied, ‘You don’t think Whitfield is ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General

One Time, The Comic Strip Kudzu Featured This ...

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Sep 7, 2007

One time, the comic strip Kudzu featured this country-style preacher. He was praying to God, and he said, "Oh Lord, You know I don’t ever ask for much, but, Lord, I pray that You would grant me just this one thing ... dignity. That’s all I ask, Lord." In the next frame, there was a lightening bolt ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Church Is Not An Audience

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 2, 2007

A Church Is Not An Audience A sharp distinction ought to be made between a church and an audience. · An audience is a group of unrelated people drawn together by a short-lived attraction. A church is a group of born again believers drawn together by a Savior. · An audience is a crowd. A church is ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Out Of The Box

Contributed by Terry Cavanaugh on May 9, 2008

OUT OF THE BOX One "boxed in" child was Adam Clarke, who was born in the eighteenth century in Ireland. When Adam was a schoolboy, his father told the teacher that Adam wouldn't do well. The teacher said, "He looks bright." That statement changed his life--let him out of the box his father had ...read more

Tags: Change

Denomination: Methodist

The Oakland Police Force Recently Unveiled Its ...

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Jan 2, 2009

The Oakland police force recently unveiled its first lowrider police car. The vehicle has the standard logo, lights and siren, but also includes chrome wheels, hydraulic lift, and a 500-watt sound system. The car was put on the force to help officers build better relationship with inner-city ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Denomination: Lutheran

I Was Once Preaching In The Chapel Of A ...

Contributed by Chris Surber on Sep 10, 2009

I was once preaching in the chapel of a retirement village in Yuma, Arizona. After delivering the sermon I began chatting with an elderly woman who I later learned was very hard of hearing. We were standing just outside the chapel, near a very beautiful pool table which looked as though it was ...read more

Tags: Tongue

Denomination: Christian Church

Elijah Cadman

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 10, 2011

ELIJAH CADMAN Let me tell you about the six-year-old drunken chimney sweep who went on to become a great leader in our movement. Elijah Cadman was born in Coventry, the youngest of five children of a drunkard father who died when Cadman was three years old. Aged six, Cadman was unusually small ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Tags: Becoming A Christian

In 1986 I Had A Series Of Experiences That Turned ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Dec 31, 2001

In 1986 I had a series of experiences that turned my preaching around. I came to realize that the ability to help or stir people depends primarily on preparing the heart of the preacher. I found in myself that the pull toward religious Pharisaism is a constant, a ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, Leadership General, Church Practices

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Ministers Were Talking About The Kind Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Ed Wood on May 29, 2002

Two ministers were talking about the kind of Sunday morning we all have sooner or later. The alarm did not go off. Various domestic crises occurred. The traffic was unusually heavy. Finally, when he arrived at the church, he was late and someone had his parking space. With his frustration level ...read more

Tags: Emotions

Denomination: Baptist

A Bit Of Advice  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 2, 2004

A BIT OF ADVICE It took the Church nearly 400 years to decide about Trinitarian orthodoxy, producing the Nicene Creed that many churches say on a Sunday morning. Most preachers would prefer to preach on any other subject than the Trinity. Perhaps we should heed the advice of Brother Elric, a ...read more

Tags: Trinity

Martin Luther, Commenting On Isaiah 65, Had This ...

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Apr 6, 2007

Martin Luther, commenting on Isaiah 65, had this to say: Through his Gospel God can make the supreme tyrants of the world subject to a simple man and preacher, even though these tyrants were lions and wolves. God can turn enemies into friends. They shall feed together ... The kingdom of peace ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

About Omniscience

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 1, 2010

ABOUT OMNISCIENCE An attribute of God alone. It is the quality of having all knowledge (Is. 40:14). Omnipotence, Omnipresence, and Omniscience represent the nature of God concerning His relation to the creation. (Source unknown - 10,000 Sermon Illustrations) A theological student came to Charles ...read more

Tags: God's Omniscience

Denomination: *other

Hardship And Discipline

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 12, 2010

HARDSHIP AND DISCIPLINE No professional football team that plays its home games in a domed stadium with artificial turf has ever won the Super Bowl. While a climate-controlled stadium protects players (and fans) from the misery of sleet, snow, mud, heat, and wind, players who brave the ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: *other

Vacation For Seniors!

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 22, 2019

A number of years ago I attended a pastors gathering in Toronto. A retired Pastor, now crippled by a stroke, sat along the wall on a chair, all alone. In his prime he was a highly esteemed professor, author and preacher. Now, he sat alone and unnoticed. I walked across the room and lamented this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-20

Tags: Loneliness, Community, Aging

Denomination: Pentecostal