In Sermon Illustrations: "Pride"

In The Summer Of 1986, Two Ships Collided In The ...

Contributed by Jeff Simms on Dec 7, 2003

In the summer of 1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of Russia. Hundreds of passengers died as they were hurled into the icy waters below. News of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation revealed the cause of the accident. It wasn’t a technology problem like ...read more

Tags: Temptation Pride, Emotions

Denomination: Baptist

The Selfishness Test

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Nov 6, 2019

Psychologists have a test for selfishness – it's called the narcissism test – they read people statements like these: “I like to be the center of attention” “I show off if I get the chance because I’m extraordinary” “Somebody should write a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Humility, Pride, Selfishness

Denomination: Pentecostal

Building A Deck

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Aug 12, 2008

BUILDING A DECK I have been building a deck in my backyard this summer, right now I am placing the finishing touches on it. Before I built my deck, I looked through different deck plans, and compared the different kinds of deck materials and figured out pretty much what I needed. Then I went to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23

Tags: Ministry, Motivation, Pride

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Light Of The World

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 25, 2008

A boatman and a scholar were once travelling on a boat. During the journey, the scholar asked the boatman, "Do you know philosophy?" "No," he replied. "Do you know psychology?". "No." "What about geology?" "Nope!" "I suppose you don’t know accountancy, huh?" "No, not at all." "Hm... ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12

Tags: Light, Salvation, Pride

Denomination: Independent/Bible

More Than The Pope

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 6, 2023

There’s a joke about the Pope coming to visit New York. His entourage had ordered a stretch limo for him. As he approached, they held the rear door open for him, but the Pontiff said that it had always been an ambition of his to drive in New York himself. So he got into the front seat, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-11

Tags: Humility, Pride, Status

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Many Of You Have Seen The Modern-Day ...  PRO

Contributed by Tony Miano on Apr 30, 2001

How many of you have seen the modern-day Christmas classic, “A Christmas Story?” It’s a great movie about one family’s Christmas season and a little boy’s mission to receive the Cadillac of BB guns as a present. The Miano family watches this movie every year. Whenever I see the scene of Ralphie ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6-7

Tags: Humility, Sin General, Temptation Pride

Denomination: *other

In A Certain Pond, There Were Two Ducks And A ...  PRO

Contributed by James Westervelt on Feb 5, 2002

In a certain pond, there were two ducks and a frog who were neighbors and the best of friends. They played together all day long during the summer time. But as the cold drew near and the water dried up, the ducks realized they would have to move. This would be easy for them, but what about their ...read more

Tags: Temptation Pride, Humility, Emotions

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

C.s. Lewis On Church And Worship

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 16, 2014

C.S. Lewis said that when he first became a Christian, he had trouble with church gatherings. “I thought that I could do it on my own by retiring to my rooms and reading theology, and I wouldn’t go to churches anymore.” He found the sermons often dull, and he disliked organ music, which he ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:24

Tags: Pride, Ego, The Organ, Hymns

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Take My Hand  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 7, 2011

TAKE MY HAND The story is told of a man and his boy who was with him, when a little fellow, in Scotland, and for the first time he possessed what in that country is known as a top-coat. They were walking out one cold day, and the way was slippery. The little fellow's hands were deep down in his ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 16:18-33

Tags: God, Hands, Pride, Hold, Pluck  (view more)  (view less)

A Minister Friend Of Mine Received A Christmas ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 14, 2001

A minister friend of mine received a Christmas card with a note in it from a lady in his congregation. He said she was very complimentary about his preaching, & compared him with Billy Graham. She finished by writing, "I think you are one of the really great preachers of all time." Later that ...read more

Tags: Emotions, Humility, Temptation Pride

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lion Was Proud Of His Mastery Of The Animal ...  PRO

Contributed by Bart Leger on Mar 15, 2001

The lion was proud of his mastery of the animal kingdom. One day he decided to make sure all the other animals knew he was the king of the jungle. He was so confident that he by-passed the smaller animals and went straight to the bear. "Who is the king of the jungle?" the lion asked. The bear ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Tags: Emotions, Humility, Temptation Pride

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Former Heavyweight Boxer James (Quick) Tillis Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Tj Tipton on Mar 29, 2001

Former heavyweight boxer James (Quick) Tillis was a cowboy from Oklahoma who fought out of Chicago in the early 1980’s. Years later, he still remembers his first day in the Windy City after his arrival from Tulsa. "I got off the bus with two cardboard suitcases under my arms in downtown Chicago and ...read more

Tags: Humility, Emotions, Temptation Pride

Denomination: Pentecostal

Tony Campolo Said, "If You Ever Start To Feel ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Jun 3, 2001

Tony Campolo said, "If you ever start to feel proud, just remember that soon after your body has been lowered into the grave, your family & friends will be ...read more

Tags: Death, Humility, Temptation Pride

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Many Years Ago There Was An Emperor Who Was So ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 9, 2001

Many years ago there was an emperor who was so fond of new clothes that he spent all of his money on them. He did not give himself any concern about his army; he cared nothing about the theater or for driving about in the woods, except for the sake of showing himself off in his new clothes. he ...read more

Tags: Temptation Pride, Truth, Humility

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In September, 1985, The Camera-Equipped Argo ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 13, 2001

In September, 1985, the camera-equipped Argo robot submarine of the USA-France expedition photographed and confirmed the wreckage of the luxury liner Titanic resting 13,120 feet down on the Atlantic ocean floor. In its day, the Titanic was the world’s largest ship, weighing 46,328 tons, 882 1/2 ft ...read more

Tags: Emotions, Humility, Temptation Pride

Martin Luther Said, "We Need Goat Sense." He ...  PRO

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Aug 7, 2001

Martin Luther said, "We need goat sense." He tells of seeing two goats meeting on a path on a mountain ledge. Instead of butting one another, one of them laid down and allowed the other one to pass ...read more

Tags: Humility, Unity, Temptation Pride

Denomination: Baptist

John Wesley Was A Great Preacher, But Not ...  PRO

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Aug 7, 2001

John Wesley was a great preacher, but not everybody, of course, liked him. One day as Mr. Wesley was out walking, he was on a narrow path when he met a man who didn’t like him. One of the men would have to step aside to allow the other to pass. The man came charging ...read more

Tags: Temptation Pride, Humility, Emotions

Denomination: Baptist

A Sailor Once Took A Group Of Young People ...  PRO

Contributed by Tim George on Sep 17, 2001

A sailor once took a group of young people boating for the day. One young man bragged the whole way about all he knew about the sea. Every time the sailor began to give instructions this young man would interrupt with his supposed knowledge. After some time a squall blew up. The sailor began to ...read more

Tags: Temptation Pride, Humility, Emotions

Denomination: Baptist

I'm So Important  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

I'M SO IMPORTANT Former Secretary of Labor Raymond Donovan tells the story of being on Air Force One. He was in the back compartment of the jet while President Reagan was in the front of the compartment. The phone rang in the back compartment and the voice said, "Mr. Donovan, the president would ...read more

Tags: Emotions, Humility, Temptation Pride

My Opinions May Have Changed, But Not The Fact ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

"My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I am ...read more

Tags: Emotions, Humility, Temptation Pride