In Sermon Illustrations: "Prodigal Son"

W. B. Hinson, A Great Preacher Of A Past ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2008

W. B. Hinson, a great preacher of a past generation, spoke from his own experience just before he died, and he said, “I remember a year ago when a doctor told me, ‘You have an illness from which you won’t recover.’ I walked out to where I live 5 miles from Portland, Oregon, and I looked across at ...read more

Por Un Dólar — For A Dollar

Contributed by Fernando Ocampo on Jun 3, 2008

(ENGLISH TRANSLATION FOLLOWS) Cierto hombre vino un día a la iglesia con su familia. Cuando iban de regreso a casa comenzó a quejarse de esta manera: "la música estaba demasiado alta, el sermón fue demasiado largo. El que dio los anuncios parecía que ni el mismo sabía lo que decía. Como es posible ...read more

Tags: Complaining

Denomination: Baptist

Many Years Ago, A Scottish Jesuit Priest ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2008

Many years ago, a Scottish Jesuit priest expressed to John Knox, his great frustration and confusion over the inconsistencies of his life. The following was Knox’s suggested prayer: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and put an end at Thy good pleasure to this my miserable life; for justice and ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Many Years Ago, A Scottish Jesuit Priest ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Many years ago, a Scottish Jesuit priest expressed to John Knox, his great frustration and confusion over the inconsistencies of his life. The following was Knox's suggested prayer: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and put an end at Thy good pleasure to this my miserable life; for justice and truth ...read more

Tags: Sanctification

Baptism Seems Like Such A Small Thing. Water And ...

Contributed by Christopher Kennedy on Jan 22, 2009

Baptism seems like such a small thing. Water and a few words. Yet it’s a big thing. It unites us to Christ and makes His story our story. It’s a big deal. That’s why families travel from long distances to see a baby being baptized. That’s why pastors hurry to the hospital to baptize a baby who may ...read more

Tags: Baptism

Denomination: Lutheran

A City Boy, Kenny, Moved To The Country And ...

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Feb 24, 2009

A city boy, Kenny, moved to the country and bought a donkey from an old farmer for $100.00. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day. The next day the farmer drove up and said, "Sorry son, but I have some bad news, the donkey died." Kenny replied, "Well then, just give me my money ...read more

Tags: Lies

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mine Worker Understands The Cost Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2010

Mine Worker Understands the Cost of Forgiveness G. Campbell Morgan, the well known pastor of the last century of Westminster Chapel, near Buckingham Palace, was once approached by a soldier who said he would give anything to believe that God would forgive sins, “but I cannot believe He will forgive ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:18-20

Tags: Salvation

Lorrie Anderson, Missionary To The ...

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 10, 2010

Lorrie Anderson, missionary to the head-shrinking Candoshi Shapra Indians of Peru, was looking for a quiet place for her daily time of Bible reading and prayer, so she went down by the edge of the river. After reading the Bible, she took up her prayer list. Eyes closed, she did not see the deadly ...read more

Tags: Promises Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Send Us Some Eternity

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Nov 30, 2010

SEND US SOME ETERNITY An English postal worker was in charge of letters inadequately addressed. One Christmas season he discovered a card from his own daughter to Santa. It said, "We're very sad at our house this year. My little brother went to heaven last week. You needn't leave me anything. But ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Following Garibaldi And Following Jesus

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 6, 2011

FOLLOWING GARIBALDI AND FOLLOWING JESUS Garibaldi, the great Italian military hero from the 19th century, raised an incredibly committed volunteer army. His appeal for recruits was rather unique as he offered only these terms: "I offer neither pay, nor quarters, nor provisions; I offer hunger, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Tags: Discipleship

I've Got A Flashlight!  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 13, 2011

I'VE GOT A FLASHLIGHT! Ann Beck of North Carollton, Mississippi, talks about the days when her husband and she taught 2- and 3-year-olds in Sunday school. A Bible verse they helped the pre-schoolers memorize was Psalms 56: "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." Their preschool son, Mark, was one ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 56:3

Tags: Fear And Worry

The Beautiful Country: Predestination

Contributed by Michael Walther on Jun 6, 2011

THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY: PREDESTINATION A few years ago, a movie came out about a boy in Vietnam who’s father had been an American GI (The Beautiful Country). His life was miserable because no one in Vietnam accepted him. He was a half-breed. His mother wanted him to try to escape to America to ...read more

Tags: Election

Denomination: Lutheran

It Is Finished  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 3, 2011

IT IS FINISHED We trample the blood of the Son of God if we think we are forgiven because we are sorry for our sins. The only explanation for the forgiveness of God, and for the unfathomable depth of His forgetting (of our sins), is the death of Jesus Christ. Our repentance is merely the outcome ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus

An Art Gallery Testimony

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 29, 2012

AN ART GALLERY TESTIMONY There is the story about an old English farmer who went to London and visited one of the great art galleries in the city. There he was attracted by a painting of the crucifixion. He sat before it, studying each detail with intense interest. At last, forgetful of his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-56

Tags: Crucifixion

If He Had Different Gods  PRO

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jul 1, 2013

IF HE HAD DIFFERENT GODS James Michener, writing in his book, The Source, tells the story of a man named Urbaal, who, was a farmer living about 2200 B.C. He worshiped two gods, one a god of death, the other a goddess of fertility. One day, the temple priests tell Urbaal to bring his young son to ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 25:1-18

Tags: Idol, Other Gods

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Reflecting The Light  PRO

Contributed by Everette Pafford on Feb 27, 2014

REFLECTING THE LIGHT A well-known Bible teacher has just finished speaking to a large class of business people on the Christians' responsibility to be light in the world. He had emphasized the as believers we all have the obligation to reflect the Light in the world, the Lord Jesus. After the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Tags: Evangelism, Living As Light

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Leadership

Contributed by Don Berry-Graham on Mar 1, 2016

I remember hearing a story about a famous film producer. As a child, he had a fight with another boy and lost. While his mother was bathing his black eye, he told her how it was entirely the fault of the other boy. It was the other boy who had started the fight, he claimed. His mother said ...read more

Scripture: John 13:2-17

Tags: God Is Love, Giving In Love, Jesus Leadership

Denomination: Baptist

Fallen

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 23, 2019

Fallen I wanted to be the best you ever had. Now, I am a lonesome, loathsome cad. I once drank in Your holy truth. Now, I drown myself in gin and vermouth. I told others of the sacrifice you gave. Now, it is my soul You need to save. I sang the power of the Blood Then dragged you Name ...read more

Tags: Repentance, Sorrow

Denomination: Baptist

You Know Not ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 24, 2009

YOU KNOW NOT WHEN The people of Martinique sent representatives to that smoldering volcano, Mount Pelee, to see what the condition was. They returned and gave false reports and the city slept on, in all its vice. Nature took warning and the reptiles commenced crawling down the mountainside, birds ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:43-44

Tags: Second Coming

When We Are No Longer Alert As God's Watchmen, We ...

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Mar 30, 2009

When we are no longer alert as God’s watchmen, we have a tendency to be insensitive to all the dangers around us. I can’t help but be reminded of a frightening experience we had when my eldest son was working the late shift at a bakery. He came home dead tired one night and I was already asleep. ...read more

Tags: Zeal

Denomination: *other