In Sermon Illustrations: "Proverbs 31:17-32:1"

I’m Not Old Just Young Challenged

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 18, 2025

Most people are fascinated by their age as if it makes any difference in their lives. Some people are very intimidated by getting older and struggle against it. When I was young, I couldn't wait to get older. I couldn't wait until I was old enough to get a driver's license. Why does it ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:29

Tags: Youth, Age, Old

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Understanding

Contributed by Larry Grant on Jan 21, 2025

In 1988 at the Democratic National Convention the Reverend Jesse Jackson gave a speech called “Common Ground” in which he challenged us to never give in to demagoguery. He said, Don't you surrender and don't you give up. Don't surrender and don't give up! Why cannot I challenge you ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:7

Tags: Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King, Barack Obama, Jesse Jackson

Denomination: Baptist

Speaking Death Or Life Over Your Marriage?

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 6, 2025

Far too many people spend a lot of time speaking death over their marriages. "Psychologists Cliff Notarous of Catholic University and Howard Markman of the University of Denver studied married couples during the first decade of marriage. Among couples who ultimately stayed together, only 5 ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:20-22

Tags: Marriage, Words, Putdowns

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Startled

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

One blogger writes: …my girlfriend took my phone and set the ringtone to a bloodcurdling scream. I found this out when I received a call while driving to work and, thinking someone was being ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:16

Tags: Fear, Wisdom, Caution, Startle

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fear Does Not Mean Cowardice

Contributed by Saumiman Saud on Feb 21, 2025

FEAR DOES NOT MEAN COWARDICE My Father in Heaven, I feel sinful, sometimes I get angry because I'm accused of being a coward. Honestly, I sometimes feel afraid to fight back, but deep in my heart, I want peace and friendship, not conflict and hostility. Forgive me, forgive me, O Lord. In the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:33

Tags: Fear, Cowardice

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Careful Who You Accuse

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 6, 2025

Miss Abigale was the one church member sure to stick her nose into everyone’s business. One day, she accused George, a new member and a man of few words. She told him, in front of others, that he must be a drunk because his truck had been seen in front of the town’s only bar. George did not ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:16-19

Tags: Revenge, Gossip

Denomination: Methodist

It Was A Snarly Kind Of Day

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 26, 2025

Last week The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage had another one of her girl days with our daughter and granddaughter. Don’t let this get around, but it is one of my favorite days of the year, including my birthday. It’s a day on which I can do what I want to do. That doesn’t come often; when it ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:29

Tags: Wrath, Patience, Reward

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

A Tribute To Ms. Gossips-A-Lot

Contributed by James Snyder on May 3, 2025

I was sitting in the shopping mall, drinking coffee and taking a break. I don't like going to the mall, but sometimes I have to go and pick up something for The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Sometimes, I think she does it on purpose, knowing how much I dislike it. I try to make the most ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:19

Tags: Community, Gossip

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It’s Not Always What I Don’t Know

Contributed by James Snyder on May 17, 2025

I would be the first to admit one truth about myself: I don’t know everything. To quote a politician, “I don’t know what I don’t know.” That has been the theme of my life for as long as I can remember. It all began with my parents. Whenever I got into trouble, they would usually respond, “Don’t ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 2:1-2

Tags: Wisdom, Memory

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Preacher's New Suit

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Jun 24, 2025

The Preacher’s New Suit I was recently invited to preach for the Sunday morning service. Ice Breaker: For an introduction, I stated the following: I introduced myself and then shared the following. Hello, I'm LC Taylor and my wife is Kathy. My wife and I were discussing how honored we were ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22

Tags: Suit, Icebreaker, Sermon Introductions, Ice Breaker, New Suit, Appearance, Humor, Laughter  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Thief And Parrot

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Aug 7, 2025

One night, a thief broke into a big, rich house. He wanted to steal expensive things. He looked around and started putting gold and jewelry into his bag. As he walked through the house, he suddenly heard a voice say: "Jesus is watching you." The thief stopped. He looked around but didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 5:21

Tags: Parrot, God, Thief, Watching

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is That My Grandfather’s Hand?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 26, 2025

This past week, I thought of my maternal grandfather. I haven't thought of him for a long time because he died over 50 years ago. I'm not sure what inspired me to think about my old grandpa. As a youngster, I used to spend summers with him on his farm. He owned a farm up in the mountains ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:6

Tags: Family, Old Age

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Swimming In An Ocean Of Pills

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 6, 2025

Dr. James L. Snyder I have a confession to make. I never realized that the older I get, the more difficult life seems to be. Oh, for those good ole days. As a young person, I thought that when I got older, all of my problems would be solved. At the time, I did not know all the problems I was ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22

Tags: Health, Old Age, Doctors, Pills

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

My Name Is Gossip. I Have No Respect For ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 6, 2002

My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:13, Proverbs 16:28, Proverbs 18:8, Proverbs 20:19, Proverbs 26:20, Proverbs 26:22, Romans 1:28-30, 2 Corinthians 12:20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Lies, Gossip, Clique, Slander

Norman Cousins Was Diagnosed As Having An ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 13, 2001

Norman Cousins was diagnosed as having an incurable disease. He was bedridden & the doctors gave him no hope at all. So he decided on his own treatment. His family got a movie projector & rented all the Charlie Chaplin & Abbott & Costello movies that they could find - movies where you just sit ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22, Proverbs 17:21-22, John 20:24-29

Tags: Faith General, Supernatural, Joy

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

One Day A Farmer On Leaving For A Long Trip ...

Contributed by Sylvester Fergusson on Jul 17, 2007

One day a farmer on leaving for a long trip called his son and gave to him specific instructions. He told him; while I am gone I want you to reap the harvest and plant fresh seeds for the next harvest. The son being an obedient lad reaped the harvest and planted the seeds. As the farmer was ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:24, Proverbs 12:24, Ecclesiastes 10:18

Tags: Love, Obedience, Laziness, Initiative, Expectations, Wistdom  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Adventist

Be Active, And Expect Christ To Be With Thee: ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Steffens on Dec 11, 2007

"Be active, and expect Christ to be with thee: be idle and the thorns and briers will grow so thickly, that He will ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:30-34, Proverbs 30:25, Hebrews 6:4-12

Tags: Active, No Sluggishness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We're Don't Always Know Who We're Talking To

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Mar 2, 2025

Proverbs 10:19 - 19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. Sometimes we are so busy talking that we aren’t even talking to who we think we are talking to. I have to tell yall a story about my sweet little Southern Mama who is now in heaven with ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 13:3, Ephesians 4:29

Tags: Words, Tongue

Denomination: Charismatic

She Did Not Know Who She Was Talking To

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Mar 2, 2025

One day I called at the counter of the tiny post office in rural Arkansas to pick up a package they were holding for JPH (my company). When the lady bringing my package looked at the PO Box address on it, she said Oh good, you work for JPH. And I said Yes maam I do. She had been watching for ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 13:3, Ephesians 4:29

Tags: Words, Speech, Tongue

Denomination: Charismatic

Service Requires Action  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 15, 2002

SERVICE REQUIRES ACTION A man fell into a pit and couldn’t get himself out. A subjective person came along and said, "I feel for you down there." An objective person walked by and said, "It’s logical that someone would fall down there." A Pharisee said, "Only bad people fall into pits." A ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 19:17, James 2:14-17, Matthew 8:14-15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Compassion, Christian Disciplines