In Sermon Illustrations: "Ransom From Sin"

Don't Fear Your Capture

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jan 26, 2009

DON'T FEAR YOUR CAPTURE We may not see it clearly, but we are ultimately safe. Following Jesus may not always seem like the wisest thing to do, but the trap is the best place to be. Think of yourself as a precious, endangered species. There are few of you left, but you are ill, and the ...read more

Tags: Fear And Worry

Denomination: Mennonite

Spiritual Millionaires

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 5, 2009

SPIRITUAL MILLIONAIRES Obeying the law justifies no one, Jew or Gentile, because no one obeys the law. There is no one righteous, not even one, Romans 3:10 says. Therefore, the law can only condemn us, not declare us righteous. For example, the law is very clear: "Do not write a check for more ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:2-4

Tags: Justification

Denomination: Evangelical Free

I Remember Once My Car Was Not Running Quite ...

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Jan 13, 2010

I REMEMBER ONCE MY CAR WAS NOT RUNNING QUITE RIGHT - I CHOSE TO IGNORE IT THINKING IT MIGHT GO AWAY – BUT IT DIDN’T - I REMEMBER THE NEXT DAY OPENING THE BONNET FIDDLING WITH THE WIRES AND SO ON - YET THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED - SO I TOOK IT INTO THE GARAGE – THEY RAN A FREE ...read more

Tags: Law

Denomination: Baptist

Bible Riddles

Contributed by Noel Atkinson on Jan 17, 2011

BIBLE RIDDLES Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth? A. Ruthless. Q. What do they call pastors in Germany? A. German Shepherds. Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible? A. Noah He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation. Q. Who was the greatest ...read more

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Baptist

What Are You Feeding On?  PRO

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 9, 2014

WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING ON? I really enjoy visiting Yellowstone. In fact, one of these days, when Jesus comes back, I've got dubs on Yellowstone! Come and visit me for a while! Once when I was visiting the greatest national park in America, I heard a story about bears that was amazing. In the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-13, Exodus 12:1-51

Tags: Sanctification, Lamb Of God, Spiritual Growth, Growth In Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Baby Chased Away The Darkness

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Jul 25, 2018

Main Idea: Jesus was a baby that changed the whole world. Verse: “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman…” (Galatians 4:4 NKJV). Illustration: Once upon a time there was a village. In the village there lived many men. They were always mad at each ...read more

Tags: Salvation, Baby Jesus, Birth Of A Savior

Denomination: Charismatic

Do You Have One Heart?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 5, 2023

Missionary Jim Walton was translating the NT for the Muinane people of La Sabana in the jungles of Colombia. But he was having trouble with the word "peace". During this time, Fernando, the village chief, was promised a 20-minute plane ride to a location that would have taken him 3 days ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-11

Tags: Forgiveness, Peace, Missions, Unity, Relationships, Bitterness, Bond Of Peace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Knowledge Of Jesus

Contributed by Samuel M on May 16, 2024

The knowledge of you (Jesus) changes my understanding of who I am. The words I speak, the way I think, the life I live will radically change when I see you and get to know you Jesus. ‘I’ in me will alter (change or destroy) to become more like you (Jesus). Knowing and seeing you Jesus helps me to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8

Tags: Faith, Knowledge Of God

What A Friend We Have In Jesus  PRO

Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Jun 24, 2008

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS Only the Lord and the man in question really know what burdens of sorrow and affliction were heaped upon the writer of this great hymn. One thing we do know, however, is that this beautiful and blessed hymn would never have been penned if the author had not known ...read more

Scripture: John 15:15

Tags: Music

Why Is The F*** Word And And The Sh** Word Used ...

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 7, 2010

"Why is the F*** word and and the Sh** word used so freely today? Jesus doesn’t directly include this in what He says about oaths in Matthew 5 but it is there by way of application and other passages enlarge on this area of sin, so I am taking a detour. The spirit of what Jesus is saying in Matthew ...read more

Tags: Tongue, Swearing

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Earth In The Bargain!" Revelations 22: 20-21 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 26, 2005

“Earth in the Bargain!” Revelations 22: 20-21 Key verse(s): 21:“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” The surest way to become hopeless is to simply open your eyes in the morning and look around you. Everything seems to be falling apart. Huge deficits, world terrorism, train, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:20-21, Revelation 22:20-21

Tags: Second Coming, Knowing Christ

Denomination: Lutheran

A Path We Feared To See!" Philippians 2:5-11 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 10, 2005

“A Path We Feared to See!” Philippians 2:5-11 Key verse(s): 8:“‘And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even the death of the cross.” We love so many things in this life! Yet, there is one thing so worth loving that is seldom afforded even the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Tags: Jesus' Ministry

Denomination: Lutheran

Rach And I Have A Friend Who Is A Source Of Grief ...  PRO

Contributed by Christopher Lanham on Feb 17, 2005

Rach and I have a friend who is a source of grief for us. It is not that he has done anything to us – he is quite dear to us actually. Rather it is what he has done to himself, what he has chosen to believe. About ten years ago, this friend began absenting himself from church. He was getting ...read more

Tags: Worship Purpose

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Heaven, A Personal Place

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Heaven, A Personal Place Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Heaven

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Many Years Ago Now, A True Story Is Told Of Two ...

Contributed by Guy De Swardt on Apr 1, 2010

Many years ago now, a true story is told of two identical twins who were working for their father. They were so close they even dressed alike. When their father died they took over the family business as everybody expected them to do. Their relationship with each other was considered by the town ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness, Sermon On The Mount

Denomination: Baptist

Not Talking To Me...or Is He?

Contributed by Ryan Davis on Oct 28, 2010

NOT TALKING TO ME...OR IS HE? So often those of us who have been coming to church and have been Christians for a long time sit and listen to sermons as if the preacher is talking to everyone else in the auditorium except us. We sit there during the sermon and take in what the preacher is saying, ...read more

Tags: Attitude General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Praying The Beatitudes

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 15, 2020

PRAYING THE BEATITUDES Blessed are the poor in spirit. Matthew 5:3 Heavenly Father, I want the humility not to be impressed with myself and my accomplishments. Increase in me (John 3:30). More of You, God, none of me. I am overwhelmed with the sense of my spiritual need. I recognize my true ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Prayer, Beatitudes, Poor In Spirit, Blessed Are The Meek, Matthew 5, Blessed Are The Pure In Heart  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is It Like On The Other Side?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 22, 2022

Kansas City, Missouri is separated from Kansas City, Kansas by the Missouri River. Years ago, there was a farmer who lived on the Kansas side of the river. He had a farm, a wife and a beautiful daughter. The farmer and his family had never been across the river. They had lived their whole life on ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Death, Revelation, Heaven, Hope, Eternal Life, New Jerusalem, Funerals  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Shattered Pool Liner – A Story Of Forgiveness And Grace

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Aug 5, 2025

What started out as a boy's reckless defiance became a lesson in the power of forgiveness and grace. Like many young boys, I dreamed of being a professional athlete. I thought my best chance was Major League Baseball, so day after day I would take my wiffle ball and bat to the backyard, throw ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Tags: Grace, Mercy, Father, Forgiveness, Restoration  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Boosegumps

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 13, 2025

Good morning, boys and girls. Have you ever felt something wonderful inside—like tiny happy bubbles that make you want to smile from the inside out? Not like bubbles in a 7-Up or soda can—these are bubbles that only your heart can feel. I call them Boosegumps. Now, if you were to go to a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:13

Tags: Service, Holy Spirit, Salvation, Conversion, Kindness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist