In Sermon Illustrations: "Real Friend"

The Greatest Miracle Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 6, 2022

"The Transfiguration was not a new miracle, but the temporary pause of an ongoing miracle. The real miracle was that Jesus, most of the time, could keep from displaying His glory. “For Christ to be glorious was almost a less matter than for him to restrain or hide his glory. It is forever his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

Tags: Glory, Jesus, Humility, Leadership, Transfiguration, Miracle  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sleepless  PRO

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Jul 28, 2007

Sleepless There once was a man named Randy Lo – his friends just called him Lo. Lo lived a hard life ignoring the many attempts of friends to introduce him to Jesus Christ. Eventually, though, Lo did become a Christian, giving his life over to our Lord Jesus. After some time, his walk with the Lord ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 2, 2008

My Friend My friend, I stand in judgment now. And I feel that you are to blame somehow. On earth I walked with you day by day. But never did you point the way. You knew the Lord, In His truth and His glory. But never did you share the story! My knowledge then was very dim. You could have ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Tags: Evangelism Urgency

Not That Miserable

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 27, 2008

Not That Miserable James Choung tells of a conversation he recently had with a friend that came around to the topic of spirituality and faith and as they began to discuss that topic, Choung discovered that his friend had attended church at one time. When he discovered this, he asked his friend why ...read more

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Church Of God

A Man Thought That By Being Baptised He Could ...  PRO

Contributed by Stephen Wright on May 7, 2005

A man thought that by being baptised he could find salvation. A friend of his tried hard to explain that this was not so. But this man insisted that, as water would purify the body, so water consecrated by a minister or priest would purify the soul. Finally the friend used an illustration. "Suppose ...read more

Tags: Baptism

Denomination: Baptist

Throughout His Administration, Abraham Lincoln ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2005

Throughout his administration, Abraham Lincoln was a president under fire, especially during the scarring years of the Civil War. And though he knew he would make errors of office, he resolved never to compromise his integrity. So strong was this resolve that he once said, “I desire so to conduct ...read more

Tags: Peace

In Front Of God

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2009

IN FRONT OF GOD I read the story of a man who took a slip of paper and wrote upon it only three letters spelling "G-O-D." He showed it to his friend, who was plainly overcome with greed and the worship of wealth. He took a coin, and after having placed the coin over the slip of paper, asked his ...read more

Tags: Idolatry

What Gets Your Attention?

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Feb 19, 2011

WHAT GETS YOUR ATTENTION? Two friends were sitting together in a café when a noisy car alarm interrupted their conversation. One friend said: "What good are car alarms when no one pays any attention to them?" The other friend said "Some are quite effective. Last summer, my teenager spent a lot ...read more

Tags: Miscellaneous

Denomination: Brethren

I May Never See You Again

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 17, 2017

Phillips Brooks of Boston became quite ill and would see no visitors. However, when Robert Ingersoll, the noted atheist, heard that his friend was sick, he called at his home and was admitted at once. "I appreciate this very much," said Mr. Ingersoll. "But why do you see me when you deny ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:1

Tags: Heaven, Atheism, Hell, Death

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Was A Guy Who Leaned Slightly To The Left. ...

Contributed by Danny Pinksen on Jun 28, 2007

There was a guy who leaned slightly to the left. His friend suggested he go and see a chiropractor and have his legs checked. After years of refusing, he finally went to the chiropractor only discover that one leg was ¾" shorter than his right. A quick bit of adjusting later, he was cured, and both ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

Who’s The Clown Now?

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 5, 2022

As a young person, I was fascinated with clowns. My first encounter was at a circus I attended with my family. The main character in the circus was the clown. When I first saw those clowns, I was scared almost to death. I've never seen anything as scary as those circus clowns. That began my ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-20

Tags: Humor, Clowns, Circus

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

One Of My Students Inadvertantly, And Tragically, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 22, 2003

One of my students inadvertantly, and tragically, gave me a sudden insight into Job. When Shannon drove through a stop sign she didn’t see and was killed, I was asked to offer some words at her funeral. I asked my students to write on a piece of paper things that Shannon had said or done that ...read more

Tags: Ot Characters

Counterfeit ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 27, 2012

COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANITY Several years ago in Kentucky a man walked into a Dairy Queen, placed his order and then paid for it with a $200 bill. The cashier gave him $198 in change and he drove away. Some time later in the day I guess the manager noticed that something didn’t seem right about this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Tags: Discipleship

Ruth Graham Ministries Is Launching A New Women's ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Ruth Graham Ministries is launching a new women’s ministry Ruth Graham & Friends, to encourage, comfort, and bring hope to those with a broken heart and are hiding their pain. The ministry will be holding 6 events in 2006. For ...read more

Tags: Women

The Ponca Indian Tribe Has An Interesting ...  PRO

Contributed by Greg Buchner on Jul 15, 2004

The Ponca Indian tribe has an interesting tradition. When a loved one dies, the family and friends meet to share with one another. They share not in the form of words, but in the form of giving. Now you may think this not too interesting until you hear who does the sharing. You see, thousands of ...read more

Tags: Giving General

Denomination: Methodist

A Far, Far Better Thing

Contributed by Perry Greene on Mar 29, 2012

A FAR, FAR BETTER THING In Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, the young Frenchman Charles Darnay was condemned to die by the guillotine. When Sidney Carton learned of his friend’s situation, he determined to lay down his life in place of his friend. He determined to do this, not because he ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

One Day An American Indian Who Was Visiting New ...

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 18, 2000

One day an American Indian who was visiting New York City, turned to his friend in Times Square, tilted his head and said; "I hear a cricket." "You’re crazy!" replied his friend. "No, I hear it," the Cherokee answered. His friend replied, "It’s rush hour. The city’s full of noise, and you think you ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Song I Have Chosen To Share With You Today ...

Contributed by Paul Dietz on Sep 13, 2008

The song I have chosen to share with you today should be fairly well known, especially to those who have spent a part of their life either in scouting or church related organizations as a child. Some may recall this little jingle from their school days. So, here it is: Make new friends, But keep ...read more

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: *other

Buried With A Fire Extinguisher!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 6, 2022

An interesting newspaper clipping from 1999 told of a British man who was quite a character. Two or three days AFTER his funeral his friends started getting signed postcards from him. The cards said "wish you were here" and were addressed from ...read more

Tags: Hell, Death, Eternity, Judgment, Deceived  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Perhaps You Are Familiar With The Greeting Or ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Sep 6, 2005

Perhaps you are familiar with the greeting or call to worship whereby the pastor or liturgist declares, “God Is Good,” and the people, respond, “All the Time.” The pastor affirms, “All the time,” and the congregation declares, “God is Good.” Many United Methodists use it frequently as a ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: Methodist