In Sermon Illustrations: "Real People"

The Devil's Counterfeit Initially Looks Like The ...

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jul 27, 2010

The devil’s counterfeit initially looks like the real thing. But its fake. • A counterfeit faith stops when man’s capacity ends – a Biblical faith begins where man stops. • A counterfeit faith depends of appearance, coercion, and deception – a Biblical faith depends on the reliability of Christ • ...read more

Tags: Kingdom Of God

Denomination: Nazarene

The Power Of Hope

Contributed by Scott Bradford on Nov 30, 2010

THE POWER OF HOPE When 18 year old Heidi was thrown from a car and suffered a head injury it was a real miracle that she recovered and was soon in rehab at Crystus Santa Rosa. She was learning to walk again through rehab and therapy and a young 16 year old girl named Ashley was brought to Crystus ...read more

Tags: God Brings Hope

Denomination: United Methodist

Running From Sin

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 5, 2011

RUNNING FROM SIN The story is told of a young girl who accepted Christ as her Savior and applied for membership in a local church. "Were you a sinner before you received the Lord Jesus into your life?" inquired an old deacon. "Yes, sir," she replied. "Well, are you still a sinner?" "To tell ...read more

Scripture: John 16:8-11

Tags: Sin General

The Danger Of The Serpent

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 5, 2011

THE DANGER OF THE SERPENT There was a tragedy in Florida. I’m not sure if the baby BURMESE PYTHON came with a warning. If not, it should have. The Oxford, Florida family that brought the serpent home as a pet would live to regret allowing such a creature in the house. The snake, now 12 feet long, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Satan

It Looked Like An Apple Store

Contributed by Brad Henry on Jul 25, 2011

IT LOOKED LIKE AN APPLE STORE "They looked like Apple products. It looked like an Apple store. It had the classic Apple store winding staircase and weird upstairs sitting area. The employees were even wearing those blue t-shirts with the chunky Apple name tags around their necks," But upon closer ...read more

Tags: Lies

The Ugly Tie Contest

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 18, 2011

THE UGLY TIE CONTEST George Hazlett's wife made him a necktie a few years ago that he rarely wore. In fact, George had forgotten about it until one day a local men's store in Salem, Ohio, announced an "ugly tie" contest. George secretly pulled the tie from its resting place and entered it. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7

Tags: Marriage General

Only One Test

Contributed by Brad Henry on Aug 19, 2011

ONLY ONE TEST For some crazy reason I have one of those migraine headaches this morning that started last night. I tried to pray this morning but couldn’t get past the pain. I spoke to God but more about MY pain instead of your pain. But I knew that I wanted to get this lesson out. Sometimes when ...read more

Tags: Tithes

Where Does God Fit In?

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Dec 1, 2011

WHERE DOES GOD FIT IN? One Christmas season a schoolteacher in England supervised the construction of a manger scene in a corner of her classroom. Her pupils were delighted to set up the model barn and cover the floor with real straw and then arrange the clay figures of Mary, Joseph, the ...read more

Tags: Christmas Advent

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Garlands Of Heaven

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Dec 29, 2011

GARLANDS OF HEAVEN In India, whenever I preached I would get a garland made of carnations or roses or some other kind of flower. (This was done as a gesture of honor.) They smelled nice at first, but they were bulky and awkward (most of them would hang down almost to your knees), and after your ...read more

Tags: Servanthood

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In A Book I Was Reading Recently, A King Found ...

Contributed by Amanda Wilson on May 2, 2007

In a book I was reading recently, a King found he had an illegitimate grandson, called Fitzchilvary, abandoned on his doorstep. And after some thought he says to Fitz, I want to make a bargain with you. I will feed you and clothe you and give you a home, education and employment if you will always ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Clergyman Walking Down A Country Lane And Sees ...  PRO

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 18, 2007

A clergyman walking down a country lane and sees a young farmer struggling to load hay back onto a cart after it had fallen off. "You look hot, my son," said the cleric. "Why don’t you rest a moment, and I’ll give you a hand." "No thanks," said the young man. "My father wouldn’t like it if I ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Poem: Invictus By William Ernest Hensley

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Poem: Invictus by William Ernest Hensley Out o the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced nor cried aloud, Under the bludgeonings of chance, my head is bloody, but ...read more

Tags: Faith

Not Long Ago The Epic Poem "Beowulf" Was Made ...

Contributed by Todd Leupold on Apr 10, 2008

Not long ago the epic poem “Beowulf” was made into the first all-CGI movie. Hollywood succeeded where our schools have often failed in etching this tragic tale and it’s monster Grendel in the minds of a new generation. I mention this because I want us to understand that each of us also have our ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Not Long Ago The Epic Poem "Beowulf" Was Made ...

Contributed by Todd Leupold on Apr 10, 2008

Not long ago the epic poem “Beowulf” was made into the first all-CGI movie. Hollywood succeeded where our schools have often failed in etching this tragic tale and it’s monster Grendel in the minds of a new generation. I mention this because I want us to understand that each of us also have our ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Pa Won't Like It  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

"PA WON’T LIKE IT" A farm boy accidentally overturned his wagonload of corn in the road. The farmer who lived nearby came to investigate. "Hey, Willis," he called out, "forget your troubles for a spell and come on in and have dinner with us. Then I’ll help you get the wagon up." "That’s mighty ...read more

Tags: Authority

No Parts Left Over!" Psalm 37: 25-26 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Dec 14, 2004

“No Parts Left Over!” Psalm 37: 25-26 Key verse(s): 25: “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” When I was a boy I received one of those expensive model cars for Christmas. It was not your typical model with only about a hundred ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:25-26, Psalm 37:25-40, Psalm 37:1-2

Tags: Giving General

Denomination: Lutheran

Tumbleweeds And Mesquite Trees  PRO

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Oct 17, 2011

TUMBLEWEEDS AND MESQUITE TREES Have you seen those old movies about the wild West? Near the end, the good guy and the bad guy stand facing each other at opposite ends of the only street in town. The local folks, knowing what will happen, clear the street. They slam doors and shutter windows. The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-4

Tags: Bible Study, Delight

Denomination: Baptist

Leaving The City Of Regret

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 1, 2025

Leaving the City of Regret by Larry Harp I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet I found myself packing rather hurriedly. This trip was going to be unpleasant, and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it. I'm talking about my annual "Guilt ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16

Tags: Freedom, Regret

Denomination: Methodist

While Serving As A U.s. Marine In Iwakuni, Japan ...

Contributed by Troy Mason on Nov 1, 2002

While serving as a U.S. Marine in Iwakuni, Japan I had an experience that I thought I would share. The date was Friday, Nov 1st, 2002. Just to set the stage, that means it was a payday Friday compounded by the fact that military promotions occur on the 1st, so there were many Marines of all ranks ...read more

Tags: Christian Love, Compassion, Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Baptist

Feeling Insignificant?

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Feb 9, 2010

Feeling Insignificant? Last night I attended Hillsong's Church's Vision Night for leaders with my daughter and son-in-law. We were in the first 3 rows and the music was awesome. I somehow ended up sitting between them and felt a little conspicuous. Completely inspiring listening to Joel Houston ...read more

Tags: Encouragement

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational