In Sermon Illustrations: "Risk Taking"

A Peek At The Universe  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 11, 2012

A PEEK AT THE UNIVERSE In 2004, scientists pointed the Hubble telescope at a blank-looking patch of sky near the Orion Constellation. The Hubble stayed focused on that spot for 400 orbits over 11 days. The patch of sky they were looking at is no bigger than a grain of sand held out at arm’s ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:21-31

Tags: Creation

Dead People Everywhere

Contributed by Jeff Gauss on Jun 29, 2012

DEAD PEOPLE EVERYWHERE Sometimes the most basic truths of Christianity can be quite confusing. Take for instance the first time little Suzy attended a funeral service. The minister used the phrase, "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust." Suzy didn't understand so she asked her grandma, who was with her, ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Baptist

The Bachs Were One

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 24, 2012

THE BACHS WERE ONE Anna married John when he was thirty-seven. She was only twenty. He had already married and had seven children. His first wife died. Anna bore him thirteen more children. She assisted him in his music work. She learned to copy out his manuscripts so that his students could take ...read more

Tags: Love, Marriage, Oneness, Intimacy, Marriage General  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: *other

Why Say No When Everybody Else Is Saying ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 9, 2012

WHY SAY NO WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE IS SAYING YES? Writing in the aftermath of World War II, Elton Trueblood looked back to those few brave German Christians who had the courage to oppose Adolph Hitler. When so many others went along or simply kept silent, a few, a courageous handful, would not go along ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:36-38

Tags: Love For God

Everything We Need

Contributed by Sylvester Fergusson on Jan 22, 2013

EVERYTHING WE NEED The story is told about an American company which opened a new plant in Central America because the labour was plentiful and inexpensive. Everything went well until the villagers received their first pay cheque; afterward they did not return to work. Several days later the ...read more

Tags: Change

Denomination: Adventist

The Only Sunlight They See

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 4, 2013

THE ONLY SUNLIGHT THEY SEE Two orphaned brothers stay in a slum district of New York City. One of them is crippled and hardly leaves the room. The older brother has to take care of him and buys him food. His younger brother lamented one day that he has not seen the sunlight for a long time. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14

Tags: Evangelism, Witness, Evangelism How To, Light Bearers

Denomination: Independent/Bible

So The Blind Could See  PRO

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Mar 27, 2013

SO THE BLIND COULD SEE There was a blind girl who hated herself just because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend. One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joseph Is A Type Of Christ

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 27, 2014

Unforgiveness is a cancer to our souls that carries many curses. However, somehow Joseph was able to overcome that cancer and forgive his brothers when he had the chance to take their lives (Genesis 49-50). His act of forgiveness is a foreshadowing of how Christ forgave his enemies from the Cross ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-20

Tags: Typology, Patriarchs Joseph

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Death Without Blinking An Eye

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 11, 2015

During the civil wars in feudal Japan, an invading army would sweep into town and take control. In one particular village, everyone fled just before the army arrived, except the Zen Master. Curious about this old fellow, the general went to the temple to see for himself what kind of man this master ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Tags: Death, Hope In Death

Denomination: Methodist

A Little Piece On Jesus' Incredible Journey

Contributed by John Gullick on Mar 17, 2016

What season are you in. . Jesus had an incredible journey. He was born in dramatic circumstances surrounded by heavenly testimonies and worldly violence lived in a remote and often scorned village - grew up in anonymity a carpenters son and apprentice at thirty years of age he struck out in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-11

Tags: Jesus, Actions Of Jesus

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Salvation Is About Relationship

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

On May 31, 1975 Jeanie and I were legally married. A record of that translation is documented at Potter County in Amarillo, Texas. Because of that, I can introduce her as my wife. She can sign papers as Jeanie Tow. A legal transaction occurred. But what if that were all there is to our marriage? We ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-14, 2 Corinthians 6:1

Tags: Grace, Relationship To God, Love And Faith

Denomination: Charismatic

F.e.a.r

Contributed by Alexier Mayes on Aug 8, 2017

Theres a song written by Ian Brown, known most famously as the Lead Singer from Manchester Band 'The Stone Roses' The song simply entitled FEAR uses the letters of the word to describe a sentence and the most poignant one of all states:- FINAL EXECUTION AND RESURRECTION Four words which mean ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:18

Tags: Love, Fear, Resurrection, Trust, Perfect Love, Death  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Baksheesh

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 27, 2018

Donald Barhhouse says, “One of the first words learned by the traveler in India is “baksheesh.” Multitudes of begars hold out their hands and say this one word. Preaching through an interpreter, I had occasion to speak of salvation as the gift of God. I emphasized the word. It is a gift. I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3, Titus 3:5

Tags: Salvation, Poor In Spirit, Gift Of God

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

If Billy Goes To Hell, Do You Care?

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 10, 2019

Billy was born in 1972 into a family of drug abusers. His mother died of an overdose when little Billy was three years old, His father was wanted in Tennessee for selling drugs. Little Billy was slipped into Tennessee to live with relatives. In all reality little Billy spent his life looking for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Tags: Hell, Compassion

Denomination: Pentecostal

Loving One Another.

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Sep 13, 2020

There is a song where a woman with a flat tire on a cold wet and very dark night, has a man stop to help her change her flat tire. He won't take money for helping her but tells her to pass it on to someone else that she can help. She stops at a dinner and tips the pregnant waitress that looks ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21

Tags: Passing Love Along, Love

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Get Up And Do It

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Nov 15, 2020

Mother Teresa – So many leaders have the idea that to lead greatly you have to focus on everyone. Mother Teresa took a different approach. She saw the poor. The hurt. The dying. And she knew something had to be done. When you know that there’s that many hurting people out there, you might think ...read more

Scripture: Judges 4:1-9

Tags: When God Speaks, Get Up And Do It

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Tests Of True Humility

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 8, 2020

Tests of True Humility - this is "tricky" 1. Do you feel joy when others are honored? 2. Do you honestly and openly admit sin? 3. Do you seek truth from others regarding your weaknesses? 4. Do you accept criticism graciously? 5. Do you turn all worry, anxiety and concern over to the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-3, 1 Peter 5:5-11

Tags: Godliness, Humility, Honesty, Brokenness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Wise Heart

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jul 15, 2021

Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. KJV This does not mean you sugar coat the Word, but rather choose words or actions that do not offend in such a way no one wants to listen. Too many times Christians are rude and crude not ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:21

Tags: Wisdom, Speech, Lips, Sweetness, Prudent  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Teachers Use Fear To Motivate And Discipline ...

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jun 13, 2007

Teachers use fear to motivate and discipline their students. A couple of years ago I spent a few months substituting at a Christian Academy. I taught grades 3rd through 8th as needed. The younger kids at this school were disciplined using color coded cards. Every day they had to go past the ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

There Is The Story Of A Lady Who Had Just ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

There is the story of a lady who had just completed university She had been offered a job with an accounting firm She is a mother of three who were at the time were 12, 15 and 18 but just before she takes up the position she has a regular check up and her doctor discovers she has cancer not long ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday