In Sermon Illustrations: "Sacrifice For Others"

Helping Open A Package

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 9, 2020

Some years back I noticed a male co-worker, trying to open a package of a certain candy product for his significant other. Now, we all understand the need for security in packaging and other things, but this package was sealed above and beyond the call of duty! Most of the time, each package would ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:10

Tags: Help, Kindness, Assisting Others

Denomination: Baptist

You Cannot Swim To Hawaii

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Sep 20, 2024

If you put three swimmers on the coast of California and ask them to swim to Hawaii, the Olympic swimmer might swim 500 miles before she dies. The second swimmer might be a good swimmer and swim 25 miles before he dies. The last swimmer does not know how to swim very well and swims only one mile ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 29:29, John 8:58, Matthew 25:31-33

Tags: Jesus Is The Way, Other Religions

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

[355]. A Message From A Poem – You Heal, O Lord, What Others Have Hurt

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 27, 2026

[355]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – YOU HEAL, O LORD, WHAT OTHERS HAVE HURT As creatures of emotions we feel it when what is bad and not welcome comes our way. This may be sorrow and injury, persecution, injustice, and the hurt done by others. I have known the last one of that short list along with ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 1 Thessalonians 4:18

Tags: Healing, Comfort, Healer, Jesus Heals, Hurting, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Of My Favorite Columns By Erma Bombeck Tells ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 22, 2001

One of my favorite columns by Erma Bombeck tells of God in the act of creating mothers. She says that on the day God created mothers He had already worked long overtime. And an angel said to Him, "Lord, you sure are spending a lot of time on this one." The Lord turned & said, "Have you read ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:8-14

Tags: Communication General, Commitment, Hypocrite, Pride, Sacrifice  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Cross Has Been Saved—communion Meditation  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 24, 2002

THE CROSS HAS BEEN SAVED--Communion Meditation Art Toalston in The Baptist Press - Nov. 15, 2001 reported from New York and he wrote: “The cross has been saved. That’s the cross of steel beams uncovered as workers in New York cleared away debris at the World Trade Center. Recovery worker Frank ...read more

Tags: Books And Literature, Memorial, Sacrifice, Police, Veterans  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Much Would It Take For A Lady To Give Up Her Mirror?

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Sep 1, 2009

How much would it take for a lady to give up her mirror? That might be the 56 and a quarter million dollar question. I thought about a show of hands here, ...read more

Tags: Mirror, Sacrifices, Tent Of Meeting, Community Worship

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Will Of God Is Not This...

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Aug 12, 2019

THE WILL OF GOD “The will of God is not something you ADD to your life. It’s a course you choose. You either line yourself up with the Word of God…...or you capitulate to the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Will Of God, Living Sacrifice, Commitment, Word Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Pearl

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 28, 2022

Once there was a man who collected and traded in pearls. He had a fine collection of his own. But one day, while he was away on business, he spotted a beautiful pearl in a Jeweler's window. It was a pearl such as he had never seen, perfect in shape, size, and color. He thought to himself, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Tags: Sacrifice, Commitment, Discipleship, Kingdom Of God, Decisions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ham And Egg Breakfast

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 10, 2025

A chicken and a pig were talking about how people don’t truly appreciate what goes into making a breakfast of eggs and ham. The chicken spoke first: “Folks don’t appreciate me and all the hard work it takes to lay an egg. It really hurts!” The pig replied, “That’s the difference between you and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-6

Tags: Sacrifice, Commitment, Chicken, Ham, Pig, Eggs  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Some Veterans Bear Visible Signs Of Their ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye. Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, a piece of shrapnel in the leg--or perhaps another sort of inner steel: the soul’s ally forged in the refinery of ...read more

Tags: Holidays Civic, Sacrifice, Soldier, Veteran's Day, Veterans  (view more)  (view less)

Supreme Court Case Victory  PRO

Contributed by Paddick Van Zyl on Apr 9, 2014

In the Supreme Court case between Humanity and Satan, proceedings took on a surprising turn, in the court room when Judge God read out the charge against the defendant (humanity). Sin was the main charge with a list of violations being read out, some minor & seemingly insignificant while others ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-28

Tags: Blood Of Jesus, Court, Christ Redeems, Sin Sacrifice

Denomination: Pentecostal

Alexander Whyte Said, “ It Would Change ...  PRO

Contributed by John Hamby on Jan 23, 2001

Alexander Whyte said, “ It would change your whole heart and life this very (day) if you would take Peter and Cornelius home with you and lay them both to heart. If you would take a four cornered napkin when you get home, and a…. Pen and ink and write the names of the nations, and the churches, and ...read more

Tags: Holiness, God's Provision, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Baptist

A Little Girl’s Prayer: A Little Girl Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mccutchen on Jan 26, 2001

A little girl’s Prayer: A little girl was being punished by eating alone in the corner of the dining room. The family paid no attention to her until they heard her pray: “I thank Thee, Lord, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35, Matthew 5:16-18, Matthew 6:3-20, Psalm 145:8-21

Tags: Compassion, Forgiveness General, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Martin Luther Put It This Way In The First Of ...  PRO

Contributed by William Jewett on Nov 2, 2000

Martin Luther put it this way in the first of the 95 theses he nailed to the door of the Wittenberg church: "When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said ’repent,’ He ...read more

Tags: Confession Of Sin, Forgiveness For Others, Repentance

Denomination: *other

For Many People Today The Spiritual Journey Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Feb 1, 2001

For many people today the spiritual journey is filled with crushing burdens. I think of the character Rodrigo from the 1986 academy award winning movie The Mission. Rodrigo, played by Robert DeNiro, portrays a slave trader who kills his brother in a fit of rage. He’s filled with such terrible ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-13, Ephesians 1:1

Tags: God's Forgiveness, Guilt, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Abe Lemmons Was Head Basketball Coach At The ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 4, 2001

Abe Lemmons was head basketball coach at the University of Texas for years. Asked if he was bitter at Texas Athletic Director Deloss Dodds who fired him as the Longhorn’s basketball coach, he replied, "Not at all, but I plan to buy ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness General, Forgiveness For Others, Anger

Nothing In My Hands I Bring  PRO

Contributed by Gerald Cornelius on Mar 27, 2001

Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to ...read more

Tags: Crucifixion, Forgiveness For Others, Cross Agony

Denomination: Baptist

Someone Asked Luther, "Do You Feel That ...  PRO

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Apr 24, 2001

Someone asked Luther, “Do you feel that you have been forgiven?” He answered, “No!but I’m as sure as there’s a God in Heaven .” “For feeling come and feelings go, and feelings are ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Emotions, God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Baptist

Going Down The Highway A Bumper Sticker Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Gary Merillat on Jun 4, 2001

Going down the highway a bumper sticker was observed that said, "I’m a Pearl Harbor survivor." The unique thing about this bumper sticker was that is was on the back of a Toyota truck. That driver ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Forgiveness General, Emotions

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It’s Like The Story Of The Boy Who Was ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jun 25, 2001

It’s like the story of the boy who was shooting rocks with a slingshot. He could never hit his target. As he was in his Grandma’s backyard one day, h spied her pet duck. On impulse h took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck was dead. “The boy panicked and hid the bird in the woodpile, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Guilt, Sin Bondage To

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational