In Sermon Illustrations: "Sacrificial Love"

A Young Preacher-To-Be, Having Passed His ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 19, 2006

A young preacher-to-be, having passed his doctrinal examinations, faced his trial sermon. In a cavernous auditorium sat three ministers and 75 others who came to listen. When he stepped into the pulpit, the vast room and the searching, critical eyes caused him to falter. Two weeks later his name ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:8-16

Tags: God's Love, Rejection, Promises Of God

Denomination: Lutheran

Jake Was 92, And Jessie Was 89 When They Found ...  PRO

Contributed by Stewart Holloway on Nov 14, 2006

Jake was 92, and Jessie was 89 when they found each other and decided to get married. They were so excited. One day they were strolling along discussing their wedding plans, and on the way, they passed a drug store. Jake said, “Let’s go in here,” and Jessie followed. He walked to the rear of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5

Tags: Marriage, Companionship, Aging, Romantic Love

Denomination: Baptist

People Talk About Being Saved By Faith Plus Good ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

People talk about being saved by faith plus good works. This is not true. Good works are the necessary consequence of our salvation. They are not necessary to be saved; they are the necessary ...read more

Tags: Christian Love, By Grace Through Fai

Under Most Christmas Trees On December 25 There ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

Under most Christmas trees on December 25 there will be many gifts. On Calvary's tree there was only one gift but it included ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Love, Servant, Banquet, Right  (view more)  (view less)

Hospitality Is Commended To Be Exercised, Even ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Hospitality is commended to be exercised, even toward an enemy, when he cometh to thine house. The tree does not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48, Luke 6:27-36

Tags: Love, Enemy, Beatitudes, Christian Values

Life In The Family

Contributed by Aldo Rivellino on Apr 13, 2009

LIFE IN THE FAMILY After four years of marriage and no offspring to show for it, my wife and I (mostly my wife) decided that we would like to adopt a child. Not long after the tedious process of filling out papers, being investigated for any criminal activity, going to interviews to authenticate ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:5-11

Tags: God's Love, Adoption, Family Relationships

Denomination: Pentecostal

The New Command Is Simple Enough For A Toddler ...

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jan 7, 2010

The new command is simple enough for a toddler to memorize and appreciate, profound enough that the most mature believers are repeatedly embarrassed at how poorly they comprehend it and put it into practice: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another…The more we recognize ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, D.a. Carson

Denomination: Baptist

Holiness And Happiness  PRO

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Mar 14, 2011

HOLINESS AND HAPPINESS Quote taken from an article "9 Points for Preaching on the Problem of Evil" by Norman L. Geisler, a distinguished professor of apologetics at Veritas Evangelical Seminary in Murrieta, California: "The stark truth is that God is more interested in our holiness than in our ...read more

Tags: Apart, Joint, Love, Separation, Holiness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Knows Where We Are  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 23, 2011

GOD KNOWS WHERE WE ARE Ken Gaub wrote about an experience he had back in the 1990s: "Do you believe that God not only loves you, but knows where you are and what you’re doing every minute of the day? I certainly do after an amazing experience I had several years ago. "At the time I was driving ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-18

Tags: God's Omniscience, Love Your Enemies

I Want To Be Pretty  PRO

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Jan 24, 2012

I WANT TO BE PRETTY "I want to be pretty." This is the title of a popular tv program that was airing when we lived in Poland. It was a reality tv show in which in every episode you follow the changes of two women who are the heroes of the program. Each of these women work with a team of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:30

Tags: Faith, Love, Beauty, Faithfulness, Patience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

You Promised Me  PRO

Contributed by Ken Pell on May 6, 2013

"YOU PROMISED ME" Love always perseveres. Love never Fails. In 1989, an 8.2 earthquake almost flattened Armenia, killing over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. Surprisingly, such tragedies often bring out the best in people. Let me show you the loving heart of a father. In the midst of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Leviticus 6:12-13

Tags: God's Love, Bearing God's Image

Denomination: Nazarene

Covered Under His Wings  PRO

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 7, 2014

COVERED UNDER HIS WINGS It was a hot day in the dry old West. As the railroad came roaring down the tracks, sparks were flying everywhere because of the hot temperatures. When the sparks flew, often they would begin a fire that would destroy ranches, homes and livestock. One particular day, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Tags: Atonement, Forgiveness, Cross, Love Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pastor! Tell Them!

Contributed by Fred Parker on Oct 23, 2014

Written by Pastor Fred Parker Sat, 21st January, 2012 Proverb 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: [and] a good report maketh the bones fat.KJV Frankie was a dynamic woman. Her whole life has been spent in ministering to others in her quiet gentle way. As she sat in her wheel chair ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:30

Tags: Kindness, Christian Love, Godly Thinking

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lovers Of The Cross

Contributed by Rev. Dan Hesko on Jul 1, 2017

Thomas a kempis wrote in the Imitation of Christ Jesus has many who love His Kingdom in Heaven, but few who bear His Cross (Luke 14:27). He has many who desire comfort, but few who desire suffering. He finds many to share His feast, but few His fasting. All desire to rejoice with Him, but few are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:27

Tags: The Cross, Pure Love, Bearing The Cross

Denomination: Catholic

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

That Holy Communion Moment At The Hospital

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018

Note: this happened to me personally - you can reference Jim Butcher of Madison WV. Some of you have heard me share this story over the last few weeks, but I think it’s worth sharing again for those who haven’t had the chance to hear it. In early March, Patti Price asked me to bring communion to ...read more

Tags: Love, Communion, Marriage, Old Age

Denomination: Baptist

A Minister And A Day Off His Rocker

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 5, 2019

I was tootling along one day last week, quite focused on getting my business for the day done. In fact, I was feeling good about the progress I was making with my “to-do list.” Nothing is more satisfying to me than the sense of being in control of my schedule. I love checking off items on my “to-do ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 11:28

Tags: Faith, Love, Trust, Hope, Surrender  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Wiretap Into Your Home

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 22, 2020

The church is the bride of Christ. If we love the groom (Jesus), we will look for positive things to say about the bride (the church). Bob Russell tells a story about how years ago, when there were multiple party telephone lines, a preacher picked up the telephone to make a call but couldn’t get ...read more

Scripture: John 13:35, 2 Corinthians 11:28-29

Tags: Evangelism, Love For The Church, Speak Positively

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The God Of Unmatched Shoes  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

A man who was commissioned to paint a picture of the Prodigal Son. He went into his work fervently, laboring to produce a picture worthy of telling the story. Finally, the day came when the picture was complete, and he unveiled the finished painting. The scene was set outside the father’s house, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Tags: Luke, God's Love, God's Provision

Some Fun Hearing What Kids Think About Husbands ...  PRO

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Sep 20, 2007

Some fun hearing what kids think about husbands and wives. HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? Alan, age 10—You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. Kirsten, age 10—No person ...read more

Tags: Kids, Children, Marriage, Romantic Love

Denomination: Assembly Of God