In Sermon Illustrations: "Sacrificial Love"

Through The Darkness

Contributed by Ray Mckendry on Feb 14, 2011

THROUGH THE DARKNESS (John 1:1-14) It’s a dark night and even though your car headlights are on and shining brightly, you notice how dark it is outside: it’s a dark night. You have been driving through the night, a long way from your home, but you will soon be home. Even after your long drive ...read more

Tags: Home

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Choose Dates Like Cars

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 7, 2011

DON'T CHOOSE DATES LIKE CARS Most young people choose their dates like some folks buy cars. If it looks good on the outside, it’s the right color, the right style; if it’s interior is pleasing to their eye and pleasing to the touch; and if it’s got all kinds of bells and whistles...that’s the car ...read more

Tags: Dating

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Drew Brees: We Did It

Contributed by Michael R. Hodge on Apr 4, 2011

DREW BREES: WE DID IT In 2010, Drew Brees -- quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, had that kind of moment as he celebrated a Super Bowl win. As he stood with his son lifted up high in the air, he said, "I stood there with my little boy, and I was overwhelmed. I told Baylen how much I loved him ...read more

Tags: Children

Denomination: Baptist

If You Want It Bad Enough

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 10, 2011

IF YOU WANT IT BAD ENOUGH When a person first comes to faith in Christ and gets a taste of His grace, they can’t get enough of the Bible. Pat Summerall, the well-known sports announcer, trusted Christ with his life and overcame alcohol in the late 60’s. As he describes his life with Christ, he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:2-3

Tags: Growth In Christ

One Hour

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Sep 6, 2011

ONE HOUR A child loved his dad but seldom saw him. The man was so busy with so many things to do. The child collected bottles and cans, did odd jobs and seemed to be always trying to make money. One day he asked his father, "How much do you make in an hour?" The dad said, "$20.00, why?" ...read more

Tags: Children

Denomination: Baptist

A Jealous Wife  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 8, 2012

A JEALOUS WIFE A man worked in an office with several attractive ladies. His wife, constantly jealous, had a list of questions ready every day. Then she would examine his coat. If she found a blond hair she would accuse, "You’re having an affair with a blond woman." If she found a red hair, black ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:19

Tags: Marriage Faithfulness

Worship Warrior  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 17, 2012

WORSHIP WARRIOR I like the way songwriter and worship leader, Brian Doerksen, puts it. He says, "Becoming a worshipper means becoming a warrior... And by toning that down...we have sent men and women away from the church in droves. It's time to call them back," Doerksen says, "as worshiping ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Worship Definition

A Dog Jog

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Dec 17, 2012

My dogs like to go on jogs with me. The older dog, Yogi (name after the bear), is a sheep herding dog and loves to run. He is older now and he cannot run as fast, and cannot hear either. So his passion for running and loss of hearing often gets him lost. I realized that if we are going to run ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships, Dog

Denomination: Pentecostal

Singing

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 18, 2014

Do not neglect your gift. Susan Boyle, age 48, of Blackburn, West Lothian, Scotland. REMEMBER HER? She thrilled England and the world when she stood on that stage competing in the Britain’s Got Talent contest on April 11, 2009, and sang, “I Dreamed A Dream.” That was the most watched youtube clip ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:14

Tags: Spiritual Gifts, Using Talents, Gifts Talents

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Door Of Hope

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 24, 2015

There is a small metal door painted white in the side of a tiny mission church in Johannesburg South Africa. This door is changing lives. On it are painted the words “door of hope.” That is exactly what it is for various babies within the city. On average some forty to fifty babies were being ...read more

Scripture: John 10:7-10

Tags: Hope, Jesus The Door, Rescuing Babies

N.t. Wright Quote On Christian Artists

Contributed by Matthew Redder on Sep 21, 2018

I love this quote as I believe it is hard for the Christian artist to always understand their place in the church. Truth be told, artists have an incredible gift and responsibility in the community to illuminate the realities of the Word and of this life we live. Wright puts it well: "The ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23, Exodus 35:35, Proverbs 22:29, Romans 12:2, Romans 12:6, 1 Timothy 4:14, Ephesians 2:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Painter, Poet, Dancer, Dance, Art, Creative, Artist, Christian Artist, Musician, Music, Creator  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Saw Your Smoke Signal!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 15, 2019

I read a story about a shipwreck. When the sole survivor reached a small, uninhabited island, he prayed for God to rescue him, but help didn't come. Eventually he built a hut out of driftwood for protection from the elements. One day he returned from scavenging for food and found his hut in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Tags: Will Of God, God's Purpose

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bigger Hands

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 9, 2020

A story is told of a little girl that would not take a handful of cherries when the general store owner told her to take one After several times of saying no, the owner told her to hold out her hands and he filled them with the cherries she loved. On the way home, Momma asked her why should would ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 132:15

Tags: God, Blessing, Hands, Source, Provision, Supply  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Is It A Weight Or A Wing?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

“The race of the Christian life is not fought well or run well by asking, "what's wrong with this or that?" but by asking, "is it in the way of greater faith, greater love, and greater purity? Not: “Is it a sin?” But: “Does it help me run the race! Is it in the way? ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Purity, Christian Life, Running The Race, Habits, Weights, Hindrances  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Saint Or Sinner

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 19, 2021

In the “Freedom in Christ” course, Neil Anderson and Steve Goss, share an illustration that I just love – “You know the fairy tale of the princess who decided to kiss a frog? When she kissed the frog, he changes into a handsome prince. Now imagine they go out to a fancy restaurant to celebrate ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:2

Tags: Princess, Prince, Sinners, Saints, Frog  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

You Are Free To...

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Mar 20, 2021

I was thinking about my niece who just got her 1st car. While my memory may be deteriorating, I remember how awesome it was to have my 1st car. While I loved that old car, it gave me an attitude that got me in trouble more than once. I began to think that I was grown, and I could do whatever I ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-26

Tags: Freedom, Live For Christ

Denomination: Baptist

What Would He Say?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

WHAT WOULD HE SAY? If He should come today And find my hands so full Of future plans, however fair, In which my Savior has no share, What would He say? If He should come today And find my love so cold, My faith so very weak and dim I had not even looked for Him. What would He say? If He should ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Tags: Return Of Christ, Judgment Seat Of Christ, Rapture Of The Church, Evangelism, Second Coming, Last Days  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Children Learn What They Live

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 19, 2022

I wish every one of us had inscribed on the walls of our home the words of Dorothy Law Nolte’s work, “Children Learn What They Live,” and then kept this constantly before us in our daily activities: If a child lives with criticism, He learns to condemn. If a child lives with hostility, He learns ...read more

Tags: Children, Mothers, Mother's Day, Home, Example, Education  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Holy Spirit Had A Monopoly On Moody

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 13, 2022

Dwight L. Moody was a shoe salesman from Chicago who fell in love with Jesus and started sharing his faith with everyone he met. Even though he was never ordained or had formal training, God used him to reach thousands for Christ as an evangelist. There was a group of British pastors who were ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit, Preaching, Revival, Jealousy, Moody, Critical Spirit, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Funny Letter To God!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 5, 2023

A little boy named Johnny wrote a letter to God asking for one hundred dollars. The local post office didn't know where to send the letter, so they sent it to the White House. The President had a secretary that saw the letter and so she sent the little boy five dollars, thinking that would ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-7, James 4:1-2

Tags: Pastors, Tithing, Churches, Children, God, Prayer  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational