In Sermon Illustrations: "Second Chance"

Grief: God's Answer To Overwhelming Grief

Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on Aug 25, 2025

What follows is a true account, which I (Stephen) was fortunate enough to witness firsthand in the spring of 2015. My wife was an only child raised by a single mom, and as such was very close to her mother. Thus, when her mother died after 90 years my wife was severely grief stricken and would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 1 Samuel 3:9-10

Tags: Death, Prayer, Listen, Grief, Loved One  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[319]. A Message From A Poem - Undone Before The Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 24, 2026

[319]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - UNDONE BEFORE THE LORD The second stanza begins this way – “Oh, cancel pride and arrogance, A haughty spirit rising up.” Pride is one great factor why people don’t come in repentance to the Lord. They will not admit a need for salvation; nor will they humble ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:17, Psalm 51:2, Psalm 51:10

Tags: Humility, Pride, Control, Haughty, Christian Poems, Sinful Pride, Undone  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Never Met A Christian Who Believed

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 18, 2026

When I was in high school I had a graphic design class. To my left sat a guy I'd known for about four years. He was an outspoken atheist and pretty much everybody knew it. One day out of nowhere it just popped into my mind to ask him, "Hey, why don't you believe in Christ?" He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 10:14

Tags: Evangelism, The Great Commission

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Inevitability Of Gradualness!" Hebrews ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 16, 2005

“The Inevitability of Gradualness!” Hebrews 13:20-22 Key verse(s): 21:“(He) equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and every. Amen.” “I was doing the right thing; but it seemed the harder I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-30, Hebrews 13:20-22

Tags: Knowing God's Will, Doing God's Will

Denomination: Lutheran

The Bet — Anton Chekhov

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 7, 2006

The Bet -- Anton Chekhov We live in a world that knows little about what’s truly valuable. People all around us are pursuing things that have no lasting value. That pursuit is ably treated by Anton Chekhov in his classic short story The Bet. This story gives us great insight into the value system ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:28-38, Matthew 8:5-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Out Of The Sun, Packed In A Diamond Formation And ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 26, 2007

Out of the sun, packed in a diamond formation and flying as one that day, the Minute Men dove at nearly the speed of sound toward a tiny emerald patch on Ohio’s unwrinkled crazy quilt below. It was a little after nine on the morning of June 7, 1958, and the destination of the Air National Guard’s ...read more

Unsung Heroines-Huldah, The Prophetess

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 10, 2022

Introduction: When King Josiah of Judah heard the Word of God from Shaphan, he immediately tore his clothes and asked a group of men to “inquire of the LORD”. These men found Huldah, a prophetess, and God gave His message to them through her. Text: 2 Kings 22:14-20. KJV: 14 So Hilkiah the priest, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 22:14-20

Tags: Judgment, Josiah, Huldah, Unsung Heroines

Denomination: Baptist

Wally Was A 7th Grade Student Who Was Bigger Than ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 6, 2001

Wally was a 7th grade student who was bigger than any of the other students in his Sunday school class. His mother had been an alcoholic when he was born, & as a result, Wally just did not have all the mental capabilities that the rest of his classmates had. But somehow he managed to get ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:7

Tags: Christmas Eve, Jesus Teachings, Lordship Of Christ

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Missing The Circus  PRO

Contributed by Ryan Johnson on Mar 6, 2002

MISSING THE CIRCUS A little boy who lived far out in the country in the late 1800s had reached the age of twelve and had never in all his life seen a circus. You can imagine his excitement, when one day a poster went up at school announcing that on the next Saturday a traveling circus was coming ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Tags: Fulfillment, Life, Abundant, Risk, Lukewarm  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Story In The Denver Post Came Out In 1958 That ...  PRO

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Mar 22, 2002

A story in the Denver Post came out in 1958 that illustrates self-less love. June 7, 1958 the Air National Guard’s jet precision team was performing outside of Dayton, Ohio. Five precision flyers made up the Minute Men team. Colonel Walt Williams was the leader of the Denver-based F-86 Sabre-jet ...read more

Tags: Compassion, Christian Disciplines, Healing, Love, Forgiveness In Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Free Methodist

Prayer Works  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 29, 2002

PRAYER WORKS George Muller was born in Prussia on September 27, 1805. His father was a collector of taxes and George seemed to inherit his father’s ability with figures. When Muller was converted to Christ he was impressed by the many recurring statements of Jesus for us "to ask." At this point ...read more

Scripture: James 4:2-3

Tags: Blessed, Blessing, Prayer Adoration, Prayer General

At Approximately 3:20 On The Morning Of March ...  PRO

Contributed by John Hamby on Jul 15, 2002

“At approximately 3:20 on the morning of March 13, 1964, twenty-eight-year-old …(Kitty) Genovese was returning to her home in a nice middle-class area of Queens, NY…. She parked her ….(car) in a nearby parking lot, turned-off the lights and started the walk to her second floor apartment some 35 ...read more

Tags: Sharing Your Faith

Denomination: Baptist

At Approximately 3:20 On The Morning Of March ...  PRO

Contributed by John Hamby on Jul 15, 2002

“At approximately 3:20 on the morning of March 13, 1964, twenty-eight-year-old …(Kitty) Genovese was returning to her home in a nice middle-class area of Queens, NY…. She parked her ….(car) in a nearby parking lot, turned-off the lights and started the walk to her second floor apartment some 35 ...read more

Tags: Compassion, Great Commission, Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Baptist

Love Is A Decision - Is A Book I'd Strongly ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 23, 2002

Love Is A Decision - is a book I’d strongly recommend - the second chapter in this book is on honor.....let me share a brief excerpt from that chapter to nail home this point about honor. Gary Smalley is Christian family counselor and the author of the book ...one day years ago when he came ...read more

Tags: Marriage Obligations, Marriage Commitment

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Little Boy And The Circus  PRO

Contributed by Ely Lambert on Aug 26, 2002

The Little Boy and the Circus A little boy who lived far out in the country in the late 1800s had reached the age of twelve and had never in all his life seen a circus. You can imagine his excitement, when one day a poster went up at school announcing that on the next Saturday a traveling circus ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ, Church Purpose Of, Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Potato, Egg, Or Coffee?  PRO

Contributed by Mike Leiter on Jan 15, 2003

POTATO, EGG, OR COFFEE? Once upon a time a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make it. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed. Her father, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 15:7, Galatians 6:9, James 1:2-4

Tags: Hardship, Purpose, Touch, Trial, Struggles, Difficulties, Adversity, Endurance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Vineyard

One Day I Received A Telephone Call From A ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 22, 2004

One day I received a telephone call from a friend. He was working for his doctorate in one of the most prestigious theological seminaries in America. He asked if I would go with him to call on the head of the seminary, who was also his professor. He explained to me that hisprofessor was a good ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Call To Discipleship [ Taken From "Jesus In ...  PRO

Contributed by Greg Buchner on Jul 24, 2004

A Call to Discipleship [ taken from “Jesus in Blue Jeans” by Laurie Beth Jones.] [“In this country, it is not only improper—it is technically illegal to be served with a dirty plate. Salad bars post signs indicating that the health department requires that each time you step up to the buffet, you ...read more

Tags: Fulfillment

Denomination: Methodist

The Picture Series Are Frozen Both In Time And In ...  PRO

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Jan 12, 2005

The picture series are frozen both in time and in memory. The scene unfolds from the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Two runners, one American, the other from South Africa, although of British descent. The starter’s pistol fires and around the track the runners race for the finishing line. ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Endurance

Denomination: Pentecostal

Together We Entered The Terrifying Building ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 16, 2005

Together we entered the terrifying building [Ravensbruck prison camp]. At a table were women who took away all our possessions. Everyone had to undress completely and then go to a room where her hair was checked. I asked a woman who was busy checking the possessions of the new arrivals if I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:7

Tags: Trust God, Unknown