In Sermon Illustrations: "Self Interest"

Embracing The Interruptions (Fatherhood Thoughts)

Contributed by Matthew Redder on Jun 8, 2018

As a young Father I remember being frequently awakened in the middle of the night by my son. I would open my eyes to see him standing next to my bed, staring at me. It was startling and honestly, a little bit creepy. I would ask him what he needed and it was always something like, "I had a bad ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:10-12

Tags: Father, Listen, Fathers Day, Father And Son

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Only Thing Left Was The Sign

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 14, 2020

A number of years ago, I drove by a small shopping center in a Midwestern city. The display of signs stated there was everything from a bookstore to a pet shop to—my favorite—a hobby shop! I’ve been interested in model trains and aircraft for many years, and thought this would be a good place to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:5

Tags: Forsaken Things, Closed Churches

Denomination: Baptist

The Light Of The World

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jan 20, 2025

Did you know that on the 2nd of January first thing in the morning, just the other day, like in the wee small hours this occurred, and the next night this occurred? [Photos of Aurora Australis] The second one is not the sunset, that is 3am at Blockhouse Bay in Auckland, the first is Queenstown. Did ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, John 1:7, Galatians 5:17

Tags: Conflict, Victory, God's Redemption Plan, Light Of The World, Feast Of Tabernacles, Divine Light, Victorious Living, The Blood Of Jesus, Aurora Australis  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Unrecognised Riches

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

In the late nineteenth Century in South Africa, an old man was digging for gold in a river bed. He had been at it for many years. Every now and then he found a little bit of gold, not enough to make him rich – but just enough to maintain his interest. The part of river in which he was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:21

Tags: Riches, Diamonds

Denomination: Anglican

Microsoft Vs Gm

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 25, 2025

Story: I came across this interesting snippet the other day on the web for the computer buffs among you. At a recent computer expo, COMDEX, Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the car industry and is reputed to have said:, "If General Motors kept up with technology in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-40

Tags: Candlemas, G M, Microsoft

Denomination: Anglican

Bearish Schedule--Bullish Timing!" Galatians 5: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 4, 2004

“Bearish Schedule--Bullish Timing!” Galatians 5: 22-24 Key verse(s): 22: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Part of the fun of living are those times and events in our lives that happen spontaneously; that ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-24

Tags: Dealing With Conflicts

Denomination: Lutheran

In The Chronicles Of Narnia, Several Young ...  PRO

Contributed by Glenn Robertson on Nov 16, 2005

In The Chronicles of Narnia, several young children represent Christians in a world of dragons, elves, unicorns, and many other mythical creatures. One of the children is a young boy named Eustace. Eustace is a very selfish boy. He always tries to see life for how it best benefits him. What he ...read more

Tags: Narnia

Denomination: Baptist

Is The Church On The Endangered List?  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 18, 2006

** IS THE CHURCH ON THE ENDANGERED LIST? Many Americans are on a spiritual quest. This should be good news for the church. But, according to researchers, many of them are choosing noninstitutional forms of religion. A recent poll by Gallup shows that weekly church attendance is holding steady at ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 71:18

Tags: Sanctuary, Church General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Successful Businessman--Modern Day Rich ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 30, 2009

Successful Businessman--Modern Day Rich Fool John Ortberg tells the story of a successful businessman. He worked 14 hours a day, even on weekends. He thought the 40 hour work week was such a good idea he would often do it twice a week. His goal was to be the best businessman he could be. Even when ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:16-19

Tags: Parable Rich Fool

Not Because Me, But Because Of You Lord!

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on May 12, 2019

Not because me, but because of You! Illus. From Guideposts, “Miracles of Healing” There was a woman and her son Mark that went shopping in a large department store one day. On their way down to the main floor her son hopped on the escalator. She then followed. Suddenly her son Mark screamed like ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Tags: Mothers, Faith, Trust, Miracles

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Listen To This True Story. Rabbi Michael ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 28, 2001

ILL. Listen to this true story. Rabbi Michael Weisser lived in Lincoln, Nebraska. And for more than 3 years, Larry Trapp, a self-proclaimed Nazi & Ku Klux Klansman, directed a torrent of hate-filled mailings & phone calls toward him. Trapp promoted white supremacy, anti-Semitism, & other ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:20, Galatians 3:1-14

Tags: Pearl Harbor, Racism, Forgiveness For Others, Compassion

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

One Of The Most Terrific Mothers Of All Time Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 8, 2003

One of the most terrific mothers of all time was Susannah Wesley. Susannah’s father was a minister and she was born in England in 1669 as the youngest of twenty-five children! Susannah was married at 19 to Samuel Wesley, also a minister and, not to be outdone, she had nineteen children herself. Her ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6, Proverbs 22:15

Tags: Parenting

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Church Service Ended At The Lutheran Church ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 1, 2003

The church service ended at the Lutheran Church in New Sweden, Maine as everyone “passed the peace.” It was the first Sunday after Easter, and the 50 people in attendance headed to the fellowship hour to have some coffee. Some of the people complained that the coffee was bitter, but people ...read more

Tags: Giving General

Denomination: Methodist

A Farmer Was Walking Through The Forest One Day ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 12, 2003

A farmer was walking through the forest one day when he found a young eagle that was hurt. The farmer saved the eagle from the dangers of the forest. He took it home and put it in his chicken lot where it soon learned to eat and behave like the chickens. One day a Forest Ranger passed by the ...read more

The Show Went On; Many Had Been Slain (In The ...

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Apr 23, 2004

“The show went on; many had been slain (in the Roman Colosseum), and the people, madly excited by the desperate bravery of those who continued to fight, shouted their applause. But suddenly there was an interruption. A rudely clad, robed figure appeared for a moment among the audience, and then ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Orthodox

The Cast Of Your Misfortune!" 1 Peter 5: 1-10 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Oct 19, 2004

“The Cast of Your Misfortune!” 1 Peter 5: 1-10 Key verse(s): 9: “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kin do sufferings.” One of the loneliest times in anyone’s life is when suffering strikes and it puts you into ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-10

Tags: Endurance, God In The Hardships

Denomination: Lutheran

A One Way Street With No Turns!" Luke 9: 49-50 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 8, 2004

“A One Way Street With No Turns!” Luke 9: 49-50 Key verse(s): 49: “‘Master,’ said John, ‘we say a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because his is not one of us.’” “For many years Sir Walter Scott was the leading literary figure in the British Empire. No one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:49-50, Acts 16:12-19

Tags: Envy, Emotions

Denomination: Lutheran

Choosing To Love!" 1 John 2:7-11 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 2, 2005

“Choosing To Love!” 1 John 2:7-11 Key verse(s): 9-10:“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.” We live in a choice culture. In fact, we live in a culture ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 26:1-25, 1 John 2:7-11

Tags: Christian Love

Denomination: Lutheran

D.w.i.!  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jun 4, 2005

D.W.I.! (06.07.05--Family--Eph. 6:1-4) The American family under assault! Did you know that one out of three children in the United States are growing up without a father present in the home or that last year in a number of major U.S. cities more children were born out of wedlock than within? ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Tags: Children, Parenting

Denomination: Lutheran

Edgar A. Guest Was Born In Birmingham, England, ...  PRO

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Sep 23, 2006

Edgar A. Guest was born in Birmingham, England, became a United States citizen in 1902, and eventually received the title “Poet Laureate of Michigan.” His poem “Sermons We See,” drives home the urgency of being a good, Christlike role model for others to follow: I’d rather see a sermon than hear ...read more

Denomination: Methodist