In Sermon Illustrations: "Series Practical Proverbs"

The Parent Trap: The Joy Of Having A Dad  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 10, 2009

THE PARENT TRAP: THE JOY OF HAVING A DAD Anyone ever seen the original The Parent Trap with Hayley Mills done in 1961? Have you seen the remake from 1998? In the remake Lindsay Lohan plays the twins and Dennis Quaid is the father. If you know the story then you’ll remember that identical twins, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:8-9

Tags: Father's Day

April 21, 2005 "Give Me A Shrub With Character!" ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Apr 19, 2005

April 21, 2005 “Give Me A Shrub With Character!” Proverbs 12:3 Key verse(s) 3:“A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted.” There are some plants that you can’t kill! I have long been fascinated by the differences exhibited in hardiness among the many ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:3, Proverbs 6:18

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Lutheran

The Making Of Me  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 2, 2005

THE MAKING OF ME Thomas Edison once said, “I did not have my mother long, but she cast over me an influence which has lasted all my life. The good effects of her early training I can never lose. If it had not been for her appreciation and her faith in me at a critical time in my experience, I ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:11-31, Proverbs 31:11-31

Tags: Parenting, Mother's Day

A Child At Birth Has The Capacity To Become ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

A child at birth has the capacity to become original. Or you can put him in a mold so that he ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:17-21, Proverbs 22:6-7

Tags: Commitment, Dedication, Baby Dedication, Formula

Take My Hand  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 7, 2011

TAKE MY HAND The story is told of a man and his boy who was with him, when a little fellow, in Scotland, and for the first time he possessed what in that country is known as a top-coat. They were walking out one cold day, and the way was slippery. The little fellow's hands were deep down in his ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 16:18-33

Tags: God, Hands, Pride, Hold, Pluck  (view more)  (view less)

Trust In God  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 7, 2011

TRUST IN GOD "Trust in yourself and you are doomed to disappointment Trust in money and you may have it taken from you; But trust in God, and you are never to be confounded in time or eternity." --D.L. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 31:1-31

Tags: Trust

My Son's A Sports Repairman  PRO

Contributed by Lance Hostetter on Feb 24, 2013

MY SON'S A SPORTS REPAIRMAN Three ladies were sitting around and bragging about their children. The first one says, "You know my son, he graduated first in his class from Stanford, he’s now a doctor making $250,000 a year in Chicago." The second woman says, "You know my son, he graduated first in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:25, Proverbs 10:1

Tags: Boasting

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sleeping When The Wind Blows

Contributed by Perry Greene on May 21, 2013

SLEEPING WHEN THE WIND BLOWS A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows." This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him. A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:21, Proverbs 12:27

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Humility

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“None are as empty as those who are full of themselves.” - Benjamin Whichcote Have you ever met a prideful, arrogant person? Prideful people are always telling you about themselves, their accomplishments, and how smart and wonderful they are. Then they look at you to continue the conversation ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:4, Proverbs 3:34

Tags: Honor, Humility, Pride, Reverence

Denomination: Charismatic

The Gift Of The Heart

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“Life is one of those precious fleeting gifts, and everything can change in a heartbeat." - Author Unknown His name was Justin Timion. He was only nineteen years old the day it happened. A good looking, fun loving kid, he loved doing auto mechanics with his Dad and often used his skills to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 13:20

Tags: Life, Giving Generous, Big Heart

Denomination: Charismatic

Don't Oppress The Poor

Contributed by James Dina on Nov 16, 2020

DON'T OPPRESS THE POOR "A poor man that oppresses the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaves no food." (Proverbs 28:3) Anyone who oppress the poor reproach the Almighty God that creates the poor but those that honor Him has mercy on the poor (Proverbs 14:31). It is a grievous ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 28:3, Proverbs 28:27

Tags: Love, Poor, Rain, Oppression

Denomination: Pentecostal

Significant Connections  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 13, 2009

SIGNIFICANT CONNECTIONS 70% of American adults identify family or family members as their most significant connection. 33% gave their entire nuclear family this status while 22% conferred it up on their spouse and 17% their children. 29% of American adults say their church is their most ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 27:17, Proverbs 13:20

Tags: Friendship General

A Contentious Spirit - Speaking Strife

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 11, 2025

Here’s a fun fact: You don’t actually have to correct someone when they’re wrong. Shocking, I know! There’s no official appointment letter naming you Earth’s Guardian of Truth and Accuracy. (If there is, it probably got lost in the mail.) Sometimes, it’s okay to just let it go—yes, even if they ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:9, Proverbs 26:21

Tags: Contentious, Strife, Contentious Spirit

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Honest Is The Best Policy

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 20, 2026

A successful businessman knew it was time to choose a successor to lead his business. Instead of appointing one of his directors, or one of his children, he decided to call the company's young executives together. He said, "It is time for me to choose the next CEO. I have decided to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:9, Proverbs 11:3

Tags: Humility, Honesty

Denomination: Methodist

Where Is The Gracious Mistress Of The Parsonage?

Contributed by James Snyder on Jan 7, 2023

Our family's Christmas this year was the best one yet. But, of course, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage says that every year. I completely agree with her this year. Our great-granddaughter served as the focal point of our Christmas this year. She assumed that position because she was ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:6

Tags: Christmas, Children, Family, Grandparents

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It Was A Snarly Kind Of Day

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 26, 2025

Last week The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage had another one of her girl days with our daughter and granddaughter. Don’t let this get around, but it is one of my favorite days of the year, including my birthday. It’s a day on which I can do what I want to do. That doesn’t come often; when it ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:29

Tags: Wrath, Patience, Reward

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

And Then It Was Silent No More

Contributed by James Snyder on May 23, 2020

During this time of exclusive lockdown, I and the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage have grown accustomed to silence. Don't get me wrong here. I do not object to noise as long as it's the right kind of noise. However, I do have a good warm feeling about silence. What was that song? ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:13

Tags: Books, Silence, Noise

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Three Athletes  PRO

Contributed by Peter Bines on Aug 25, 2005

Three athletes are about to be executed. One is a short dark haired hockey player; one is a bald headed tennis player, and the third is a tall blond haired soccer player. The guard brings the dark haired hockey player forward and the executioner asks if he has any last minute request. He replies ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 11:12, Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 21:23, James 3:1-9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Knowing God's Will

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Henry Ward Beecher Was One Of The Great ...  PRO

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 20, 2000

Henry Ward Beecher was one of the great preachers of the 19th Century. He was ill one Sunday, so a substitute pastor walked up to the pulpit as the worship service began. Seeing that Dr. Beecher would not be speaking that day, a number of people got up and headed for the door. The substitute ...read more

Tags: Church Practices, Messenger, Idolatry, Preaching, Pride, Spiritual Warfare, Story, Warfare  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Balanced Scale?

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 13, 2009

BALANCED SCALE? I read that years ago in England when they still used the balanced scales that a baker sued a farmer over the pound of butter that he was buying. And he said that when he first started buying butter from the farmer, it was a full pound. But gradually the farmer was selling him less ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:36, Proverbs 11:1, Proverbs 16:11, Proverbs 20:23

Tags: Weight, Judgment, Hypocrisy, Honesty