In Sermon Illustrations: "Sermon Preparation"

On October 2, 1864, One Of The Worst Battles Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Terry Dashner on Dec 21, 2001

On October 2, 1864, one of the worst battles of the American Civil War was fought. 2800 Confederate soldiers squared off against 4500 Union soldiers. The battle is forever recorded in American history as one of the worst atrocities that has ever occurred on US soil. After a day of intense fighting, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13

Tags: Sermon On The Mount, Truth, Love Of The Disciples, Life

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Humility To Listen  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 19, 2002

THE HUMILITY TO LISTEN Several years ago, a Greensboro, North Carolina, newspaper carried a story about a tractor-trailer rolling along on a side street in a southern city. The driver came to a low bridge and misjudged the height of his rig. When the truck came to a stop, it was wedged tightly ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Sermon On The Mount, Jesus Christ

Denomination: United Methodist

September 11th, 2001 Just Past 9:00am, Stanley ...  PRO

Contributed by James Botts on Sep 10, 2002

September 11th, 2001 just past 9:00am, Stanley Praimnath, Vice President for Fuji Bank, was in his office in the South Tower at WTC when his phone rang. “Are you watching the news?’ asked a woman the Chicago office. “Are you alright?” “I’m fine” he said wondering why she had called. Just then he ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:24

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, Sermon On The Mount, What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Baptist

When God Says...what?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 14, 2014

A young preacher in Ft. Worth, Texas was trying to make an impression on a Pastor Search Team who had come to his church to hear him preach. The young man was preaching on the time in the Old Testament when God had enough with His disobedient people and finally said to them, "Ichabod!", which ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:21

Tags: Glory Of God, Sermon Bloopers, Mistakes, Humor

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Parrot Named Moses

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 14, 2021

A PARROT NAMED MOSES A thief broke into a beautiful suburban house and was looking around for things to steal when he heard a voice say, “Better be careful…Jesus is watching you!” He stopped for a moment and heard it again… The surprised thief froze in his tracks and looked around, shining the ...read more

Tags: Moses, Humor, Jesus Is Watching, Sermon Opener

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Things That Mom Would Never Say!!!!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on May 5, 2022

THINGS THAT MOM WOULD NEVER SAY.... 1) “How on earth can you see the TV sitting so far back?” 2) “Yeah, I used to skip school a lot myself when I was your age!” 3) “Just leave all the lights on … it makes the house look more cheery.” 4) “Let me smell that shirt — Yeah, it’s good for another ...read more

Tags: Sermon Introductions, Humor, Mothers, Mother's Day

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Talking Dog For Sale!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 13, 2024

A guy sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog for Sale." He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees an old black mutt just sitting there. "You talk?" he asks. "Yep," the mutt replies. "So, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:22, Colossians 3:9, Exodus 20:16

Tags: Truth, Lies, Deceit, Dogs, Sermon Introductions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pastor, Don't Get Too Excited Over Compliments!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 25, 2021

A NEW MAN AFTER THAT SERMON The minister’s sermon on this particular Sunday was considerably longer than normal. However, it was so well prepared and inspiring that he just knew it would be a big hit with the congregation. At the end of the service he stood shaking hands with the people as they ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Church Members, Compliments, Boring Sermons, Preaching, Humor, Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Better Get Your Bags Packed!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 2, 2022

One day a very wealthy, powerful king died. His servants spread the unbelievable news all over the palace. He had died in his bed of natural causes. "Where has he gone?", asked one of the king's wisest counselors "Why, to Heaven of course!", answered all the ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Heaven, Salvation, Gospel, Excuses, Prepare, Procrastination, Fools  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The True Story Of Denise And Diane

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 31, 2023

The Story of Denise and Diane One Sunday morning many years ago, as I pastored in Massachusetts, a lady attended our church for the first time. At the end of the service, at the time of the invitation, she came to the altar. I noticed that one of our ladies prayed with her. After the service, as I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 18:1-2, 2 Kings 20:1-6, Luke 16:1-2, James 4:14, Proverbs 27:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Holy Spirit, Heaven, Obedience, Life, Mysterious Ways Of God, Preparation, The Gospel, Cancer, New Years, Preparing For Death, Ready To God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Calls Us To His Rest, And Meekness Is His ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Kuzma on Jan 2, 2002

“Jesus calls us to His rest, and meekness is his method. The meek man cares not at all who is greater than he, for he has long ago decided that the esteem of the world is not worth the effort. The rest Christ offers is the rest of meekness, the blessed relief which comes when we accept ourselves ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Tags: Sermon On The Mount, Peace, Meekness, God Brings Hope

Denomination: Foursquare

A Light Named Al  PRO

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Sep 2, 2002

A LIGHT NAMED AL On the morning of September 11, Jeannie Braca switched on the television to check the weather report, only to hear that a plane had just hit the World Trade Center. Jeannie’s husband, Al, worked as a corporate bond trader for Cantor Fitzgerald. His office was on the 105th ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17, Mark 8:34-37

Tags: Sermon On The Mount, Sharing Your Faith, Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: United Methodist

A Funny Thanksgiving Joke To Share!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 18, 2021

A FUNNY THANKSGIVING JOKE TO SHARE! A retiree in Florida phones his daughter in New Jersey and says, “Honey, I have bad news for you. Your mother and I have decided that 52 years of marriage is enough. We’re calling it quits and getting a divorce.” His daughter yells, “Are you crazy? What the ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving, Humor, Jokes, Sermon Introduction, Funny Stories  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Doesn't God Answer?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 13, 2022

The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her preacher father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day she asked him why. The Pastor was so proud that his daughter was so observant of his mesages. He smiled and answered, "Well, honey, ...read more

Tags: Preachers, Children, Prayer, Pastors, Jokes, Fathers, Sermons  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Here's A Funny New Approach To Evangelism!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 10, 2022

There was a barber that thought that he should share his faith with his customers more than he had been doing lately. So. the next morning when the sun came up and the barber got up out of bed he said, "Today I am going to witness to the first man that walks through my door." Soon after ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Sermon Intro, Barbers, Evangelism, Gospel, Humor, Witnessing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Boyfriend Trouble

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 15, 2024

A teenager brings her new boyfriend home to meet her parents. They’re appalled by his haircut, his tattoos, his piercings. Later, the girl’s mom says, “Dear, he doesn’t seem to be a very nice boy.” “Oh, please, Mom!” says the daughter. “If he wasn’t ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-15

Tags: Daughters, Sermon Intros, Boyfriends, Parents, Moms, Teenagers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas Must Be Near

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 14, 2022

Christmas Must Be Near When soft snowflakes fill childish dreams, And Missy hangs the mistletoe. Then gift shoppers show up in streams, And Mike the mailman is bending low. When the generosities astound, Then through the air, we hear the sound Of joy-bells ring… “Ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling!” Then ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-2, Matthew 1:1-21, John 1:1-14, Galatians 4:4-5

Tags: Nativity, Christmas, Birth Of Christ, Preparations, Decorations, Christmas Poetry, Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

When Are You Going To Talk About Sin?

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Jun 28, 2019

It was early in the year, and I asked myself, “What is the most important things my congregation needs to know.” I had decided to preach a series on what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, or the Plain, if you go by Luke. I mapped out the series, then I began to talk about what Jesus had to ...read more

Tags: Judging Others, Sermon On The Mount, Judgement, Forgiveness, Sin, Forgive  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

My Favorite Palm Sunday Story!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 7, 2022

Palm Sunday is a very important, reverent occasion for every child of God to remember. However, sometimes children remind us of how genuine they are even in the most serious moments of worship. For example, It was Palm Sunday at church, but because of a sore throat, 5-year-old Annie stayed home ...read more

Tags: Palm Sunday, Funny Stories, Sermon Intros, Children, Humor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mom, Why Do You Have White Hair???

Contributed by Garris Hudson on May 5, 2022

One day, a little girl is sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly notices that her mother has several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast to her brunette hair. She looks at her mother and inquisitively asks: “Why are some of your hairs white, ...read more

Tags: Aging, Humor, Mothers, Mother's Day, Grandmothers, Sermon Introductions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational