In Sermon Illustrations: "Service"

Jimmy Carter, In His Autobiography Why Not The ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 9, 2003

Jimmy Carter, in his autobiography WHY NOT THE BEST? shared an incident that made him aware of his lack of witnessing to people. Each year the congregation of Plains Baptist Church holds a one-week revival service. -In preparation for the week, the congregation would venture into the ...read more

Bill Hybels Tells About An Interesting ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on May 1, 2005

Bill Hybels tells about an interesting experience after a baptism service in their church. He writes: “I bumped into a woman in the stairwell who was crying. I thought this was a little odd, since the service was so joyful. I asked her if she was all right. She said, ‘No, I’m struggling.’ She ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Luke 17:1-8, Matthew 7:7-11

Tags: Prayer Adoration, Prayer Persistence

Denomination: Methodist

The Miracle Of The Groceries  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 24, 2001

THE MIRACLE OF THE GROCERIES The following is a true story. In 1984, Mike and his family belonged to an East Coast church. One Sunday evening, the sermon was on sacrificial offerings, and a special offering was taken at the end of the sermon. The only money in Mike’s wallet was a $50 bill, ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Giving General, God's Provision

We'll Stay Out Of The Way  PRO

Contributed by Bob Hager on Apr 26, 2001

WE'LL STAY OUT OF THE WAY The Call to Worship had just been pronounced starting Easter Sunday Morning service in an East Texas church. The choir started its processional, singing "Up from the Grave He Arose" as they marched in perfect step down the center aisle to the front of the church. The ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25, John 17:6-19, John 11:1-25, John 11:1-44, John 4:23-24, John 20:26-29, Mark 8:33  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Easter Resurrection, Wholehearted, Indifference, Hope

Denomination: Methodist

The Corpse Of Sin  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 25, 2002

THE CORPSE OF SIN When he was arrested in February 2002 for dumping off as many as 200 bodies in nearby woods, 28 year old Ray Brent Marsh, the operator of Tri-State Crematory told authorities that the incinerator had not worked for some time. A spokesman for the company that made the ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ, Sin Deceptive, Sin Exposed

Worship  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on Apr 9, 2002

ILLUSTRATION The Call to Worship had just been pronounced starting Easter Sunday Morning service in an East Texas church. The choir started its processional, singing "Up from the Grave He Arose" as they marched in perfect step down the center aisle to the front of the church. The last lady was ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection, Church Practices

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Call To Worship Had Just Been Pronounced ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

“The call to worship had just been pronounced starting Easter Sunday Morning service in an East Texas church. The choir started its processional, singing ‘Up from the Grave He Arose’ as they marched in perfect step down the center aisle to the front of the church. The last lady was wearing shoes ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

When My Wife And I First Got Married, We Moved To ...

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 23, 2007

When my wife and I first got married, we moved to St. Louis where I started seminary. It was a stressful time the first year. I started learning Greek and Hebrew and learned the fine art of being married. I had enough time in my schedule to clean the house, do the dishes and do the laundry while ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

On April 1, 2007, Knievel Announced To A ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Dec 11, 2007

On April 1, 2007, Knievel announced to a worldwide audience that he ’believed in Jesus Christ’ for the first time. He professed his personal faith in Christ to more than 4,000 people who gathered inside the Crystal Cathedral for Palm Sunday services in Orange County, California, and to millions via ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

How Many Christians Does It Take To Change A ...  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Mitchell on Jan 31, 2008

How many Christians does it take to change a light bulb? Charismatics/Pentecostals: Ten. One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness. Presbyterians: None. Lights will go on and off at predestined times. Roman Catholic: None. Candles only. Baptists: At least 15. One ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Pastor Of A Church That Didn't Have The ...  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Sickling on Feb 4, 2008

The pastor of a church that didn’t have the reputation for being very generous with their giving decided that it was time to do something drastic in order to teach the congregation the importance of giving. He contacted an electrician and had all of the pews wired. The next Sunday which was the ...read more

Tags: Faith, Worship, Trust, Giving, Prayer, Poverty  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Object Lesson: Wives As The Weaker Vessel

Contributed by Timothy Smith on May 3, 2008

OBJECT LESSON: WIVES AS THE WEAKER VESSEL 1 Peter 3:7- "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner.." (KJV "weaker vessel.") Now, does that sound sexist to you? She's to be treated like the weaker partner, the weaker ...read more

Tags: Marriage Obligations

Denomination: Christian Church

A Few Years Ago The Plain English Campaign Ran A ...

Contributed by David Moore on Jul 11, 2008

A few years ago the Plain English Campaign ran a national survey that found that some people would rather have a grander job title than a pay rise. This might seem astonishing, but upgrading job titles has apparently become more and more popular as employers try to keep their staff happy. Here are ...read more

Tags: Pastors

Denomination: Baptist

Calms The Storm

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 2, 2008

CALMS THE STORM God is greater than any problem we will ever face, and Jesus is able to calm any storm. In 1993, I had the privilege of preaching the funeral for Bro. Moses Lee. Bro. Lee served for many years as a pastor in Franklin, Tensas and Winn Parishes, later on he served in the Mobile area. ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Baptist

Wesley: The Faith Of A Son

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

WESLEY: THE FAITH OF A SON John Wesley was an honor graduate of Oxford University, an ordained clergyman in the Church of England and orthodox in theology. He was active in practical good works, regularly visiting the inmates of prisons and workhouses in London and helping distribute food and ...read more

Tags: Salvation

A Christ-Like Schedule

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Nov 14, 2010

A CHRIST-LIKE SCHEDULE If Jesus Christ were here today, do you think He would serve on three church committees; drive in the car pool on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; attend two services on Sunday; manage a boys' organization; serve on the lunch committee at the local synagogue or church; and ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Denomination: *other

Praising Him With Lifted Hands

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

PRAISING HIM WITH LIFTED HANDS I attended a Conference in Overland Park, KS. The host pastor stood up before the opening worship service and said, he grew up in a controlled, dignified and domesticated worship service. He said no one in that church raised their hands in praise. But then when he ...read more

Tags: Worship General

Denomination: Methodist

God Knows

Contributed by Brad Henry on Oct 7, 2011

GOD KNOWS The receiving line at the memorial was very long as Jim and Steph had many family members that came from Texas and Georgia. Halfway through the line, I was introduced to Jim's sister, brother and nephew. They said "Are you the Brad Henry that wrote the devotional about my brother?" I ...read more

Tags: Miracles General

Harland Sanders: Story Of Hope

Contributed by Gerald Steffy on Aug 28, 2009

HARLAND SANDERS: STORY OF HOPE Here’s a man sitting on his porch in Kentucky. He’s only recently retired from the post office, and he’s sitting there when his first Social Security check is delivered. He’s very, very discouraged. He thinks to himself, Is this what life is going to be from now ...read more

Tags: Disappointment

Denomination: Baptist

I Remember When I Was 16 Years Old How I Made My ...

Contributed by Ronnie Knight on May 1, 2007

I remember when I was 16 years old how I made my first profession of faith. Our church was in revival with Bro. Bobby McGilliard leading the service. Through his message God began to reveal to me that I was lost and headed for a place called Hell. I went forward and one of the councilors took me to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist