In Sermon Illustrations: "Service"

Great Quotes On Volunteering

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2019

GREAT QUOTES ON VOLUNTEERING “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” — William Shakespeare “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill “I am a little pencil in ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-16

Tags: Service, Making A Difference, Volunteering, Church Workers

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Are His Hands And Feet.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 27, 2023

After World War II, a group of German students volunteered to help rebuild an English cathedral that had been severely damaged by German bombs. As work progressed, they became concerned about a large statue of Jesus, whose arms were out-stretched and beneath which was the inscription: “Come unto ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: Witnessing, Outreach, Ministry, Lost, Service, Discipleship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Honesty Or Dishonest Gain

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jan 23, 2024

1 Peter 5:1-3 warns against dishonest gain - "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care...not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve." In January 2024 a USA pastor and his wife were charged after hundreds of Christians invested in their cryptocurrency scheme. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-3, 1 Timothy 3:1-10, Titus 1:5-9

Tags: Service, Money, Pastor, Greed, Integrity, Deception  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Boosegumps

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 13, 2025

Good morning, boys and girls. Have you ever felt something wonderful inside—like tiny happy bubbles that make you want to smile from the inside out? Not like bubbles in a 7-Up or soda can—these are bubbles that only your heart can feel. I call them Boosegumps. Now, if you were to go to a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:13

Tags: Service, Holy Spirit, Salvation, Conversion, Kindness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Oswald Chambers Writes, "In The Cross We May See ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Beaird on Nov 3, 2000

Oswald Chambers writes, "In the Cross we may see the dimensions of Divine love. The Cross is not the cross of a man, but the exhibition of the heart of God. At the back of the wall of the world stands God with His arms outstretched, and every man driven there is ...read more

Tags: Cross Agony, God's Provision, Forgiveness In Jesus, Service

Denomination: Pentecostal

Over 2,000 Years Ago A Young Greek Artist Named ...

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Over 2,000 years ago a young Greek artist named Timanthes studied under a respected tutor. After several years the teacher’s efforts seemed to have paid off when Timanthes painted an exquisite work of art. Unfortunately, he became so enraptured with the painting that he spent days gazing at it. One ...read more

Tags: Humility, Honor, Respect, Obedience, Service, Christian Disciplines  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Four Ways To Minister Like The Good Samaritan

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 2, 2022

As we study the characteristics of the Good Samaritan, let’s ask ourselves if these qualities are true of us as well. He opened his eyes. Although all three men physically saw the critically wounded man, only the Samaritan looked and stopped to help. Before we can meet needs, we must be aware of ...read more

Tags: Service, Ministry, Parables, Neighbor, Kindness, Good Samaritan  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Get Off The Bench And Get In The Game!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 2, 2023

A well-known coach was once asked, “How much does college football contribute to the national physical-fitness picture?” “Nothing,” the coach replied abruptly. “Why not?” the startled interviewer asked. “Well,” said the coach, “the way I see it, you have 22 men down on the field desperately ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-13

Tags: Volunteers, Spiritual Gifts, Service, Ministry, Church, Disciples  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Smart Phone Theology

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Oct 29, 2024

Smart phones are really smart. Even smarter than I know. I use my phone for so much more than calling and texting but it’s not uncommon for me to learn new features and abilities my phone has that I previously had never known. Over the years I’ve learned that my phone is a compass, can take video ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Service, Holy Spirit, Power, Temptation, Gifts, Giftedness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Young Lady Busied Herself Getting Ready For A ...  PRO

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Feb 26, 2006

A young lady busied herself getting ready for a blind date. This was not just dinner and a movie; her date had planned dinner at an exclusive downtown restaurant with live music and dancing. Wanting to make a good first impression she had taken the day off work. She cleaned her apartment; she ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-18

Tags: Dress Properly, Wait, Second Coming, Service, Pray, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Life-Saving Stations  PRO

Contributed by C Jordan on Mar 16, 2008

ILLUSTRATION: On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur, there was once a little life-saving station. The building was primitive, and there was just one boat, but the members of the life-saving station were committed and kept a constant watch over the sea. When a ship went down, they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:37-38

Tags: Service, Church, Outreach, Salvation, Business, Labourers, Volunteer, Employed  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: *other

A Man Called A Pastor's Office At A Church One ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 2, 2008

A man called a pastor’s office at a church one day to inquire into membership in the church. He stated that he would not be able to get involved or anything, but he felt it was important to have some religious affiliation. The pastor advised this man that the church he pastored might not be the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Tags: Service, Commitment, Church Body, Membership, Church Body Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Who Are We Here For??

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 9, 2023

The story has often been told about the message the founder of the Salvation Army sent to their international convention. General William Booth was unable to attend personally because of ill health, so he cabled the delegates a message containing one word: "OTHERS!" In the popular comic ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

Tags: Bearing Burdens, One Another, Others, Ministry, Service, Selflessness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Volunteers

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Sep 2, 2023

THE VOLUNTEERS This poem is dedicated to all faithful volunteers. We could not make it without your willingness to serve. Thank you, Loyd C Taylor, Sr. The Volunteers There are some special people that we know Found in needy places across this land; They’re people that selflessly serve others, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:41, Colossians 3:23, Proverbs 14:23, John 6:27

Tags: Volunteers, Labor Day, Support, Service, Servant, Sacrifice, Helpers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Crickets And Crosses

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Mar 30, 2023

Early one Easter morning I stood before an old church graveyard. The crickets were chirping their morning melody for me. I saw three crosses that had been placed there by the congregation, erected as a reminder of the crosses on the hill called Calvary. Calvary, where Jesus was crucified between ...read more

Tags: Easter, Nature, Morning, Sunrise, Sunrise Service, Resurrection Day, Resurrection  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Want To Play Beethoven's Piano?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 5, 2023

J Vernon McGee offers the following illustration of humility of mind and adds a practical application. The story is told of a group of people who went in to see Beethoven’s home in Germany. After the tour guide had showed them Beethoven’s piano and had finished his lecture, he asked if any of them ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-11, Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Honor, Humility, Lowliness Of Mind, Position, Spiritual Gifts, Service, Servants  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Was After One Of Those Long Sermons That Seem ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 26, 2007

It was after one of those long sermons that seem to last forever that a father and his son were walking toward the door when the boy stopped in front of a plaque in the foyer. The little boy pointed and asked, “Daddy, what’s this for?” His father said, “Oh, that’s in memory for those who died in ...read more

Make This Muddled World A Better Place

Contributed by David Simpson on Feb 5, 2018

Make This Muddled World A Better Place January 24, 2018 Lanier Christian Church David Simpson The Academy Award Nominations came out yesterday. Of the movies nominated, one of them is about famous British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, entitled: Darkest Hour. Churchill left us with many ...read more

Tags: Bless Others, Give Of Self, Be A Blessing To Oth, Service, Compassion, Winston Churchill  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

Churched" Vs. "Unchurched" Doesn't Tell The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 14, 2009

"CHURCHED" VS. "UNCHURCHED" DOESN’T TELL THE WHOLE STORY New Ellison research on U.S. adult attendance at worship services found the traditional definitions of "churched" (attend services monthly or more often) — and "un-churched" (do not typically attend frequently enough to be considered ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

Of All The Classical Spiritual Disciplines, ...  PRO

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Apr 8, 2002

Of all the classical Spiritual Disciplines, service is the most conductive to the growth of humility. When we set out on a consciously chosen course of action that accents the good of other and is for the most part a hidden work, a deep change occurs in our spirit. Nothing disciplines the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 25:6-7

Tags: Servanthood, Pride, Christian Disciplines, Call Of The Disciples, Arrogance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: *other