In Sermon Illustrations: "Share Your Faith"

There Were 15 In Sunday School -- Counting Jesus

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Oct 3, 2025

A little girl returning from Sunday School was asked by her grandmother how many had been in her class that day. And she replied, "There were 15 of us, -- Counting Jesus." *Rejoice in the Lord, Christians! He is here with us, and in us this morning. And Jesus wants to change our lives ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Tags: Evangelism, Paul, Salvation, Missions, Silas, Crisis, Christian Service, Philippian Jailer, Demon Possession, Spiritual Transformation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Taxi Driver

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question. The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped centimeters from a shop window. For a second, everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said, "Look mate, ...read more

Tags: Hearse, Taxi

Denomination: Anglican

Jumping To Conclusions

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 25, 2025

John was driving home late one night when he picked up a hitchhiker. As they rode along, he began to be suspicious of his passenger. John checked to see if his wallet was safe in the pocket of his coat that was on the seat between them, but it wasn't there! He slammed on the brakes, ordered ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:13, Matthew 7:1-2

Tags: Judgment, Assumption

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Can We Love Someone We Find Unloving? Galatians ...

Contributed by Clifford Good on Jul 18, 2008

Can we love someone we find unloving? Galatians 5:13-14 says that we are given freedom to serve one another in love. Whenever I take a trip I come home with lots of stories that come out of the things I see and the people I meet. Here is a story from the last trip to highlight this point about ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-14

Tags: Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Parable From The Chilean Mining ...

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Oct 16, 2010

A PARABLE FROM THE CHILEAN MINING DISASTER Once upon a time there was a wise, good and powerful King. His kingdom was known as the kingdom of Hope and it was the richest kingdom in the world. He ruled his people with love and justice. The kingdom of Hope was known throughout the world and other ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tell Santa I Tried To Be Nice

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 19, 2020

It’s that time of the year when the conversation around the dinner table in the Parsonage has to do with naughty or nice. I must admit it's not my favorite conversation because what is naughty, and what is nice? That all depends on who you're talking to. The Gracious Mistress of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:7

Tags: Christmas, Nice, Naughty

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It’s My Tongue I’ll Wag It If I Want To

Contributed by James Snyder on May 29, 2021

Like everybody else, I have my share of trouble. It’s not that I want to get into trouble, but trouble always seems to be somewhere near where I am at the time. I regret that time when I was first introduced to trouble. Some trouble I can't prevent. It just happens, and no matter what I do, ...read more

Scripture: James 3:5

Tags: Tongue, Trouble

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

And Then, There It Was

Contributed by James Snyder on May 7, 2022

In getting older, I have discovered, I pay a little more attention to my dietary habits. Or, maybe I should say, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage pays more attention to my dietary habits. As we get older, she is more obsessed with vegetables than anything else. But, for the life of me, I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38

Tags: Cookies, Unity, Cooperation

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

So What If I’m Crazy?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 17, 2024

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and her wonderful husband are celebrating 53 years of marital bliss this year. What an accomplishment! It doesn’t seem possible that we have been married 53 years. After all, we don’t look that old! At least she doesn’t. It’s amazing how time flies; if ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Tags: Unity, Relationships, Crazy

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

And Then It All Came To An End

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 28, 2024

Time has a way of getting ahead of me. Just when I think I’ve caught up, I find out I was wrong. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I were sitting down, relaxing after a wonderful Christmas activity with all the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. It was a wonderful time, but with my ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:9

Tags: Christmas, Time, New Years

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

An Image Better Than Adam's!" Isaiah 59:1-8 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 27, 2005

“An Image Better Than Adam’s!” Isaiah 59:1-8 Key verse(s): 1-2:“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear.” Oh if we could but live one ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 59:1-8

Tags: Sin Separates From God, Soul Immortal

Denomination: Lutheran

Pastor Jim Cymbala, In His Book Fresh Wind, Fresh ...  PRO

Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Sep 10, 2007

Pastor Jim Cymbala, in his book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, tells how God answered fervent prayer on behalf of his daughter. He writes: “Our oldest daughter, Chrissy, had been a model child growing up. But around age sixteen she started to stray,…not only from us but also away from God. In time, she ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

David F. Lloyd In His Essay "Rights Vs ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 16, 2008

DAVID F. LLOYD in his essay “Rights vs Responsibilities” Summer 2001 Issue of Vision: Legally, rights have never been so extensively defined. For starters, there are the rights of ethnic minorities. Then we have the rights of women. The rights of children. The rights of homosexuals. The right to ...read more

Tags: Patriotism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Underestimate An Act Of Love

Contributed by Billy Noel on May 18, 2009

DON'T UNDERESTIMATE AN ACT OF LOVE One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must ...read more

Tags: Christian Love

Denomination: Christian Church

When Is It Okay To Be Snarly?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 6, 2022

Normally, whatever normal means, I don’t get agitated by many things. I can keep my cool under the most bizarre circumstances. Nothing gets under my skin, and I can take everything with a grin. I can’t remember the last time I lost my temper and got mad. I’ve been married for over 50 years, so I ...read more

Scripture: John 8:44

Tags: Humor, Telemarketers, Snarly, Aggitation

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

How Much Coffee Is Too Much Coffee?

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 15, 2022

I will be the first to confess that I love my coffee, especially in the morning. When anybody asks how much coffee is enough, I usually say, “Just one more cup.” My day cannot get started until I’ve had a sufficient amount of coffee. If I don’t have enough coffee when I meet somebody, they will ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:8

Tags: Coffee, Serial

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Don’t Knock On The Door If You Like Breathing

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 23, 2024

I’m unsure if this is a new phenomenon or I’m just starting to catch up on the culture. I know I have a lot to catch up on, and I’m slowly doing it. Lately, there’s been a lot of activity at our front door. That’s not to diminish the activity at the back porch door. That activity has to do with a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:8

Tags: Trust, Confidence, Scams

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

[062a]. A Message From A Poem – Does Suffering Cancel Out A God Of Love?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 14, 2025

[062A]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DOES SUFFERING CANCEL OUT A GOD OF LOVE? THE POEM AS IT IS WILL NOT FIT IN THE ILLUSTRATION SPACE AVAILABLE. I HAVE HAD TO SPLIT IT INTO THREE PARTS. THIS IS THE FIRST PART PART 1 INTRODUCTION TO THIS POEM This is my most serious poem because it addresses ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 45:6-7, John 3:16, Exodus 34:6-7

Tags: Comfort, Suffering, Tragedy, God Of Comfort, God Of Love, Hurt, Pain, Love, Compassion  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What It Was, Was A Cookie

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 11, 2025

At least once a month The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and her daughter will spend a day visiting thrift stores in our community. I’m not sure, so don’t quote me, but I think there’s a 100-mile radius where they do their shopping. This past week was one of those days. As she was backing out ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:2

Tags: Desire, Cookie

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Following Article Is Based On A Sermon By ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 14, 2002

The following article is based on a sermon by missionary Del Tarr who served fourteen years in West Africa with another mission agency. His story points out the price some people pay to sow the seed of the gospel in hard soil. I was always perplexed by Psalm 126 until I went to the Sahel, that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:6

Tags: Evangelism Urgency, Evangelism How To

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational