In Sermon Illustrations: "Sharpening Your Ax"

Focus On Christ

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Aug 25, 2011

FOCUS ON CHRIST The healthiest people do not think about their health; the weak induce disease by morbid introspection. If you begin to count your heartbeats, you will disturb the rhythmic action of the heart. If you continually imagine a pain anywhere, you will produce it. And there are some ...read more

Tags: Self

Denomination: Baptist

Veto Power

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Feb 28, 2012

VETO POWER Before democracy arrived in Poland, the country was run by Lords and rich landowners – the nobility from all over the country. The senate filled with these noblemen would make decisions for the country but they always had a hard time getting much done – why? Because every member of the ...read more

Tags: Power

Denomination: Lutheran

A Cat And A Hot Stove

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 11, 2012

A CAT AND A HOT STOVE Mark Twain once said, "If a cat sits on a hot stove, that cat will never sit on a hot stove again." He continued, "That cat will never sit on a cold stove either." His conclusion: That cat will associate stoves with a bad, hot experience and say, "Never again!" We all ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Communication Problems

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Aug 15, 2012

COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS A woman went to court and told the judge she wanted a divorce. "Do you have any grounds?" the judge asked. "Just two acres," she replied. "That's not it, lady. I mean, do you have a grudge?" "No, we park the car in the front of the house." Frustrated, the judge ...read more

Tags: Communication General

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Following Jesus

Contributed by David Simpson on Mar 23, 2017

Mark Batterson said in his book: “All In” – “Most people in most churches think they are following Jesus, but I’m not so sure. They may think they are following Jesus, but the reality is this: they have invited Jesus to follow them.” Too many times I want Jesus to follow me, to serve my ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:11

Tags: Following Jesus, Follow Jesus

Denomination: Christian Church

I May Never See You Again

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 17, 2017

Phillips Brooks of Boston became quite ill and would see no visitors. However, when Robert Ingersoll, the noted atheist, heard that his friend was sick, he called at his home and was admitted at once. "I appreciate this very much," said Mr. Ingersoll. "But why do you see me when you deny ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:1

Tags: Hell, Death, Heaven, Atheism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Success Is Often Earned On Hard Rough Roads

Contributed by Tim Baker on Dec 21, 2017

I don't always agree with positive thinking ideals. I don't think a person has to believe in themselves, believe that they will be successful before attempting something. I think a person achieves more things then they ever thought they could simply because they attempted them. Sorry Yoda and Star ...read more

Tags: Try Again, Success In Life, Perseverance, Success, Failure  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Adam & Eve's First Argument

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 13, 2022

When Adam stayed out very late for a few nights, Eve became upset. "You're running around with other women," she charged. "You're being unreasonable," Adam responded. "You're the only woman on earth." The quarrel continued until Adam fell asleep, only to ...read more

Tags: Marriage, Adam, Suspicious, Jokes, Arguments, Eve  (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

Positive Attitude

Contributed by David Swanger on Jan 24, 2024

A beginning driver for an interstate trucking company, made several long tiring trips with an older driver. Though twice his age, this older man seemed to thrive on these long trips. After one such trip, as they sat drinking coffee, the younger man commented on how his partner looked as if he had ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:24

Tags: Choice, Attitude

No 'i' In The Lord's Prayer

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 11, 2024

No "I" in the Lord's Prayer You cannot pray the Lord's Prayer and even once say "I." You cannot pray the Lord's Prayer and even once say "My." Nor can you pray the Lord's Prayer and not pray for one another. And when you ask for daily ...read more

Tags: Daily Bread, One Another, Another, Brother, Prayer, Selfishness, Lord's Prayer, Self, Others  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sports Widow Gets Even

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 22, 2025

"'Cash, check or charge?' I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase.  As she fumbled for her wallet, I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse. 'So, do you always carry your TV remote?' I asked. 'No,' she replied, 'but my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:19

Tags: Marriage, Sports, Revenge, Getting Even, Sports Widow  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Count The Cost

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Jul 24, 2025

I want to tell yall a true story about counting the cost. This happened to a friend, who shall remain nameless to protect her dignity. My friend had been going through a lot and needed something therapeutic to do and so took up gardening. Growing your own food is always a good idea, right? The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:28, Luke 14:29, Luke 14:30

Tags: Building, Cost, Adversity, High, Count The Cost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Washington Bureau: Terry Mattingly's Religion ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

WASHINGTON BUREAU: Terry Mattingly’s religion column for 11/07/2001 It’s hard to miss the Big Idea when an artist puts it right on a painting in bold letters. "He That Believeth Not Shall Be Damned. Not A Crown But Hellfire And Brimstone," wrote Howard Finster, using his unorthodox spelling and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-14

Tags: Basics Of Christianity, Becoming A Christian

Simeon  PRO

Contributed by Troy Borst on Dec 15, 2005

The years are catching up to me, Simeon thought as he made his way through the dirt-covered streets of Jerusalem. This was once an easy walk; in the corner of his mind’s eye he recalled himself as a younger man bounding through the alleys, markets, and crowded roads that led to the place of ...read more

Tags: Birth Of Jesus

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Farmer's Three Wishes - An Ancient Jewish ...

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 8, 2008

The Farmer's Three Wishes - An ancient Jewish parable: One night a poor farmer was awakened by an angel of the Lord who said: "You've found favor in the eyes of your Maker. He wants to do for you what he did for your ancestor Abraham. He wants to bless you. Therefore, make any three requests of ...read more

Tags: Envy

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Vs. Voodoo

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 12, 2011

GOD VS. VOODOO Pastor Mike Breaux tells the story below when his daughter Jodie answered God's call to go into missions work: During her junior year of high school, Jodie struggled to find a faith of her own. She wanted to know in her heart that all of what she'd been taught to believe was true ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Tags: Missions

The Devastating Power Of Criticism

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 25, 2014

"Go where you’re celebrated, not where you’re tolerated." - Author Unknown I know a number of people whose lives have been profoundly affected by the criticism of others. For some, it was being cruelly taunted at school by their peers, for others, a close family member who criticized or ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:15

Tags: Criticism, Judgemental, Evil Tongue

Denomination: Charismatic

Bearing Our Cross

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Apr 7, 2015

A "Natural" Rope a dope... Cross bearing is an indispensable part of a Christian’s life, so that work of moulding a person into a Christ-like image which begins at the point of re-generation is completed in all respects (2 Cor 3:18) by the time of Rapture or one’s departure from the Earthly ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Tags: Tithing, Trials And Difficulties, Bearing, Discerning

Denomination: *other

Lillie Mae And The Rookie

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 18, 2019

Lillie Mae and the Rookie (Fruit of the Spirit) Gal 5:21-25 Do you all remember Bubba and Billy Bob; I called ole Bubba down in Hazel Green this week to check on Billy Bob, Daisy and the rest of the family. I ask him how everyone was doing. He said everything is fine with everyone; but they had ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:21-25

Tags: Fruit Of The Spirit, Lying

Denomination: Pentecostal