In Sermon Illustrations: "Sharpening Your Ax"

We're Supposed To Be Surrounded

Contributed by Michael Walther on May 25, 2011

WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE SURROUNDED The television series "Band of Brothers" follows the experiences of a company of paratroopers as they participate in the invasion of Europe. In one scene Lt. Richard Winters is leading his men into the heart of the Battle of the Bulge. Another Lt. is pulling back ...read more

Tags: Tenacity

Denomination: Lutheran

Money Often Comes Between Men And God. Someone ...

Contributed by Chris Edmondson on May 26, 2007

"Money often comes between men and God. Someone has said that you can take two small ten cent pieces, just two dimes, and shut out the view of a panoramic landscape. Go to the mountains and just hold two coins closely in front of your eyes--the mountains are still there, but you cannot see them at ...read more

Tags: Money, Offering, Coin, Mountain

Denomination: Baptist

A Small Child, Not Even Old Enough For School, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

A small child, not even old enough for school, went into one of those mirrored mazes at an amusement park. When her father discovered that she had slipped away he saw her trying to find her way out and beginning to cry in fear. She became increasingly con. fused by all the paths, until she heard ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

An Ad For The U.s. Marines Pictures A Sword, And ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

An ad for the U.S. Marines pictures a sword, and beneath it the words: “Earned, not given.” If you want to become a Marine, be prepared to earn the right to be called a “Marine” through sacrifice, hardship, and training. If you get it, you deserve it. But if you want to become a Christian, you must ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Evangelism How To

In The Movie Alice In Wonderland, Alice Came To ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

In the movie Alice in Wonderland, Alice came to an icy fork in the road. Panic stung her as she stood frozen by indecision. She lifted her eyes toward heaven, looking for guidance. Her eyes did not find God, only the Cheshire cat leering at her from his perch in the tree above. "Which way should I ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Tags: Knowing God's Will

Years Ago There Was A Woman Crossing The Hills ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Years ago there was a woman crossing the hills of South Wales on foot in the midst of a blizzard but she was not as fortunate as my wife and I were in South Dakota. She never made it to her destination. When they found her frozen body they did not understand why in that climate she was not wearing ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8, John 3:16

Tags: Atonement, Salvation, Cross, World Religions, Eternal Life  (view more)  (view less)

Years Ago, There Was A Wicked Emperor By The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Years ago, there was a wicked emperor by the name of Dionysius. He discovered that near to where he lived was a cave shaped in the form of a funnel with an opening right at the surface. Dionysus used this cave as a workshop for his slaves. He put all the slaves in caves and then he’d go up and put ...read more

Tags: Faith

Christian Marriage

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Christian Marriage Story: A young courting couple approached the gates of Paradise and knocked on the door. St Peter appeared and beckoned them in. As the young man approached St Peter he said: “Before we come in can we ask: Can you get married in paradise?” St Peter replied. “I don’t know off ...read more

Tags: Marriage Commitment

Oprah Winfrey Was Interviewing People On Her ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Oprah Winfrey was interviewing people on her program recently who were having affairs with married people (there’s a great subject) One woman who had a long-standing affair with a married man was saying how happy she was. But then someone raised the question of morality. "Wait a minute," the woman ...read more

Tags: God's Omnipotence

The Story Goes That Jesus Returned To Heaven ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

The story goes that Jesus returned to heaven following His death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb and the angels gathered around Him in amazement. Finally, Gabriel spoke up, “Master, you suffered terribly down there. Do they know and appreciate the extent of your sacrifice?” “No,” ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:14-20

Tags: Evangelism How To

Several Years Ago The Minnesota Crime Commission ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Several years ago the Minnesota Crime Commission released a statement that backs up what the Bible teaches about our human nature. In its report it stated that “every baby starts life as a little savage. He is completely selfish, and self-centered. He wants what He wants when He wants it – his ...read more

Tags: Faith General

A Country Boy Went To Visit A Friend In New York ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

A country boy went to visit a friend in New York City. It was about noon and they were downtown by Times Square in Manhattan. The streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, sirens were wailing and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. The country boy said, “I hear a ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will

C S Lewis - The Choice

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Sep 19, 2022

I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Jesus. “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:15

Tags: Jesus, Jesus Divinity, Nature Of Jesus, Moral Teacher

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Story Of The Christian Lion

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 20, 2022

A missionary in Africa was walking through a jungle when he heard the ominous roar of a lion behind him. He was very scared and dropped immediately to his knees and started praying feverishly! "Oh Lord," prayed the missionary, “You know I have served you my whole life. I have even ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

Tags: Thanksgiving, Protection, Prayer, Humor

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being Persecuted

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Feb 13, 2023

As we live our Christian lives there are a lot of questions that are related to the Christian Life that don't really fall into life and death categories. Questions like: what's your favorite version of the bible? How can I be a better group member? Or the BIG ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION: if a ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-25

Tags: Persecution, Suffering

Denomination: Baptist

A Self-Control Inventory

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 27, 2023

Are you struggling with self-control in any of these areas that are addressed in the Book of Proverbs? • Uncontrolled lust. Proverbs 6:26: “For the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.” • Uncontrolled spending. Proverbs 21:20: “In the house ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Proverbs, Money, Lust, Alcohol, Anger, Fruit Of The Spirit, Discipline, Self Control  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Budding Of The Fig Tree

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 16, 2023

Luke 21 records the parable of the Budding of the Fig Tree by Jesus. This parable is interpreted by many evangelical writers as a reference to the Regathering of Israel as prophesied by Ezekiel 38. It happened in 1948 as the nation was re-born miraculously as we prepare for the return of ...read more

Tags: Return Of Christ, Regathering, Israel, End Times, Prophecy, Second Coming, Parables, Rapture  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Joke To Share When Attendance In The First Service Begins To Drop

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 12, 2024

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The plaque was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven-year-old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25

Tags: Church, Worship, Pastors, Attending Church, Dead Churches  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Strong Foundation

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 2, 2025

The foundation of your house is important to making sure it continues to stand. The foundation of a skyscraper is even more important. Years ago, I read that the challenge for making buildings taller and taller was not adding floors on top – the challenge is adding to the base. Three ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27

Tags: Bible, Foundation

Denomination: Methodist

Are We Hypocrites?

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 13, 2025

I once saw a video of a pastor who had figures, covered with sheets, up in the front of the church. As he started to preach, they were uncovered and you could see monsters and scary characters related to Halloween. The preacher kept asking, “Should these be in the House of God?” The congregation ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-12

Tags: Holiness, Halloween, Hypocrite

Denomination: Methodist