In Sermon Illustrations: "Sharpening Your Ax"

Stop Offering A Comfortable Christian Message

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

Most evangelistic appeals today pitch the gospel as the way to have an abundant life. “Jesus came to offer you abundant life. Trust in Him and He will give you peace, joy, and a truly happy life.” While all of those claims are true if properly defined, what the salesman hasn’t told the potential ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12, Luke 9:23, Galatians 2:20, Romans 12:1-2, Romans 1:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Commitment, Discipleship, Truth, Suffering, Greasy Grace, Comfortable Christianity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Prepared For Tough Times?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

Lord Joseph Duveen, American head of the art firm that bore his name, planned in 1915 to send one of his experts to England to examine some ancient pottery. He booked passage on the Lusitania. Then the German Embassy issued a warning that the liner might be torpedoed. Duveen wanted to call off ...read more

Tags: Commitment, Preparation, Hardships, Trials, Tough Times  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Make Room For The Tide!

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Mar 12, 2022

"Years ago, a wealthy businessman from London chartered a bus to carry a busload of urban children to the coast. There, the children spent a wonderful day at the ocean. Many of the children had never left the city. Most had never seen the ocean. For one blissful day, they ran unfettered over ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18

Tags: Make Room, Spirit Filled, Ocean, Full, Tide  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

His Rightful Place

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Apr 11, 2022

I have a dog named Simba. I named him Simba because he is the color of a lion and he has the personality of a lion even though he is a chihuahua. One afternoon, we were really tired and I decided to take a quick nap with Simba. Simba has a certain place on the bed beside me where he always lays. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, Luke 10:41

Tags: Putting God First, Resting, Making Room For God, Making Time For God

Denomination: Charismatic

How To Put Out A Fire

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 20, 2022

It was Pentecost Sunday. As the congregation filed into the church, the ushers handed each person a bright red carnation to symbolize the day's festive spirit. The people listened attentively to the reading of the Pentecost story from the Book of Acts about how the disciples had heard “what ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Tags: Giving, Tithes, Offerings

Love At Last!!!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 20, 2022

George, age 92 and Edith, age 89 are all excited about their decision to get married. They go for a stroll to discuss the wedding and on the way, they pass a drugstore. George suggests they go in and he addresses the man behind the counter. "Are you the owner? "The pharmacist answers, ...read more

Tags: Love, Marriage, Humor, Old Age, Weddings, Senior Adults  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Devil Paid For Her Groceries!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 27, 2023

An older lady came out on her porch every morning, and would raise her arms to the sky and shout, “Praise the Lord.” One day an atheist moved next door and over time he became very irritated with this worshipping woman. So every morning after he heard her exclamation of praise, he would shout out, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-10

Tags: Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Demons, Provisions, Needs, Worship, Praise  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Get Off The Bench And Get In The Game!

Contributed by Garris Hudson 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: Service, Ministry, Church, Disciples, Spiritual Gifts, Volunteers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Poverty In The World Today

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 3, 2024

According the zippia.com, the median average household income for the world is slightly under $3,000. That means if your family has an income of more than $3,000 per year, you are richer than half the people in the world! The average annual income in Burundi is $220. In Afghanistan, it is $390. ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 23:22, Deuteronomy 24:14-15, Proverbs 13:23, Proverbs 14:21, Proverbs 17:5, Matthew 26:11, Luke 6:20, Luke 4:18, James 2:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Relative Poverty, Extreme Poverty, Poverty, Generosity, Poor, Destitute, Unfortunate, Third World, Missions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Weaknesses Among The Best

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

A British man named Steve Cleary was in his early 50's, retired from the Royal Navy, and had started a second career. However, he just couldn't seem to get to work on time. Every day he was 5, 10, 15 minutes late. However, he was a good worker, really clever, so the owner was in a quandary ...read more

Scripture: James 3:2, Romans 3:23

Tags: Weaknesses, Perfection, Bad Habits, Flaws, Failings  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Doctrine Of Atonement

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 1, 2025

We need to have core beliefs that do not change over time – NO MATTER WHAT! The doctrine of atonement is under attack today. It is attacked by folks who look at humans and see each one as basically good who occasionally do bad things. They talk about each person’s freedom to become your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:17

Tags: Scripture, Atonement, Authentic, Holy God, Fallen World  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Stewardship Billfold Story - Humor

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 3, 2025

When I think of stewardship it brings to mind a story about a minister who was baptizing his new converts in a farm pond not far from the church. One of the gentlemen that was being baptized was a prosperous farmer known in his community for his tight grip on the dollar. When his name was called ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:8-12, Hebrews 7:1, Matthew 25:18, Matthew 6:21, Proverbs 3:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Baptism, Money, Steward, Stewardship

Denomination: Anglican

What You Believe About Jesus Mattters

Contributed by John Hamby on Jun 1, 2026

Does it matter WHAT You Believe about Jesus? C.S. Lewis very wisely wrote, “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people say about Him: 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 that we must ...read more

Scripture: John 11:26

Tags: Belief, Saving Faith

Denomination: Baptist

God's Timing Is Perfect

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 24, 2026

So Peter wants them to remember something that is very important, something we tend to forget: God’s timing is perfect! Amen? This can be hard for us to comprehend because we are the created and God is the Creator. The created can never fully understand the Creator. I have begun experimenting ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:8-9, Job 33:4, Psalm 139:14

Tags: Creator, God's Timing

Denomination: Methodist

Not My Job  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

NOT MY JOB The names in this story have been changed out of respect for their privacy. Julie W told her family's story in a magazine article. [My daughter], Allison, came home for the weekend. She opened the door, didn't speak, and dropped her duffel bag. Smudges of mascara circled her eyes. I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 15:20, Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Tags: Addiction

[175]. A Message From A Poem – Bema – The Judgement Seat Of Christ

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 22, 2025

[175]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BEMA – THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST What do Christians think of the judgement that is coming for Christians that is outlined in these very telling verses? – {{1 Corinthians 3:11-15 “for no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 John 2:28, Revelation 4:10-11, Matthew 10:42, Revelation 22:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Heaven, Judgment, Cup Of Cold Water, Bema, Judgment Seat Of Christ, Judged, Shame, Penalty, Judge, Rewards, Ashamed, Reward  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Michael Is The Kind Of Guy You Love To Hate. He ...  PRO

Contributed by Dennis Selfridge on Jan 16, 2003

Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was ...read more

Tags: Learning, Finding Fulfillment

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Cheerful Girl With Bouncy Golden Curls Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Dennis Fakes on Nov 10, 2003

The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box "Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?" Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box ...read more

Tags: Giving General, God The Father, God's Provision

Denomination: Lutheran

I Love My Dentist?" Luke 1:26-37 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 7, 2005

“I Love My Dentist?” Luke 1:26-37 Key verse(s): 31:“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” I love my dentist? Do you love yours? Unfortunately dentists have really gotten a bad rap over time. Many see them as the evil pain-giver, the one who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-37

Tags: Peace, Joy

Denomination: Lutheran

Root Beer Thirst --- ...

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Apr 3, 2010

Root Beer Thirst --- --- As a kid in High School, I loved to go to amusement parks, and so did my friends. We only had a couple of amusement parks in the SF Bay Area and my high school buddies and I were able to convince our parents to drop us off at one of these amusement parks that was like a six ...read more

Tags: Stress

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational