In Sermon Illustrations: "Shepherd Boy"

In 1914; Sir Earnest Shackleton, And Explorer ...

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Jan 19, 2010

In 1914; Sir Earnest Shackleton, and explorer from England attempted to cross Antarctica. His exploration didn’t go so well though as his ship, “The Endurance,” was caught in the ice pack and slowly crushed as the ice closed in around it. Luckily, Shackleton and his crew managed to make it off ...read more

Tags: Second Coming

Denomination: Independent/Bible

I Don't Want To Be A Fireman

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 20, 2011

I DON'T WANT TO BE A FIREMAN I recall a conversation I once had with a precocious little boy we once had in the church I pastored for 10 years in Wiesbaden. I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. "Well," he replied, "I don't want to be a fireman." I'd never had a kid tell me what ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Baptist

Sweet Surrender  PRO

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 17, 2014

Abraham laid down his Isaac. Lay down your Isaac today and remember the words of Andrew Murray: God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him. Bruce Larson tells how he helped people struggling to surrender their lives to Christ: "For many years I worked in New ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-18, Genesis 22:8

Tags: Surrender, Consecration, Testing Faith, Abraham And Isaac

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Are The Men?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 1, 2016

WHERE ARE THE MEN? Churches in America are needing more than just a few good men. Here are the statistics from God Facts: *** The typical U.S. Congregation draws an adult crowd that’s 61% female, 39% male. *** On any given Sunday, there are 13 million more adult women than men in America’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-10

Tags: Men, Church Attendance, Ministry To Men

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Illustration Of Giving

Contributed by John Oscar on Jan 15, 2017

A family came home from church one Sunday and after they had lunch they sent their 6-year-old son off to play. After awhile, his mother realized that they hadn’t heard much from him, which any parent knows is a recipe for disaster. The mother got up from her recliner and walked to the child's ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, Malachi 3:6-12

Tags: Faith, Offering, Giving, Tithe Or Give, Tithes And Offering  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Putting Away Childish Things

Contributed by Rick Boyne on May 6, 2018

When I was a little boy, I had a whole set of Tonka Toy cars, trucks, dump trucks, tractors, and even an excavator! It seems like we always had a pile of dirt to play in, or at the very least our gravel driveway. I could play with them in the mud; I could play with them in the garage; I could play ...read more

Tags: Maturity, Toys, Growing Up

Denomination: Baptist

When A Man's World Is Right

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jul 1, 2018

One Saturday morning a minister was busily trying to prepare his sermon under the most difficult conditions. It was a rainy day, and his young son was restless and bored, with little to do. Finally, in desperation, the minister picked up an old magazine and thumbed through it until he came to a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:12-14, Romans 10:9-10, 1 John 2:15-17

Tags: Change, Born Again, Daughter, World, Father, Children, Son  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Been In The Hog All The Time

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Aug 21, 2019

The elder son of an old farmer left home and traveled to New York. He went there to attend a notable Butcher’s College. After graduation, he returned home only to find his father in the middle of hog killing and cutting. He asked his father if he might help him. The father replied: son I’ve been ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, John 5:39, Acts 17:11

Tags: Faith, Baptism, Holy Ghost, Remission Of Sins, One Faith, One Baptism, Rightly Divide Word Of Truth, Cut It Out Right, All Kinds Of Cuts  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mercy In A World War 2 Battle

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 1, 2020

Here is a unique, moving story about "MERCY" from the Second World War: The American pilot glanced outside his cockpit and froze. He blinked hard and looked again, hoping it was just a mirage. But his co-pilot stared at the same horrible vision. “Dear God, this is a nightmare,” the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Hate, Ww2, Mercy, Beatitudes, War  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Importance Of Children's Ministry

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 21, 2020

Children can surely come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as amply testified by the following well known believers... Polycarp, the great church father, was nine when he was saved. Matthew Henry was eleven. Jonathan Edwards, America’s greatest theologian, was seven. Hymn writer, Isaac Watts, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:14, 2 Timothy 3:14-16

Tags: Children, Salvation, Missions, Call Of God, Ministers, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Things Get Smelly!

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 22, 2021

When I was around eight, we were visiting some cousins out on the farm and as all kids back then we played tag. I went zipping around the barn and stepped in a slick patty. I fell, slid and rolled through a copious amount of bovine excrement. When I was able to stand up I went to the porch and ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 16:4-12

Tags: Love, Forgiveness, Stink

Denomination: Baptist

Kidnapped

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Aug 8, 2022

It was December 5 - and I was turning 50 years old. My wife and I went out for dinner with some close friends. During dinner I was informed that we were staying at a hotel by the airport tonight because we had to catch a flight in the morning. Surprise! Happy birthday! Fred, we are taking you on ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1, John 14:1-17, Philippians 4:6-7

Tags: Peace, Birthday

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Carrying The World On Your Shoulders?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 15, 2023

Bruce Larson tells how he helped people struggling to surrender their lives to Christ: "For many years I worked in New York City and counseled at my office any number of people who were wrestling with this yes-or-no decision. Often I would suggest they walk with me from my office down to the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:22, Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: Cares, Faith, Worry, Surrender, Burdens, Problems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The False Foundations In The Kinsey Report  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 7, 2002

THE FALSE FOUNDATIONS IN THE KINSEY REPORT Almost 50 years ago, Alfred Kinsey, a quiet Midwestern Zoology professor, published the 1st of 2 volumes that would shake American culture to its foundations. His 1948 book, Sexual Behavior in the Human Male - like its 1953 sequel, Sexual Behavior in ...read more

Tags: Fornication, Addiction, Sexuality, Temptation Sex, Population  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Not Because Me, But Because Of You Lord!

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on May 12, 2019

Not because me, but because of You! Illus. From Guideposts, “Miracles of Healing” There was a woman and her son Mark that went shopping in a large department store one day. On their way down to the main floor her son hopped on the escalator. She then followed. Suddenly her son Mark screamed like ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Tags: Mothers, Faith, Trust, Miracles

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Daily Confession Of Who I Am In Christ ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Dec 4, 2003

[“My Daily Confession of Who I am in Christ Jesus,” Larry Millemon] I am free from the curse of the law—poverty, sickness, and death. (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) Jesus was made the curse for me. (Galatians 3:3) I am no longer under the bondages of Satan; I’ve been translated into the Kingdom of God. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7

Tags: Basics Of Christianity, Worry

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trapper John  PRO

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on Jun 3, 2008

TRAPPER JOHN Living in a remote forest at the northern edge of Canada, Trapper John made his closest friendship with his faithful German shepherd, Duke. Every few days he and Duke would take the overnight trek to check the traps. Selling animal pelts at the trading post in the distant town ...read more

Tags: Judgment

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Born, And ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Born, And Born-again The birth of a baby is a wonderful thing! Doctors, nurses and parents regularly speak of the miracle of the birth of a child. News of a child’s birth is often reported by newspaper and radio, especially in rural areas. Exciting as it is, however, no natural birth of ...read more

Scripture: John 3:7

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Mother Is Born By Regina ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 27, 2010

A Mother Is Born by Regina Phillips My first child, a daughter, was born on July 27, 2000, and I found I was completely unprepared. I thought I was ready for her birth. I had read my books and articles on childbirth and baby care; I had bought everything on my shopping checklist. The nursery was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:15

Tags: Children, Mothers