In Sermon Illustrations: "Shepherds Life"

Redemption And Restoration In Real Life

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2022

Many years ago at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, there was a shooting of several people in the church parking lot and building that left three dead and three wounded. The young man, who had done the shooting, killed himself after being shot by a security guard. Earlier that day, he had ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:8-14

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness

Life Can Be A Series Of Dreams

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 7, 2023

Lately, I’ve been having some fascinating dreams at night. Usually, I don’t give much thought to dreams, but lately, I’ve been thinking more about them. Last night, for example, I had this exciting dream, and everything seemed to be coming in my direction, and then I woke up before the end. Once I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Tags: Dreams, Fanasty

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

When Life Sucks You In

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 6, 2025

Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming. One moment, he was perched in his cage singing his little heart out. The next, his whole world collapsed. It started when his owner decided to clean his cage with a vacuum cleaner. She took the nozzle off, stuck the hose inside, and at that very moment the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:2, Romans 8:28

Tags: Faith, Resilience

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Is Bitterness Still In Your Life?

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 1, 2025

Has someone ever said something ... or done something to you ... which you found ... difficult ... to forgive? Every time you hear their name, ... even if the incident happened years ago ... still brings uneasiness ... to your soul. It is ... as though you were reliving the event ... all over ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15, Ephesians 4:26, Matthew 5:23-24, Romans 12:19, Hebrews 12:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Forgiveness, Bitterness, Prisoner

Denomination: Anglican

Faith That Leads To Eternal Life

Contributed by Samuel Shamaun on Jan 20, 2026

Introduction Faith is the foundation of the Christian life. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith is not blind belief; it is trusting in the person and promises of Jesus Christ. Eternal life begins when we place our faith in Him. 1. Faith Is Trusting Jesus Alone Jesus said, “I am ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Tags: Faith, Eternal Life

Denomination: Pentecostal

Blackaby: What Does A Calling Look Like?  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 3, 2013

BLACKABY: WHAT DOES A CALLING LOOK LIKE? Henry Blackaby shares from his book "The Power of the Call" pages 10-14 a clear picture of what one looks like who is called by God into pastoral ministry: 1. The pastor is chosen 2. He is chosen by God 3. He is chosen by God to be His servant 4. He is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4, 1 John 4:7-10

Tags: Pastor, Leadership General, Elder, Shepherd

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Significance Of The Manger

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 9, 2023

If you try to point out something to a dog, the dog will often look at your finger instead of the object you’re trying to point to. This is frustrating, but it illustrates a natural mistake we all make from time to time. It’s the mistake many people make when reading the Christmas story in Luke’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Sign, Messiah, Christmas, Manger, Shepherds  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Six Chairs Of Prayer

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2008

Six Chairs of Prayer Chair One: My attitude towards prayer is that it is not important. I have no motivation to pray and no desire to pray. Nothing is happening in my life in regards to prayer. Chair Two: My attitude towards prayer is that it is optional. I have a motivation and a desire to pray ...read more

Tags: Life

Prayer - Cancer Patients Or Relay For Life Sunday

Contributed by David Simpson on Jan 15, 2013

PRAYER - Relay for Life Prayer – Road Atlanta- Hall County, Georgia Relay – June 1, 2012 Father God, You are our rock, our fortress, our strength… especially in the most difficult struggles of life. For all those gathered here today, bless them with your comforting peace and your reassuring ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:5, Psalm 39:7

Tags: Hope, Prayer, Prayer General

Denomination: Christian Church

The Secure Man's 23rd Psalm Says…  PRO

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Jun 8, 2006

The secure man’s 23rd Psalm says… I am my provider, I shall not be in want I have stored up hay if the grass is not green in the valley I have a big canteen just incase the waters are dried up I have a map so I can find the right path Even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I have ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1

Tags: Psalms, Shepherd, Pastures, Men And Women, Green  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

The People Are Hungry...

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 6, 2022

The people are hungry, and the empty religionist offers them some ceremony or empty words that can never satisfy. The people are hungry, and the atheists and skeptics try to convince them that they aren’t hungry at all. The people are hungry, and the religious showman gives them video and special ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Tags: Ministry, Sheep, Pastors, Spiritual Hunger, Shepherds  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Was, Yet Is

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jun 4, 2010

JESUS WAS, YET IS Back in the 4th century A.D., a man named Gregory of Nazianzus wrote these words that capture the identity of Jesus as one who is fully human, yet fully God: He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life. Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, ...read more

Tags: Jesus Life

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Life Is War. That's Not All It Is. But It Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Adam Cruse on Jul 18, 2001

“Life is war. That’s not all it is. But it is always that. Our weakness in prayer is owing largely to our neglect of this truth. Prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the powers of darkness and unbelief. It is not surprising that ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Colossians 1:9-18

Tags: Demons, Prayer Adoration

Denomination: Baptist

Earlier In His Life, Gandhi Was Actually ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Craver on Sep 27, 2001

Earlier in his life, Gandhi was actually considering becoming a Christian. He was attracted by the life and teachings of Jesus. Gandhi attended the services of a church in Pretoria, South Africa. He later wrote, "The congregation did not strike me as being particularly religious; they were not ...read more

Tags: What Is Evangelism?, Love Of The Disciples, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Brethren

A Life That Is Lived Focused Inward On Ourselves ...  PRO

Contributed by Daryl Bahn on Oct 5, 2001

A life that is lived focused inward on ourselves and downward on material things is a self-defeating life. It can be compared to a black hole—the more you possess, the more you collapse under your own weight. There is another life, though: a ...read more

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Finding Fulfillment, Money

Denomination: Lutheran

The Measure Of A Life, After All, Is Not Its ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation. ...read more

Tags: Christian Love, Giving General, Love Of The Disciples

John Wesley's Rule For His Life  PRO

Contributed by Dru Ashwell on Dec 16, 2001

John Wesley had this rule for his life: Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Christian Values, Christian Love, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Life Is No Brief Candle To Me. It Is A Sort Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Dru Ashwell on Dec 16, 2001

"Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before ...read more

Tags: Leadership General, Love Of The Disciples, Sharing Your Faith

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

To The Hardships Of Life, The Famous Poet Robert ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2002

To the hardships of life, the famous poet Robert Frost would say this: "In three words I can sum up everything ...read more

Tags: Endurance, God's Provision, Hardship Of Life

Success Is Finding God's Will For Your Life And ...  PRO

Contributed by Donn Heinrich on Feb 11, 2002

"Success is finding God’s will for your life and doing it" (Dr. Bob Jones, Sr., Founder of Bob Jones ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will

Denomination: Baptist