In Sermon Illustrations: "Sin Punishment Of"

Hush Puppies

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Aug 27, 2014

Are you familiar with the brush-suede shoe called Hush Puppies? It was popular when I was a kid. The brand was all but dead until late 1994. Sales were down to 30,000 pairs a year, mostly sold in backwoods outlets and small-town family stores. Wolverine, the company that makes Hush Puppies, was ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:10

Tags: Prayer Power, Importance Of Prayer

Denomination: Baptist

A Bag With Holes

Contributed by James Dina on Dec 1, 2020

A BAG WITH HOLES “You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” (Haggai 1:6) There are many rich people in the ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:6

Tags: Defense, Holes

Denomination: Pentecostal

Solar Powered

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Apr 27, 2021

The other day I was sitting on my back porch. On my porch is a bird bath with a small solar-powered fountain. The fountain only works when the sun is directly on it and, since that day was a clear day, the fountain was operating at full steam. As I was sitting enjoying the day a brief passing ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12

Tags: Spirit, John, Light, Power, Life, Darkness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Mothers Cannot Do

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 19, 2022

I gave you life, but I cannot live it for you. I can teach you things but I cannot make you learn. I can give you directions but I cannot always be there to lead you. I can allow you freedom but I cannot account for it. I can take you to church but I cannot make you believe. I can teach ...read more

Tags: Mothers, Mother's Day, Parenting, Home, Education, Children  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[006]. A Message From A Poem - A New Creation - From Death Unto Life

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 29, 2024

[006]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - A NEW CREATION - FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE This is an unusual poem that may not appeal to everyone, but it is based on emotions experienced by many who don’t know Jesus in their lives. The first, third and fifth stanzas are the viewpoint of one suffering in his/her ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:20, Ecclesiastes 12:8, Ecclesiastes 12:13

Tags: Solution, No Hope, No Satisfaction, Salvation, Miserable  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Light Of The World

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jan 20, 2025

Did you know that on the 2nd of January first thing in the morning, just the other day, like in the wee small hours this occurred, and the next night this occurred? [Photos of Aurora Australis] The second one is not the sunset, that is 3am at Blockhouse Bay in Auckland, the first is Queenstown. Did ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, John 1:7, Galatians 5:17

Tags: Conflict, Victory, Light Of The World, Feast Of Tabernacles, Divine Light, Victorious Living, The Blood Of Jesus, Aurora Australis, God's Redemption Plan  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Rescatado De Las Profundidades: La Providencia Divina En Medio Del Peligro

Contributed by Carlos Vazquez on Feb 18, 2025

El 8 de febrero de 2025, en la bahía El Águila, cerca de Punta Arenas en la Patagonia chilena, Adrián Simancas, un joven de 24 años, vivió una experiencia que parece sacada de las páginas de la Biblia. Mientras practicaba piragüismo junto a su padre, Meydell ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:17, Psalm 34:19

Tags: Miracles, Deliverance, Providence, Trials, Afflictions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

[284]. A Message From A Poem – The Natural And The Supernatural

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 5, 2026

[284]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE NATURAL AND THE SUPERNATURAL The Natural is what the world is. The Supernatural is what the Christian is in the world. This poem had its start in 1970 with the first three stanzas, but later on I added the balance, and that was the last three stanzas. If the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12, Titus 3:7, Isaiah 48:22

Tags: The Natural, Peace, Hope, The Word Of God, Atheists, The Supernatural, Christian Poems, Evolution  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"see? I Was Right."

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

I've been in a discussion with my wife, and we'll call it a discussion, where I have looked at her and said four words I should not have said: "See? I was right." Now, if you've ever done this, you already know the problem. The look on her face made it very clear that being ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:31-32

Tags: Pride, The Gospel

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Switch In Time On My Behind

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 2, 2022

Recently, I was reminded of my father’s passing 12 years ago. It’s funny how time quickly goes by, and then something happens to remind you of the past. When I was growing up, spankings were normal. And, for someone like me, those spankings were quite regular. Today my father would be arrested for ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Tags: Humor, Discipline

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Declare You The Winner  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 29, 2004

I DECLARE YOU THE WINNER I was watching some little kids play soccer. These kids were only five or six years old, but they were playing a real game- a serious game- two teams, complete with coaches, uniforms, and parents. I didn’t know any of them, so I was able to enjoy the game without the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13

Tags: Children, Anger, Rage, Parenting, Unconditional Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Loving Your Enemies In Rwanda  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 8, 2010

Loving Your Enemies in Rwanda Rwanda is a tiny country in Central Africa, a bit bigger than Northern Ireland, with a population of over 8 million people, and thousands of hills. Rwanda is a beautiful country of hills, mountains, forests, lakes, laughing children, markets full of busy people, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-36

Tags: Forgiveness For Others

[202]. A Message From A Poem – Pictures From A Counting Song - (Part 1)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 16, 2025

[202]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – PICTURES FROM A COUNTING SONG - (PART 1) THIS IS PART 1 OF THE POEM WITH PART 2 TO FOLLOW IN THE NEXT POSTING. “ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE” OR “1, 2, BUCKLE MY SHOE” is a counting song dating back to late 18th century in the USA. It was heard for the first time ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:2-5

Tags: Nursery Rhyme, Christian Poems, Wrentham Massachusetts, Christian Application, Counting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[271]. A Message From A Poem – The "I Ams” Of John’s Gospel

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 21, 2026

[271]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE “I AMs” OF JOHN’S GOSPEL There are 7 or 8 of the great “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John. I have done these in a Series on SermonCentral – about 18 messages I think - ...read more

Scripture: John 6:20, John 10:7, John 6:35, John 14:6, John 10:11, John 15:1, John 8:12, John 11:25, John 8:58  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: The I Ams Of John, I Am The Good Shepherd, I Am The Resurrection, I Am The Light Of The World, I Am The True Vine, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Truth, Life, I Am, I Am The Way, I Am The Door, I Am The Bread Of Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[350]. A Message From A Poem - Worthy Worthy Is The Lamb

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 16, 2026

[350]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - WORTHY WORTHY IS THE LAMB The setting for this poem is Revelation chapters 4 and 5. The scene is in heaven where the Bride of Christ is gathered, a mighty number of people purchased by the blood of the Lamb. As should be the case, Jesus is in the midst. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:2-3, Revelation 4:10-11, Revelation 5:9-10, Revelation 5:6

Tags: Honor, Glory, Worship, Praise, Power, Worthy, Worthy Is The Lamb, Jesus On The Throne, Christian Poems, The Church In Heaven, The 24 Elders  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A National Prayer Of Repentance  PRO

Contributed by Troy Borst on May 31, 2001

A NATIONAL PRAYER OF REPENTANCE Joe Wright is the pastor of Central Christian Church in Wichita, KS. On January 23, 1996, He was asked to be the guest chaplain for the Kansas State House in Topeka. He prayed a prayer of repentance that was written by Bob Russell, pastor of Southeast ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-21

Tags: Walk, Controversial, Independence Day, National, Prayer Confession, Prayer, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Fact That God Forgives Us And Blesses Us When ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Jul 11, 2001

The fact that God forgives us and blesses us when we don’t deserve it, and of course, we never really deserve it, is what makes grace such a risky thing. Author Philip Yancey, in his book What’s So Amazing About Grace, calls these things loopholes. We all understand loopholes. Webster’s defines ...read more

Tags: Grace, God's Forgiveness, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Leave Your Guilt Behind—communion Meditation  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 3, 2002

LEAVE YOUR GUILT BEHIND--COMMUNION MEDITATION In their book Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey write: "Amputees often experience some sensation of a phantom limb. Somewhere, locked in their brains, a memory lingers of the nonexistent hand or leg. Invisible toes curl, ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness General, Forgiveness For Others, God's Forgiveness

A National Prayer Of Repentance  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 30, 2002

A NATIONAL PRAYER OF REPENTANCE Joe Wright is the pastor of Central Christian Church in Wichita, KS. On January 23, 1996, He was asked to be the guest chaplain for the Kansas State House in Topeka. He prayed a prayer of repentance that was written by Bob Russell, pastor of Southeast Christian ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:34, Jonah 3:6-10, Jeremiah 18:7-14, Acts 2:1-13

Tags: Christian Liberty, Gambling, Prayer, Repentance, Men, Independence Day  (view more)  (view less)

The Concept Of Grace  PRO

Contributed by Rick Labate on Feb 19, 2003

THE CONCEPT OF GRACE There is a great article that illustrates the concept of grace written by Charles Stanley. “One of my more memorable seminary professors had a practical way of illustrating to his students the concept of grace. At the end of his evangelism course he would distribute the exam ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, Matthew 13:1-9

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness In Jesus, Two Or Three, Surrender

Denomination: Adventist