In Sermon Illustrations: "Souls"

Things That Will ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Things That Will NOT Save Your Soul 1. Church Membership 2. Baptism 3. The Lord’s Supper / Communion 4. Confirmation 5. Giving money to the poor 6. Giving money to the church 7. Saying prayers 8. Keeping the Ten Commandments 9. Obeying the “Golden Rule” 10. Doing “the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Riches Of Grace

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Charles Spurgeon said: "What riches of grace does free forgiveness exhibit! To forgive at all, to forgive fully, to forgive freely, to forgive ever! Here is a constellation of wonders, and when I think of how great my sins were, how dear were the precious drops which cleansed me from them, I am ...read more

Tags: God's Forgiveness

Rest In Peace Until I Come

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 7, 2023

The wife ... of a man who had recently died ... assumed ... they were well off financially, ... so she gave him a very nice funeral ... and a fancy tombstone that read, ... Rest in Peace. However, ... when the estate was settled ... she was informed by their attorney ... that he had wasted all ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:9-10, Mark 2:23-28, Exodus 34:21, Matthew 11:28

Tags: Peace, Sabbath, Rest

Denomination: Anglican

Do You Believe Things About Christ Or Do You Believe On Christ?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 22, 2024

Herschel Ford once wrote, “There is a difference between believing something ABOUT Jesus and believing ON Him. We can believe that He is the Virgin-born Son of God, that He lived a sinless life, that He died on the cross, that He rose from the grave, that He is coming again—we can believe all ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-34

Tags: Assurance, Works, Faith, Grace, Believe, Trust, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Workaholic's 23rd Psalm

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

The Workaholic’s 23rd Psalm by Ed Vasicek The Lord is my foreman, I shall not rest. He makes me mow down the green pastures. He leads me to generators beside rapid waters. He wears out my soul. He shoves me to conferences for my schedule's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:6, Ecclesiastes 9:9, Ecclesiastes 6:2, Luke 10:38-42

Tags: Workaholic, Addicted To Adrenaline, Extremism, Overly Conscientious, Obeying In All Things, Success, Balance, Conscience, Materialism, Work Ethic, Driven  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Billy Graham Awarded Golden Congressional Medal

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 22, 2009

BILLY GRAHAM AWARDED GOLDEN CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL On Thursday May 2, 1996, Dr. Billy Graham was awarded the Golden Congressional Medal, the highest honor this country can bestow upon an individual - only 263 individuals had ever received this in the history of the United States of America. In his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Tags: Attitude General

We Can Love Him With Our Mind By Reading All The ...

Contributed by Sean Harder on Dec 4, 2009

We can love him with our mind by reading all the great things he has done for us, we can have warm loving feelings toward him because of these things, but may I suggest that this is where many Christians are stuck. The part that is lacking is an experience of Him that makes the thoughts and ...read more

Tags: Love For God

The Preacher And The Farmer  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 5, 2011

THE PREACHER AND THE FARMER Years ago, a young man had just gotten out of Bible College where he’d spent several years learning all the theological terminology that he thought would make him a successful preacher. He’d just been hired at a country church and he was determined to begin bringing new ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Tags: Evangelism How To

The Auctioneer And The Old Violin

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 20, 2020

Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while To waste much time on the old violin, But held it up with a smile. ‘What am I bidden, good folks,’ he cried, ‘Who’ll start the bidding for me? A dollar, a dollar,’ then ‘Two; Only two? Two dollars, and who’ll make it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, John 3:1-7

Tags: New Birth, Jesus, Salvation, Cross, Redemption, Change, Transformation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Macedonian Vision Sent The Gospel Westward!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 4, 2022

Perhaps Paul found it somewhat difficult at first to understand the reason for the blocking of his way in Acts 16. However, he was not long in doubt. For Paul had a vision in the night, and there stood before him a "man of Macedonia" beseeching him, and saying, "Come over into ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Evangelism, America, Gospel, Missions, Will Of God, England, Sovereignty Of God, Global Outreach  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Many Years Ago C.s. Lewis Wrote The Screwtape ...  PRO

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Dec 4, 2003

Many years ago C.S. Lewis wrote the Screwtape Letters. Screwtape was an assistant devil writing to his nephew Wormwood. Screwtape was telling his nephew how to make the "patient" leave the camp of the arch enemy, the Prince of Peace, and dwell in the camp of the real boss, the prince of darkness. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:4, Matthew 3:1-12

Tags: Temptation Pride

Denomination: Lutheran

Passing Through The Shadows!" 1 Corinthians ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 21, 2005

“Passing Through The Shadows!” 1 Corinthians 11:23-34 Key verse(s): 26:“‘For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes’.” “Smile and the world smiles with you! Cry and you cry alone.” Walking through life with a smile on our faces is something to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-34

Tags: Easter Maundy Thursday

Denomination: Lutheran

A Pastor Was Preparing A Christmas Message And ...  PRO

Contributed by Harold Miller on Dec 15, 2000

A pastor was preparing a Christmas message and fell asleep in his study at the church. He dreamed that he was in a world into which Jesus had never come. He walked out on the streets, but no church spires pointed to heaven. He was summoned by a weeping child to visit her dying mother, but on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11

Tags: God Brings Hope, Forgiveness In Jesus, Jesus Is The Way, Christmas Advent

Denomination: Mennonite

Four Preachers Confess  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Aug 4, 2001

Illus.: Four Preachers Confess Four preachers met for a friendly gathering. During the conversation one preacher said, “Our people come to us and pour out their hears, confess certain sins and needs. Let’s do the same. Confession is good for the soul.” In due time all agree. One of them said that ...read more

Tags: Sin Exposed

Denomination: Wesleyan

Two Ladies Were Sharing Lunch Together When One ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian Archer on Aug 16, 2001

Two Ladies were sharing lunch together when one said to the other: "I don’t know many Christians, but somehow I can’t help regarding them as hypocrites." Said the other, "But your sister-in-law, she lives in the same house with you; surely you must acknowledge that she is a devoted ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of, Great Commission, Sharing Your Faith

Denomination: Baptist

One Night, A Thief Stole A Car Not Realizing The ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Nov 28, 2001

One night, a thief stole a car not realizing the awesome danger he was facing. On the passenger’s seat, the owner had placed a box of crackers laced with rat poison. When the Police were alerted about the stolen VW they tripled their search for the vehicle and the thief. If they did not get to the ...read more

Tags: Promises Of God, Evangelism Fear Of, Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Time It Was My Privilege To Watch The Ascent ...  PRO

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 1, 2001

"One time it was my privilege to watch the ascent of a balloon. It was bound to the earth by many cords. As the process of filling it with gas began, it struggled to get free. The first line was cut, and immediately that side was lifted from the earth. Then the second and third ropes were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

Tags: Holy Spirit, Heaven, Love Of The Disciples, Second Coming

Denomination: Church Of God

I Am Inwardly Fashioned For Faith, Not For Fear. ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 11, 2001

I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear is not my native land; faith is. I am so made that worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil. I live better by faith and confidence than by fear, doubt and anxiety. In anxiety and worry, my being is gasping for ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:14, Hebrews 10:35

Tags: Faith, Fear And Worry, Doubt

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fashioned For Faith  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 16, 2002

FASHIONED FOR FAITH I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear is not my native land; faith is. I am so made that worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil. I live better by faith and confidence than by fear, doubt and anxiety. In anxiety and worry, my ...read more

Tags: Fear And Worry, Faith General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Henry Durbanville Felt That Way. In His Book The ...  PRO

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Oct 18, 2002

Henry Durbanville felt that way. In his book The Best Is Yet To Be he wrote, "I feel so sorry for folks who don’t like to grow old...I revel in my years. They enrich me...I would not exchange...the abiding rest of soul, the measure of wisdom I have gained from the sweet and bitter and perplexing ...read more

Tags: Giving Yourself, Family, Finding Fulfillment

Denomination: Mennonite