In Sermon Illustrations: "Starting The Year"

Get In The Barrel

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Oct 18, 2017

A man was type rope walking across Niagara Falls. As he made his first attempt, it seemed like the draft from the falls would pull him down. With some struggle, he got to the other side and returned. A crowd began to gather. He asked: "how many of you believe I can take this wheel barrel across and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, Exodus 14:29-30

Tags: Faith, Obedience, Red Sea, Dry Land, Lord Saved Israel, Lord Destroyed Egypt, True Faith Trust God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fools

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Aug 16, 2021

It was a cold and silent night. The weather was freezing cold. A group of monkeys were on a tree. They were clinging to its branches. One of the monkeys said, “I wish we could find some fire. It will help us to keep warm.” Suddenly they noticed a flock of fireflies. One of the young monkeys ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20, Ephesians 5:15-20

Tags: Fools, Correcting A Fool

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Contentious Spirit - Speaking Strife

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 11, 2025

Here’s a fun fact: You don’t actually have to correct someone when they’re wrong. Shocking, I know! There’s no official appointment letter naming you Earth’s Guardian of Truth and Accuracy. (If there is, it probably got lost in the mail.) Sometimes, it’s okay to just let it go—yes, even if they ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:9, Proverbs 26:21

Tags: Contentious, Strife, Contentious Spirit

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Unintended Hero

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

A rich millionaire decides to throw a massive party for his 50th birthday, so during this party he grabs the microphone and he announces to his guests that down in the garden of his mansion he has a swimming pool with two great white sharks in it. 'I will give anything they desire of mine, to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16, Judges 4:8, Judges 6:11-39, 1 Samuel 10:22, Exodus 4:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Cowards, Hesitancy, Fear, Weakness, Unlikely, Heroes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Thief And Parrot

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Aug 7, 2025

One night, a thief broke into a big, rich house. He wanted to steal expensive things. He looked around and started putting gold and jewelry into his bag. As he walked through the house, he suddenly heard a voice say: "Jesus is watching you." The thief stopped. He looked around but didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 5:21

Tags: Parrot, God, Thief, Watching

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Story From Eastern Europe

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 21, 2025

Story: I would like to leave you with a story from Eastern Europe A man came into Court to give evidence, but he considered the Bible too holy to swear an oath on and so refused to do so. The lawyer for the defence approached the bench and asked for the man to be excused that formality, because ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Tags: Judge, Piety, Lawyer

Denomination: Anglican

A Story From Eastern Europe

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 27, 2025

Story: I would like to leave you with a story from Eastern Europe A man came into Court to give evidence, but he considered the Bible too holy to swear an oath on and so refused to do so. The lawyer for the defence approached the bench and asked for the man to be excused that formality, because ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Tags: Holy, Rumor

Denomination: Anglican

The Biggest Star Of The 2002 World Cup Was ...

Contributed by Victor Yap on Aug 29, 2002

The biggest star of the 2002 World Cup was twenty-five years-old Ronaldo of the victorious Brazil team, the highest goalscorer and the comeback story of the tournament. When he was seventeen, he had his first taste of the World Cup as a non-playing reserve. Four years later Ronaldo was twice the ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, Endurance

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It Like The Family That Was Down Fishing At The ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeremy Houck on Jun 18, 2005

It like the family that was down fishing at the pier one day, The dad was busy watching the rods and bobbers while his two sons, a 12-year old and a 3-year old were down playing along the dock. The 12 year old was supposed to be watching his little brother, but he got distracted. The 3 year old, ...read more

Tags: Compassion, Lordship Of Christ

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In America, It Takes 85 People Working Over The ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Luthy on May 8, 2001

In America, it takes 85 people working over the course of an entire year to produce 1 convert. ...read more

Tags: Workplace Evangelism, Evangelism How To

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Average American Watches An Equivalent Of 52 ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 6, 2006

The Average American watches an equivalent of 52 days of TV a year. (Foster Letter ...read more

Tags: Television And Movies

The Average American Gift Giver

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 18, 2006

The average American gift giver spends $2,062 a year on gifts. (Foster Letter ...read more

Tags: Giving General

95% Of All Adults Saw At Least One Movie In The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2006

95% of all adults saw at least one movie in the past year. (Foster Letter ...read more

Tags: Television And Movies

Homeschoolers Are Expected To Grow At The Rate Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Homeschoolers are expected to grow at the rate of 7%-15% a year for the foreseeable future. (Foster ...read more

Tags: Children

Homeshooling Is Expected To Grow 10% To 15% Per ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Homeshooling is expected to grow 10% to 15% per year for the foreseeable future. (Foster Letter ...read more

Tags: Children

Hallmark Reports 50 Million Americans Participate ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 3, 2006

Hallmark reports 50 million Americans participate in Halloween every year. (Foster letter ...read more

Bottled Water Industry

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 3, 2006

The bottled-water industry is now a $7.7 billion a year market. (Foster letter ...read more

Tags: Money

To Perceive Christmas Through Its Wrappings ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 17, 2006

To perceive Christmas through its wrappings becomes more difficult with every year. E. B. ...read more

Tags: Christmas Advent

Roughly Half Of Americans Report Economizing To ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 14, 2007

Roughly half of Americans report economizing to compensate for the increase in gas prices over the ...read more

An Extra Soda A Day Can Add As Much As 15 Pounds ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 19, 2007

An extra soda a day can add as much as 15 pounds of weight to person in a ...read more