In Sermon Illustrations: "Successful"

When Evangelist John Wesley (1703-1791) Was ...

Contributed by Donnie Martin on May 10, 2010

When evangelist John Wesley (1703-1791) was returning home from a service one night, he was robbed. The thief, however, found his victim to have only a little money and some Christian literature. As the bandit was leaving, Wesley called out, “Stop! I have something more to give you.” The surprised ...read more

Tags: Blood Of Christ

Denomination: Baptist

It’s All ...

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jul 7, 2010

It’s All Mine George W. Truett, a well-known pastor, was invited to dinner in the home of a very wealthy man in Texas. After the meal, the host led him to a place where they could get a good view of the surrounding area. Pointing to the oil wells punctuating the landscape, he boasted, “Twenty-five ...read more

Tags: Possession

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible Found Me

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 29, 2010

THE BIBLE FOUND ME G. Campbell Morgan had already enjoyed some success as a preacher by the time he was 19 years old. But then he was attacked by doubts about the Bible. The writings of various scientists and agnostics disturbed him (e.g., Charles Darwin, John Tyndall, Thomas Huxley, and Herbert ...read more

Tags: Doubt

Denomination: Brethren

The Bible Found Me

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 18, 2011

THE BIBLE FOUND ME G. Campbell Morgan had already enjoyed some success as a preacher by the time he was 19 years old. But then he was attacked by doubts about the Bible. The writings of various scientists and agnostics disturbed him (e.g., Charles Darwin, John Tyndall, Thomas Huxley, and Herbert ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:19-21

Tags: Doubt, Warning

What's Really Wrong With Me

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on May 20, 2011

WHAT'S REALLY WRONG WITH ME These are the words of a bloke who grew up in the Salvation Army, "The year 1950 found us, my wife and I and three small children, living in our new bungalow in the seaside city of Timaru. Success had come in business and academic life, musical compositions were being ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Salvation Army

Don't Just Focus On The "Pops And Sizzles"

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Mar 17, 2012

DON'T JUST FOCUS ON THE "POPS AND SIZZLES" There once was a man who owned a record company. Besides running the record company, he spent many hours in production listening to the "master disc," from which was the record and all subsequent records were pressed. Over the years his ears became adept ...read more

Tags: Faults

Denomination: Brethren

Communication: A Cowboy Named Fred  PRO

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Nov 19, 2012

COMMUNICATION: A COWBOY NAMED FRED A cowboy lay sprawled across three entire seats in the posh Amarillo Theater. When the usher came by and noticed this, he whispered to the cowboy, "Sorry, sir, but you're only allowed one seat." The cowboy groaned but didn't budge. The usher became more ...read more

Tags: Communication General

Denomination: Baptist

This Morning We Begin With A ‘trivial Pursuit' ...

Contributed by Jim Kane on Apr 7, 2008

This morning we begin with a ‘Trivial Pursuit’ type question. (Slide 1) The United States Army once had a Camel Corps. The year the Camel Corp was organized was: A) 1917 B) 1856 C) 2003 D) 1943 The correct answer is 1856. According to wikipedia, some of our national leaders felt that having ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

Pray Continually

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 23, 2008

PRAY CONTINUALLY I read an incredible story this past week on one of the Internet forums of which I am a member. The story was told of a man whom was not even identified because he was unknown. Missionaries Bill and Molly Thompson told of a man who went to a large city in Columbia many years ...read more

Tags: Intercession

I Have A Video Tape Of My Favorite Basketball ...

Contributed by Art Good on Nov 6, 2008

I have a video tape of my favorite basketball player of all time. His name is Larry Bird. The name of the tape is “Winning Basketball”. The tape is all about the various skills that are needed to be successful at the game of basketball. It’s sort of an instructional video to make the viewer ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Denomination: Wesleyan

Don't Quit

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Nov 17, 2008

DON’T QUIT When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low, and the debts are high, and you want to smile, but you have to sigh. When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must, but don’t you quit. Life is queer ...read more

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Baptist

So What Is A Vision? George Barna Defines It As, ...

Contributed by Tim Smith on Dec 10, 2008

So what is a vision? George Barna defines it as, "Vision for ministry is a clear mental image of a preferable future imparted by God to His chosen servants and is based upon an accurate understanding of God, self and circumstances." Vision is more than simply what could be. It’s something that must ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of

Denomination: Methodist

Post-It Notes

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

POST-IT NOTES In 1968, Dr. Spencer Silver, a scientist at 3M in the United States, developed a "low-tack", reusable, pressure-sensitive adhesive. For five years, Silver promoted his invention within 3M, both informally and through seminars, but without much success. In 1974, a colleague of his, ...read more

Tags: Bible Study

Prof. Howard Hendricks Of Dallas Theo. Seminary ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Feb 25, 2009

Prof. Howard Hendricks of Dallas Theo. Seminary said: Years ago in a church in Dallas we were having trouble finding a teacher for a junior high boys’ class. The list of prospects had only one name -- and when they told me who it was I said, "You’ve got to be kidding." But I couldn’t have been ...read more

Tags: Prayer Answered

Denomination: Pentecostal

Is God In Residence?

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 27, 2009

IS GOD IN RESIDENCE? I once saw a poster of a valentine-shaped heart with a castle on top of it. There was a flag with a slogan, oversized and coming out of the top of the castle. The slogan read: "Joy is the banner flown from the heart when the King is in residence." Well, stupid me, I didn’t ...read more

Tags: Joy

Denomination: *other

All Things Work Together

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 15, 2020

My wife makes an amazing pot roast dinner. She takes raw meat, along with raw sliced white and sweet potatoes, celery, mushrooms, carrots, and onions and throws them into the slow cooker. Six or seven hours later the aroma fills the house, and the first taste is a delight. It is always to my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Tags: Suffering, Purpose, Conformity, Trials

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Baptizing A Drunk  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Oct 12, 2005

BAPTIZING A DRUNK A man was stumbling through the woods, totally drunk, when he came upon a preacher baptizing people in the river. He proceeded to walk into the water and bumped into the preacher. The preacher turned around and, though almost overcome by the smell of alcohol, asked the drunk, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Peace, Peanut Butter, People, Others, Lose, Loser, Love, Knowledge, Love Heart, Mistakes, Kids, Shortcut, Prayer, Storm, Time Is At Hand, Transformation, Trial, Tribulation, Succeed, Success, Successful, Witness, Finding God, Baptism, Accept Jesus, Children, Child  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Wesleyan

Some Time Ago An 18-Year-Old Girl From Washington ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian Archer on Aug 16, 2001

Some time ago an 18-year-old girl from Washington state attended a worship service. For the first time in her life she heard the gospel message. The following Tuesday the members of the church received a letter from her. It read: Dear Church members: Last Sunday I attended your church, and I heard ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:11-12

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

Denomination: Baptist

A Year Ago At This Time, I Was Preparing To Head ...

Contributed by Karl Kruse on Jul 31, 2004

A year ago at this time, I was preparing to head to Tanzania for a short-term mission trip. A few weeks before that I was back in Minnesota on a family vacation when my dad told me and my brother that he had prostate cancer, and was setting all of his affairs in order. He started giving away some ...read more

Tags: Fulfillment

Denomination: Lutheran

About A Year Ago I Heard That Deion Sanders, The ...

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 15, 2004

About a year ago I heard that Deion Sanders, the sensational defensive back for the Dallas Cowboys, had gotten saved. Then I saw him do an interview with ESPN about a month ago, and I saw a big difference in him and I know someone had mentored or discipled him. I bought his autobiography, Power, ...read more

Tags: Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Wesleyan