In Sermon Illustrations: "Take Off"

It's Got Hold On Me !

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 13, 2019

Can you see him running, he is running with all his might. Look at the beads of sweat popping out on his forehead. Each step that he takes is labored; he is exhausted from the struggle. Can you see the fear in his eyes as he looks back over his shoulder? Something’s got a hold on him and won’t let ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:1-21

Tags: Deception, Temptation

Denomination: Pentecostal

Temptation

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 15, 2019

TEMPTATION Can you see him running, he is running with all his might? Look at the beads of sweat popping out on his forehead. Each step that he takes is labored; he is exhausted from the struggle. Can you see the fear in his eyes as he looks back over his shoulder? Something’s got a hold on him and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Tags: Sin, Temptation

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Inner Life - To Few Who Love The Cross

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 22, 2019

Thomas a Kempis wrote: Jesus today has many who love his heavenly kingdom, but few who carry his cross; many who yearn for comfort, few who long for distress. Plenty of people he finds to share his banquet, few to share his fast. Everyone desires to take part in his rejoicing, but few are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Tags: Submission, Carry Your Cross

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Meekness Is Not Weakness

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 15, 2020

The Greek word for meek in Matthew 5:5 is praus. This word was was also used to describe an animal which has been domesticated, which has been trained to obey the word of a command, which has learned to answer to the reins. It is the word for an animal which has learned to accept control, such as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Meekness, Beatitudes, Gentleness, Fruit Of The Spirit, Sermon On The Mount, Blessed Are The Meek, Matthew 5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Strength In Old Age

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 13, 2020

I use the Bible I had in Bible college when I have my devotions or study. Came across these notes from 1/24/80. I was 27. Joshua 14:11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:11-12

Tags: Faith, Retirement, Strength, Retire, Courage, Old Age  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

There Is The Enemy!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

Stedman illustrates this point noting that "As the Battle of Trafalgar was about to begin, Admiral Nelson came across two officers of his own flagship who were arguing hotly and about to take sword to each other. Nelson stepped between them and said, "Stop." Then, pointing to the ...read more

Tags: Church, Unity, Body Of Christ, Working Together, Division  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Funny Church Feuds

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 14, 2021

Church feuds are not uncommon, especially among cliques in the congregation. But when the pastor and choir director get into it, stand aside. One week, the preacher preached on commitment, and how you should dedicate yourselves to service. The director then led the choir in singing, 'I Shall ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Unity, Hymns, Division, Church Fights

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

World Evangelism Statistics

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 5, 2022

If you say that Jesus is waiting on the Church to get the Gospel out before His return, let me give you a few statistics on the challenge the Church faces. We have almost 8 billion people on our planet right now. There are almost 2.4 Christians in the world today. If 500,000 people were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Salvation, Gospel, Missions, Witnessing, Lost, Great Commission, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cipa (Congenital Insensitivity To Pain With Anhydrosis)

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Mar 10, 2022

Not far from my home lives a young woman who was born with a very rare disease called CIPA, congenital insensitivity to pain with anhydrosis. Imagine having a body that looks normal and acts normally, except for one thing: You cannot feel physical pain. That sounds as if it would be a blessing. But ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Tags: Pain, Prayer

Denomination: Brethren

Here's Your Thanksgiving Joke!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 15, 2023

In Budapest, a man goes to the rabbi and complains, "Life is unbearable. There are nine of us living in one small apartment. What can I do?" The rabbi answers, "Take your goat into the apartment with you." The man is totally upset when he hears this, but the rabbi insists. ...read more

Tags: Griping, Thanksgiving, Gratitude, Perspective, Complaining, Attitude  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cast The First Stone

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 6, 2024

Marilyn Helleberg told about being a teenager at church camp. She said an ugly rumor got started there about two of the counselors and it quickly became the talk of the camp. The next day, at Morning Prayer, the minister read the story of the adulterous woman. He spoke of Jesus telling the crowd ...read more

Tags: Gossip, Division, Judging, Forgiveness, Confession, Criticism, Mouth, Words, Tongue, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Conflict Between The Preacher And The Organist

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

Conflicts are not uncommon in church, but when the preacher and song leader get into it, stand aside. One week, the preacher preached on commitment, and how we should move forward into doing service for others. After this sermon, the song leader led the congregation in singing, "I Shall Not ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:11

Tags: Organist, Pastor, Conflict, Preacher

Denomination: Anglican

The Vicar And The Organist

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jan 12, 2026

Conflicts are not uncommon, but when the Vicar and Organist get into it, stand aside. One week, the Vicar preached on commitment, and how we should move forward into doing service for others. After this sermon, the Organist led the congregation in singing, "I Shall Not Be Moved." The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Tags: Organist, Vicar

Denomination: Anglican

Power Steering

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Feb 3, 2026

Before power steering, turning a car was basically CrossFit. Two hands on the wheel. Face red. Whole body involved. You didn’t turn—you wrestled that thing like it owed you money. Then power steering came along. And suddenly a pinky finger could do what used to take a full upper-body workout. Same ...read more

Tags: Faith, Obedience, Power

Denomination: Other

Since The Bible And The Ten Commandments Have ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Since the Bible and the Ten Commandments have been taken out of our schools in the last 40+ years, we now have epidemic problems with teen pregnancy and Sexual diseases; epidemic drug and alcoholic problems, and violence in our schools to such an extent that we have never seen in the history of our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Tags: Paul, Year, Reference, Oldest Person

The Rich Fool

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Nov 22, 2008

THE RICH FOOL Ortberg writes (and I have abridged it and translated it into proper English) Once upon a time in the Silicon Valley, there lived a very important man.He routinely logged in 12-14 hours a day work and sometimes at weekends. He went to the Harvard School of Management, where he got ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Tags: Fool, Use Of Time

Denomination: Anglican

The Following Story Was Written By A Missionary ...

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 26, 2009

The following story was written by a missionary doctor who worked in Africa. "One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping ...read more

Tags: Prayer Answered

Denomination: Baptist

What’s So Bad About A Knucklehead?

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 26, 2023

Dr. James L. Snyder As I got older, the least little thing brought back memories from a lifetime ago. From some of the memories, I must have had an incredible boyhood. Too bad I can't live it again. I might improve those memories. Who knows. For some reason, I remembered the word ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Crazy, Knucklehead

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

A Story Of Hudson Taylor

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

Hudson Taylor began the study of medicine as well as Greek, Hebrew, and Latin. He realized, however, that the most important preparation of all must take place in the realm of his own soul. In China he would have to depend utterly upon his Lord for protection, supplies -- everything. Lest a ...read more

Scripture: John 14:13-26

Tags: Hudson Taylor, Trust

Denomination: Anglican

Fresh ...

Contributed by Shawn Kelly on Oct 19, 2008

FRESH START Colossians 3:12 - 17 12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ...read more

Tags: Faith General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational