In Sermon Illustrations: "Talk"

Stethoscope Theology

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Aug 12, 2021

I recently attended a “White Coat Ceremony” for first year medical students. During the ceremony the incoming first year students receive a white coat symbolic of the beginning of their journey into the medical profession. Before the white coats were distributed the Dean of the college introduced ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19, James 1:19-20, James 3:3-12, Proverbs 10:19

Tags: Hear, Communication, Wisdom, Listen, Hearing, Listening  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Questions That Churches Must Ask Themselves

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jun 7, 2022

Why is this church here or what really is our mission? Are we truly fulfilling our mission? How did we get here? Were we a split or the first of our faith? If a split, was it because of doctrine or something/someone else? If we are the first, have we fallen from our first love position or is ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1

Tags: Church, Purpose, Division

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is God Working?

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on May 21, 2023

Pastor Henry Blackaby, of Faith Baptist Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada began to sense God leading them to an outreach ministry on the college campus. He had never done student work. Their church had never done student work. Their denominational student ministries department recommended ...read more

Scripture: John 5:17-20, Romans 3:10-11, John 6:44

Tags: Evangelism, Holy Spirit, Discipleship, God At Work, Joining God At Work  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Highest Calling Of The Bride Of Christ

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 17, 2023

Revelation 19:7-9 - Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. Revelation 21:2 - And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her ...read more

Tags: Praise, Heaven, Purpose, Bride Of Christ, Calling, Glory, Church, Worship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bridle The Tongue

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 6, 2025

Now, it’s time to talk about how to bridle the tongue. A bridle is a small but powerful tool designed for communication and control. Whether with a bit or a bitless attachment, it allows a rider to guide a horse with subtle movements. A well-trained horse responds to the slightest cue, needing ...read more

Scripture: James 3:7-8

Tags: Words, Tongue, Horse, Bridle

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Maybe You’ve Heard About The Preacher Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 16, 2001

Maybe you’ve heard about the preacher who was visiting various classes during the Sunday School Hour to see how they were doing. One Sunday he visited the class of 6th grade boys. They were talking about things in the O.T. He listened for a while & then asked, “Who knows who knocked down the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:29

Tags: Women, Princess, Bible Influence, Bible Study

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

University Of Chicago Divinity School Each Years ...  PRO

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Apr 24, 2001

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO DIVINITY SCHOOL each years has what is called ’BAPTIST DAY’. On this day each one is to bring a lunch to an outdoor picnic area and the school invites one of the popular lecturers to speak at the theological education center. One year DR. PAUL TILLICH came and spent 2 1/2 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-10, Psalm 34:8

Tags: Apologetics Jesus, Atheism, Jesus, Knowledge, Truth  (view more)  (view less)

Many Years Ago I Attended A Birthday Party For My ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 4, 2001

Many years ago I attended a birthday party for my gay friend and co-worker, Julian. Sixty gay men and four straight women had gathered to celebrate in a high-rise penthouse with a dramatic sweeping view of San Francisco Bay. Greeting me warmly, Julian exuberantly kissed me on both cheeks ...read more

Here’s A List Of All Variations Of The "God ...  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Roberts on May 24, 2001

Here’s a list of all variations of the "God Speaks" billboards that appeared in the Metropolitan Dallas-Fort Worth area. The billboards are a simple black background with white text. No fine print or sponsoring organization is included. The sponsorship for these “God Speaks” billboards is ...read more

Tags: God The Father, Apologetics God

Denomination: Lutheran

Alexander The Great And A Small Company Of ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jul 23, 2001

Alexander the Great and a small company of soldiers approached a strongly fortified walled city. Alexander, standing outside the walls, raised his voice and demanded to see the king. when the king arrived, Alexander insisted that the king surrender the city and its inhabitants to Alexander and ...read more

Tags: Discipleship, Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Kay Arthur Has Become A Well-Known ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Aug 14, 2001

ILL. Kay Arthur has become a well-known Christian author & speaker who has influenced tens of thousands for Jesus. Her testimony is written in her book, "Lord, I Need Your Grace Because I Can’t Make It On My Own." In it she talks about her life & her struggles in coming to Christ. As a young ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Tags: Government

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

There Is A Story Of A Young Hippie Who Gave His ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Oct 16, 2001

There is a story of a young hippie who gave his life to Christ during the Jesus Movement of the late sixties and early seventies. One Sunday he went to a church, not knowing it was one of the more “upper class” churches in the area. He was late to the service, and the pastor was about to begin ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-4

Tags: Jesus' Ministry, Christian Love, Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Wesleyan

We Are To Work While We Wait. A Gardener For A ...  PRO

Contributed by E. Lee James on Oct 19, 2001

We are to work while we wait. A gardener for a large estate in northern Italy was conducting a visitor through the castle and the beautiful, well-groomed grounds. As the visitor had lunch with the gardener and his wife, he commended them for the beautiful way they were keeping the gardens. He ...read more

Tags: Second Coming

Denomination: Baptist

John Kass, A Columnist For The Chicago Tribune, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

John Kass, a columnist for the Chicago Tribune, recently wrote about a waiter named Bouch who works at a tavern in Chicago. Bouch decided to write to the King of his homeland, Morocco. The King, Mohammed VI, is immensely popular because he often interacts with his subjects in public. He ...read more

Tags: Promises Of God

I Can't Change Jesus  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Jan 2, 2002

Illus.: “I Can’t Change Jesus” Bill Irwin, a man who is blind, has a talking computer he uses to study the Bible. He’s had a few chuckles over some of the pronunciations. "For a long time," Bill says, "the computer pronounced Holy Bible as ’holly bibble’ until I figured out how to modify it." ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8, Hebrews 6:17-20

Tags: God's Omniscience, Jesus Teachings, Divinity Of Christ

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Fellowship Of The Unashamed  PRO

Contributed by Larry White on Jan 11, 2002

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED "I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line, the decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes ...read more

Tags: Endurance, Discipleship, What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Baptist

A Certain Pastor Observed A Little Girl Standing ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Feb 14, 2002

A certain pastor observed a little girl standing outside the preschool Sunday school classroom between Sunday school and worship, waiting for her parents to come and pick her up for "big church." The pastor noticed that she clutched a big storybook under her arm with the title "Jonah and the ...read more

Tags: God, God's Omnipotence, Jonah, Apologetics The Bible

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Valentine's Day Ten Commandments  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 6, 2002

THE VALENTINE’S DAY TEN COMMANDMENTS I. I am thy Main Squeeze; thou shalt have no other squeeze before me. II. Thou shalt not take the name of thy Squeeze in vain, nor badmouth him/her behind him/her back. III. Remember our Anniversary, and keep it holy--or else. IV. Honor MY mother and ...read more

Tags: Marriage General, Romantic Love

Why Am I Here?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 6, 2002

WHY AM I HERE? "Many years ago I attended a birthday party for my gay friend and co-worker, Julian. Sixty gay men and four straight women had gathered to celebrate in a high-rise penthouse with a dramatic sweeping view of the San Francisco Bay. Greeting me warmly, Julian exuberantly kissed me on ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To, Great Commission, Church Purpose Of

Many Of You Remember The Moving Final Scene Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Apr 13, 2002

Many of you remember the moving final scene of the Steven Spielberg’s movie Schindler’s List where Oscar Schindler, the Polish businessman, used a portion of his fortune to put the names of Jews on a work list that would keep them from going to concentration camps. Faces, - those who escaped ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, Money

Denomination: Methodist