In Sermon Illustrations: "Teach Your Children"

No One Ever Told Hitler

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 27, 2008

NO ONE EVER TOLD HITLER Dr. Martin Neimoller was an outstanding German pastor during the time of Adolf Hitler's reign. Neimoller was sent to prison for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Before being sent to prison Neimoller had a 30-minute visit with Adolf Hitler. Hitler tried to persuade ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

What’s Giving Thanks All ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2008

What’s giving Thanks all about A. The pilgrims did it 1. In 1621, the pilgrims celebrated the first harvest at Plymouth 2. To them, it was a religious holiday celebrating all that God gave them The Pilgrim Proclamation of 1623 Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday

Jack Canfield Tells About A Young High School ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2008

Jack Canfield tells about a young high school student whose father was a horse trainer. Because the family had to follow the horse-racing season, the young boy had to change schools throughout the year. During his senior year he was asked to write a paper about what his dreams for the future were. ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Forgiveness Quotations

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 13, 2009

FORGIVENESS QUOTATIONS The late great English religious writer and philanthropist, Hannah More (1745 - 1833) once said: "Forgiveness is the economy of the heart...forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the cost of hatred, the waste of spirits." The late great American Protestant theologian, ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness General

Changing The Label On ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2009

CHANGING THE LABEL ON SIN Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman told of a distinguished minister, Dr. Howard, from Australia who preached very strongly on the subject of sin. After the service, one of the church deacons came to counsel with him in the study. "Dr. Howard," he said, "we don’t want you to talk as ...read more

Tags: Sin General

We Were Desperate Without Christ!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

Steven Cole has a good discussion on salvation writing… As I’ve often said, salvation is a radical word. You don’t need saving if you’re in pretty good shape. All you need then is a little help. You need saving when you’re perishing and are helpless to save yourself. The Bible uses a number of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1

Tags: Evangelism, Grace, Mercy, Salvation, Gospel, Lost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Hard Do You Prepare For Sermons?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

Howard Hendricks shares this insight about the value of preparing and study for sermons... " When I was a college student—I worked in the college dining hall, and on my way to work at 5:30 am. every morning I walked past the home of one of my professors. Through a window I could see the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Sermons, Shepherding, Feeding The Flock, Sermon Preparation, Studying The Word  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Surrounded By Idiots

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 10, 2021

Do you ever feel like you are surrounded by idiots? One web site collected stories… I was signing the receipt for my credit card purchase when the clerk noticed that I had never signed my name on the back of the credit card. She informed me that she could not complete the transaction ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:5-7

Tags: Sense, Brains, Idiots, Dumb Things We Do, Halfwit, Stupid  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Looking In A Mirror

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Aug 28, 2021

Here is part of a story by Gabrielle Moss? I've been known to waste massive amounts of time using mirrors to do respectable, adult things, like trying to straighten my bangs. Surely you've had the pleasure of breaking a mirror and having some helpful person inform you that you have now ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-27

Tags: Examination Of Self, Seeing The Real Person

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Ten Rules For Improving The Church

Contributed by David Parks on Jun 3, 2022

TEN RULES FOR IMPROVING THE CHURCH 1. Tell yourself over and over that since you are not perfect you would not fit into a perfect congregation, if one existed. 2. Instead of picking out the worldly members to point to, pick out the sincere, dedicated, spiritual members and thank God for them. You ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-2, 1 Peter 4:8, Matthew 7:1-5

Tags: Church, Encouragement, Judgementalism

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Light In The Dark

Contributed by Carl Allen on Jul 8, 2022

While leaving in Germany, I had the fortune of going camping in the black forest. I found out quickly why they call it the black forest. When the sun goes down it is pitch black and you can barely see your hand in front of your face. We had just finished setting up camp and I had to run back out ...read more

Scripture: John 9:5, Psalm 119:105

Tags: Direction, Light, Darkness, Lost, Saved, Found  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

She Did Not Know Who She Was Talking To

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Mar 2, 2025

One day I called at the counter of the tiny post office in rural Arkansas to pick up a package they were holding for JPH (my company). When the lady bringing my package looked at the PO Box address on it, she said Oh good, you work for JPH. And I said Yes maam I do. She had been watching for ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 13:3, Ephesians 4:29

Tags: Words, Speech, Tongue

Denomination: Charismatic

Big Hands

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 13, 2025

A boy and his mother walked into the corner drug store to buy a few things. And right there on the counter was a big glass candy jar—one of those old-fashioned ones, filled to the brim with all the colors a child’s imagination could want. The boy froze. You know how kids get—locked in, mesmerized, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20, Psalm 81:10

Tags: Trust, Provision

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Building Bridges

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 8, 2026

WILL ALLEN DROMGOOLE, 1860 TO 1934. She wrote over 7,500 poems and 5,000 essays. Her works are recorded in 13 books. My Dad, Wade M. Hughes (1931) committed this poem to memory and would often use it when speaking to leaders. I love this poem. ***THE BRIDGE BUILDER AN OLD MAN, GOING DOWN A LONE ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:6-12, Philippians 4:11-13

Tags: Bridge, Build

Denomination: Assembly Of God

No Secrets Here  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 3, 2002

NO SECRETS HERE A young couple decided to wed. As the big day approached, they grew apprehensive. Each had a problem they had never before shared with anyone, not even each other. The Groom-to-be, overcoming his fear, decided to ask his father for advice. "Father," he said, "I am deeply concerned ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:8, Ephesians 5:31, Ecclesiastes 4:1-9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Marriage, Marriage General, Oneness, Weddings, Unity, Conflict, Commitment  (view more)  (view less)

Who's The Guy With George

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 19, 2004

WHO’S THE GUY WITH GEORGE George had a friend with an inflated opinion of himself. As a friend should, George decided to help his friend lose this quirk. Subtly, George mentioned that he knew Johnny Carson. The friend said, "Oh, yeah, prove it." In a few minutes, they were in front of a large ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:12-24

Tags: Parable Great Banquet, Humility

Dead Poets Society Is, I Think, One Of The Best ...  PRO

Contributed by James Jack on Mar 8, 2005

Dead Poets Society is, I think, one of the best films of all time. In his first lesson with his senior class, the rather eccentric but very inspiring English teacher John Keating, played by Robin Williams, takes the boys into the foyer outside the classroom where he asks one lad by the name of ...read more

Tags: Confession Of Sin, Salvation, Saved

Denomination: Anglican

It Used To Be That To Find Out Who Or What Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 10, 2005

It used to be that to find out who or what was ‘in’ or ‘out’ you consulted the society section of the local newspaper, or Look magazine, or a well-known celebrity reporter for the latest on whatever was deemed the latest ‘in’ and ‘out.’ Now we have the Internet to help us determine what is ‘in’ and ...read more

Tags: Truth

Denomination: Church Of God

If You Ever Happen To Listen To Positive 89.3 On ...  PRO

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Oct 26, 2006

If you ever happen to listen to Positive 89.3 on Saturday nights, you know that Joe Polek and I often enjoy sharing humorous stories from the news between the songs that we play. If you listened last night, you would have heard us talking about a variety of mistranslations with humorous results. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-53

Tags: Commission, Communication General

Denomination: Nazarene

Swimming Lessons

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 28, 2006

swimming lessons. When I was about six years old I took swimming lessons one summer. Remember, what it was like? I was scared – but it wasn’t so bad. Start by blowing bubbles, splashing in the pool, Dog paddle, Pushing off from the side of the pool. Instructor is always there Lightly guiding you ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational