In Sermon Illustrations: "Thanks"

The Only Prayer I Know  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Nov 15, 2006

Humor: “The Only Prayer I Know” Two men were walking through a field one day when they spotted an enraged bull coming straight toward them. Instantly they darted toward the nearest fence. The raging bull followed in hot pursuit and it was soon apparent they wouldn’t make the fence in time to ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

Denomination: Wesleyan

Can You Imagine Being In Time's Square In New ...

Contributed by James Chandler on Jan 11, 2007

Can you imagine being in Time’s Square in New York City, and there on the jumbo-tron screen was every sin you have ever committed being displayed for all to see? How horrible would that be? How humiliating would that be? We all know we have sin in our life, we just don’t want everyone else to ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Children Have A Way Of Controlling Our Life Do ...  PRO

Contributed by Alan Tison on Mar 20, 2007

Children have a way of controlling our life do they not – I heard about a young boy who received a harmonica for Christmas from his uncle. After the first of the year he saw his uncle for the first time since receiving the harmonica. With a large smile he said, “Thanks for the harmonica you gave me ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Carrying Hope In Your Heart

Contributed by Luis Marquez on Jan 17, 2010

CARRYING HOPE IN YOUR HEART Vaclav Havel expresidente de Checoslovaquia dijo: "No soy un optimista porque no estoy seguro de que todo vaya a acabar bien; tampoco soy un pesimista porque no estoy seguro de que todo vaya a acabar mal. Yo solo llevo esperanza en mi corazon... y le doy gracias a Dios ...read more

Tags: God Brings Hope

Denomination: Baptist

Richard Calson On Forgiveness

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 2, 2010

RICHARD CALSON ON FORGIVENESS Let me conclude with in the words of Dr. Richard P. Carlson, Professor of Biblical Studies at Gettysburg Seminary: "God’s forgiveness in Jesus Christ is a scandal. It goes out to sinners regardless of their religious or social standing. It breaks into human existence ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7

Tags: Wholehearted, God's Forgiveness, Commit

The Hundred-Dollar Word

Contributed by Sajeev Painunkal, Sj on Oct 10, 2010

THE HUNDRED-DOLLAR WORD I’m sure you have all heard of Rudyard Kipling. He is the author of famous books like The Jungle Book and Captain Courageous. His writings not only made him famous but also brought him a fortune. A newspaper reporter came up to him once and said, "Mr. Kipling, I just ...read more

Tags: Gratitude

Denomination: Catholic

Buy Less, Love More

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

BUY LESS, LOVE MORE Shane Claiborne writes: I am incredibly hopeful this Advent, because there are so many signs of Christians who are longing for new ways to celebrate our Savior that are not cluttered with the noise of shopping and infected with the myth that happiness must be purchased. On the ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Methodist

Potato Provision

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Apr 20, 2011

POTATO PROVISION I remember just a few years ago when we lived in Poland as missionaries. We were struggling so much financially. The dollar had plunged in value and we lost about 1/3 of the value of our money and were wondering if we would have to return back to the States. So we were praying for ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: Lutheran

The Bible Treasure

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Sep 26, 2011

THE BIBLE TREASURE Kathleen Norris tells the story of a South Dakota rancher and his bride who received a leather-bound Bible as a wedding gift from the groom's grandfather. They wrote a thank-you note and stowed the Bible away on a closet shelf, out of the way. As time passed, the grandfather ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Congregational

Rudyard Kipling Was A Great Writer And Poet. ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Rudyard Kipling was a great writer and poet. Many people enjoy reading The Jungle Book. Kipling, unlike many older writers was able to enjoy his success and his money. Apparently one day a journalist approached him and said, "Mr. Kipling, I just read that the money you make from your writing ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday

A Girl Named Angie Smith Wrote: While Working In ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

A girl named Angie Smith wrote: WHILE WORKING in a new pizzeria, I was surprised to find that many people had never eaten pizza. One customer admitted this when she came in for a takeout order. I explained our menu and took great care in helping her make her decision. After baking her pie to a nice ...read more

Tags: Divinity Of Christ

Many Horror Stories Emerged From The Countries ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Many horror stories emerged from the countries of Eastern Europe as their Communist dictator¬ships were overthrown. None surpasses the cruelty of former Romanian dic¬tator, Nicolae Ceausescu’s Home for the Deficient and Unsalvagcable. By Ceausescu’s order, children throughout Romania who were ...read more

Tags: Jesus Christ

A Christmas Poem  PRO

Contributed by Aaron Hand on Dec 22, 2007

[A Christmas Poem] The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords Came to earth for you and me. The salvation I could not afford He paid for on Calvary. What could I ever give Him That would thank Him for His Son? I’ll confess, and turn from my sin And live in the victory won! I often lose sight ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 9:2-7

Denomination: Baptist

There Is A Story Of A Farm Boy Who Accidentally ...

Contributed by Andy Beech on Mar 29, 2008

There is a story of a farm boy who accidentally overturned his wagonload of Corn in the road. The farmer who lived nearby came to investigate. "Hey, Willis," he called out, "forget your troubles for a spell and come on in and have dinner with us. Then I’ll help you get the wagon up." "That’s ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Manna To A Teen's Soul

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Nov 16, 2008

MANNA TO A TEEN'S SOUL Mr. Redden was a part of the church of my childhood; he’s now with the Lord. One time he was a chaperone for our youth group. He was very much on the edge of a great spiritual defeat. I was only about 12 or 13, but Mr. Redden found himself sharing his tough time with me. I ...read more

Tags: Encouragement

Denomination: United Methodist

I'm Reminded Of The Story Of Two Men Who Were ...

Contributed by Et Tapper on Feb 9, 2009

I’m reminded of the story of two men who were walking through a field one day and spotted an enraged bull. Instantly, the darted toward the nearest fence. The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon apparent that they wouldn’t make it. Terrified, one of the men shouted to the other, ...read more

Tags: Thanksgiving Holiday

Denomination: Pentecostal

The First National Thanksgiving Proclamation

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2022

First National Thanksgiving Proclamation Whereas, it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; Whereas, both the houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Tags: Thanksgiving, America, Prayer

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Found Faithful

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Mar 31, 2025

There is a story of a choir director who was so stressed out because at least one or more members of the choir were absent at every rehearsal for a concert. Finally came the last rehearsal and he announced: “I want to personally thank the pianist for being the only person in this entire church ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Tags: Faithfulness, Choir, Unfaithfulness

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Vacation Of Compassion  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 14, 2002

A VACATION OF COMPASSION In 1958, 35 year old Englishwoman Anita Goulden went on holiday to Peru to visit her brother. Anita was a widowed, single mother who owned two haberdasheries in Manchester, England. She was about to go home by way of the United States when she saw an unbelievable ...read more

Tags: Christian Love, Compassion, Poverty

Joe Bailey In His Book "A View From A Hearse" ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 18, 2002

Joe Bailey in his book "A View From a Hearse" tells of the day his boy died of cancer. He had returned to the clinic to thank them for their kindness and care of his son. As he spoke to the receptionist, she motioned toward a woman whose son was playing quietly with toys in the waiting area. "He ...read more

Tags: Heaven

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ