In Sermon Illustrations: "The Church"

Boy, Have I Got News For You!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 29, 2023

A five year old boy had only one line to remember in a church Christmas pageant. Appearing in angel's garb, he was to say to the audience, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy! After practice, the little lad asked his mother, "What in the world does "tidings" ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-12, John 1:1-12

Tags: Humor, Birth Of Christ, Christmas Jokes, Christmas, Children, Advent  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Angel Fetched Peter Out Of Prison, But It Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 8, 2005

The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer that fetched the angel. Thomas Watson, quoted in Something ...read more

Tags: People In The Gospel

Only 26 Million Men Of America's 94 Million ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 10, 2006

Only 26 million men of America’s 94 million attend church regularly. (Foster Letter ...read more

Tags: Men And Women

26% Of Members Have Officially Left The Episcopal ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

26% of members have officially left the Episcopal Church since General Convention in August ’03. (Foster ...read more

Learning To Serve: My Fear Is That The Christian ...  PRO

Contributed by Matt Kyzer on Apr 2, 2004

Learning to serve: my fear is that the Christian motto is “Ask not what your church and staff can do for you, ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Baptist

There Is A Direct Relationship Between What I ...

Contributed by Clark Tanner on May 9, 2004

“There is a direct relationship between what I believe about the future and how I live in the present.” - Alistair ...read more

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Orthodox

William Barclay Has Said, "We Have Not Even Begun ...  PRO

Contributed by Jerry Fenter on May 23, 2002

William Barclay has said, “We have not even begun to be Christian if we think of giving to Christ and to his church in ...read more

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Giving General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sense Of Belonging

Contributed by John Putty on Apr 7, 2011

SENSE OF BELONGING Lyle Schaller’s research says that a third to a half of all Protestant church members do not feel a sense of ...read more

Tags: Evangelism How To

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Undefiled Eyes

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Undefiled Eyes The church that continues the proclaiming of the gospel of Jesus Christ has Christians who long to have undefiled eyes. The first thought that comes to mind regarding undefiled eyes is a child of God who refrains from watching pornography or movies that are full of violence. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-4

Tags: Holiness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can You Be ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 11, 2008

CAN YOU BE TRUSTED? Before the breakup of the Soviet Union, Christians were routinely persecuted for their faith by the Communist regime. We have many inspiring stories of courageous Christians behind the Iron Curtain who were willing to die for their faith during this difficult period in world ...read more

Tags: Persecution

Hospitality To Strangers  PRO

Contributed by Susan Babb, Osl on Oct 9, 2008

A. Friend – some years ago B. Sunday worship service, church like ours C. Service begun – member of congregation began worship, no pastor yet D. Man dressed shabbily in a heavy overcoat and wild hair and who could of used a bath came into service 1. Trouble finding a seat, pretty ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:35-45, Hebrews 13:2

Tags: Love, Acceptance, Compassion, Hospitality, Christlikeness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Phil Sheldrake's Story

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Apr 10, 2011

PHIL SHELDRAKE'S STORY At the age of 14 Phil Sheldrake was invited by a school friend to attend an event called Festival ’89. The event was being held on Sun Corner in Billericay and hosted by the preacher J. John. That night, Phil came to find a personal faith in Jesus. With his best friend, ...read more

Tags: Youth

Denomination: Anglican

The Story Of Martin Luther

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Jul 17, 2011

THE STORY OF MARTIN LUTHER In 1517, an obscure Catholic priest named Martin Luther placed his life in God's hands when he nailed his 95 theses, his 95 arguments against the Catholic church, on the door of the Wittenberg Church. There was nothing wrong with nailing pages to the door. Everything was ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: Baptist

The Holy Spirit In The Movies—the Apostle

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 7, 2012

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE MOVIES--THE APOSTLE In 1983 Robert Duvall wanted to make The Apostle because he felt that the motion picture industry had mostly ignored the work of the Holy Spirit. According to Duvall, filmmakers hardly ever made a movie that would actually show the truth about the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Holy Spirit General

Ticket When Going To Train Station-Going 60 In 40 ...

Contributed by Myriam Salcedo-Gonzalez on Dec 2, 2006

Ticket when going to train station-going 60 in 40 zone. I wanted to fight it! The radar was wrong. When was the last time they checked it? I had just come out from a stop sign and the road was uphill, how could I be going 60? Impossible! Good thing I was not close to the my church! Can you imagine, ...read more

Denomination: Adventist

Seeker

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Dec 15, 2008

"SEEKER" In recent years, there has been a movement of calling people who are not Christians "seekers." It was a way to classify people who come into the church looking for God without labeling them offensively as "sinners." It was a way to try to keep church accessible to anyone and everyone. Has ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Church Of God

A Pastor In Disguise

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 9, 2013

A Pastor in Disguise A few years ago at a Methodist Church in North Wales, as worshippers arrived at the church, they were distressed to see a dirty, drunk, smelly homeless man on the front steps. They didn't realize this bum was actually their pastor, Derek Rigby, who had disguised himself as a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Tags: Compassion, Homeless

Clean Conscience

Contributed by Shine Thomas on Aug 2, 2017

Martin Luther who brought the protestant reformation out of the Catholic church questioned the doctrine and practices of the Catholic church in a thesis called ‘The Ninety-Five Theses’ in October of 1517. The Roman Catholic church wanted Martin Luther to recant his view. The Diet of Worms of 1521 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:11

Tags: Conscience, Clean Conscience, Pure Conscience

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Wrong Reasons For Study Of Bible

Contributed by Tony Abram on Jan 21, 2018

At the village church in Kalonovka, Russia, attendance at Sunday school picked up after the priest started handing out candy to the peasant children. One of the most faithful was a pug-nosed, lad who recited his Scriptures with proper piety, pocketed his reward, then fled into the fields to munch ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3

Tags: Holy, Sanctification

Perpetual Babyhood

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 18, 2018

WE HAVE AN IMPERATIVE COMMAND: 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. PERPETUAL OR ETERNAL BABYHOOD… From LIVING WITH JESUS TODAY by Juan Carlos Orte We have a phenomenon in the church today which I ...read more

Tags: Babyhood, Diaper Changes

Denomination: Assembly Of God