In Sermon Illustrations: "Tim Downs"

Can You Think Back To Some Of Your Greatest ...

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Dec 22, 2008

Can you think back to some of your greatest childhood memories? A younng boy got a motorcycle, then a bicycle for his birthday, then a 22 rifle for Christmas. So he set them all up and took a picture because he did not want to forget that moment. Someone stole the bicycle, and that motorcycle ...read more

Tags: Possession

Denomination: Pentecostal

To Put The Gift Of Eternity Into Perspective ...

Contributed by Bryan Fink on Dec 25, 2008

To put the gift of eternity into perspective let’s take this roll of Christmas ribbon and unroll it all the way down the hall.(Invite some of the kids to help with this). The ribbon symbolizes eternity. Now, take a pencil such as this and make a mark anywhere on that ribbon. Any idea what that ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Methodist

What Is It That Causes Trouble In Marriages? It ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"What is it that causes trouble in marriages? It is amazing how many people don't seem to know. Essentially, it is one thing: Sin I don't care whether it the sin of pride, hard-hearted unwillingness to forgive or to humble oneself or to admit mistakes, selfishness, lust, or whatever other sin of ...read more

Tags: Marriage General

The Unknown Is An Adventure

Contributed by Dave Kinney on Mar 15, 2009

THE UNKNOWN IS AN ADVENTURE Stanley Jones writes, "Many live in dread of what is coming. Why should we? The unknown puts adventure into life; it gives us something to sharpen our souls on. The unexpected around the corner gives a sense of anticipation and surprise. If we saw all the good things ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 27:1

Tags: Future

Denomination: Baptist

World's Population Growing

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 14, 2009

WORLD’S POPULATION GROWING World population is projected to reach 7 billion only 4 years from now. The world added its 6 billionth resident in 1999; today its population is approximately 6.7 billion. World population growth is slowing down; it took about 12 years for the world population to rise ...read more

Tags: Culture

When Barbara Bush Visited Tokyo She Was Lunching ...

Contributed by Paul Green on Feb 5, 2010

When Barbara Bush visited Tokyo she was lunching with Emperor Hirohito at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace. Looking around her elegant surroundings, she complimented Hirohito on his official residence. "Thank you," he said. "Is it new?" pressed Mrs. Bush. "Yes." "Was the old palace just so old that it ...read more

Tags: Church General

Denomination: Baptist

Painting Pictures Of The Lost

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 28, 2010

PAINTING PICTURES OF THE LOST A Bishop Tucker of Uganda was an artist, but how did he become a bishop? One day he was painting a picture of a poor woman, holding a baby, wandering homeless on a stormy night on the dark, deserted street. As the picture grew, the artist suddenly threw down his ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:14-15

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

Believing In The Power Of Prayer

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 23, 2010

BELIEVING IN THE POWER OF PRAYER When a night club opened on the main street of a small American town, the local Church held an all-night prayer meeting. One member asked God to burn it down. Within a few moments, lightning struck the club and it was burnt to the ground. The owner sued the ...read more

Tags: Prayer General

Denomination: Brethren

Dear Abby Once Wrote In Her Column About A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 17, 2011

Dear Abby once wrote in her column about a lifeguard who was being charged with the death of a teenager. The lifeguard was working at a large pool with two or three others each with a specific area to cover. He was approached by a group of teenagers excitedly telling him of someone who was lying at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Tags: Servanthood

The Best Definition Of A Friend

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Mar 21, 2011

THE BEST DEFINITION OF A FRIEND A British publication once offered a prize for the best definition of a friend. Among the thousands of answers received were the following: "One who multiplies joys, divides grief, and whose honesty is inviolable." "One who understands our silence." "A volume ...read more

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: Baptist

Fire Of Discipleship

Contributed by Brad Henry on Jul 26, 2011

FIRE OF DISCIPLESHIP I love to make a campfire. Many years ago I remember going on a fishing trip in the mountains of Arizona. There were about 10 men from our church and it was a great time of fellowship. It was my duty to get the fire going. Well get it going I did. I had it so hot in that cabin ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ

After The Baptism

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 28, 2012

AFTER THE BAPTISM Recently my 7-year-old son was baptized at nearby Lake Tahoe. With tears streaming down my face, I watched as he came out of the water, then excitedly asked if he felt any different. "Yeah, Mom, I do," he replied. "Now I have water up my nose!" (Leslie A. Williamson, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Baptism

Clean House

Contributed by Herbert Armstrong Bosantog on Nov 6, 2012

CLEAN HOUSE Imagine, if you receive a message from God the Father & He told you that He is going to send Jesus down to visit you at your house on a specific date. What would be the first thing that you do? You would want to clean your house from top to bottom. Everything will be properly dusted; ...read more

Tags: Holiness

Denomination: *other

The Fourth Gift Of The Magi  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 3, 2013

THE FOURTH GIFT OF THE MAGI David Dewitt states, "Though there are still many questions about the Magi that may be left unanswered, we can determine that they brought a fourth gift that is often forgotten by many. After they laid their treasures down before Mary and Joseph, they worshipped Jesus. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Tags: Christmas Eve

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Little Dog Who Was Kicked Out Of School

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 14, 2014

A dog followed his owner to school. His owner was a fourth grader at a public elementary school. However, when the bell rang, the dog slipped inside the building and made it all the way to the child's classroom before a teacher noticed and shooed him outside, closing the door behind him. The ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2

Tags: Faith, Children, God, Atheism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keep Looking Up!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 9, 2020

A father and son were driving down a country road and saw a watermelon patch a little way off the highway. The father told his son to keep a lookout while he went to get a melon. He snuck into the patch, took a melon and called to the boy, "Is anyone coming? Look both ways." The boy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Colossians 3:1-4

Tags: Temptation, Stealing, Looking Up

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Baptism

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Sep 13, 2020

The story is told about the baptism of King Aengus by St. Patrick in the middle of the fifth century. Sometime during the rite, St. Patrick leaned on his sharp-pointed staff and inadvertently stabbed the king's foot. After the baptism was over, St. Patrick looked down at all the blood, realized ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38

Tags: Baptism, Suffering

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Do Not Download Just Upload :-)

Contributed by Brendon Wasdell on Dec 11, 2021

Pro 11:9 KJV An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. In a virtual world communication fails because data fails to download. When the accuser of the saints aims fiery darts, (From those arround you, false accusations, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:9, Jeremiah 33:3, Ephesians 6:16, Matthew 5:10-12, Luke 6:28, Isaiah 1:18  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Crimson Canopy, Shield Of Faith, Spiritul War, Upload To Cloud, Phone A Friend, Snow White  (view more)  (view less)

My Name Is Gossip

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 11, 2025

I am more deadly than a shell from the howitzer. I win without killing. I tear down homes, break hearts, and wreck lives. I travel on the wings of the wind. No innocence is strong enough to intimidate me, no purity pure enough to daunt me. I have no regard for truth, no respect for justice, no ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:20

Tags: Gossip, Power Of Words

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Two Mountain Goats

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 25, 2025

Martin Luther wrote about seeing two mountain goats meeting on a mountain trial that was narrow enough for only one to travel on. When they met up, Luther thought for sure they would butt heads and the strongest would survive. One would die and one would be injured. Instead, when the mountain ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8, Romans 12:10, Matthew 20:26-28, John 13:14-15, Ephesians 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Service, Humility, Selflessness, Christlikeness, Grace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist