In Sermon Illustrations: "True Leader"

Evangelism Is Just The Beginning

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 14, 2009

EVANGELISM IS JUST THE BEGINNING Many feel that the mission of the church is to merely be witnesses to a lost world. It is true that we are to bear witness of the risen Christ and His transforming power. We are told in Acts 1:8 that we are to be His witnesses to the ends of the world. Again we are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Discipleship

Beginning And Ending

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Aug 11, 2009

BEGINNING AND ENDING A Connecticut Baptist named A. Roger Williams (a modern pastor, not the one who founded Rhode Island) once preached, "It is true that if religion begins with the individual--it begins, but if it ends with the individual--it ends." [A. Roger Williams, "The Kingdom of God," in ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: *other

It Is A Terrible Thing For One¡¦s Destiny To Be ...

Contributed by Akinsanya Adubi on Sep 21, 2009

It is a terrible thing for one¡¦s destiny to be truncated. This is a true story. There were two pastors driving on one of the roads in Lagos, Nigeria. One is a Nigerian, the other a foreigner. They got to a point under a bridge, where the people that we called "area boys" were begging for money ...read more

Tags: Anxiety

Denomination: Pentecostal

Little Girl Doesn't Understand Cleansing ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 26, 2009

Little Girl Doesn’t Understand Cleansing Symbolism of Baptism Pastor Bob Beasley shares a true story told by a father in his church: “Our three-year-old daughter, Rena, sat with us during the baptismal service…which was a new experience for her. She exclaimed in surprise, ‘Why did he push that guy ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38

Tags: Baptism

A Child's Sincere Worship Heard In A Man's ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 6, 2010

A Child’s Sincere Worship Heard in a Man’s Dream A man was carried in a dream to a church. In his vision he saw the organist vigorously playing the organ, but no sound was heard. The choir and congregation began to sing, but their voices were not heard. Then the minister began, energetically, to ...read more

Scripture: John 4:23-24

Tags: Worship General

Getting The Fruit For Yourself  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 6, 2010

Getting the Fruit for Yourself A family was driving to Tampa, Florida. As far as the eye could see, orange trees were loaded with fruit. When we stopped for breakfast, I ordered orange juice with my eggs. "I’m sorry," the waitress said. "I can’t bring you orange juice. Our machine is broken." We ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:11-14

Tags: Growth In Christ

I Have A Water Filter Attached To My Kitchen Sink ...

Contributed by Jerry Blaxton on Mar 5, 2010

I have a water filter attached to my kitchen sink at home. The water normally smells bad, tastes bad, because it has stuff in it. When the water comes into the filter, the filter holds on to all the bad stuff. It doesn’t allow the bad stuff to go on through. I think our brains have a “filter” too. ...read more

Tags: Thought

Denomination: Baptist

Can Love Last A ...

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jul 8, 2010

Can Love Last a Lifetime? “Psychology Today Magazine” had a very timely an article in their June 2010 volume. The title of the article was “Can Love Last a Lifetime?” and their answer was Yes! Here is a thoroughly secular source that has recently changed its position and discovered that love need ...read more

Tags: Marriage Commitment

Denomination: Nazarene

Following Garibaldi And Following Jesus

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 6, 2011

FOLLOWING GARIBALDI AND FOLLOWING JESUS Garibaldi, the great Italian military hero from the 19th century, raised an incredibly committed volunteer army. His appeal for recruits was rather unique as he offered only these terms: "I offer neither pay, nor quarters, nor provisions; I offer hunger, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Tags: Discipleship

Cast The First Stone  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 11, 2011

CAST THE FIRST STONE A woman named Marilyn Helleberg told about being a teenager at church camp. She said an ugly rumor got started there about two of the counselors and it quickly became the talk of the camp. The next day, at Morning Prayer, the minister read the story of the adulterous woman. ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Tags: Tongue

Bill Hybels: Why People Are Lonely

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 14, 2011

BILL HYBELS: WHY PEOPLE ARE LONELY Why do we have a sense of loneliness today? Bill Hybels explains it this way: "It is a "me-first” mind-set. This mind-set says indulge yourself, fulfill your desires, satiate your appetites, pursue pleasure, take off all restraints. As much as we might want to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Tags: Servanthood

Commissioning Oath

Contributed by Jason Bonnicksen on Jun 20, 2011

COMMISSIONING OATH When I hear the word "commission," the first thing that comes to my mind is the commission military officers receive when they enter into service. Commissioned officers derive their authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the ...read more

Tags: Great Commission

Denomination: Lutheran

I Wish You Had Helped Me

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 4, 2011

I WISH YOU HAD HELPED ME Two soldiers, traveling together, were set upon by a robber. The one fled away; the other stood his ground, and defended himself with his stout right hand. The robber being slain, the timid companion runs up and draws his sword, and then, throwing back his traveling ...read more

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Dedication Is Costly

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 4, 2012

DEDICATION IS COSTLY Bertoldo de Giovanni is a name even the most enthusiastic lover of art is unlikely to recognize. He was the pupil of Donatello, the greatest sculptor of his time, and he was the teacher of Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor of all time. Michelangelo was only 14 years old when ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sacrifice Stats

Contributed by David Simpson on May 19, 2017

It’s Memorial Day weekend. It is seen by many as the beginning of summer. Lake Lanier will be filled with boaters and swimmers and campers and picnickers who will celebrate fun on this holiday weekend. But, the truth of Memorial Day is that it is not a celebration. It is a commemoration; a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27-28

Tags: Sacrifice, Memorial Day, War Stats

Denomination: Christian Church

Rescue

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 16, 2018

I am really struck by the lyrics of Lauren Daigle’s recent song “Rescue.” The singer is speaking from God’s perspective and says: “I hear the whisper underneath your breath I hear you whisper, you have nothing left I will send out an army to find you In the middle of the darkest night It’s true, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23

Tags: Salvation, Rescue

Denomination: Baptist

When Unity Comes

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Dec 17, 2020

Psalms 133:1 A Song of degrees of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 133:1, Ephesians 4:3, Ephesians 4:13

Tags: Unity, Maturity

Denomination: Baptist

Our Professor Has No Brain!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 13, 2022

A college student was in a philosophy class, which had a discussion about God's existence. The professor presented the following logic: "Has anyone in this class heard God?" Nobody spoke. "Has anyone in this class touched God?" Again, nobody spoke. "Has anyone in ...read more

Tags: Science, God, Atheists, Bible, Genesis, Evolution, Apologetics  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Census At The Birth Of Jesus

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 9, 2023

Historians have been puzzled about the census. The one taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. While all this begins to explain why Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, Luke is making a point. The birth of this little boy is the beginning of a confrontation between the kingdom of God - in all its ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-2

Tags: Mary And Joseph, Quirinus, Caeser Agustus, Bethlehem, Birth, Census  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Purifying The Heart

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 16, 2024

A woman puts a spoonful of dirt into a cup of water, muddying it. She initially tries to remove the dirt with a spoon but realizes it's ineffective. Instead, she starts pouring fresh, clean water into the cup continuously. As the cup overflows, the dirty water is gradually replaced by clean ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Tags: Good, Impact, Spiritual Renewal, Godly Thoughts, Evil, Overcome, Transformation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist