In Sermon Illustrations: "Turn"

The Access Of A Son

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Dec 25, 2011

THE ACCESS OF A SON Dale was one of my childhood friends. His dad ran the projectors in one of the local movie theatres. If I went to that theatre without Dale I paid full admission and had to sit on the main floor with everyone else. If I went with Dale, I got in free and got to sit up in the ...read more

Tags: Prayer General

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Asterisk

Contributed by Kevin Karhoff on Mar 12, 2013

THE ASTERISK When we read the word anyone in the invitation of Jesus we can’t help but think there must be an asterisk next to it. Even if there wasn’t one when Jesus spoke these words, it seems that over the years the church has put an asterisk next to his invitation. The sign out front of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-31

Tags: Jesus Christ

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Riches Are A Mess  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 8, 2013

RICHES ARE A MESS John Alexander-- "Consider this paraphrase: You think it’s good to be rich? Well, you’re wrong. Riches are a mess. It’s you poor who are fortunate. You think it’s good to be well fed now? You’re wrong. You’d be better off hungry. You think you should pursue laughter? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:20-26, James 5:1-6

Tags: Hungry, Poor, Popularity, Mourner

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

If I Could Rescue Just One Person...

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jun 23, 2014

In 1879, Charlie Peace, a well-known criminal in London, faced execution by hanging. When he was marched to the gallows, a minister walked behind him. In keeping with custom, the minister read aloud this passage from a prayer book, "Those who die without Christ experience hell, which is the pain ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Evangelism, Rescue, Evangelism Urgency, Hell Is Real

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Brian Jones Tells The Story Of One Elderly Ge...

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 11, 2015

Brian Jones tells the story of one elderly gentleman who came forward and was baptized. This older gentleman lived alone. After one service Brian and his family invited this elderly man out to eat. Turns out that this elderly man was soon going on vacation to Florida. The man was excited about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19

Tags: Baptism, Discipleship, Clothing, Great Commission

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sermon On The Mount Quote By Oswald Chambers

Contributed by Matthew Redder on Sep 25, 2018

The impossibly difficult instructions found in the sermon on the mount have often troubled me. When I think about loving enemies, turning the other cheek, giving to the poor, storing up treasures in heaven, etc... I often feel like there's NO WAY I can be successful in the correctives Jesus ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15, Matthew 4:23

Tags: Disciples, Jesus Christ, New Creation, Devotional, Sermon On The Mount, Love Your Enemies, Oswald Chambers, Sermon, My Utmost For His Highest  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Captain Is My Daddy

Contributed by Paul Steen on Dec 24, 2018

A little boy was standing on the banks of the Mississippi River waving and shouting at a steamboat that was going by. He was beckoning the steamboat to come to shore. A stranger came by and said, “That's foolish young man. The boat will never come ashore for you. The captain is too busy to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:16

Tags: Father, Answered Prayer

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Kill The Spider!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 15, 2020

A man continually "rededicated" his life and always prayed the same prayer, "Lord, take the cobwebs out of my life. Oh, Lord.....take the cobwebs out of my life!" His pastor had heard this prayer more times than he cared to remember and was tired of hearing it. Finally, when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Hebrews 12:1-2, 2 Chronicles 7:14

Tags: Confession, Repentance, Mourning Over Sin

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Missing Pieces

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 25, 2020

A not-so- bright gal calls her boyfriend and says, “Please come over here and help me. I have a killer jigsaw puzzle, and I can’t figure out how to get it started.” He asks, “What is it supposed to be when it’s finished?” The girl says, “According to the picture on the box, it’s a tiger.” Her ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:1-10, Acts 18:24-28

Tags: Wisdom, Learning, Ignorance, Immaturity, Thinking, Gaps, Missing Information, Dunning Kruger  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Who Tore Down The Walls Of Jericho??

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

A pastor entered a class as the lesson was in progress and asked, "Who broke down the walls of Jericho?" A lad answered, "Not me, sir." The pastor turned to the teacher and asked, "Is this the usual behavior in this class?" The teacher replied, "I believe ...read more

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

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Jericho, Humor, Miracles, Unbelief, Ignorance Of Scripture  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Not Loving The World

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Jul 30, 2021

It was very late Wed. Night of last week. I had only just finally gotten to relax after working on sermons all day and helping my friends a little with their move. So my plan was, while I was working some more on my sermons, to listen to a documentary about John Foxe, the author of Foxes Book of ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15, Romans 12:2

Tags: Obedience, Taking Up Your Cross, Not Loving The World

Denomination: Charismatic

The Door Is Always Unlocked When You Come Home...

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 15, 2022

J. C. Ryle tells of a mother whose daughter ran away and lived a life of sin. For a long time, no one knew where she was, but she finally came back, turned to Christ in repentance, and believed in Him. Someone asked the mother what she had done to bring her daughter back and she replied, “I prayed ...read more

Tags: Parables, Rebellion, Lost, Lost Sheep, Prodigal Son, Daughters, Parents, Mothers, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keys To Understanding The Parables

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 13, 2022

KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING THE PARABLES Parables provide insight into the nature, coming, growth and of the Kingdom of God. Parables are by design intended to be surprising. They often sneak up on us. Parables are used to simulate thinking and cause the hearer to carefully contemplate what they ...read more

Tags: Teaching, Truth, Preaching, Parables, Kingdom Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Door To The Father's House Is Always Open (Father's Day Story)

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jun 7, 2023

JC. Ryle tells of a mother whose daughter ran away and lived a life of sin. For a long time, no one knew where she was, but she finally came back, turned to Christ in repentance, and believed in Him. Someone asked the mother what she had done to bring her daughter back and she replied, “I prayed ...read more

Tags: Fathers, Families, Children, Father's Day, Prayer, Mothers, Prodigal Son  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Persecution Under Nero

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Aug 27, 2023

The Coliseum was not the first Roman Arena designed for the glorification of gore during the persecution of Christians and the bloodthirsty desires of Nero. Within walking distance of the Coliseum is the site where Nero’s circus once stood. It was here, just a few years before the construction of ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-27

Tags: Coliseum, Persecution

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Eating Ashes

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 6, 2025

In Isaiah 44:20, we read: “He feeds on ashes; A deceived heart has turned him aside; And he cannot deliver his soul, Nor say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” The deceived heart is a word picture of iniquity. It’s on the inside, but it steers what happens on the outside. It’s like the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 44:20

Tags: Ashes, Pica, Steering Wheel

Denomination: Methodist

Prayer

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Sep 9, 2025

I read where a family bought a PRAYER BOOK for their son. Each night the boy would read a prayer before going to sleep. He was faithful to read a prayer. One night the boy was tired. He turned the light off and crawled into bed. He remember the prayer book. That night he called out to God: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1, Matthew 21:13

Tags: Faith, Prayer

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Backing Out Of Life's Garage!" Exodus 20:18-21 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 20, 2005

“Backing Out of Life’s Garage!” Exodus 20:18-21 Key verse(s): 20:“Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning’.” Graduating from a reel mower to a power mower, was a very big step in my life. I began ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:18-21

Tags: Fear And Worry

Denomination: Lutheran

Experts Can't Agree If The Following Is A True ...

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

Experts can’t agree if the following is a true story or if it should be written down next to the tale of George Washington and the Cherry Tree. While there is no concrete evidence of its truth, there is enough anecdotal evidence that the story has been in existence long enough to quite possibly be ...read more

Tags: Mercy

Denomination: Nazarene

Bennie Demerchant: God In Our Desperate Places

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 22, 2011

BENNIE DEMERCHANT: GOD IN OUR DESPERATE PLACES Brother Bennie Demerchant tells the story of an incredibly desperate place in his book Full Throttle in the chapter called "Extinguished Candles." The work in Brazil had been very productive with churches being established and converts being won. But ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:13

Tags: God Brings Hope