In Sermon Illustrations: "Two Coats"

The Real Story Of Unequally Yoked.  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 31, 2015

David Slagle, a minister at a small church in Atlanta, tells the story of a woman in her late 20’s. The woman had befriended a man living in her apartment complex. Slagle and his wife asked whether the two were dating. The man in question was a known atheist. The young woman answered, “No, I’m ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Tags: Marriage, Premarital, Unequally Yoked, Pre-Marital Counsel

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Conformity

Contributed by Don Berry-Graham on Feb 29, 2016

I first noticed this in leading people to Christ. They were beautiful before they were “church broke.” Great young converts often start out as radiant Christians and end up only as carbon-copy Baptists. Great young ministers start out as adorable mavericks, but after a business meeting or two and a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, Romans 12:2-5

Tags: Conformity, Accepting

Denomination: Baptist

From Atheism To Ben Hur

Contributed by Garris Hudson on May 19, 2016

FROM ATHEISM TO BEN HUR "After six years given to the impartial investigation of Christianity as to its truth or falsity, I have come to the deliberate conclusion that Jesus Christ was the Messiah of the Jews, the Savior of the world and my own personal Redeemer." -- General Lew Wallace, one-time ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:1

Tags: Conversion, Testimony, Jesus Christ, Atheism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Adam Used To Live

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 18, 2017

Adam and his two sons, Cain and Abel, were out hunting one day when Adam turned and started staring at something beautiful afar off. It was the Garden of Eden. Then Adam broke down and starting weeping. The boys didn’t understand. Finally, Abel asked his father, "Dad, why are you crying over ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12

Tags: Marriage, Sin, Adam And Eve, Garden Of Eden

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pure Love Brings Joy

Contributed by Christopher Sweeney on May 19, 2017

Many of you may have experienced this but I have from my two nephews and my time in youth ministry that there are times when you are having the worst days and then a child will run up to you and give you a hug or say I love you and everything goes away. Why, why is it that a hug can help erase the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Philippians 4:4

Tags: Love, Joy

Billy Graham's Great Regret

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 2, 2020

Billy Graham was once asked, "If you had to live your life over again, what would you do differently?" He answered: “One of my great regrets is that I have not studied enough, I wish I had studied more and preached less. People have pressured me into speaking to groups when I should ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Bible Study, Word Of God, Pastors, Sermon Preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Monkey Reading The Bible

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 17, 2021

One day the zoo-keeper noticed that the monkey was reading two books - the Bible and Darwin's The Origin of Species. In surprise he asked the ape, "Why are you reading both those books"? "Well," said the monkey, "I just wanted to know if I was my brother's keeper ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:25

Tags: Evolution, Darwin

Denomination: Methodist

The Sad Story Of Stephen Foster

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 1, 2021

One cold January morning in 1864 a man was found lying in a heap in the seedy Bowery section of New York, bleeding from a slashed throat. He had staggered to a wash basin, which fell and shattered. A doctor at the scene used black sewing thread somebody found to suture the wound. The man—an almost ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:10

Tags: Depression, Loneliness, Alcholism, Homelessness, Drugs  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Conditional Promise

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 4, 2025

This is the beginning of that story where God tells them what they needed to do: 1 – Kill the Passover lamb 2 – Collect the blood in a bowl 3 – Put the blood on the two sides and top of the door The result would be what God promised to do – pass over their houses with the final plague of the death ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:21-28

Tags: Passover, Conditional Promise

Denomination: Methodist

The House God Moved

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 12, 2025

The story of that little church in Swan Quarter, North Carolina, still stirs my heart. In 1874 the congregation built a modest wooden building, but the land they truly wanted had been refused by its owner. Two years later a storm struck the town, the kind of storm that tears apart homes and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-8, Psalm 127:1

Tags: Guidance, Providence

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Push Or Pull

Contributed by David Dunn on Jan 26, 2026

Two people were trying to move a heavy piece of office furniture—a large cabinet—from one room into another. It was solid, awkward, and just wide enough to be a problem. They managed to get it to the doorway, and then everything stopped. They strained. They pushed harder. They adjusted their ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-2

Tags: Fellowship, Unity

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

You Be The Judge?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2002

YOU BE THE JUDGE? "A money belt is one thing you just can’t do without," my friend told me. ’Make sure you take travelers’ checks with you and maybe a few twenties, and tuck them in your money belt before you leave. And don’t ... DON’T go pawing through your money when you’re out on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:1-4

Tags: Character, Disease, Compassion, Faith, Leprosy, Obedience  (view more)  (view less)

Rabbi Harold Kushner Tells A Wonderful Story ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

Rabbi Harold Kushner tells a wonderful story about a bright young man, who was a sophomore Stanford pre-med student To reward him for having done so well in school, his parents gave him a trip to the Far East for the summer vacation before the start of his junior year. While there he met a guru who ...read more

Tags: Workplace, Peace

As A Schoolboy, One Of Red Skelton’s ...  PRO

Contributed by Kent Lenard on Jun 29, 2002

As a schoolboy, one of Red Skelton’s teachers explained the words and meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance to his class. Skelton later wrote down, and eventually recorded, his recollection of this lecture. It’s followed by an observation of his own. I - - Me; an individual; a committee of ...read more

Tags: Political Freedom, Evangelism The Lost

Denomination: Baptist

There Were Three People In Heaven Who Decided One ...  PRO

Contributed by Wayne Major on Aug 10, 2002

There were three people in heaven who decided one day to play a round of golf at the heavenly country club. The first man stepped up to the tee, hit his drive, and watched as it headed straight for the water hazard. Just as the ball was about to land in the water, he raised his club, pointed it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Tags: Uncertain, Unknown, Communication General

Denomination: Methodist

In 1949, Following The Defeat Of Nazi Germany In ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Black on Jan 30, 2003

In 1949, following the defeat of Nazi Germany in WW II and the re-organization of Europe, the nation of Germany was divided into East & West. In the East a communist government was set up under the influence of the Soviet Union. In the West a free, democratic government was set up and benefitted ...read more

Tags: Political Freedom

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Actually My Wife Laurel Found Something At ...  PRO

Contributed by Scott Bradford on Apr 13, 2005

Actually my wife Laurel found something at Hastings the other day that might be able to help us out: "Its called "Wash Away Your Sins - Soul Saver Pack"... "For liars, cheaters, and wrong-doers."  "It says its Bishop tested" and "Cardinal approved". Its contents are two bottles and an instruction ...read more

Scripture: John 2:11-25

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: United Methodist

Jason Stevens Is A Star Of Australian Rugby ...

Contributed by W F on Jun 12, 2005

Jason Stevens is a star of Australian Rugby League. A giant front row forward he has represented his State and country on many occasions. But Stevens journey to the top of his sport was not easy. His mother migrated to Australia from Egypt when she was 17 years old. She married and had her four ...read more

Tags: Christian Love, Compassion

Denomination: *other

In The Late Winter Of 1891, The Whale-Ship 'star ...  PRO

Contributed by Peter Bines on Sep 6, 2005

In the late winter of 1891, the whale-ship ’Star of the East’ was in the area of the Falkland Islands when it sighted a whale. Two boats were sent out with harpoons to catch and kill the creature. But the whale’s lashing tail overturned one of the boats spilling the crew into the sea. All were ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10

Tags: Fact Or Fiction, Fiction, Check, Jonah, Never Happened  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Crisis And Trauma Counseling

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 25, 2006

Dr. H Norman Wright tells this story: My wife and I had just arrived home from vacation, and the phone rang. It was our house painter. He said, “I remembered that your son died. My daughter just lost two of her little boys. Can you help her?” We agreed, so my wife and I made an appointment. This ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational