In Sermon Illustrations: "Valley Of The Shadow Of Death"

Propitiation In Ancient Judaism

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 30, 2019

David Flusser writes, “ Since the age of the Hasmoneans, Jews had believed that the saints who died to sanctify the name of God atoned for the sins of Israel… Even Jews who did not accept Christianity evidently believed that Jesus, like the other martyrs of the Roman ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31

Tags: Atonement, Propitiation, Death Of Christ, Penal Atonement

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Long Ride Home

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 19, 2020

(Note: I used this illustration as part of a funeral message in January 2017) Back when I was 11 years of age, I really discovered pro baseball! We lived about four hours away from Cincinnati, Ohio, at the time—which was no problem for me! Well, I must have really pestered Dad because he ...read more

Tags: Lazarus, Death Of Believers, Fathers And Sons, Assurance

Denomination: Baptist

The Sacrifice These Men Made For Freedom

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 31, 2021

Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. Their conviction resulted in untold sufferings for themselves and their families. Of the 56 men, five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Tags: Death, Sacrifice, Freedom, America, Declaration Of Independence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can't Wait Until Morning  PRO

Contributed by Steve Gallimore on Aug 28, 2008

Can't Wait Until Morning Dr. W. A Criswell, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas Texas, said on one occasion on an airplane flight he found himself seated beside a well-known theologian. He desperately wanted to start a conversation and they did get to talk. The man told Dr. Criswell about ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:1

Tags: Death, Glory, Heaven, Salvation, Hope, Funeral  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Is The Fire In Hell Literal Or A Figure Of Speech?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jun 6, 2022

Brian Bell has an interesting note on as to whether or not it is real flames in Hell or just a figiure of speech: "it seems it is a real torment, thus a real thirst, which desires real water, from a real finger, to touch ...read more

Tags: Hell, Death, Eternity, Scripture, Judgment, Inerrancy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Funny Marriage Sermon-Starter

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 23, 2022

An 80 year-old woman was recently married to her 4th husband. A reporter questioned the occupation of her newly acquired husband. She replied that he owned a funeral home. Curious about the other husbands, the reporter also asked about their occupations. The woman paused for a while and stated ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-31

Tags: Death, Marriage, Humor, Husbands, Wives, Widows  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Saving Private Ryan Tells Us About Our Need For Grace

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 24, 2022

Saving Private Ryan is one of my favorite World War II movies. Three out of four brothers are killed in action, and then a search is launched to find the fourth, Private James Ryan, so that he is not killed, leaving his mother childless. Eight men are sent out to find Private Ryan, who is missing ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Death, Grace, Fear, Salvation, Legalism, Works  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Coach Bear Bryant Had A Purpose In Life.

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 13, 2022

The famous and very successful football coach Bear Bryant often told reporters, "I’d croak in a month if I quit coaching." After twenty-five years as the head coach at his alma mater, Bryant announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season. On December 29, 1982, he coached his ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27, Philippians 1:21

Tags: Careers, Death, Sports, Men, Retirement, Purpose  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Funnnnnnnnny Story About Lazarus!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 13, 2022

A teacher in children's church was telling the story of the rich man and Lazarus. She said that Lazarus sat outside the rich man's gate covered with sores and begging for food. And that the rich man passed Lazarus without even seeing him. But when they both died, Lazarus went to Heaven, ...read more

Tags: Hell, Death, Heaven, Salvation, Lost, Funerals  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sailing Into A New Harbor (Funeral)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 1, 2023

BIBLE For I am already being poured out ... like a drink offering, ... and the time has come for my departure. ..... I have fought the good fight, .... I have finished the race, .... I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, .... which the Lord, .... the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Tags: Death, Ship, Funeral, Departure, Harbor, Horizon  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

I Am More Alive Than Ever - D. James Kennedy

Contributed by Timothy Lueking on Apr 3, 2023

D. James Kennedy wrote a book called "Skeptics Answered" and in this book, he made this observation that has always stuck with me. It reminds me of a quote from D.L. Moody many years before. Kennedy wrote, "There will, in fact, come a time when some of you will probably be standing ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25-26

Tags: Eternal Life, Death, Easter, Resurrection, Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Did You Find When You Opened My Heart?

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 16, 2023

Here’s a story about a little boy that was to have heart surgery. The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed and his parents sat across from him. The surgeon said to the little boy, "Tomorrow morning, I'll open up your heart." The little boy interrupted the surgeon and said; ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12, Romans 10:13

Tags: Heaven, Unbelievers, Evangelism, Death, Jesus, Children  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grief: God's Answer To Overwhelming Grief

Contributed by Raymond Petzholt on Aug 25, 2025

What follows is a true account, which I (Stephen) was fortunate enough to witness firsthand in the spring of 2015. My wife was an only child raised by a single mom, and as such was very close to her mother. Thus, when her mother died after 90 years my wife was severely grief stricken and would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 1 Samuel 3:9-10

Tags: Death, Prayer, Listen, Grief, Loved One  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Some Months Ago I Heard A Touching Story About A ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Jun 5, 2001

Some months ago I heard a touching story about a humble, consecrated pastor whose young son had become very ill. After the boy had undergone an exhaustive series of tests, the father was told the shocking news that his son had a terminal illness. The youngster had accepted Christ as his Savior, so ...read more

Tags: Funerals Non-Christian, Father's Day, Death Nearness

Denomination: Wesleyan

Fred Smith Reminds Us That We Make Blood In ...  PRO

Contributed by Dana Chau on Nov 5, 2002

Fred Smith reminds us that we make blood in order to live; we do not live in order to make blood. One of the biggest blunders human beings make is that we are ...read more

Tags: Death Nearness, Finding Fulfillment, God Brings Purpose

Denomination: *other

If You Would Take Your Riches Into The Life To ...  PRO

Contributed by David Insell on Jul 28, 2003

If you would take your riches into the life to come, convert them into ...read more

Tags: Giving General, Death, Ashes, Work, Money, Materialism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Three Ways Out

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 1, 2013

THREE WAYS OUT Sir Harry Lauder was a British entertainer who proved highly popular throughout the English speaking world both before, during and after World War One. During World War One Lauder worked tirelessly to organize and recruit performers for shows given to troops serving abroad. When ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Tags: Death, Despair, Struggles, Hardship Of Life, Trials And Difficulties  (view more)  (view less)

F.e.a.r

Contributed by Alexier Mayes on Aug 8, 2017

Theres a song written by Ian Brown, known most famously as the Lead Singer from Manchester Band 'The Stone Roses' The song simply entitled FEAR uses the letters of the word to describe a sentence and the most poignant one of all states:- FINAL EXECUTION AND RESURRECTION Four words which mean ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:18

Tags: Love, Fear, Resurrection, Trust, Perfect Love, Death  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Propitiation And Jewish Roots

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 30, 2019

Modern Jews, like Jews centuries before Christ, believed their suffering atoned for sing.Faithful Jews even today are encouraged to offer a prayer when seriously ill or near death called the Viduy (or Vidui) prayer: "I acknowledge before You, Lord my G-d and the G-d of my fathers, that my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31

Tags: Atonement, Propitiation, Calvary, Death Of Christ, Penal Atonement  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Edith Burns Was A Wonderful Christian Who Lived ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. One of his favorite patients was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:30

Tags: Death, Easter, Gospel, God's Word, Easter Resurrection  (view more)  (view less)