In Sermon Illustrations: "Volunteer Day"

The Bridge That Wouldn't Break

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 8, 2024

As the Union Pacific Railroad was being constructed, an elaborate trestle bridge was built across a large canyon in the West. Wanting to test the bridge, the builder loaded a train with enough extra cars and equipment to double its normal payload. The train was then driven to the middle of the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Victory, Defeat, Jesus, Sin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unbroken Preachers

Contributed by Samuel M on Sep 8, 2025

These days, pulpits are filled with lot of called unbroken preachers who lack the wilderness experience. These unbroken preachers are making a lot of noise. There's a lot of boasting, hype, and selfish ambition. Their preaching lacks the voice of the Lord. Preachers with wilderness experience ...read more

Tags: Faith, Hope

Prayer

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 21, 2025

Story: A friend of mine, Alun Morris was a pastor in a Swiss Pentecostal Church for many years. One day, he went to a funeral and saw a man who he knew to be an atheist come into church and bow his head for about a minute in front of the altar as he came in. It seemed to Alun that the man was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Tags: Prayer, Atheist

Denomination: Anglican

Top Ten Reasons Hurricane Season Is Like ...

Contributed by Jim Heckman on Sep 17, 2008

Top Ten Reasons Hurricane Season Is Like Christmas 10: Decorating the house (with plywood). 9: Dragging out boxes that haven’t been used since last season. 8: Last minute shopping in crowded stores. 7: Regular TV shows pre-empted for ’Specials’. 6: Family coming to stay with you. 5: Family and ...read more

Tags: Joshua

Denomination: Brethren

Top Ten Reasons Hurricane Season Is Like ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Heckman on Sep 17, 2008

Top Ten Reasons Hurricane Season Is Like Christmas 10: Decorating the house (with plywood). 9: Dragging out boxes that haven't been used since last season. 8: Last minute shopping in crowded stores. 7: Regular TV shows pre-empted for 'Specials'. 6: Family coming to stay with you. 5: Family and ...read more

Tags: Joy

Denomination: Brethren

Together Again

Contributed by Stephen Funderburk on Jan 18, 2009

Together Again Together again, over yonder God’s promise the way it will be Never again to know parting Together again, you and me. Together again, up in heaven Removed from life’s sorrow and care No worry about a tomorrow Together again, over there. Together again, glad reunion Happy meeting in ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Tags: Heaven

Denomination: Assembly Of God

You Will Be Queen Someday

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

YOU WILL BE QUEEN SOMEDAY When Queen Victoria was a child, she didn’t know she was in line for the throne of England. Her instructors, trying to prepare her for the future, were frustrated because they couldn’t motivate her. She just didn’t take her studies seriously. Finally, her teachers decided ...read more

Tags: Encouragement

The Truth Is Everyone Of Your Words Matter, They ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 11, 2009

The truth is everyone of your words matter, they influence someone either negatively or positively. How many times have you heard someone say, “I wish I would never have said that!” Our text in James today addresses the issue of the uncontrolled words of the tongue. We see this dilemma of words ...read more

Tags: Tongue

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The World Doesn't Hate You

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 12, 2009

THE WORLD DOESN’T HATE YOU After a tough and discouraging day at work, Melvin plopped himself on the couch and began wallowing in self-pity. His moaned to his wife, "Nobody cares about me. In fact, the whole world hates me." Without even looking up from her work, Melvin’s wife replied, "That’s ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18

Tags: Disappointment

Standing Out

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Feb 23, 2009

STANDING OUT I remember an experience as a 16-year-old, Salvation Army soldier. I was walking to the church from my house for Bible study. In those days, soldiers wore uniforms to every church function. On route to the church, there were 12 or 15 peers hanging outside the pool hall that I had to ...read more

Tags: Christian Witness

Denomination: Salvation Army

No One Stopped To Help  PRO

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Mar 5, 2009

NO ONE STOPPED TO HELP This past week in DC, a frightening thing happened. In a bad neighborhood where drunkenness and drugs are wide spread. Three men got into an argument, probably about a bottle of beer. One man was punched. They called it a "sucker punch." The man fell backwards and hit ...read more

Tags: Mercy

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It's Not About Us!" 1 Samuel 15:27-35 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Apr 4, 2005

“It’s Not About Us!” 1 Samuel 15:27-35 Key verse(s) 30:“Saul replied, ‘I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God.’” We truly live in the age of self and ego. When you stop to think about it, a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:27-35, 2 Chronicles 20:5-15

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Basics Of Christianity, Humility, Obedience, Impatience, Unrepentant, Pride  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

A Cure For Fear

Contributed by Michael Buckingham on Jul 23, 2011

A CURE FOR FEAR The story starts with a boy of 12 whose name was Jim. Jim was a pleasant young lad, but one day his mother became very ill, the doctor came and saw her, and he explained to Jim and his father that in all probability Jim's mother will die. Sad right? Well, the day came for Jim's ...read more

Tags: Fear And Worry

Denomination: Baptist

There’s Always Tomorrow

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 11, 2020

For almost four weeks now, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and Yours Truly have enjoyed some exceptional time together. It has been the rich experience I never thought I would experience until I retired from everything. But, if this is retirement, “Lord, let it be so.” Nothing to complain ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8

Tags: Together, Rest, Pajamas

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

My Thoughts Are Worth More Than A Penny

Contributed by James Snyder on May 30, 2020

Dr. James L. Snyder I must admit that I do gravel a lot in thinking about my thoughts. It has been a habit of mine down through the years. Thinking is what really makes life worth living, or so I believe. My father had a saying whenever he saw me staring off into the distance, “A penny for your ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:17

Tags: Thoughts, Thinking, Penny

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

There’s Something About A Lazy Summer Afternoon

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 13, 2020

The past week was an unusually quiet week around the parsonage. It enabled me to do something that I have wanted to do all summer long. Nothing. I am not bragging or anything, but I can do nothing right up there with the best of them. The week, as all weeks do, started on Monday. For me, there is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:31

Tags: Humor, Relationship

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

What It Was, Was A Peach Tree

Contributed by James Snyder on Aug 15, 2020

For some reason, this week, I had been thinking of my maternal grandfather. I was named after him, and therefore we had a connection. I was thinking about him because this month I turned the same age as he was when he passed. I hope there's no connection there. As a young boy, I would spend a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23

Tags: Faith, Humor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Being Nice Does Have Its Rewards

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 21, 2020

It was one of those weeks. It seems that every week of mine is "one of those weeks." Just when I think everything was looking fine, I discovered I was looking in the wrong direction. I should know better than thinking. Several problems developed with my vehicle, and I had to take it to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38

Tags: Nice, Relationship

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Do I Need To Repeat That?

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 30, 2022

Of all the holidays during the year that I like, my birthday is at the bottom of the list. Now that I'm at my current age, I prefer not to be reminded that I'm getting older. All a birthday does for me is tell me I'm just getting older. Who wants to be reminded of that? Then, the worst ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:17

Tags: Unity, Hearing

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Where Did The Summer Go?

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 14, 2023

This past week started out as the best week of the whole year. At least, I thought so at the time. I finished my book manuscript and sent it to the publisher. I caught up with some other projects that were lagging. And I had time to balance my checkbook. What could be better than that? The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:24

Tags: Summer, Time

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance