In Sermon Illustrations: "Wages Of Sin"

The Gossip Test

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 1, 2021

Another basic concept – sin creates spiritual blindness. Let me illustrate with my favorite sin to talk about… GOSSIP. I’ll stop right here and make sure you know how I define gossip. Before you tell someone a story about another person (even disguised as a prayer request), it needs to pass all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:37-45

Tags: Sin, Gossip, Spiritual Blindness

Denomination: Methodist

What Is Corruption?

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 26, 2021

, A little girl asks her father: "Daddy, what is corruption?" -- Go bring me a beer and I'll tell you. -- But mommy said you should stop drinking! -- Get yourself an ice-cream too ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:1-4

Tags: Bribe, Sin, Corruption, Dishonesty

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Following Incident Won The Runner-Up Prize In ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Stewart on Feb 14, 2004

The following incident won the runner-up prize in the 1999 Darwin Awards: A Vermont native, Ronald Demuth, found himself in a difficult position. While touring the Eagle’s Rock African Safari (Zoo) with a group of thespians from St. Petersburg, Russia, Mr. Demuth went overboard to show them ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:5, Romans 7:5

Tags: Sin Bondage To, Sin Exposed, Small Groups, Community, Group, Fellowship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[229]. A Message From A Poem - Rededication Based On 1 Corinthians 5:7

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 16, 2025

[229]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - REDEDICATION BASED ON 1 CORINTHIANS 5:7 This poem is a penitent’s response to sin in his/her life. I think a lot of us would know David’s prayer and confession in Psalm 51. Christians are not sinless people and the people who have a holiness teaching, and carry it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 John 1:8-9, Galatians 6:1, Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Conviction, Besetting Sin, Falling Into Sin, Christian Poems, Old Leaven, Forgiveness, Sin, Confession, Repentance, Rededication  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Relentless For Justice  PRO

Contributed by Bishop Johnathan Hester on Sep 21, 2009

Relentless for Justice IN the parable of the widow and the unjust judge, we meet an extraordinary woman who refuses to accept her fate. She voices opposition to injustice without relenting. As a result of her persistence, even the unjust judge is prompted to act. If even an unjust judge can be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Luke 18:7-8

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation

Denomination: Apostolic

Peter Marshall Said "We Are Too Christian Really ...  PRO

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 31, 2000

Peter Marshall said “We are too Christian really to enjoy sinning, and too fond of sinning really to enjoy Christianity. Most of us know perfectly well what we ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will, Holiness, Sin General

Denomination: Wesleyan

Martin Luther Put It This Way In The First Of ...  PRO

Contributed by William Jewett on Nov 2, 2000

Martin Luther put it this way in the first of the 95 theses he nailed to the door of the Wittenberg church: "When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said ’repent,’ He ...read more

Tags: Confession Of Sin, Forgiveness For Others, Repentance

Denomination: *other

A Pastor Was Visiting A Family One Day. He ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Feb 27, 2001

A pastor was visiting a family one day. He knocked on the door but no one answered it. He knocked again and again, but still no answer. He thought he heard someone inside but they just wouldn’t answer the door. Finally he wrote a note and slipped it under the door. It was Rev.3:20: “Behold I ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13, Revelation 3:20

Tags: Argue, Fight, Dealing With Conflicts, Sin

Denomination: Wesleyan

Notice Satan’s Version Of Grace - It Had An ...  PRO

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Mar 1, 2001

notice Satan’s version of grace - it had an IF clause attached to it. [[This reminds me of the many ploys out there today - get 400 dollars of free merchandise - IF you sign up for MSN for three years. No money down - no interest for 12 months - you can own a new car NOW! But all you have to do ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:12-15, Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 4:26-34

Tags: Money, Sin Deceptive, Temptation Of Christ

Denomination: Lutheran

Many Years Ago Charles G. Finney Was Preaching In ...  PRO

Contributed by John Dobbs on Mar 2, 2001

Many years ago Charles G. Finney was preaching in Rochester, New York. Far up in the balcony was a brilliant and able lawyer. He was chief justice of the court of New York. As he listened to the minister, he became convicted of his need to follow Christ. "That man is speaking the truth," he said ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-26, John 15:1-11

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Confession Of Sin, Emotions

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Very Short Boy Wanted So Badly To Play ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Mar 26, 2001

A very short boy wanted so badly to play basketball. He even told his dad that he wanted to become a pro when he was older. Knowing that his son would never be able to play the game, the dad asked the local coach if there was anything he could recommend to make the boy taller. "You might take ...read more

Tags: Faith, Confession, Confession Of Sin, Repentance

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Year Or So Ago Time Magazine Published A Review ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 16, 2001

A year or so ago Time Magazine published a review of the movie, “The Birdcage.” The review said that while the movie is based on the plot of Robin Williams & Nathan Lane playing a homosexual couple, & Gene Hackman playing a conservative politician who messes up their gay lifestyle, that the movie ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Romans 1:18-32

Tags: Call Of The Disciples, Holiness, Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Live: Spelled Backwards Is ’evil’. ...  PRO

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Apr 24, 2001

LIVE: spelled backwards is ’evil’. Today men and women are living their lives backwards and the result is a society with unspeakable evil. Something needs to happen to ...read more

Tags: Holiness, Finding Fulfillment, Sin Deceptive

How Many Of You Have Seen The Modern-Day ...  PRO

Contributed by Tony Miano on Apr 29, 2001

How many of you have seen the modern-day Christmas classic, “A Christmas Story?” It’s a great movie about one family’s Christmas season and a little boy’s mission to receive the Cadillac of BB guns as a present. The Miano family watches this movie every year. Whenever I see the scene of Ralphie ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6-7

Tags: Humility, Temptation Pride, Sin General

Denomination: *other

Dr. Barnhouse Used This Illustration To Portray ...  PRO

Contributed by Lynell Friesen on May 24, 2001

Dr. Barnhouse used this illustration to portray this simple truth to his congregation and I would like to share it with you. A young man, suffering from amnesia, lived a new life amid his old surroundings; he could remember nothing that had happened before he fell off a haywagon. As he fell, ...read more

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation, Sin Fall Of Man

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It’s Like The Story Of The Boy Who Was ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jun 25, 2001

It’s like the story of the boy who was shooting rocks with a slingshot. He could never hit his target. As he was in his Grandma’s backyard one day, h spied her pet duck. On impulse h took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck was dead. “The boy panicked and hid the bird in the woodpile, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, Guilt, Sin Bondage To

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is Almost Nothing Like It In The World. To ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hiehle on Jul 10, 2001

There is almost nothing like it in the world. To see the eyes and expression on a little boy’s face the very first time he experiences it. Little boys dream about it. Old men still tell about it with great excitement and enthusiasm. Nothing else compares to the thrill of fighting to bring in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:14-15

Tags: Temptation General, Sin Deceptive, Satan

Denomination: Nazarene

Dale Hays Tells Of A Haitian Pastor Who Told His ...  PRO

Contributed by Mary Lewis on Sep 24, 2001

Dale Hays tells of a Haitian pastor who told his congregation this gruesome parable: A certain man wanted to sell his house for $2,000. Another man wanted very badly to buy it, but because he was poor, he couldn’t afford the full price. After much bargaining, the owner agreed to sell the house for ...read more

Tags: Sin Deceptive, Holiness, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Remember The Incredible Hulk? If You Do ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 29, 2001

Do you remember the Incredible Hulk? If you do you either remember the big green monster from the comics or the television show. Dr. Banner had a serious problem. In an experiment he had unleashed a terrible monster. In times of stress he would turn into this huge raging monster. One of the ...read more

Tags: Sin Bondage To, Christian Disciplines, Anger

With Tongue In Cheek, Mark Twain Spoke Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

With tongue in cheek, Mark Twain spoke of the two-faced life we all live: I am constructed like everybody else and enjoy a compliment as well as any other fool, but I do like to have the other side presented. And there is another side. I have a wicked side. Estimable friends who know all about it ...read more

Tags: Leadership General, Sin Deceptive, Holiness