In Sermon Illustrations: "Wait Silently"

Illustration Of Giving

Contributed by John Oscar on Jan 15, 2017

A family came home from church one Sunday and after they had lunch they sent their 6-year-old son off to play. After awhile, his mother realized that they hadn’t heard much from him, which any parent knows is a recipe for disaster. The mother got up from her recliner and walked to the child's ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, Malachi 3:6-12

Tags: Faith, Offering, Giving, Tithe Or Give, Tithes And Offering  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How Can You Tell When A Church Is Dying?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 31, 2022

FUNNY STORY!!! Calvin Coolidge, our thirtieth president, was an extremely quiet and reserved man with very little personality. When questioned, he rarely answered in more than two or three words—a tendency which earned him the nickname, “Silent Cal.” The public saw him as a stiff and emotionless ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Tags: Renewal, Church Growth, Acts, Death Of A Vision, Church, Revival  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Behold, I Cometh!

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Aug 21, 2023

Once a pastor was frustrated because his church seemed dead and unenthusiastic. He attended a pastor’s conference for encouragement. The keynote speaker suggests sitting down quietly and creating suspense. Speak on the second coming of Christ. Then stand to the pulpit and raise your hand and shout ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Tags: Preacher Joke, Fellowship, Meeting, Humor, Enthusiasm  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Strength To Forgive

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2024

Some of life's hurts are so deep and painful that to forgive the people who caused them seems impossible. Yet Jesus says that we can't experience His forgiveness if we have an unforgiving spirit. In World War II, Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsie were arrested for concealing Jews and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Tags: Forgiveness, Lord's Prayer, God's Strength, Forgiving Others, Corrie Ten Boom, Enemies  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jorge And The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 27, 2009

JORGE AND THE TRANSLATOR Jorge Rodriguez was the meanest, orneriest bandit on the Texas-Mexico border. The guy would slip across the line, raid the banks of south Texas, and steal ’em blind. Before they could catch him, he would race back into Mexico and hide out. No matter how hard the law tried, ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 23:15-16

Tags: Lies, Christian Values

The Story Is Told About 3 Brothers Who ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 11, 2001

ILL. The story is told about 3 brothers who started working at the same time for a fur company owned by an old friend of their father. After working there for more than a year, one son was still receiving the same salary as when he started, & seemed to be unhappy with his job. The second son ...read more

Tags: Leadership General, Love Of The Disciples, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Have You Seen The Movie Antwone Fisher? It's The ...

Contributed by Bruce Emmert on Oct 9, 2006

Have you seen the movie Antwone Fisher? It’s the true story of a young man abandoned at birth by his mother and then raised in abusive orphanages, foster homes, and reform schools. Denzel Washington adapted the story into a movie that was released a few years ago. After his 18th birthday, Antwone ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: United Methodist

Standing In The Doorway  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 17, 2009

STANDING IN THE DOORWAY John Todd was born in Rutledge, Vermont, into a family of several children. They later moved to the village of Killingsworth back in the early 1800s. And, there, at a very young age, both John’s parents died. The relatives wondered what they would do with so many ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-3

Tags: Death

What Would You Do Challenge?" You Are Driving ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Burkey on May 19, 2005

What would you do challenge?” You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night. You pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for the bus: 1. An older woman who looks as if she is about to die. 2. An old friend who once saved your life. 3. The perfect man (or) woman you ...read more

Tags: Giving Yourself

Denomination: Lutheran

Lance Armstrong Won An Unprecedented Seven ...

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 1, 2007

Lance Armstrong won an unprecedented seven consecutive Tour de Frances. 1. During his fifth consecutive victory in the 2003 Tour de France, in the fifteenth stage of the competition, he took a severe tumble off his bike. 2. It occurred when a race fan was leaning over the course barrier to get a ...read more

Tags: Christian Love

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sign For The Bathroom Door  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jun 17, 2003

SIGN FOR THE BATHROOM DOOR Attention Everyone: The Bathroom Door is Closed! Please do not stand there and talk, whine or ask questions. Wait until I get out. Yes, it is locked. I want it that way. No, it is not broken; I am not trapped. I know I have left it unlocked, and even open at times, since ...read more

Tags: Children, Parenting

Denomination: Pentecostal

Here Is A Sign That Was Posted On A Bathroom ...

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Aug 30, 2007

Here is a SIGN that was posted on a BATHROOM DOOR Attention Everyone: The Bathroom Door is Closed! Please do not stand there and talk, whine or ask questions. Wait until I get out. Yes, it is locked. I want it that way. No, it is not broken; I am not trapped. I know I have left it unlocked, and ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

In Early 1874 An Inventor Named Elisha Gray ...

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Apr 24, 2007

In early 1874 an inventor named Elisha Gray transmitted a few musical notes over a telegraph wire. He thought to himself, "If I can send music, perhaps I could send the human voice." The NEW YORK TIMES reported predictions of a "talking telegraph", and the public began to grow eager for ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

My Friend Will Find Me

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 16, 2012

MY FRIEND WILL FIND ME Sam was a great bird dog. If he pointed to a clump of bushes, there surely was a bird in there. He was much more than just a bird dog. Often we’d share together lazy lunches in an abandoned apple orchard, and the snooze that followed. Late one afternoon, Sam and I became ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7-9

Tags: Trust

Un Estudio De La Impaciencia

Contributed by Luis Marquez on Jun 19, 2012

UN ESTUDIO DE LA IMPACIENCIA en 2006 encontró: • se necesita un promedio de 17 minutos para la mayoría de las personas para perder la paciencia en una cola o línea de espera. • En el teléfono, se tarda alrededor de 9 minutos para la mayoría de las personas en perder la paciencia. • Las ...read more

Tags: Fruit Of The Spirit

Denomination: Baptist

The Boat Is On Fire

Contributed by Jerry Thorpe on Mar 8, 2013

THE BOAT IS ON FIRE Robert E. Lee pleasure boat. Steamed out of Vicksburg. Hundreds of people were aboard. After midnight the boat caught fire. The captain discovered it and told his first mate to rush down through the saloon and down every corridor to wake everyone up. He didn't have time to ...read more

Tags: Rapture, Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Church Of God

Absentees In The Upper Room

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 9, 2014

ABSENTEES IN THE UPPER ROOM Written by Dr. Larry Petton One of the curious questions I have always had concerns the people who actually saw Christ after His resurrection. I would love to have been part of that group to see Jesus in His glorified, resurrected body! But, for some reason, that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-15

Tags: Church, Holy Spirit, Resurrection, Power

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is A Story About A Pastor Who Was Building ...  PRO

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

There is a story about a pastor who was building a wooden trellis to support a climbing vine. As he pounded away, he saw that a little boy was watching him. The youngster didn’t say a word, so the pastor kept on working, thinking the lad would just leave. But he didn’t. Finally the pastor asked, ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Holiness

Denomination: Baptist

Beloved Christian Reader, In Matters Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Bart Leger on Mar 15, 2001

“Beloved Christian reader, in matters of grace, you need a daily supply. You have no store of strength. Day by day must you seek help from above. It is a very sweet assurance that a daily portion is provided for you in the word, through the ministry, by meditation, in prayer, and waiting upon God ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit Attributes, Grace, Forgiveness General

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus Saw A Crowd Chasing Down A Woman To Stone ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 9, 2001

Jesus saw a crowd chasing down a woman to stone her and approached them. "What’s going on here, anyway?" he asked. "This woman was found committing adultery and the law says we should stone her!" one of the crowd responded. "Wait," yelled Jesus, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." ...read more

Tags: Sin General