In Sermon Illustrations: "Wait"

Winston Churchill's Resolve

Contributed by David Swanger on Jan 19, 2024

After the Nazis drove the British army from the European continent at Dunkirk and obtained France’s surrender in June of 1940, the Germans were certain that victory in Europe was at hand and that Great Britain would seek a peace agreement. France also believed that was true. French General Maxime ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:62

Tags: Resolve, Commitment

A Reason To Give Thanks

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Nov 24, 2024

Do you remember Erma Bombeck, the homemaker who spun humorous anecdotes about suburban family life into a column syndicated to about 700 newspapers, television commentary, speeches across the country and books with titles such as “The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank,” “Just Wait Till ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Thankfulness, Assurance, Erma Bombeck

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jeannette George Tells A Story About An ...  PRO

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 11, 2001

Jeannette George tells a story about an experience she had on a short flight from Tucson to Phoenix. Across the aisle from her sat a young woman and her baby, both dressed in white pinafores. The baby had a little pink bow where there would eventually be hair. The mother was smiling, as the baby ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14, Ephesians 1:1-14

Tags: God's Provision, God The Father, Love, Unconditional

Denomination: Baptist

Fred Craddock Was A Seminary Professor. Once, ...  PRO

Contributed by Tom Mccrossan on Dec 10, 2003

Fred Craddock was a seminary professor. Once, while he was lecturing at Yale University, he told of going back one summer to Gatlinburg, TN, to take a short vacation with his wife. One night they found a quiet little restaurant where they looked forward to a private meal—just the two of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:11-23

Tags: What Is Evangelism?, Evangelism Urgency, Evangelism How To

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

On The Battlefield Discernment Is Critical. An ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 8, 2004

On the battlefield discernment is critical. An officer leading his men into battle must be able to make decisions quickly and accurately. Decisiveness can spell the difference between victory and defeat. General Robert E. Lee, one of the greatest military strategists to ever wear an American ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Tags: Goodbye

Denomination: Lutheran

Dad's Coming Home--Mom's In The Kitchen!" John ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 16, 2004

“Dad’s Coming Home--Mom’s in the Kitchen!” John 16: 1-16 Key verse(s): 7: “But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” Growing up, one thing that I always was pretty sure of was ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-16

Tags: Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: Lutheran

Bullet-Proof Vest Of Righteousness  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 27, 2011

BULLET-PROOF VEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS Terry Schafer, a young wife, lived with her husband in the small city of Moline, Illinois. She had a special gift she wanted to give to her husband for Christmas but was afraid that they would not be able to afford it. She started shopping for it in September, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:14

Tags: Righteousness

Being Ready

Contributed by Richard L. Brown on Oct 1, 2016

Being Ready Luke 12: 32-38 This illustration is about not being afraid for the return of the Master. When I was a young boy in the Fourth Grade at Yost Elementary School, our teacher, Mrs. Conley, would periodically leave the room and say, “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Just work quietly at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:32-38

Tags: Following Directions, Being Prepared

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Train For Christmas

Contributed by Paul Steen on Dec 9, 2017

When I was a little boy, Christmas was really exciting. Sears Roebuck and Company would send toy catalogs out to my mom because she had an account with them. I would spend hours every Christmas looking at every item in the catalog. The catalog was filled with every kind of toy a boy could think ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Jesus Came, Unto Us A Child, A Son Is Given

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

I Want To Share A Story That Has Changed The Way ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

I want to share a story that has changed the way I view compassion. If I was a Hollywood film producer, I would make a movie out of it. It is a true story about a man named Bulus Tsetu. He and his family felt the call of God to start a Bible school in Nigeria, Africa. So after they had been there ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness General

William Lobdell Is A Writer And Reporter For The ...

Contributed by Scott Brewer on Jul 29, 2007

William Lobdell is a writer and reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Several years ago he attended a men’s retreat and decided that he wanted to follow Christ. He began to attend church, read the Bible and serve God in a variety of ways. He soon wanted to write about faith and he approached the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Chuck Swindoll Tells Of A Mountain Man From West ...

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jan 21, 2008

Chuck Swindoll tells of a mountain man from West Virginia who had never seen a city, or bright lights and modern inventions. He married a girl of the hills and they spent all their married years in the backwoods. Their one son, creatively named “Junior,” reached his sixteenth birthday, [and] his ...read more

Kurtis Warner: Christlike Love  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 28, 2009

KURTIS WARNER: CHRISTLIKE LOVE You never know when an encouraging act of kindness will bring about change in a person’s life for the better. In a supermarket, Kurtis, the stock boy, was busily working when a new voice came over the intercom asking for a carry out at checkout register 4. Kurtis ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Tags: Christian Love

One Evening A Burglar Finally Decided To Make His ...

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Aug 24, 2009

One evening a burglar finally decided to make his move. He had been casing a house for weeks and determined that tonight he was going to break into a particular house where he was sure that the owners had left for vacation. Slyly and with extreme stealth he headed to the window. He had already ...read more

Tags: Preparation

Denomination: Church Of God

Dog's Bad Breath And God's Love

Contributed by Sam Adair on Apr 22, 2026

“Rowdy’s Breath and God’s Love” ?I want to tell you about my dog, Rowdy. Now, I love this dog. But let me be honest with you—Rowdy’s breath is terrible. Like, really bad. Yet every day, when I get home, Rowdy runs to me full of joy. His tail is wagging, his eyes are bright, and he can’t wait to see ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Sin, God's Love

Denomination: Assembly Of God

I Didn’t Do It My Way

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 23, 2021

I don’t think I’ve learned very much during my life. I just bounce from day to day and take what comes. The one thing I did learn as I look back is, for the most part, I didn’t do it my way. Remember Frank Sinatra and his song, “I Did It My Way?” I would have liked to ask him, how’s that been ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21

Tags: Surrender, Aggression

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

It Was A Snarly Kind Of Day

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 26, 2025

Last week The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage had another one of her girl days with our daughter and granddaughter. Don’t let this get around, but it is one of my favorite days of the year, including my birthday. It’s a day on which I can do what I want to do. That doesn’t come often; when it ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:29

Tags: Wrath, Patience, Reward

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Too Late In A Terrible Way  PRO

Contributed by Scott Weber on Mar 23, 2001

TOO LATE IN A TERRIBLE WAY You can’t read the article that appeared in the Atlanta Journal, June 5, 1997 without some remorse and sympathy for Clarence Jackson. "The clock struck midnight, and Clarence Jackson didn’t turn into a millionaire." Jackson, who is 24, works in a small cleaning ...read more

Tags: Second Coming

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Those Of Us Who Have E-Mail Usually Get Little ...  PRO

Contributed by Rita Sims on Aug 5, 2001

Those of us who have e-mail usually get little stories or sayings from our friends. Sometimes I really read them, other times I don’t. The other day one of my high school friends sent me one I want to share with you. We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, Envy

Denomination: United Methodist

Lines To A Skeleton…  PRO

Contributed by Larry Daugherty on Aug 7, 2001

LINES TO A SKELETON... The mss. of this poem was found in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, near a perfect human skeleton. It was first published around the early 1900’s It Has a Profound Message!!! Behold this ruin! ’Twas a skull, Once of ethereal spirit filled. This narrow ...read more

Tags: Death, Death Nearness

Denomination: Holiness