In Sermon Illustrations: "Wells"

Wisdom Literature

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 23, 2011

WISDOM LITERATURE Wisdom not valued much in modern society, so wisdom literature not popular in our culture; In the past, Aesop's fables--which are amazing--used to be a common resource for popular wisdom. But in the ancient near east, wisdom literature abounded. Shortly before Solomon, an ...read more

Tags: Wisdom

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Bumps Show Character

Contributed by Ken Pell on Aug 4, 2011

"BUMPS" SHOW CHARACTER The other day I had a very full cup of coffee. VERY full. To top it off I had to walk back to my desk with it and, as fate would have it, I bumped into the desk corner while walking there. The coffee spilled. There's no hiding spilled coffee on a book or paper and, sure ...read more

Tags: Character

Denomination: Nazarene

If You Want It Bad Enough

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 10, 2011

IF YOU WANT IT BAD ENOUGH When a person first comes to faith in Christ and gets a taste of His grace, they can’t get enough of the Bible. Pat Summerall, the well-known sports announcer, trusted Christ with his life and overcame alcohol in the late 60’s. As he describes his life with Christ, he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:2-3

Tags: Growth In Christ

Picking The Wrong Door

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 31, 2011

PICKING THE WRONG DOOR Stuart Briscoe, in his book Everyday Discipleship for Ordinary People, tells the story about a fellow pastor who was officiating at the funeral of a war veteran. The dead man’s military friends wanted to have a part in the service at the funeral home, so they requested that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-5

Tags: Leadership General

One Hour

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Sep 6, 2011

ONE HOUR A child loved his dad but seldom saw him. The man was so busy with so many things to do. The child collected bottles and cans, did odd jobs and seemed to be always trying to make money. One day he asked his father, "How much do you make in an hour?" The dad said, "$20.00, why?" ...read more

Tags: Children

Denomination: Baptist

Take My Wife...please

Contributed by Perry Greene on Nov 30, 2011

TAKE MY WIFE...PLEASE A hooded robber burst into a Texas bank and forced the tellers to load a sack full of cash. On his way out the door, a brave Texas customer grabbed the hood and pulled it off revealing the robber’s face. The robber shot the customer without a moment’s hesitation. He then ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25

Tags: Marriage General

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Old Rugged Cross

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Dec 4, 2011

THE OLD RUGGED CROSS About an hour away from where I used to live in Coventry (England), there is a little village called Bredwardine. It is in the county of Herefordshire. A lady who attended the Anglican Church in that village died, and in her will she left some money for the Church. As well as ...read more

Tags: Cross

Denomination: Brethren

Flotsam And Jetsam

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jan 19, 2012

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Flotsam and jetsam are commonly used terms. They are used to describe the wreckage and debris that floats in the water after a shipwreck. What isn't so well known is that there is a difference between flotsam and jetsam. Flotsam is anything that ends up in the water resulting ...read more

Tags: Sin General

Denomination: Brethren

For Blessings Already Received

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Feb 23, 2012

FOR BLESSINGS ALREADY RECEIVED "Returning thanks for blessings already received increases our faith and enables us to approach God with new boldness and new assurance. Doubtless the reason so many have so little faith when they pray is because they take so little time to meditate upon and thank ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6

Tags: Thanksgiving, Gratitude

Denomination: Baptist

The Significance Of Spit

Contributed by Perry Greene on Aug 13, 2012

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SPIT Now why did Jesus spit in the blind man’s eyes? This is similar to another time when he spit in some dust and made clay, with which he anointed blind eyes (Mark 7:33). If a modern evangelist or missionary followed Jesus’ example in this, how well received would it ...read more

Tags: Knowing God's Will

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lawyer's Invitation

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jun 1, 2013

THE LAWYER'S INVITATION A pastor told the true story of one of his church members, an attorney, who after meditating on several scriptures, decided to cancel the debts of all his clients that had owed him money for more than six months. He drafted a letter explaining his decision and its biblical ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Nazarene

Not Much Help

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

In his Peanuts strip, Charles Schulz had an amazing talent for communicating truths like this in humorous, memorable ways. In one strip Charlie Brown rests his head in his hands while leaning on the wall and looking miserable. His friend, Lucy, approaches. “Discouraged again, eh, Charlie Brown?” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

Tags: Criticism, Critical, Judging

Denomination: Charismatic

N.t. Wright Quote On Christian Artists

Contributed by Matthew Redder on Sep 21, 2018

I love this quote as I believe it is hard for the Christian artist to always understand their place in the church. Truth be told, artists have an incredible gift and responsibility in the community to illuminate the realities of the Word and of this life we live. Wright puts it well: "The ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23, Exodus 35:35, Proverbs 22:29, Romans 12:2, Romans 12:6, 1 Timothy 4:14, Ephesians 2:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Painter, Poet, Dancer, Dance, Art, Creative, Artist, Christian Artist, Musician, Music, Creator  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Complaint Department

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on May 29, 2019

A gentleman decided to withdraw from society and its busyness. He joined a monastery and took a vow of silence.At the end of each year he could say two words. At the end of the first year of absolute silence, he met with his supervising monk and was given the opportunity to say two words. With ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12, James 1:19-21, James 1:26

Tags: Words, Complaining, Tongue

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas Eve Communion Confession

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 23, 2019

Confession O Lord, we remember you, O Lamb of God Born this day to take away the sin of the world; O Word become flesh, Who came down to share our humanity; You alone are worthy. Help us remember You not only with our lips, But with our hearts as well; Help our lives proclaim Your truth. As we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Christmas, Communion, Christmas Eve, Confession

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Young Second Lieutenant At Fort Bragg ...  PRO

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Apr 16, 2007

A young second lieutenant at Fort Bragg discovered that he had no change when he was about to buy a soft drink from a vending machine. He flagged down a passing private and asked him, "Do you have change for a dollar?" The private said cheerfully, "I think so; let me take a look." The ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

I'm Going To Tell You A Metaphoric Story Based ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 6, 2007

I’m going to tell you a metaphoric story based upon a metaphor written by Silvia Hartmann. There was a merchant ship at sea. It was a beautiful day. The sea was calm, the sun was warm, and the breeze was full and refreshing. A nor’easter blows and a storm engulfs the ship. The Captain looks to ...read more

Reader's Digest Told Of A Factory Worker Who ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Reader’s Digest told of a factory worker who refused to sign up for group insurance. The problem was no policy could be issued until all employees signed up. Yet he held out stubbornly. The foreman begged him to sign; the shop foreman pleaded with him; the plant superintendent and general manager ...read more

Tags: World Religions

Management, Boss

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Illustration- Management, Boss A man entered a pet shop, wanting to buy a parrot. The shop owner pointed out three identical parrots on a perch and said, "The parrot to the left costs 500 dollars." "Why does that parrot cost so much?" the man wondered. The owner replied, "Well, it knows how to use ...read more

Tags: Knowing God's Will

Egg Cartons  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Egg Cartons A PREACHER found a shoe box in his closet. When he Opened it he found some strange contents. Inside was an egg carton with 5 eggs inside. Next to the eggs was a stack of bills that totaled over 10,000 dollars. As soon as his wife walked thru the door he stopped her to ask if she knew ...read more

Tags: Messianic Prophecies