In Sermon Illustrations: "What Is Evangelism"

The Dead Donkey

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jul 12, 2012

THE DEAD DONKEY A city boy, Kenny, moved to the country and bought a donkey from an old farmer for $100. The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day. The next day the farmer drove up and said, "Sorry son, but I have some bad news, the donkey died." Kenny replied, "Well then, just give ...read more

Tags: Wisdom

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It's In Your Hands

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 18, 2017

A young student in China decided to play a trick on his elderly teacher one day. He caught a small bird and cupped it in his hands behind his back. He then approached the sage with this plan in mind. He would ask the old man what he had in his hand. If he answered correctly, he would then ask ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:15

Tags: Eternity, Decision, Commitment, Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ten Years Of Fact Checking

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018

It’s an old stereotype that politicians are likely to “massage the truth” a little bit. That’s probably as generous as that can be said. With that in mind, I was intrigued recently when PolitiFact celebrated their tenth anniversary. PolitiFact is a non-partisan, independent organization that ...read more

Tags: Bible, Truth

Denomination: Baptist

Ten Word Sermon

Contributed by Kevin Barron on Aug 31, 2018

The shortest sermon I know is only ten words. It was preached by my grandfather to a small, country congregation on the story of the Good Samaritan (Mark 10:35-45). He read the account of an outsider who demonstrates true neighbor love by stopping on the road to care for a bleeding and badly ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Tags: Compassion, Good Samaritan

Denomination: Methodist

Change?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 23, 2019

I had a friend go to the doctor, after the examination the doctor came into the room and say: SIR, WOULD YOU PLEASE SPELL DIET? My friend started: D-I-E… THEN THE DOCTOR TOLD MY FRIEND STOP RIGHT THERE … YOU ARE GOING TO DIE IF YOU DON’T START WATCHING WHAT YOU EAT AND CHANGE YOUR EXERCISE ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:24

Tags: Change, Journey

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Priest And The Levite (Parable Of The Good Samaritan)

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 20, 2022

Keathley makes several interesting points that the Priest and Levite mentioned in the Parable of the Prodigal Son were leaving Jerusalem and could not use the excuse that they did not want to touch the man and be unclean for worship. Why? They had already accomplished their duties and were heading ...read more

Tags: Priest, Parables, Hypocrisy, Pharisees, Kindness, Levite, Good Samaritan  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

New Church Treasurer

Contributed by Davon Huss on Apr 4, 2022

The day the old church treasurer resigned, the church asked the local grain elevator manager to take the position. He agreed under 2 conditions: 1. No treasurer’s report would be given for the first year 2. No questions be asked about finances during that year The people were surprised but finally ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:10

Tags: Giving, Tithing, Money

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Unthankful Pig

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 6, 2022

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD THE LESSON OF THE PIG? Seems a big fat pig is roaming around the forest and finds all likes of delicious juicy acorns on the ground. The acorns are strewn on the ground. The pig eats and eats the acorns until the acorns are gone. The pig takes a long nap. When the pig wakes up ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:33

Tags: Pigs, Unthankful

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Never Satisfied, More!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 23, 2024

REMEMBER THE STORY ABOUT THE DOG AND HIS BONE? There was a real smart dog that had searched and searched for just the right bone. After several hours the dog found a real big wonderful bone. He picked the good bone up and started home with his prized bone. On the way home the dog had to pass over a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:18

Tags: Comparison, Satisfied

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Do Not Love The World

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Jan 7, 2025

Now imagine this with me for a second. Let’s say you have a pillow and let’s say the family dog got ahold of that pillow and used it for a litter box… so you took it out and put it in the dumpster, and a family of rats moved into it and used it for a bed. And just before the day the trash truck ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15

Tags: Love Of Jesus, Desire, Love Of The World

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Resisting A False Culture

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Mar 6, 2026

In the late 1980s, the world witnessed the collapse of communist regimes across Eastern Europe. One of the central figures in the Velvet Revolution of Czechoslovakia was Václav Havel. Havel had been a playwright and dissident long before he became president. He spent years imprisoned because ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47, Colossians 4:2-6

Tags: Culture, Scattered, Resisting, Gathered

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Woe Is Me!

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on May 13, 2026

There’s a shift that happens in the soul when we truly see God. In Book of Isaiah 1-5, the prophet looks out at the world and says, “Woe to them…” Corruption, injustice, pride-it’s all clear. Easy to name. Easy to condemn. But then comes the vision in Book of Isaiah. “I saw the Lord…” And ...read more

Tags: Holiness, Wonder, Woe

Denomination: Pentecostal

It Is Not Possible For Us To Bless God, Because ...  PRO

Contributed by Jerry Falwell on Mar 7, 2002

It is not possible for us to bless God, because the one who is the “Blesser” is greater than the one who is blessed. So, how can we bless God? It begins when God blesses us, then we in turn bless Him for His goodness to us. When we bless God, we are giving ...read more

Tags: Church Practices, Joy, Worship General

Denomination: Baptist

Once I Visited A New Age Bookstore. The Owner ...  PRO

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Jul 8, 2002

Once I visited a new age bookstore. The owner said Christianity, Islam, Buddism, Sikhism, Agnosticism are all the same in substance because truth is relative--“what is true for you.” I could not get her to test her theory by standing in the road and chanting, "the truck is going hit ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Tags: Universalism, World Religions, Bible Truth

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

One Day, A Teacher Was Teaching Her Young Class ...  PRO

Contributed by Ed Wood on Feb 18, 2003

One day, a teacher was teaching her young class the story of Jesus visiting Mary and Martha. She carefully explained how Mary and Martha had hurried to clean the house and cook a special meal. Then she paused and asked, “What would you do if Jesus was going to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Baptist

We Have No Control Over How We Feel, How We Act – ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 30, 2003

We have no control over how we feel, how we act – our attitudes, and actions – except as they are determined by our thoughts. All these element are irrevocably tied together. But since we do have control over what we think, it is possible to control our attitudes and ...read more

A Certain Story Is Told About The Construction Of ...

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Aug 5, 2003

A Certain story is told about the construction of the overseas highway between Miami, Florida, and Key West, Florida. In the midst of the construction, a fierce storm destroyed most of the work that had been done. The man in charge called b back to his home office described ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Baptist

I Like The Way One Person Summarized Our Hope Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 1, 2003

I like the way one person summarized our hope of heaven. There we will be: Worship without Distraction Serve without Exhaustion Fellowship without Fear Learn without Fatigue Rest without Boredom. Ray Pritchard, sermon entitled “What is Heaven Like?” preached ...read more

Tags: Second Coming, Entering Heaven

Denomination: Charismatic

In Order Of Importance  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 11, 2004

IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE After months of working overtime as a financial analyst for a large corporation, I returned home one night at 12:30. As I crawled into bed, my wife awoke. "You’ve got to alphabetize," she commented. "What do you mean?" I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-15

Tags: Parable Sower And Seed, Idiot, Dumb, Come

Friends" Is The One Of The Most Watched Sitcoms ...  PRO

Contributed by W F on Sep 26, 2004

“Friends” is the one of the most watched sitcoms on Australian TV. If we don’t trust our real friends, then we can trust our virtual friends on TV who we can switch on and off whenever we like! And why wouldn’t you. They’re only in your house ...read more

Tags: Friendship General

Denomination: *other