In Sermon Illustrations: "Why Christ Came"

The First Ascent Of The Matterhornmin Switzerland

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on May 18, 2026

This is taken from a sermon I gave in Skillington near Grantham in Lincolnshire in England Charles Hudson was the Vicar of Skillington when he died on 14th July 1865 My interest comes from a former vicar here - Revd Charles Hudson (4th October 1828-14 July 1865). Charles was born in Park Street ...read more

Tags: Matterhorn, Charles Hudson

Denomination: Anglican

Memories Of A Magnificent Man

Contributed by Eduardo Quintana on Jun 12, 2017

My father was born in 1911. His older brother, his only sibling, had already died. His father died two years later. In that era no government programs existed to provide for them, so his mother, an Irish immigrant, moved in with his paternal grandparents. His grandfather was a blacksmith, and his ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3

Tags: Parenting, Legacy, Fatherhood

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Of My All-Time Favorite Movies Is "Mr. ...  PRO

Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 11, 2001

One of my all-time favorite movies is “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” It’s the story of a musician who really just wants to be a composer. Rather grudgingly, he takes a job teaching music at the local high school, supposing it will give him time to write music while providing an income for he and his wife. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers, Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: Baptist

It’s Difficult To Find Beauty In Death. ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jun 18, 2001

It’s difficult to find beauty in death. It’s even more difficult to find beauty in a death camp. Especially Auschwitz. Four million Jews died there in World War II. A half-ton of human hair is still preserved. The showers that sprayed poison gas still stand. But for all the ugly memories of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Tags: Joy, Christian Disciplines, Cross Agony

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Four Soils: A Physical Illustration  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Sep 11, 2004

THE FOUR SOILS: A PHYSICAL ILLUSTRATION (The following physical illustration is taken from “Heno Head’s Simple Science Object Talks.” If you decide use it, take note that you need to carefully measure out how much baking soda you use, and how much vinegar you place in each jar. Since we have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-15

Tags: Parable Sower And Seed

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

I'll Get Back To You! (08.04.05--Boldness ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 2, 2005

I’ll Get Back to You! (08.04.05--Boldness Too!--Acts 3:11) “Let me think about it and I’ll get back to you.” How often have you heard that said in your life. If we could count the number of times action has been spared by inaction due to the “thought process” necessary beforehand, we’d probably ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:11

Tags: Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Lutheran

Like Blind Beggars! (08.15.05--Envy!--John 21: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 11, 2005

Like Blind Beggars! (08.15.05--Envy!--John 21: 20-23) “No one has done a better job of portraying envy than Dante, In his Purgatory . . .the envious sit like blind beggars by a wall. Their eyelids are sewn shut. the symbolism is apt, showing the reader that it is one of the blindest sins--partly ...read more

Scripture: John 21:20-23

Tags: Envy

Denomination: Lutheran

..  PRO

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jan 12, 2006

ILLUSTRATION... http://www.cbn.com/entertainment/sports/ChristianAthletes/billy_blanks.asp The words, "Not by sight but by faith" adorn the walls of Billy Blanks training center -- a testament to his faith in Christ to overcome many obstacles. "Faith without works is dead" -- is another ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Do You Do That? I Have A Perfect ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Dec 1, 2006

How do you do that? I have a perfect illustration from my favorite book next to the Bible THE JOURNEY HOME by Orthodox Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein. I’ve shared excerpts from his book with you in the past. Although it is classified as fiction, it is based on authentic events and a genuine friendship ...read more

Tags: Alcohol, Love, Joy, Peace

Denomination: Methodist

I Know Your ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

“I Know Your Face” Quite recently a very dear friend suffered the heartbreaking miscarriage of a child. She was devastated by this loss of life and it got me thinking about my own miscarriage some 23 years ago of our first child and how distraught I was. My husband, Terry, and I were not ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:16

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Separation Of Church And ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Separation of Church and State “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech…” (excerpt from Amendment I, U. S. Constitution) If our United States Constitution actually commands Congress to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:6-7

Tags: Politics

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Is Pro - ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

God Is Pro - Choice! He really is! Every day of your life, until you draw your final breath, you will stand at the CrossRoads and be asked to make a choice. Which way will you choose? God has set before you two gates, one wide and one narrow. He has set before you two roads, one broad and one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-21

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Baptism Of Ivan The Great Tsar Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 8, 2009

Baptism of Ivan the Great Tsar of Russia Ivan the Great was Tsar of Russia during the Fifteenth Century. He brought together the warring tribes into one vast empire. As a fighting man he was courageous. As a general he was brilliant. He drove out the Tartars, establishing peace across the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:21

Tags: Baptism

Our Greatest Need

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Dec 20, 2012

If we were to go out on the streets and ask people at random, “What is your greatest need?” we would probably get a number of different responses. We wouldn’t be surprised in this economy if we got several answers of people needing a job so they could provide for their home and family. If people ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Baptist

The Substitute  PRO

Contributed by Paul Steen on Oct 8, 2016

The Moose was in the game to score. He took the handoff at the five-yard line from the quarterback and stunted to the right. The right guard and tackle had split the defenders and there was a slight hole in the line for him. Moose instantly was in the hole. He put his head down and fought through ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:3

Tags: Substitute, Substitute Sacrifice, Our Substitute

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Mr. Schemer On The Broad Road

Contributed by David Goering on Sep 20, 2018

There was a man named Mr. Evangelist who grabbed a handful of pamphlets containing scripture verses and the good news that had transformed his very own life. off he went into the highways and byways and as he went he began to share these pamphlets with everyone that providence would put in his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 36:2, Matthew 7:13-14

Tags: Self Righteousness, The Broad Road, Self Flattery, Self Justification

Remember Your Creator

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 13, 2020

How many of you remember minibikes? These “bikes” were smaller than motorcycles, and used a smaller engine. I thought they looked like lawnmower engines, but maybe they were bigger. The minibikes were fun, but you had to have space on your property to ride them. They weren’t legal for riding on the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1

Tags: Death, Youth, Accidents

Denomination: Baptist

Prophecies Of The Messiah

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 21, 2020

The Bible Passes The Prophecy Test! There are literally thousands of prophetic predictions made in the Bible. Some of these prophecies are quite dramatic in nature. For instance, Isaiah mentions Cyrus the Persian King, by name, 125 years before he was born. Not a single one prophecy made in the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Bible, Messiah, Christmas, Jesus, Prophecy, Inspiration, Inerrancy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Black Eye Theology

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Sep 12, 2023

With football season in full swing, I often think of my high school football days. I wasn’t very good at all but, as the saying goes, the older I get the better I was. One of my few highlights from those days was a kickoff return. You may be thinking that my story is about a game winning return but ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:41, 1 Peter 4:16

Tags: Trials, Persecutions, Persecution, Endurance, Trial, Ridicule  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ