In Sermon Illustrations: "Words"

A Positive Stillness

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 30, 2011

A POSITIVE STILLNESS "The greater mystery, surpassing all words, summons us to silence. It must, of course, be a silence with content, not just the absence of speech and action. We should expect the liturgy to give us a positive stillness that will restore us. Such stillness will not be just a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:4

Tags: Disciplines Silence

Denomination: Catholic

John Macarthur: Christ Was Born To Die

Contributed by Davon Huss on Apr 14, 2014

John MacArthur: "The reason that Jesus Christ was born was to die. It greatly concerns me today that there are some who are always talking about the fact that Jesus was a wonderful person who through a set of circumstances got Himself into a mess and wound up getting crucified. However, the Word ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:23

Tags: Foreknowledge, Cross Of Christ, Cross Of Calvary

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Simpson's Cocoa Powder

Contributed by Jason Albertson on Nov 8, 2014

There was a little boy once who was reading an advertisement for Simpson’s cocoa powder and asked his mother, “Mom, what does ‘100% pure’ mean?” “It means completely clean, with nothing bad in it.” Later, as she knelt by him as he prayed before going to bed, she heard him say the words, “Dear ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Tags: Purity, Personal Holiness

Denomination: Methodist

Funny Epitaph On Tombstone

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 20, 2019

I am told that an Indiana cemetery has a tombstone that is over 100 years old which bears the following epitaph: "Pause, stranger, when you pass me by. As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you will be. So prepare for death and follow me." An unknown passerby read those ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-7

Tags: Hell, Death, Eternity, Decision, Heaven  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stop Look And Listen

Contributed by David Parks on Oct 11, 2023

Stop Look and Listen Early in the 20th century, with the advent of the automobile, the country's largest railroad became concerned about the many collisions at crossings. The company offered $2,500 for the three best words to use on a warning sign. The top prize winner was paid $833 for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:15-21, Romans 10:17, Psalm 19:1

Tags: Faith, Spirituality, Materialism

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith To Hear The Silent ...

Contributed by Bradley Berglund on Feb 4, 2009

Faith to Hear the Silent Notes for Conversations in the Marketplace by Pastor Brad Berglund (First Baptist Church) Feb 6, 2009 At a recent prayer meeting, I was told of a young pianist who is working on a doctor’s degree in performance. According to his professor, the young man has abilities ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-6

Tags: Evangelism Urgency

Denomination: Baptist

Faith To Play The Silent Notes  PRO

Contributed by Bradley Berglund on Feb 14, 2009

FAITH TO PLAY THE SILENT NOTES by Pastor Brad Berglund (First Baptist Church) Feb 6, 2009 At a recent prayer meeting, I was told of a young pianist who is working on a doctor’s degree in performance. According to his professor, the young man has abilities that leave his peers far behind. To the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-6

Tags: Faith

Denomination: Baptist

[237 F] [6]. A Message From A Poem - Scenes From The Gospels - Part 6

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 24, 2025

[237 F] [6]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 6 They are here to enjoy! Scenes from the Gospels are very special to me. I love them. They have taken a lot of effort, and many, many months revision to get them as correct as possible with the difficult word limitations. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9, Matthew 18:23-35, Matthew 14:22-32, Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 5:1-11, Luke 1:1-4, Matthew 13:10-13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Large Number Of Fish, Take My Yoke, My Yoke Is Easy, Ten Thousand Talents, Three Hundred Denarii, Wicked Slave, Washing Nets, Forgiveness, Peter, Nard, Alabaster Box, Jesus Walks On Water, Expensive Perfume, Mary  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[237 G] [7]. A Message From A Poem - Scenes From The Gospels - Part 7

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 24, 2025

[237 G] [7]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 7 They are here to enjoy! Scenes from the Gospels are very special to me. I love them. They have taken a lot of effort, and many, many months revision to get them as correct as possible with the difficult word limitations. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:47-49, Matthew 7:24-27, John 14:26, Luke 1:1-4, Matthew 13:10-13, Mark 9:14-27, John 4:5-30, Luke 15:8-10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Living Water, Wise Man, The Samaritan Woman, Foaming At The Mouth, Deaf And Dumb Spirit, Demon Cast Out, Foolish Man, The Lost Coin, Built On Sand, House Upon The Rock, Scenes From The Gospel, Son With A Demon  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

: "Scarred Hands” (James S. ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Aug 21, 2001

Illus.: “Scarred Hands” (James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited, pp. 119-120) A small orphaned boy lived with his grandmother. One night their house caught fire. The grandmother, trying to rescue the little boy asleep upstairs, perished in the smoke and flames. A crowd gathered around the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6-8

Tags: Lordship Of Christ, Forgiveness In Jesus, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Wesleyan

Sowing Seeds Of Peace  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Feb 11, 2002

SOWING SEEDS OF PEACE In Europe, 1934, Hitler’s plague of anti-Semitism was infecting a continent. Some would escape it. Some would die from it. But eleven-year-old Heinz would learn from it. He would learn the power of sowing seeds of peace. Heinz was a Jew. The Bavarian village of Fourth, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:11-15

Tags: God Brings Hope, Peace

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Nicky Gumble Why And How Should I Read The ...

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Nov 18, 2002

Nicky Gumble Why and How should I read the Bible: “Sometimes God speaks to us in a very specific way. God spoke to me very clearly about my father after he died on January 21, 1981. I had become a Christian seven years earlier and my parents’ initial reaction was one of complete horror. Gradually, ...read more

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: *other

What Is Your Colt?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 8, 2003

WHAT IS YOUR COLT? Bill Wilson pastors an inner city church in New York City. His mission field is a very violent place. He himself has been stabbed twice as he ministered to the people of the community surrounding the church. Once a Puerto Rican woman became involved in the church and was led to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-29

Tags: Easter Palm Sunday

What Is Your Colt?  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Apr 14, 2003

What is Your Colt? Bill Wilson pastors an inner city church in New York City. His mission field is a very violent place. He himself has been stabbed twice as he ministered to the people of the community surrounding the church. Once a Puerto Rican woman became involved in the church and was led to ...read more

Tags: Easter Resurrection, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Young, Awkward Boy Grew Up In Southern ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on May 8, 2003

A young, awkward boy grew up in southern California, plagued by a learning disability that in later years would be called dyslexia. But with his mother’s encouragement and admonishment, he became a strong and capable leader. Years later he was commanding thousands of your Americans in war. When ...read more

Tags: Parenting

Denomination: United Methodist

The If/Then Of Easter  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 7, 2004

THE IF/THEN OF EASTER It’s Easter time. Time to eat all the candy and marshmallow eggs. Time to pig out. There’s gotta be a nicer word for pig out. A euphemism, as it were. Hey, try to think up a nicer word for euphemism. And while you’re at it, think up a shorter word for abbreviation. And a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-20, Matthew 28:1-20

Tags: Easter Resurrection, Go Quickly, Tell

One Nation Under God Also Has Her Foundation ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Jul 8, 2006

One Nation Under God also has her foundation under-girded in Prayer. 1Timothy 2:1-2 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Many Years Ago A Painter By The Name Of Stenburg ...

Contributed by W F on Apr 6, 2007

Many years ago a painter by the name of Stenburg lived in Dusseldorf Germany. He was searching for a model to portrait. He chose a gypsy girl from the street, her name was Pepita. It was the first time for her to be invited to an artist’s studio. Her amazed eyes rounded here and there and suddenly ...read more

Denomination: *other

To Have Strong Relationships In The Body Of ...

Contributed by Alan Tison on Feb 27, 2008

To have strong relationships in the body of Christ we must deal with our brokenness. How do we deal with brokenness? Individually – Realize we are all broken people. In many stores you find merchandise in a certain section marked with a 2 word phrase. This 2 word phrase is a is a tip off about ...read more

Tags: Culture

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stable Stabilizing

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Stable Stabilizing Luke 2:12 says, "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord... You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Just as Christ was humble enough to be born in a stinky stable and all stables have a bad smell, no matter how ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:12

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational