In Sermon Illustrations: "Work Ethic"

In 1174 The Italian Architect Bonnano Pisano ...

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Mar 28, 2007

In 1174 the Italian architect Bonnano Pisano began work on what would become his most famous project: A separately standing bell tower for the Cathedral of the city of Pisa. The tower was to be eight-stories and 185-foot-tall tall. There was just one "little" problem: builders quickly discovered ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Was Talking To A Pastor Friend On The Phone ...

Contributed by Andrew Hamilton on Oct 26, 2002

I was talking to a pastor friend on the phone recently and he said listen to this – ‘who is this denomination? See if you can guess. I am a newly formed denomination that has been in existence for a few decades. We came out of the mainstream church because we didn’t believe there was enough ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Local Sheriff Was Looking For A Deputy, And ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 9, 2003

The local sheriff was looking for a deputy, and one of the applicants - who was not known to be the brightest academically, was called in for an interview. "Okay," began the sheriff, "What is 1 and 1?" "Eleven," came the reply. The sheriff thought to himself, "That’s not what I meant, but he’s ...read more

Tags: Communication General

We Have Some Older Men And Women In Our ...  PRO

Contributed by Emil Boniog on Dec 10, 2003

We have some older men and women in our fellowship that so clearly exhibit this. Though I love our people and try to be a godly leader, I must admit there are times I do my job because it is my job. At times like that I look around and I see some of these "fathers" serving at my side. I am humbled ...read more

Tags: Disciples, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

Annie Howard  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Oct 28, 2004

Annie Howard In 1991 she was awarded one of President Bush’s “Thousand Points of Light” awards for her Prison Fellowship volunteer work in the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women. Holds choir practice in the prison chapel, has an evening Bible study, hosts a dinner for 6 volunteers ...read more

Tags: Sharing Your Faith, Christian Disciplines, Forgiveness General

Denomination: Wesleyan

At One Time Andrew Carnegie Was The Wealthiest ...

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 4, 2007

At one time Andrew Carnegie was the wealthiest man in America. He came to America from his native Scotland when he was a small boy, did a variety of odd jobs, and eventually ended up as the largest steel manufacturer in the United States. At one time he had forty-three millionaires working for him. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

I Read About An Owner Of A Manufacturing Plant ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

I read about an owner of a manufacturing plant who decided to make a surprise tour of the shop. Walking through the warehouse he noticed a young man just lazily leaning up against some packing crates with his hands in his pocket doing nothing. The boss walked up to him and angrily said, "Just how ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General

I'm Re-Reading A Great Book Entitle, A Man ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

I’m re-reading a great book entitle, A Man Called Peter, about Peter Marshall, who served as the Chaplain of the US Senate in the 1940’s. He was a Scottish immigrant who came to America convinced that he was to train for the ministry here. He came without much money, and for the next few years ...read more

Tags: God Brings Purpose

There's A Story About A Local Fitness Center, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

There’s a story about a local fitness center, which was offering $1,000 to anyone who could demonstrate that they were stronger than the owner of the place. Here’s how it worked. This muscle man would squeeze a lemon until all the juice ran into a glass, and then hand the lemon to the next ...read more

Tags: Cross Agony

At One Time Andrew Carnegie Was The Wealthiest ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

At one time Andrew Carnegie was the wealthiest man in America. He came to America from his native Scotland when he was a small boy, did a variety of odd jobs, and eventually ended up as the largest steel manufacturer in the United States. At one time he had forty-three millionaires working for him. ...read more

Tags: Leadership General

These Hands

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Sep 2, 2007

“These Hands” A young man and a young woman became engaged and were looking forward to a near wedding day, when the young man was suddenly called into the service of his country. From the field of warfare letters regularly came and went, and love shined brightly in all of them. Then letters from ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Scripture Says,

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Apr 16, 2009

Scripture says, “…they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24) “One” (eḥāḏ) “stresses unity while recognizing diversity within that oneness.” “It has the idea of unity or integrity as when it designates one justice for all.” I especially appreciate an illustration from the book ...read more

Tags: Marriage Commitment

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Are A Full-Time ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 25, 2009

YOU ARE A FULL-TIME MINISTER In his book, Doing Church as a Team, Pastor Wayne Cordeiro, wrote the following: "Every member is a minister. God calls us to be full-time ministers! Full-time? Yes! Not just on Sundays, not just at Bible studies, but full-time. Do we love God just part-time? Do we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:2

Tags: Servanthood

Search And Rescue

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 21, 2009

SEARCH AND RESCUE There is a group of people I hope we never have to meet. They’re job is hard, exciting, frightening and important all at the same time. They do SAR; Search and Rescue. They work near Reno, Nevada and work ski resorts and desert rescue. They pull people off of Mt. Hood, find lost ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:10

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

Have You Ever Seen A Billy Mays Commercial? He ...

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Jul 2, 2010

Have you ever seen a Billy Mays commercial? He has unfortunately passed away, but he was known for endorsing a lot of products, always keeping a loud voice volume, and enthusiastically selling some of the most ridiculous items on the market. One of the items he endorses is called the Awesome ...read more

Tags: Power

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Hoard Water Or Giving

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Sep 4, 2010

DON'T HOARD WATER OR GIVING Years back I heard someone talk about the faucet principle … and I’ve discovered that it really works. If I turn on a faucet at my house, I have the entire contents of the Edwards Aquifer at my disposal. I don’t need to worry that if I run the water I’ll end up with a ...read more

Tags: Gifts Giving

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Would They Say About You?

Contributed by Guy De Swardt on Feb 18, 2011

WHAT WOULD THEY SAY ABOUT YOU? I want you to imagine the following scene. You’re going for the most important job interview of your life. You’re nervous. In your hand you’re holding your all-important CV, and in the other hand you’re holding onto some of your best work samples. The interview ...read more

Tags: Holiness

Denomination: Baptist

The Amazing Heart

Contributed by David Tack on Oct 17, 2011

THE AMAZING HEART "The human heart: The human heart is a hard-working marvel. It can keep on beating automatically even if all other nerves were severed. In a 70-year lifetime, it will beat an average of 75 times a minute, forty million times a year-or two and a half billion times. At each beat ...read more

Tags: Heart

Denomination: Baptist

Dedication Is Costly

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 4, 2012

DEDICATION IS COSTLY Bertoldo de Giovanni is a name even the most enthusiastic lover of art is unlikely to recognize. He was the pupil of Donatello, the greatest sculptor of his time, and he was the teacher of Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor of all time. Michelangelo was only 14 years old when ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Message To Baylor Students

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Jan 10, 2012

MESSAGE TO BAYLOR STUDENTS Dr. Samuel Palmer Brooks was president of Baylor University in Texas from 1902 until his death in 1931. On his deathbed he wrote a message to the senior class of 1931 which has become immortal to the students of Baylor. "I stand on the border of mortal life but I face ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Denomination: *other