In Sermon Illustrations: "Wrong Way"

Opening Illustration: Show The Wine Skin – ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 7, 2009

Opening Illustration: Show the wine skin – explain the meaning of Jesus teaching here to the church. The teaching is simple – you cannot put new wine in to old wineskins because the old worn out skins will burst and the new wine will be lost. Instead there needs to be new wine and a new skin to ...read more

Tags: New Year's Day

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be A Line-Guide

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jan 26, 2009

BE A LINE-GUIDE When they were teaching me to march in the Navy, for a while until they learned that I have eye problems (go figure) they made me a line-guide. A line-guide is in the front corner of the ranks and marches straight, so that everyone else can mark their place off him. The line-guide ...read more

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Mennonite

This Story Comes From Reggie ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

This story comes from Reggie McNeal: I was sitting on a bench on a beach boardwalk late one afternoon, resting after an hour walk. I had passed a woman in a green uniform pushing a broom several times. She came toward my bench doing her meticulous sweeping of the sidewalk. Suddenly she stopped, ...read more

Tags: Servanthood

1 Corinthians ...

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 12, 2009

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul said run to win as if winning is everything. It is, but not in the sense that you find in the sports arena. Running to win only makes sense if you’re chasing the right prize. My daughter, Jen, has a fur-ball with whiskers named Fred. Fred will chase anything that ...read more

Tags: Materialism

Denomination: United Methodist

Hosea 2: Low-Down Person

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 12, 2009

HOSEA 2: LOW-DOWN PERSON I was watching an old movie on television and I heard a line that I’d missed before. The villain of this comedy was talking on the phone and said something like: "Sure, I know what kind of low-down person would sue his own mother, but we’re not talking about me!" It caught ...read more

Tags: Judgment

Denomination: *other

Courage V. ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 12, 2009

COURAGE V. JUDGMENT I heard a story this week about a bull that loved to chew his cud while sitting beneath a shade tree. That particular tree was located just a stone’s throw from a set of railroad tracks. And every time that train came blowing by, it would disturb his afternoon nap and frustrate ...read more

Tags: Wisdom

In The Early Days Of The American Frontier, An ...

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Mar 11, 2009

In the early days of the American frontier, an Indian chief heard the message of the gospel and was wonderfully saved. Such an indescribable peace flooded his soul that he couldn’t keep from talking about the Lord. Another chief visited and wanted to know who this Jesus was, what He had done, and ...read more

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Wesleyan

When Covid-19 Is Over.....

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Mar 30, 2020

When this coronavirus Is over and life returns to normal, may we never, ever take for granted again..... * A handshake or a kind word from a stranger * A hug from a friend * Worshipping with other believers in a crowded church service * A boring night at home * Full shelves at the grocery ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Revival, Thankfulness, Gratitude, Blessings, Remembering, Coronavirus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thank You, Mom, For Being Strong For Me

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on May 4, 2020

It almost brings tears to my eyes when I watch the commercials where the child is growing up and is leaving home for college, or to get married and live in another city. I think about how difficult it must have been for my mom to watch me drive off to college in another city. And then later to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-50

Tags: Mothers Day, Mothers Strength

Denomination: Baptist

It's Too Late To Do Anything!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 8, 2020

Here is an illustration of these two basic approaches to righteousness: SAVIOR or SELF? An Englishman by the name of Ebenezer Wooten had just concluded a preaching service in the village square. The crowd had dispersed, and he was busily engaged in loading the equipment. A young man approached ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Salvation, Righteousness, Witnessing, Works, Grace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of God's Word!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 25, 2021

How powerful is the Preached Word of God?  On October 7, 1857, C. H. Spurgeon preached to his largest audience ever, some 23, 654 assembled in the mammoth Crystal Palace for a national day of fasting and prayer. A few days before the event Spurgeon had gone to the huge hall to test the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Salvation, Preaching, Miracles, Pastors, The Word Of God, The Bible  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Are Not Saved By Being A Good Samaritan.

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 2, 2022

"Recall that the Jewish lawyer asked Jesus, "What shall I DO?. So, here Jesus tosses the "DO" back to him! Don't misunderstand -- Jesus is not teaching a works based way to inherit eternal life, but He is saying in essence if you do this perfectly, without ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5

Tags: Good Samaritan, Works, Grace, Law, Salvation, Legalism, Pharisees  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Better Get Your Bags Packed!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Apr 2, 2022

One day a very wealthy, powerful king died. His servants spread the unbelievable news all over the palace. He had died in his bed of natural causes. "Where has he gone?", asked one of the king's wisest counselors "Why, to Heaven of course!", answered all the ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Heaven, Salvation, Gospel, Excuses, Prepare, Procrastination, Fools  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith Becomes Love In Action

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 5, 2023

FAITH IS AN ACTION WORD… Is this real? I place a metal chair in front of the crowd. I talk about how strong the chair appears to be? Then I ask the crowd do you think this chair is strong enough to hold one of us? We discuss why we think this chair could possibly hold a human’s weight. What would ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-9, John 15:13-16, Luke 24:7

Tags: Faith, Love, Action

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Hound Of Heaven

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 2, 2023

In his book The Call, author Os Guinness writes: We cannot find God without God. We cannot reach God without God. We cannot satisfy God without God—which is another way of saying that our seeking will always fall short unless God’s grace initiates the search and unless God’s call draws us to Him ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-9, Titus 3:5

Tags: Grace, Salvation, Works, Sovereignty Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dads - Happy Fathers Day

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Jun 15, 2024

DADS Dads are trustworthy and strong, accepting their lead, giving words of truth sharing wisdom’s seed. Dads are courageous and brave, chasing fears away. They are living examples, walking right each day. Dads are devoted and true, showing us the way, mindful of their deeds, guarding words ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12, 1 Chronicles 29:17, Joshua 1:9, Joshua 24:15, 1 Kings 15:11, Proverbs 3:1-12, Ephesians 6:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Honor, Father, Parents, Father's Day, Respect, Dads, Mother, Poems For Dads  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

God With Us

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Dec 2, 2024

I started out by describing a song that I had been singing all week long. (I used Leaning on the Everlasting Arms but you can use any song). I spent about 5 - 7 minutes giving all the details of the song. The author, the beat, where it is used at, who sung the song, etc. I keep the title ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:23, Philippians 2:5-11

Tags: Emmanuel, Immanuel, God With Us

Denomination: Church Of God

Conquering Password Memory Issues

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 22, 2025

Am I getting worried about my memory," says 75 year old Rachel to her best friend Sarah. "So why is that?" asks Sarah. "Because every time I go online banking," replies Rachel, "I just don't seem to be able to remember my bank's password. I have to try many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:6-11

Tags: Memory, Confusion, Complications

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jewish Roots Of Discipleship

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

From just before the time of Christ (when Jesus was a child, Hillel was still alive). "He [Hillel] would stand at the gate of Jerusalem and meet people going to work. He questioned them, "How much will you make at work today?" One person would answer, "A denarius." Another ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31, Luke 9:62, Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 1:16

Tags: Discipleship, Jewish, Disciples, Leaving All

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Power Steering

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Feb 3, 2026

Before power steering, turning a car was basically CrossFit. Two hands on the wheel. Face red. Whole body involved. You didn’t turn—you wrestled that thing like it owed you money. Then power steering came along. And suddenly a pinky finger could do what used to take a full upper-body workout. Same ...read more

Tags: Faith, Obedience, Power

Denomination: Other