Sermons on Illustration:

What Is Prayer?

Contributed by Rev. Bruce A. Shields on Aug 21, 2003

This outline illustrates what prayer is, the power in it, and how jesus prayed.

WHAT IS PRAYER? Rev. Bruce A. Shields DD House of Faith Ministries www.PS127.org (989) 362-7831 NKJ Luke 18:1 * Prayer is our approach to God. To persist in prayer and not to give up does not mean endless repetition or painfully long prayer sessions. Constant prayer means keeping our requests ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-21

Denomination: Bible Church

Fruit Of The Spirit - Love - Part 1

Contributed by Jason Frazier on Nov 9, 2001

Break-down of the 3 Greek words for love & uses great illustration with apples.

TEXT: Galatians 5:16-25 “Fruit of the Spirit” – Part 1: Love Many people what have grown up in church have heard about the “fruit of the Spirit.” In Sunday School, many children associate these with actual fruits: bananas, pears, grapes, & apples, because it puts it in a context they can ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

Spiritual Heart Attacks

Contributed by Steve Mason on Oct 16, 2002

A sermon that describes the spiritual condition of our hearts using medical terms and illustrations

OCTOBER 20TH, 2002 THERE IS A WAR BEING FOUGHT IN THE WORLD TODAY ….. -IT’S A SUPERNATURAL WAR -A WAR FOUGHT BETWEEN GOD AND SATAN -BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL -THAT WAR IS BEING FOUGHT FOR THE HEARTS OF MEN AND WOMEN ! ONE SIDE WANTS TO MAKE YOUR HEART SOFT -THE OTHER SIDE WANTS TO MAKE ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:11-12, Mark 7:20-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Depend On Jesus Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Sep 22, 2001

A deductive exposition of the text with illustrations from the cultivation of grapevines needed to produce fruit.

Purpose: to be the Holy Spirit’s second witness calling God’s people in my care to depend on Jesus to give them fruitful spiritual lives. Response: Individuals will be invited to pray at the altar rail following the message. Intro: Have you known the agony of not doing the right thing?  ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Wesleyan

Hope In The Darkness

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Aug 5, 2002

A sermon on hope, using the rescue of the nine coal miners in Pennsylvania as the central illustration.

This morning, I’d like to consider the topic of "hope". Is hope important? Is it something we need? Is it essential to our happiness, essential even to our survival? For an answer to that question, we could probably talk to the nine coal miners who were rescued this week in Pennsylvania. They spent ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:8

Denomination: Baptist

A Wayfaring Man

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 27, 2004

This sermon illustrates that those involved in adultery will always destroy many things in their lives.

The Wayfaring Man 2 Samuel 12:1-6 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: 3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Protecting The Boundary Markers Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 10, 2007

Uses a Supreme Court decision to illustrate the critical nature of Scripture in our lives.

OPEN: I have a test for you this morning. I’m going to give you certain common phrases and ask you to tell me whether or not they came from Scripture. If it will make you feel any better, I had lunch with two preachers last Wednesday and they missed about half of the references… so don’t feel too ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Real Worship

Contributed by Bobby Daniel on Dec 14, 2009

A new look at Isaiah 6:1-8, new outline and new illustrations.

Real Worship Isa. 6:1-8 Introduction: I’ve been blessed beyond measure in my life in what God has allowed me to witness and experience over the last 20 years. As a kid when we went on vacation we would venture all the way off to Eunice, LA…yeah, good times. My first trip to New Orleans didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Parable Of The Sower

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Feb 2, 2014

A study of the responses of the different soils to the seed illustrates different responses to the word of God.

Scripture As Jesus was coming to the end of his Galilean ministry, which some say lasted about 16 months, he drew vast audiences to his ministry. He also experienced growing opposition to his message about the good news of the kingdom of God. Although he had previously illustrated his preaching ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Mustard Seed Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 12, 2014

Jesus uses a living illustration to tell us about being productive in the Kingdom.

Over 200 years ago, Thomas Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to find the source of the Missouri River, and from there to discover a relatively easy water route west to the Pacific. Such a waterway, they discovered, doesn't exist. But they did succeed in mapping the Northwest ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:30-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Circle Maker 1: The Legend Of The Circle Maker Series

Contributed by Mark Batterson on Nov 15, 2011

A sermon about the power of prayer illustrated by a man drawing circles in the sand in faith.

Introduction It was the first century BC and a devastating drought threatened to destroy a generation, the generation before Jesus. The last of the Jewish prophets had died off nearly four centuries before. Miracles were such a distant memory that they seemed like a false memory. And God was ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Wrath On Abusers Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Oct 5, 2025

Here are few biblical examples that illustrate God's stance on abuse.

The Bible consistently portrays God as a just and loving Father who hates abuse and oppression. Throughout Scripture, we see God's wrath directed towards those who exploit, harm, or mistreat others. Here are few biblical examples that illustrate God's stance on abuse: 1. Pharaoh's ...read more

The Limitations Of The Natural Man Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Nov 4, 2025

Let's explore biblical examples that illustrate natural man traits.

The Bible teaches that the natural man, without the Spirit of God, cannot understand spiritual truths. Let's explore biblical examples that illustrate this concept. 1. The Unbelieving Pharisees (John 8:43-47) The Pharisees couldn't understand Jesus' teachings because they didn't ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:11

The Son In Songs

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 8, 2023

This was used as a Christmas letter. It may be of use to you either as a sermon, illustration or letter.

I love Christmas, who doesn't? I love Christmas music, decorations, and presents! Yes! I love to receive presents, don't you? But I love the songs of Christmas, and I love to hear of the Son in Christmas songs! “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” is a line from the popular ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-5, Matthew 1:21, John 1:14

Denomination: Baptist

My People Are Destroyed For Lack Of Knowledge Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jul 1, 2025

Let's explore biblical examples that illustrate the importance of knowledge and understanding.

The phrase "my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6) resonates throughout the ages, serving as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of ignorance. In the Bible, we see numerous instances where a lack of understanding and knowledge leads to chaos, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7