Sermons on Illustration:

Answering The Call: The Life Of Samuel Series

Contributed by Doug Johnston on Aug 23, 2001

Discovering what it means to serve God is best illustrated by examining the commitment of those who do serve, like Samuel.

What chance for great honor does God give us? The chance to influence a group of people That’s the greatest honor God gives one of His servants We must serve if we want to honor God. God’s Servant: I Is Known as God’s Possession 1 Samuel 3:20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:3, 1 Samuel 3:20

Denomination: Baptist

Commit Yourself To Jesus Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Sep 28, 2001

A deductive exposition of the text following illustrations leading to a call to commitment. Individuals will be asked to make or reaffirm their commitments during Communion.

Topic: Christian Living / Jesus Theme: Totally Committed Christian Living / Following Jesus Purpose: to be the Holy Spirit’s second witness calling God’s people in my care to totally commit themselves to Jesus. There’s a sign in the window of an English company that reads: “We have been ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Wesleyan

Mephibosheth And Me

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 20, 2006

The story of Mephibosheth is a perfect illustration of the Gospel. I used this sermon on a "Friend Day" when we expected many visitors.

Introduction: A. Today I want to tell the story of a man named Mephibosheth. 1. Now there’s a name for you! Anyone want to use that name for their son? 2. It’s so hard to pronounce that I thought about giving him a nickname for today. 3. I thought about just calling him “M.” 4. Then I thought ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Jesus Teaches About Thanksgiving"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Nov 19, 2003

There is a difference between being "glad" and being "grateful". There is a difference between being "cleansed" and being "whole". Jesus illustrates this in this miracle.

“Jesus Teaches About Thanksgiving” Luke 17:11-19 INTRODUCTION: We CONTINUE in our series about “What Jesus Taught”. We have already seen what Jesus taught about: The Holy Spirit, the Tongue, Prayer … Thanksgiving is my favorite time of the year (weather, meaning). The true meaning of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Stupid Things Christians Do To Mess Up Their Lives

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on May 24, 2004

The Word of God clearly illustrates that there are "stupid" things we can do to mess up our lives. What are they?

Stupid Things Christians Do (to mess up their lives) TCF Sermon April 18, 2004 Did you ever notice how much of life is full of warnings, full of cautions? You can’t drive from here to home after church today, without seeing something that’s a direct warning or caution, or at the very least, a law ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:6, Psalm 119:9-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God In The Modern World Series

Contributed by J.d. Tutell on Oct 12, 2010

Reaching a changing world for Christ has always required the church to be innovative, Paul’s trip to Athens is an illustration of this truth.

In a world where there is so much diversity it is important to be able to change, to come up with innovative solutions to the problems and challenges that we face. In the second half of Acts chapter 17 that is where we find the Apostle Paul. You’ll remember that the first part of his ministry was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Baptist

Love In Action

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Oct 16, 2011

How do we actually love each other? Scripture gives us a variety of guidelines and illustrations for doing so.

Love in Action-Caring for each other 10-16-11 Romans 12:9-16 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-16

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

In All Things Be Thankful

Contributed by Bobby Daniel on Nov 13, 2007

A topical Thanksgiving sermon utilizing a few great illustrations found here on Sermon Central along with thoughts of my own.

"In All Things Be Thankful" Ephesians 5:20 Back during the dark days of 1929 (The Great Depression), a group of ministers in the Northeast, all graduates of the Boston School of Theology, gathered to discuss how they should conduct their Thanksgiving Sunday services. Things during that time were ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:20

Denomination: Baptist

Mushrooms Or Maple Trees - Sermon #5 Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jul 29, 2007

We can be released from our “addiction to self” by submitting to the grace of the Gospel; the 12 steps are especially illustrative here.

Mushrooms or Maple Trees: Spiritual Growth as God Intended Sermon #5 Sermon Objective: We can be released from our “addiction to self” by submitting to the grace of the Gospel; the 12 steps are especially illustrative here. PRE-SERVICE INTRODUCTION We are in a sermon series called Mushrooms and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-35

Denomination: Nazarene

How To Handle Discouragement

Contributed by Rommel Samaniego on May 2, 2008

Based on Ricks Warrens book Answers to life’s difficult questions. I only made it to a Sermonand added illustrations

HOW CAN I HANDLE DISCOURAGEMENT? What can you do when you have the worlds deadliest decease? Cancer, is fatal but atleast the Doctor can tell you when your going to die… AIDS, right now with technology its not that Fatal (Magic Johnson), its not that contagious. Polio…Not really. Let me give ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Holy Armor

Contributed by Mari Larson on Jul 27, 2015

This sermon (preached the Sunday after the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly) illustrates the Ephesians "Armor of God" imagery with the actions of the ELCA.

Several weeks ago, when I chose today’s Ephesians text to be my preaching text, I didn’t realize that the text corresponded with the weekend after our ChurchWide Assembly and how absolutely appropriate it would be today to talk about Holy Armor. Many of you have noticed that our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Peace On Earth

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Dec 26, 2012

Based on an illustration about Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a great sermon about going from hopelessness to hope because of Christmas.

PEACE ON EARTH Luke 21:28 In July of 1836, Henry met Fanny. Henry was still dealing with grief. His first wife, Mary, had died eight months earlier following the miscarriage of their first child. Henry was devastated and left the U.S. to plunge himself into his studies. It was in Switzerland that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:28

Denomination: Baptist

Esther: A Beauty Queen In Service Of The King Of Kings

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Jun 1, 2014

The true story of Esther illustrates truth about Jesus' ascension: God reigns over all for the benefit of his people.

The Miss Universe competition is in its 62nd year now. How many winners of that competition can you name? None? That’s what I thought. And yet every Christian should be able give the name of at least one beauty queen: Esther. She is well known to Bible readers as the woman who saved her ...read more

Scripture: Esther 6:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

The Law’s Irrelevance For The Promise Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 1, 2018

In this passage the apostle illustrates his point that once under the grace of God, the Law no longer has dominion over us.

October 27, 2013 The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians Tom Lowe Chapter III.A.3.b: The Law’s Irrelevance for the Promise (3:17-18) Galatians 3.17-18 (KJV) 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph In The Pit Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Aug 24, 2020

Joseph’s story, as told in the Bible, is a beautiful illustration of how God’s purpose can be found in our pain.

Joseph in the Pit Genesis 37:12-36 His brothers had gone to pasture their father’s flocks at Shechem. Israel said to Joseph, “Your brothers, you know, are pasturing the flocks at Shechem. Get ready. I’m sending you to them.” “I’m ready,” Joseph replied. Then Israel said to him, “Go and see how ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:12-36

Denomination: Assembly Of God