Sermons on Illustration:

Every Barrier Down: Mary Magdalene

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 6, 2010

Commitment to the living Christ will let Him break down circumstantial, cultural, and spiritual barriers to our success. Illustrated with the story of Marian Anderson.

I think it was John Lennon, one of the Beatles, who once observed, "Life is what happens while you are making other plans." That really is the issue, isn't it? Getting a fix on our lives. Getting hold of life. Being able to make it go the way you want it to go. And the trouble is that life just ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Stewardship Of The Bell Rope Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 31, 2010

Uses a powerful illustration of a bell rope to drive home how we can forgive people who've sinned against us.

OPEN: I get a daily devotion from a website called “heartlight.org” Back in August, I read the following story by Patrick Odum. Apparently, in New Hampshire, a man named Josh Muszynski stopped at a gas station and bought a pack of cigarettes with his debit card. A few hours later he was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lord, Stretch Our Faith!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 17, 2008

I use a rubber band and an extension cord to illustrate how Jesus stretched Mary and Martha’s faith for their brother’s healing.

LORD, STRETCH OUR FAITH! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I did this lesson in two parts, it could be done in one part, just move quickly from point to point. I have a huge rubber band and we discuss the flexibility and stretch that the rubber band has. 1. The rubber band has a ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Calling God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 7, 2008

Uses a cell phone to illustrate the basics of effective prayer. Addresses the tendency of people to rely on repetition and ritual to get God’s attention.

OPEN: (a deep voiced man was positioned in a side room with microphone and monitor. This opening illustration goes on for a couple of pages but worked well to set up the rest of the sermon) "Our Father who art in heaven..." "YES?" (look up and around suspiciously then bow and say) "Our Father ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Where To Go For Guidance Series

Contributed by Tim Huie on Apr 18, 2008

Where do we go for guidance in making daily decisions? Nebuchadnezzer illustrates for us the four places one may look for guidance.

1. Illus. of "Who wants to be a Millionaire?" • Several hundred thousand dollars at stake. • Called a friend, and asked what to answer on a particular question. • Answer was wrong! Lost hundreds of thousands of dollars because he listened to the wrong person and made a bad decision. 2. Every day, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:26-28

Denomination: Baptist

Where Man Rules, God Will Overule Series

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Oct 16, 2008

The Bible often teaches and illustrates the doctrine of God’s providence; His providence should be a source of great comfort and instruction for every believer.

“What rotten luck I’ve been having lately!” “I’m having a bad day!” “Oh, well, whatever will be will be, and there’s nothing that we can do about it!” You’ve probably heard people say all of these statements. Perhaps you’ve even said or thought something similar yourself at times. But all of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:11-35

Denomination: Baptist

Narnia - A Dangerous Hero! Series

Contributed by Ron Hammer on Dec 5, 2005

When we look at the Chronicles of Narnia, we see in Aslan a picture of Christ. This sermon examines five characteristics of Christ that are illustrated in Aslan.

A Dangerous Hero! Aslan is on the move! Of all the beasts in the animal kingdom, none has captured as grand a place in most people’s imagination as the lion. Even the scriptures use lions to portray very powerful images: STRONG - "…What is stronger than a lion?" – Judges 14:18 NIV COURAGEOUS - ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Christian's Influence Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Aug 28, 2007

Jesus, using Salt and Light as an illustration, taught his disciples that we must be a different influence to others. Not as the world has seen, but a difference!

INTRODUCTION ILLUSTRATION: A Peanuts cartoon showed Peppermint Patty talking to Charlie Brown in which she said, “Guess what, Chuck? The first day of school, and I got sent to the principal’s office. It was your fault, Chuck.” Charlie Brown responds, “My fault? How could it be my fault? Why do ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Happy Home

Contributed by Marvin Minton on Sep 5, 2007

This psalm celebrates the blessings of home and family life. Agricultural images are used to illustrate God’s blessings on those who trust Him.

A Happy Home Psalm 128:1-6 The ninth song of ascent or degrees, this psalm celebrates the blessings of home and family life. The ancient feasts of the Hebrews were family affairs. The family shared in rejoicing in God’s goodness to them as they traveled toward Jerusalem for the feasts. As they ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 128:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Justin - Let Us Remember Series

Contributed by Phil Smith on Jan 19, 2009

Using the "Justin" story to illustrate simple Christianity. Christians forget where they came from. Evidence? I give three (there are more).

I. Introduction Last week I read a story to you in an attempt to clearly illustrate our position before God. In the next few weeks I will continue to use that story to illustrate in more detail how our relationship with God should work. This process is important because the gospel can become ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Kiss 'em With Kindness Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Sep 5, 2013

An examination of three scriptural truths about kindness illustrated with aspects of kindness from the life of Jesus and how we can demonstrate kindness.

INTRODUCTION The Book of Galatians is all about the beauty of God’s grace. And one way that God’s grace is displayed in our lives is through the Fruit of the Spirit. So, I’m calling this series, “Grace-fruit: Jesus Living in Me.” Here are the nine expressions of the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph: Hope For Troubled Times (4) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Oct 22, 2014

The last in a series on the life of Joseph, this three-point expository sermon reveals that Joseph is finally remembered, rewarded, and reconciled. Lots of application and illustrations.

Joseph: Hope for Troubled Times (4) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 6/8/2014 ILL. A husband noticed that his wife was under a lot of pressure lately and she called him at work to tell him she was having a bad day, so he decided to do something he’d never done before. ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

The Day? The Hour? It's A Secret!

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Nov 15, 2018

End times... Being prepared for the return of Jesus, Watch and beware of the signs. Illustration: California fires....signs were present... were they prepared?

In Jesus Holy Name November 19, 2018 Text: Mark 13:32-33 “The Day? The Hour? It’s a Secret” For days we Californians have been amazed, astounded, transfixed to our television and youtube videos because of the fires. We see streets lined with burned out vehicles. We watch people video ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:32-33, Mark 13:1-27

Denomination: Lutheran

Zombie Christians

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Apr 15, 2018

This message used the illustration of a Zombie to explain how Christians can walk on this earth and not beaware of the spiritual power and impact that they are supposed to have and exhibit.

Zombie Christians Scriptures: Rev. 3:5-6; 15-16; Heb. 10:23-25; James 2:14-24 Since the start of the year I have been sharing with you how we are in a battle. I have focused on the spiritual battle that we are fighting against Satan but starting with this message I will be shifting to the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25, Revelation 3:5-16, James 2:14-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expectation And Identity

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Mar 3, 2021

This sermon illustrates how those on the crowd of Jesus's triumphant entry misunderstood the significance of the way He entered riding on a donkey.

EXPECTATION AND IDENTITY (Palm Sunday 2012) Text: Mark 11:1 – 11 Mark 11:1-11  And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,  (2)  And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist