Sermons on Illustrations:

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

What Is God Like? The Prodigal

Contributed by Jeffrey Samelson on Mar 23, 2004

The Parable of the Prodigal is not really about the younger son; Jesus told it to illustrate what God is like, not what sinners are like.

Fourth Sunday in Lent — March 21, 2004 Christ Lutheran Church, Columbia, MD Pastor Jeff Samelson Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 What Is God Like? The Prodigal R________ (Rejected) R________ (Running) R________ (Restoring) W ________ (Waiting) prod·i·gal adj 1. recklessly extravagant, spendthrift 2. giving ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, Luke 15:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

"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

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

He Came To Seek And To Save

Contributed by Tim Gresham on Jan 19, 2004

A textual sermon breaking down the purpose of why Christ came. Simple, 4-point outline with cross-references and illustrations.

He Came to Seek and to Save by Pastor Tim Gresham Text: Luke 19:10 I. His Incarnation is Selfless “For the Son of Man has come….” Incarnation (Lat. in and caro, stem carn, meaning “flesh”). In the context of Christian theology, the act whereby the eternal Son of God, the Second Person of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:10

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

Palms And Walls

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 9, 2004

A sermon on Isaiah 49:14-22 for Baby Recognition Sunday. (Thanks to many SermonCentral contributors for illustrations and ideas)

Sermon for 8/1/2004 Baby Sunday Isaiah 49:14-22 Introduction: A. Isaiah is the Shakespeare of the Old Testament. Start reading here and go through to the end of this book we see wonderful descriptions of Jesus Christ, of salvation, and of the New Israel (the Church) and of heaven. B. Vs. 14- ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:14-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Whosoever Will

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Apr 19, 2006

A sermon that explains JOHN 3:16, using an illustration about American soldiers held captive in Viet Nam in 1968.

‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.’ Those are not only the most beautiful words ever spoken, but they are the most meaningful words ever spoken. Almost everybody knows this verse, but not ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, John 3:1

Denomination: *other

Separated Unto God Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on May 9, 2006

Four personal stories that illustrate how God’s people are set apart from the world and separated unto God.

I want to begin by telling you about this book. When Sue and I were in high school, we were active members of our youth fellowship. There must have been 40 or 50 of us. A farmer in our congregation was so concerned about the spiritual life of the youth that he purchased a book for every one of ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

The Faithful Woman

Contributed by Jay Winters on Jun 5, 2006

A sermon using the story of Saint Monica, mother of Saint Augustine as the major illustration to communicate the story of the Syrophonecian-Canaanite woman.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three-In-One who gives us salvation, despite who we truly are. Dear Brother and sisters in Christ. When have you been persistent? Have you ever been persistent, with God? There is a very old old story about a woman, a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Lutheran

Pilate's Moral Struggle Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 22, 2005

Expository sermon dealing with Pilate’s decision. Movie clip from the "Patriot" illustrates the importance of making courageous decisions.

Pilate’s Moral Struggle Fortifying the Foundations # 41 John 19:1-16[1] 7-18-04 In our text this morning we encounter a tremendous moral struggle. The man experiencing this struggle is the governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate. His struggle begins when providence brings him face to face with the ...read more

Scripture: John 19:1-16

Denomination: Charismatic

A Question About Servanthood Series

Contributed by Alan Tison on Aug 5, 2006

Jessu continues asking questions of his disciples, this one deals with serving, the open illustration is a great tension building activity

This morning we are going to start our message off a little differently then normal. Since we are talking about servanthood, I thought it would be appropriate to wash one another¡¦s feet. In just a few moments men and women will be coming in with towels and basins, we will start from the outside ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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

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