Sermons on Illustrations:

Ready Or Not

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jun 16, 2011

Following up on His teaching in Matthew 24, Jesus gives an illustration from normal life about being ready for His coming or not.

Passage: Matthew 25:1-13 Intro: The crisis in Japan has kind of faded into the background for us, though not for them. 1. fears of “the end of the world” have faded, as they invariably do. 2. other disasters, like tornados in SE. 3. but when we think about the end of the world, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

You Can't Take It With You

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on Aug 10, 2016

Jesus teaches a lesson about covetousness and then illustrates it with the parable of the Rich Fool. How to avoid the destructive effects of covetousness and lay up treasures in Heaven

TITLE: You Can't Take it With You TEXT: Luke 12:13-21 INTRO: One of Aesop's fables tells about a dog who was carrying a bone. He came to a bridge and as he crossed, he saw his reflection in the water. He thought it was another dog with a bone. He opened his mouth to snap at the other dog and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

Beauty From Ashes Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Jul 21, 2013

God's nature dictates that he transform our lives from brokenness to strength. We see this illustrated in three stories from Matthew 8

“A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way” Mark Twain I heard the story of a missionary in California’s early days who gave a bible to a native Chief. Three weeks later the Chief came back and handed the Bible back to the missionary. He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-17

Denomination: *other

Showing Honor Where Honor Is Due Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Aug 15, 2013

Sometimes is seems we have forgotten how to show honor where honor is due. This sermon illustrates who and what we should honor.

We have been searching for ways that we can become better ambassadors for Jesus. Two weeks ago, we discussed patience. Last week we discussed integrity. We discovered the Greek word for integrity had five definite traits. Integrity meant to be true. Our words should hold true. Our yes should mean ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:20, Deuteronomy 5:16, Psalm 8:4-5, Romans 13:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:12, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Peter 3:7, Proverbs 3:9, 1 Peter 5:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

The Unanswerable Question

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 20, 2013

Not can God build a rock he can't pick up--- but What does it PROFIT a man. Uses a very Kool illustration of profit.

THE UN-ANSWERABLE QUESTION MARK8:36 ((6631 Tan)) Napoleon's Impossible Story Napoleon often told this story: Once, while visiting a province he came on an old soldier with one arm severed, dressed in full uniform. On his uniform and proud fighter displayed the coveted Legion of Honor. "Where did ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:36

Denomination: Baptist

Life Is A Combination Of Contrasts

Contributed by Mathew Philip on Jan 13, 2021

The author, believed to be Solomon, illustrates this truth by comparing the opposites —fourteen pairs of contrasting activities as examples of how life is comprised of contrasting events and seasons.

A new employee had been caught coming in late for work three times and the fourth time the manager decided to discipline him. He said, “Look here! Don’t you know what time we start to work around here? He replied, “No, sir. They’re always working when I get here.” Knowing the time and keeping the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Denomination: Other

The Rude Guest (September 1,2013).

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 14, 2020

Jesus told this parable to illustrate God’s will and how there were seat-seekers who were excluding those who were in need of a seat.

THE RUDE GUEST Text: Luke 14, 1, 7 – 14 John Wesley had no intention of founding a denomination. He was a clergyman in the church of England. He boldly reached out to those whom society and the church of his day had marginalized. John Wesley saw the church ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1, Luke 14:7-14

Denomination: United Methodist

What Does It Mean To Take Up Our Cross? - Sermon Of Proper 17 - Year A

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Aug 28, 2020

How do we demonstrate our willingness to follow Christ in our lives - The illustration was found on the internet, but I am unsure of the original source

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. ‘Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Anglican

Embracing Grace: Living And Dying In Faith SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 12, 2023

Exploring the final words of Christ, this sermon illustrates how we should live and die in faith, akin to a child falling asleep in their father's arms.

Today, we gather to reflect on the last seven sayings of Jesus Christ. These profound statements not only reveal how Jesus lived but also teach us how to face death with childlike trust in our Heavenly Father. In His final moments on the cross, Jesus demonstrated the ultimate act of surrender and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:46

Topics: Grace, Faith

Don't Look Back: A Lesson From Lot's Wife SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 8, 2023

Jesus cautions us about the perils of longing for a past life we are meant to abandon, as illustrated by the story of Lot's wife in Luke 17:32.

Last Wednesday was Women's Day, a day to commemorate women's rights. In Luke 17:32, Jesus urges us to remember an unnamed woman and the grave dangers of looking back to a life we are called to leave behind. This warning is one of the most sobering in the entire Bible. Lot's wife, though married to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:32

Topics: Lot's Wife, Faith, Obedience

Beginnings - Creation Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of new beginnings and second chances in the Bible, focusing on the question of our purpose in life as illustrated in Genesis 1:1-3.

When we were kids, mistakes were magically fixed with a “do-over.” As adults, God knows we still need “do-overs.” Good thing the Bible begins with a book called “Genesis.” It is not merely the beginning—it tells the story of “new-beginnings.” Generation after generation—Adam, Noah, and Abraham—God ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-3

Topics: New Beginnings, Second Chances, Life Purpose

Sermon Series: Beginnings

Believing PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 14, 2023

This sermon explores trusting in God, understanding His ways, and maintaining faith beyond our circumstances, as illustrated in Luke 7:18-35. Key

Good morning, family! I am so thrilled to be standing here with you today, ready to dive into the Word of God. We're like miners, aren't we? Ready to dig into the rich soil of the Bible, eager to discover the gems of wisdom and truth that God has buried there for us. And today, we're going to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-35

Topics: Believing

Holy Spirit Power, Promise, Witness PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 21, 2023

This sermon explores the power, promise, and presence of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives, as illustrated in Acts 2, encouraging us to receive and respond to it. Key

Grace and peace to you, beloved family of God. It's a joy to be gathered here today, united in our shared faith and bound by the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Together, we stand on the fertile soil of God's Word, ready to let its truths sprout within us, to let its wisdom guide us, and to let its ...read more

Topics: Relationship, Holy Spirit

The Advent Of Glory PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 19, 2023

This sermon explores God's unchanging character, His promise of comfort and hope, and our response to His faithfulness, as illustrated in Isaiah 40:1-11.

Good morning, beloved. It's a radiant day, a day that the Lord has made, and we are here to rejoice and be glad in it. As we gather together in the spirit of unity and love, I want to share with you a message that is close to my heart. It's a message of hope, a message of comfort, and a message of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Topics: Christmas

Naboth's Vineyard PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 26, 2023

The sermon emphasizes trusting God in dark times, rejecting injustice, safeguarding God's anointed, and resisting envy, as illustrated in 1 Kings 21. Key

Welcome, dear family of faith, to this sacred gathering where we come together, not just as individuals, but as a collective body, knit together by the love of our Savior. We are here to lean into the wisdom of the Word, to let its truths shape us, to let its promises uplift us, and to let its ...read more

Topics: Grapes, Envy