Sermons on Illustrations:

Light In The Darkness: Jesus Power To Give.

Contributed by Amanda Wilson on May 3, 2004

Based on Isaiah 9:1-4 & Matt. 4:12-23 this discussess the use of power by Jesus with illustrations from the movies of Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Pay it Forward.

“There is no good or evil, just power and those too weak to use it.” If you have seen the movie or read the book of HP and the philosopher’s stone, then you will have heard that phrase. In a last ditch attempt to win Harry’s cooperation, the evil wizard Voldemort asserts “There is no good or evil, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23, Isaiah 9:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Respect Authority! Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Mar 20, 2003

God calls Christians to respect authority out of respect for God. Paul illustrates how our submission plays out in the Parent-Child relationship as well as in our work relationships.

Respect Authority! Ephesians 6:1-9 Focus: God calls Christians to submit to one another and respect authority out of respect for God. Function: To illustrate how our submission plays out in the Parent-Child relationship as well as in our work world. When Celeste and I first found out ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Growing In Grace

Contributed by Bob Hunter on Mar 12, 2002

"Growing in Grace" is a practical step by step topical teaching that encourages growth in a ’how to’ manner. Full of crisp, relevant contemporary language and illustrations. A transition to communion is included at the close.

"Growing in Grace" II Peter 3:18 Pastor Bob Hunter Intro: As many of you know our newborn baby is 10 days old now. And it’s really quit amazing, because we can already see some growth taking place. When a newborn baby arrives, a small amount of initial weight loss occurs. In the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Peter 3:1-18

Denomination: Holiness

"As An Eagle..." By Dr. Winson Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Mar 9, 2005

In the presence of trouble, some people grow wings while others buy crutches. Let’s examine a simple way God illustrates His love and care for us all!

Introduction Let’s face it, God’s love for us has been illustrated in a variety of (strange) ways! Take the lesson we learn from Deuteronomy. What a beautiful picture of how our God deals and directs the lives of His children. As a mother eagle goes about preparing her young so God is with you ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:11

Denomination: Baptist

Hannah's Mourning For Motherhood

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Sep 6, 2004

The story of Hannah is not only a wonderful account and illustration of what motherhood should be about, but also pictures the type of passion that all God’s children should demonstrate in their service for the Lord.

HANNAH’S MOURNING FOR MOTHERHOOD Text: I Sam.1: 1-10 Intro: “No one deserves a special day all to herself more than today’s Mom. A cartoon showed a psychologist talking to his patient: ‘Let’s see,’ he said, ‘You spend 50 percent of your energy on your job, 50 percent on your husband and 50 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Answering The Call

Contributed by Robbie Parsons on Jan 22, 2003

This message includes a skit with your cell phone to illustrate how we react to God’s calling us to ministry after being born-again. Great attention grabber!!!

ANSWERING THE CALL START MESSAGE OUT WITH SKIT: SKIT FOR MESSAGE “ANSWERING THE CALL” (Arrange with a high schooler before hand to call you on your cell phone and go through the script. Have your cell phone on the pulpit and make sure people in the audience hear it - THIS WILL REALLY GET THEIR ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

The Secret Of True Happiness

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Apr 20, 2003

The psalmist uses the contrasting illustrations of a tree and chaff to share the Secret of True Happiness, telling us what it is, where it’s to be found and why we need it.

THE SECRET OF TRUE HAPPINESS If the mythical man or woman in the street was asked what he or she longed for most, I expect the answer, in many cases, would be “happiness”. Jesus had something to say about this in His great Sermon on the Mount when He said: “happy”: "Blessed are ... the poor in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Family Ties Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Jul 22, 2005

9th in long series on Joshua, 2nd of 2 on mass circumcision in ch.5. This deals with being a part of a family, using the well-used illustration of a flock of geese.

Joshua 5:1-9 – Family Ties (Nowheres near an original thought, but good nonetheless...) Today I’d like to do something different. Today’s a bit different from most, so I’m putting a twist on my scripture today, out of the ordinary for me anyway. Let’s read Joshua 5:1-9. So the Israelites ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Pastors And Teachers Series

Contributed by Nigel Heath on Jul 2, 2011

The role of a pastor/teacher is much more than that of a carer. Psalm 23 illustrates to us from the Good Shepherd what is involved in this ministry that is intended to lead others to maturity in Christ.

3.7.11 PASTORS AND TEACHERS -- Psalm 23 INTRO Have you ever thought of entering the ministry? Maybe you have. Or maybe you haven't and you wonder how a church pastor spends their time during the week. What is involved: There is a well-worn joke that pastor's work only one day a week. It's about ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

It's Better To Be Good Than Fair Series

Contributed by Phil Smith on Dec 20, 2008

We spend WAY too much energy trying to balance the books of our relationships. Jesus did not teach us to be fair, but to be good. His birth beautifully illustrates the lesson.

Php 2:5-11 – ...Christ Jesus: ...being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Transformed And Passionate Series

Contributed by Dean O'bryan on Sep 16, 2008

Second in a series on our church’s vision; this one also addresses the issue of being passionate Christians, using Peter as an illustration of how Christ builds passion in us as followers.

Series: Our Vision Sermon Title: Transformed and Passionate Don’t you just love this 2+ year election cycle? I heard on the news the Canadians are going to manage to have a national parliamentary election, start to finish, in 36 days! Wow. There’s a topic that keeps coming up ad nauseam -- from ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:13

Denomination: Baptist

The Armor Of God #1 Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 19, 2009

A sermon on the armor of God from Ephesians 6:14-15 (Introduction adapted from Sermons4Kids and illustrations adapted from The Christian’s Armor by Betty Lukens)

Sermon for 10/18/2009 The Armor of God Part #1 (Ephesians 6:10-15) Introduction: Have the children come up front and sit on front pew. Have at least two teenagers help demonstrate skateboards and protective gear. Let’s pretend that you have just gotten your first skateboard and you are ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:14-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Cataclysm Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 19, 2009

Several of the most controversial and critical questions of our existence are answered in the Noah story. Great visuals help illustrate! Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Cataclysm Genesis 6-9 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Cataclysm.html We’ll attempt to answer some controversial questions from our text: i) Who were the “sons of God” and the “daughters of men”? ii) What was the physical earth like before the Flood? iii) Why did people live so long before the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Rahab: God Makes Heroes Out Of Zeroes Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Dec 12, 2006

Rahab’s life illustrates how faith does not sit on the heart like a trohpy on a mantle collecting dust. God-created faith is active. (Sermon theme by Mark Anderson)

By now you may have decorated your Christmas tree. If so, did you hang any cracked and broken ornaments on the tree? Of course not! You only put on the tree ornaments that are beautiful and “worthy” to be displayed for all your Christmas guests to see. During this Advent season we’re taking a look ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Healthy Attitudes For A Spiritual Community Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 23, 2005

Expository sermon dealing with attitudes toward one another, circumstances, and the Holy Spirit in the life of the church. Clip from movie "Ice Age" illustrates attutudes toward one another.

Healthy Attitudes for a Spiritual Community I Thessalonians 5:11-28[1] 11-14-04 Intro If you had only one minute to tell someone how to help their church be healthy and spiritually vibrant, what would you say? What issues would you address? What would you tell them to do—with only one minute ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11-28

Denomination: Charismatic