Sermons on Illustrations:

Lessons From The Wise And Foolish Virgins

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 1, 2025

The parable of the wise and foolish virgins, as recounted in Matthew 25, illustrates the importance of readiness and vigilance in the Christian life. It serves as a metaphor for the coming of Christ and the necessity of being prepared to meet Him.

LESSONS FROM THE WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 25:1-13 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.” Supporting Texts: 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6, Ephesians 5:15-16, Proverbs 21:20, Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6, Ephesians 5:15-16, Proverbs 21:20, Matthew 7:24-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Parables Concerning The Kingdom, Part 1 (Matthew 13:1-23)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Apr 13, 2025

Matthew, Chapter 13, presents a series of stories, or parables, Jesus used to illustrate the concepts of the kingdom of God, the approaching judgment, and the work of the devil. Listen, if you have ears to hear.

The thirteenth chapter of Matthew's gospel focuses upon the parables of Jesus. As the Master got into a boat while teaching the people on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He told a story about a man whose job it was to sow seed into ground that had been tilled in order to grow crops. In the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-53, Mark 4:1-9, Mark 6:1-6, Luke 4:16-30, Luke 8:4-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Follow Me Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the idea that Jesus chose ordinary people to follow him, emphasizing that anyone willing can join Jesus in his work, as illustrated through the biblical stories of fishermen.

Welcome back to week 2 of our Hooked series. If you weren’t with us last week it’s worth noting that this IS NOT a series about pirates - but IT IS a series about fishing, fisherman, nets, and the open sea… Which we talked a lot about in week 1 where we learned; “The kingdom of heaven is like a net ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:16-20

Topics: Ordinary Heroes, Faithful Following, World Change

Sermon Series: Hooked

Gratitude's Nemesis: The Grumble Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores how grumbling and complaining can undermine God's grace and poison the heart, using examples from the Bible and popular culture to illustrate the importance of focusing on gratitude and grace.

There is a movie series from the 1990s that is about two men. I am going to give you a few descriptive words, and I want to see if you can name these movies: complaining, negativity, intolerance, uncompromising, griping, fussing, grumpiness. What movie series has characters known for these ...read more

Topics: Gratitude, Complaining, Grace Of God

Sermon Series: Gratitude

A Demand For Holiness - A Holiness Expressed By The New Life Received From A Gracious God

Contributed by Robert Tarasiak on Sep 9, 2023

Milk is for what purpose? To provide the nutrition for the baby to grow healthy. Today we will discover how Apostle Peter uses an illustration of milk regarding growing toward spiritual maturity.

1 Peter Series Part 7 Sub Series: A Demand for Holiness (1:13 – 2:3) Title: A holiness expressed by the new life received from a gracious God Text: 1 Peter 2:1-3 INTRO: The taste of a fresh baked pie. or mom or grandma’s home-made food and desserts? And when you put the treat in your mouth and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Hosting Jesus, The Vip (Luke 7:36-50) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 28, 2024

One host fails, but another rises up, and gives Jesus the welcome he deserves. The passage is an illustration of how and why people tripped on Jesus (Luke 7:31-35).

One of the things we've talked about several times in the gospel of Luke, is the idea of God "visiting" his people. That's a big part of today's message, so let's read Luke 1:68, to get us off on the right foot: I'll read from the RSV (and here, the translation ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:68, Luke 7:36-50, Luke 7:31-35

Wealth Doesn't Guarantee Heaven SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Jesus, through the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, illustrates that wealth does not equate to righteousness. The rich man, despite having worldly possessions, lacked what was necessary for entry into heaven.

Today, we will explore the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, as told by Jesus. This parable serves to remind us that being wealthy does not equate to being righteous. The rich man in the story had everything he desired, but he lacked what was necessary for eternal salvation. In the parable, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Topics: Wealth And Righteousness, Abraham's Bosom

Remember Your Name PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2023

Aims to explore the power of faith, the value of identity, and the impact of our beliefs on our lives, as illustrated by the healing of a woman in Mark 5:24-34 through her faith in Jesus.

Good morning, brothers and sisters! We gather today to unpack and explore the richness of Mark 5:24-34, where a woman's faith in Jesus heals her from an affliction she had suffered from for twelve long years. We're going to touch on the power of faith, the value of identity, and the impact of our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:24-34

Topics: Identity

Lazarus And The Rich Man PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Emphasize the importance of compassion and good deeds in our lives, as neglecting these can lead to severe consequences, as illustrated in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31.

Good morning, church! Today, we are going to unpack a powerful message from the book of Luke, Chapter 16, verses 19 through 31. This passage is a profound illustration of the sin of omitting good deeds, the consequences of ignoring others, and the incredible power of compassion. Before we delve in, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Topics: Great Omission

Feeding The Multitude PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Explore the themes of Christ's compassion, God's abundant provision, and the importance of demonstrating grace through action, as illustrated in the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand in Matthew 14:13-21.

Good morning, church family! I love it when we gather here together, each of us eager to dive into God's word and see what divine wisdom we can glean from it for our lives. Today, we're going to take a look at a well-known passage from Matthew's Gospel that teaches us about Christ's compassion for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Topics: Christ's Compassion

A Samaritan's Mustard Seed Faith

Contributed by Charles Holt on Apr 3, 2002

The healing of 10 lepers and the Samaritan in particular illustrates Jesus response to the disciples request for increased faith. "If you have faith as a mustard seed . . ." Jesus said, the impossible will become possible.

A Samaritan’s Mustard Seed Faith Luke 17:6,11-19 By: Charles W. Holt Orange, TX email: cholt@gt.rr.com There is found in the 17th chapter of Luke a story of the healing of 10 lepers. In just a few minutes I will ask you to read the story with me beginning with verse 11 and continuing through verse ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:6-19, Luke 17:5-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Joseph Bag

Contributed by Andy Almendarez on Apr 9, 2002

Using a multicolored bag to illustrate the major events of the life of Joseph adults and children alike can see how God was at work in the life of Joseph and can be at work in your life as well.

The Joseph Bag Genesis 37-41 Today I would like to tell you a story about a man named Joseph. By a show of hands how many of you have heard of Joseph? Joseph’s story is found in the book of Genesis. Joseph’s life teaches us many things. One important thing about Joseph is that even though hard ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

Transforming Community

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Sep 30, 2004

Sermon 3 of 6 on the Acts 2:47 church - 24/7! We are called to be salt and light. I used several different Sermon Central sources for illustrations, ideas and comments.

2:47 – 24/7 Transforming Community Transformers change things. That’s what they do. When my girls were growing up I wanted to buy them "Transformers" instead of dolls. Donna wouldn’t let me for reasons that I don’t remember now. I’m sure her reasons were good - I just don’t remember what they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Giving Thanks

Contributed by Evelyn Weston on Oct 19, 2004

Thanksgiving C: We give thanks, not just for all the things God gives us, but because of who God is and who God has called us to be. Illustration from the Pilgrims.

Grace to you and peace, brothers and sisters in Christ— blessed by God, blessed to be a blessing. Amen Thanksgiving is here again— the beginning of the holiday season. Supposedly this is the end of fall, though there’s no doubt this year that winter is already here to stay. But Thanksgiving ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran

The People Who Missed Christmas

Contributed by Greg Warren on Dec 13, 2003

Discusses the Biblical people who missed the miracle of the first Christmas and applies these principles to how people miss Christmas’ true maning today. Illustrations from Sermon Central contributers are incorporated.

Have you ever missed a great opportunity? The story is told of a small resort area along the east coast that was having an open town meeting concerning some financial problems they were facing. Among the two dozen or so people was one man no one seemed to know who was apparently visiting the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:10-12, Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ