Sermons on Illustrations:

Them Dry Bones

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on May 30, 2009

There is something about being surrounded by death that makes us contemplate life in a very honest way. God uses a kind of cemetery full of bones to illustrate the need for the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Them Dry Bones Ezekiel 37:1-12 Acts 2:17 NIV In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Joel 2:28 NIV [ The Day of the LORD ] And afterward, I will pour out my ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Gods Whosoever Promise (3:16, Part 6) Series

Contributed by Steve Miller on Apr 3, 2008

Final sermon of 3:16 series, using various texts to illustrate that God promises eternal life to "Whosoever" believes in Him. Whosoever means 1)However, 2)Whenever, & 3)Wherever.

Message developed as part of series inspired by Max Lucado*s book 3:16, Numbers of Hope, study guide materials, and his sermon series by the same title. This sermon in the series contains primarily the same outline, as you will find in one chapter of the book. Scripture: John 3:16; various ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: *other

Why Doesn't God Prevent Evil? Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jul 12, 2013

How can a good God allow human suffering to continue? The story of Joseph provides a powerful illustration that suffering has a purpose, even when we can't see it at the present time.

“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cost Of Discipleship

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jun 27, 2019

This sermon looks at the rejection of the Samaritans, and examines the excuses of the three would be disciples. This sermon has some illustrations to draw the hearer back in, and helps to apply the text to the life of the hearer in their baptismal identity.

Sometimes you just need to learn the value of a dollar. I remember when my nephew Kaden was learning this at the Wisconsin Dells. We were downtown, where all the shops were, and he was given a dollar earlier in the day. Thinking that was enough money to buy something in a tourist trap, he began ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Lutheran

Maintaining Readiness

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Nov 26, 2019

Jesus shares illustrations to show that his return will be sudden and unexpected. His call on us is to be ready at any moment. The First Sunday of Advent reminds us that Jesus came, and Jesus is coming again!

Matthew 24:36-44 Maintaining Readiness The military has a readiness system of green, amber and red, to illustrate threat levels we might face at any given time. When you go on base or on post, you’ll see a Force Protection Condition, or FPCON, ranging from normal to delta. Likewise, the president ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44, Acts 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

Ten Days Of Awe

Contributed by Richard Tow on Feb 1, 2016

In this message Pastor Richard prepares the congregation for Ten Days of prayer and fasting. He uses the story of Esther and the story of King Jehoshaphat to illustrate the value of seeking the Lord in this way, especially in times of crisis.

Ten Days of Awe
 (09-13-15 www.LifeChurchSpringfield.org) We have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Denomination: Charismatic

The Sermon On The Mount (Part 19) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Feb 3, 2020

In our passage today, Jesus illustrates the power and provision of prayer. But we'll see that it isn't always as simple as, 'ask and you shall receive'.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (part 19) Matt. 7:7-12 In our passage today, Jesus illustrates the power and provision of prayer. It was almost time for the 'Old Fashioned Revival Hour' radio program to go on the air. The broadcast was coming from a tin-roofed building in Waterloo, Iowa. As Dr. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-12, Luke 18:1-8, Jeremiah 29:12-13, Psalm 37:4, 1 John 3:21-23, 1 John 5:14-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Resurrection: How Will You Respond?

Contributed by James Wallace on Apr 30, 2019

Do you have the kind of faith that saves? An examination of the faith of the first eyewitnesses to Jesus' resurrection graphically illustrates what kind of faith saves, and what kind of faith does not.

The Resurrection: How Will You Respond? Matthew 27:27—28:10 He is risen! He is risen indeed! So Christ is risen! But I want to ask you a question this morning. Do you think of Christ's resurrection as just an interesting and unique fact of history—that God intended it just as a point ...read more

Denomination: Bible Church

Who Has Got Your Tongue? Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Oct 7, 2015

Controlling the tongue. Why is it so hard? Is the control of the tongue a valid indicator of our spiritual condition? James give us some illustrations that are very useful in defining the ravages of an out of control tongue.

Let’s ponder on this for a moment before we plunge into today’s Scripture. 1 Samuel 2:2 “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides You; there is no Rock like our God.” If you are a son or daughter of God you are one of the most privileged souls in the ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Nazarene

"A Fruit Called Kindness”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Sep 29, 2021

Kindness is a "fruit" of the Spirit. Both salvation and sanctification (walking in holiness) doing good deeds are both obtained by faith and the work of the Holy Spirit. Illustration from Max Lucado on Kindness

In Jesus Holy Name October 3, 2021 Text: Ephesians 4:32 “A Fruit Called Kindness” They sat on opposite sides of the room, a man and a woman, bidding on an adorable puppy at a school auction. Others dropped off, but not this duo. Back and forth until they’d ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Lutheran

The Christian's Duty Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 26, 2021

Verse 10 contains the only recorded instance in Scripture where our Lord used the word duty. He taught us all that is necessary to know about duty by a simple illustration and application.

In his book Merely Colossal, Arthur Mayer tells of how he hired a stunt man to be buried alive as a publicity stunt for a film he was promoting. The stunt man knew how to breathe in such a way that he could stay buried for 24 hours and not suffocate. After the papers made a big splash about a man ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:7-10

Miracle On 1st Century Street

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 21, 2020

In this sermon, I use the classic Christmas movie Miracle on 34th Street to illustrate some important spiritual truths about the real identity of Jesus and how the story of Jesus is fact and not fiction.

Introduction: A. Every year, I look forward to our special worship service on the Sunday before Christmas. 1. I hope and pray that you have a very happy and healthy Christmas holiday filled with much joy and peace. 2. Although none of us knows the exact day when Jesus Christ was born, His coming ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:20-23, Luke 2:11-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Josh's Journey Through Silence: Spirituality In The Making

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Jan 4, 2021

This is a narrative sermon that illustrates how people often struggle with spirituality due to life's situation. It follows this narrative for developing a sensitivity to those who struggle to find meaning on their spiritual journey.

Following the pastoral prayer, the minister of music prepared to lead the people in a hymn of praise. As the pastor reflected upon the worship service and the sermon he was to preach his mind drifted to the text for his sermon. It was the first passage of scripture he had heard read from the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Fruits Of The Spirit (June 30, 2013)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Nov 4, 2021

Someone once asked a question that I am sure that we could all relate to given that it has happened to you. Does our lifestyle illustrate a walk that bears God’s name?

THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT Text: Galatians 5:1, 13-26 Galatians 5:1 - Galatians 5:13 -26  For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.  (13)  For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1, Galatians 5:13-26

Denomination: United Methodist

Married For The Glory Of God

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 28, 2024

Marriage belongs to God because God created it and has defined it. God's purpose for the marriage of a man and woman is to bless them and their family and to illustrate the relationship between Christ and the church.

Introduction: A. Today, I am going to talk about being married for the glory of God. 1. Two weeks ago, I shared a sermon called “Single for the Glory of God” in which I talked about the importance of serving God as singles, whether that singleness is short-term or long-term. 2. Last week, we were ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7-8, Genesis 2:18-25, Genesis 1:27-28, Ephesians 5:23-27, Revelation 19:7-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ