Sermons on Illustrations:

"What's Up With The Parables, Jesus?" Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jul 20, 2015

The disciples asked Jesus why he spoke in parables. A parable is like an allegory or a fable-a practical story that illustrates a moral or spiritual concept. Jesus hadn’t used parables to this extent before now. Let's find out why he used parables.

“WHAT’S UP WITH THE PARABLES, JESUS?” Matthew 13:3-23 INTRODUCTION: In verse 10 the disciples asked Jesus why he spoke to the people in parables. A parable is like an allegory or a fable-a practical story that illustrates a moral or spiritual concept. Jesus hadn’t really ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seeing Clearly Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 5, 2012

Jesus' healing of the blind man in Mark 8 illustrates four points: 1) Some people just want to come out of the darkness. 2) Our ministry can sometimes only lift the darkness. 3) The religious expectations of others can be harmful. 4) There are times when

Seeing Clearly Mark 8:22-26 Seeing is a strange thing. An infant can see a john deer tractor and not benefit from it. A farmer can see a jar of smashed carrots and not be drawn to it. A doctor can see blurry images on a glass slide and be excited about what it tells him. A preacher can see three ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:22-26

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Fruit Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Nov 24, 2015

Your life should be more than a flurry of activity. You were meant to produce spiritual fruit. Paul uses the imagery of fruit trees to illustrate this. What you want out of a fruit tree is fruit. In the Christian life what we want is spiritual fruit.

Wouldn’t it be great if every time that you received a harsh criticism you returned it with a response of kindness? That is what it is like for the believer who has the fruit of the Spirit manifested in their life. Wouldn’t it be great the next time you are wronged, instead of rage ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Floating Axe Head

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Dec 9, 2014

This story from 2 Kings 6:1-7 is an Old Testament illustration pared with a New Testament admonition from Revelation 2:4-5 about losing your first love. If you lose your cutting edge, how can you get it back?

The Floating Axe head Revelation 2-3; II Kings 6:1-7 INTRODUCTION: Last week, Richard preached the last sermon in our 30-week series called The Story. That series took us all the way from Genesis through Revelation. In our last Pueblo group we were discussing the last lesson … from the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who's Living In Your House?

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Jan 21, 2020

In our text this morning, Jesus uses a strange illustration about demon possession to make a very important point about the problem of half-baked, external repentance. In this portion of the text, Jesus talks about an unclean spirit that has gone out of a person; but still seeking rest.

TITLE: WHO’S LIVING IN YOUR HOUSE? SCRIPTURE: ST. MATTHEW 12:43-45 Have you ever tried to help a friend or family member that found themselves without a roof over their head and you reluctantly and against your better judgment allowed them to come and stay in your house until they were able to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:43-45

Denomination: Baptist

The King Chooses A Queen

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 25, 2022

Esther is an illustration of God's care and direction for our lives. In order to effectively serve God, we must have faith that God is in control, working through both good and bad times, despite the fact that we may question certain aspects of our lives.

Have you been chosen? Esther is an illustration of God's care and direction for our lives. In order to effectively serve God, we must have faith that God is in control, working through both good and bad times, despite the fact that we may question certain aspects of our lives. Persian rulers ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Cardinal Rule Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 16, 2023

In this section of the Gospel of Mark, Jesus clarifies what the most important command is. It is to love God and to love others. Wholeheartedly loving God means that we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. That kind of love is illustrated in the widow's gift.

A. Knowing what the most important rules are in any given context is very helpful. 1. What are the most important rules for the classroom? a. Listen carefully. d. Raise your hand if you have something to say. b. Keep your hands and feet to yourself. e. Show respect and kindness to your ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mud Sitting

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Feb 23, 2024

I used this sermon for our "Friend Sunday." My main text was Proverbs 18:24, although I used several other texts as time permitted. After a little humor, and prayer I told the illustration about "Mud-sitting."

Mud Sitting Text: Proverbs 18:24 Date: February 18, 2024, BFBC Friend Sunday at 11 am A little Humor: Just Have to Outrun You Two friends were out hunting in the northern U.S. Suddenly one yelled and the other looked up to see a grizzly charging them. The first started to frantically put on his ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:24, Genesis 18:17-19, James 2:23, Proverbs 17:17-18, John 15:12-14, Exodus 33:11, Isaiah 41:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Uncovering The Unimaginable Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Jun 3, 2003

I Corinthians, Chapter 2 I am indebted to Dwight Davis and his message entitled "Is that you God?" located on Sermon Central for some illustrations and ideas. Paul quotes Isaiah 64:4 in 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NCV) "But as it is written in the Scriptures: ’N

Uncovering the Unimaginable I Corinthians, Chapter 2 Paul quotes Isaiah 64:4 in 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NCV) "But as it is written in the Scriptures: ’No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’” God reveals ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"The Nature Within" Series By: Dr. Winson Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Sep 14, 2005

When your past tries to dominate your thoughts, let your dreams ignite your day. In every believers life there’s a struggle within, two natures waring against each other. We can see this illustrated in our lesson from Genesis 16!

SERIES PREACHED AT DINSMORE BAPTIST CHURCH 10500 Old Kings Road Jacksonville, FL 32219 Dr. E. Winson Butler (each main point became the subject matter "as" an individual message) INTRODUCTION Recently one of our missionaries shared the story about a Chief he had won to Christ in a remote ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Father Heart Overview. Series

Contributed by John Gullick on Feb 19, 2006

This sermon looks at models of parental authority and discusses how they can restrict or enable us in interpreting God’s heart towards us. again depends heavily on illustrations from Floyd McClungs book The Father heart of God although don’t blame him f

Father heart of God sermon 2. 5 Sundays – Sunday 1 Father heart of God – Overview. Sermon Central Pro A gray-haired old lady, long a member of her community and church, shook hands with the minister after the service one Sunday morning. “That was a wonderful sermon,” she told him, “just ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Eye Of The Tiger

Contributed by Ricky Nelms on Jul 22, 2010

This is a Youth Day/Teen Day sermon (but good for adults as well) which talks about how Satan is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour and uses a real-life illustration of actor Roy Horn, who was bitten by his beloved tiger in Los Vegas.

THE EYE OF THE TIGER A teenager is… --a whiz who can operate the latest computer without a lesson but can't make a bed --a student who will spend 12 minutes studying for her history exam and 12 hours for her driver's license. Teenagers are like CATS: ** Neither teenagers nor cats turn ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Flood Insurance Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Aug 23, 2010

Jesus used the conditions of Noah’s day as an illustration of a world that was completely blind to the evil that was all around them. Noah lived in some very dark days. And that’s why Noah stood out. Noah chose to live a different life than the crowd a

“Flood Insurance” Genesis 6:5-13 This amazing story of this man named Noah covers 4 chapters in the book of Genesis. Noah is perhaps one of the best known characters in all the Bible. If you were to ask a stranger on the street who he was they would likely be able to tell you. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

Herod Antipas Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 14, 2016

7 steps on the road to hell illustrated by Herod Antipas (Material adapted from Ray Pritchard at: http://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/2001-04-08-The-Man-Who-Would-Be-King-Christ-Speaks-to-the-Problem-of-Frivolous-Curiosity/)

HoHum: The April 12, 1993, issue of Newsweek unknowingly reported the signs of the times. Bill Wyman, of The Rolling Stones, married his son’s wife’s daughter, a woman 34 years his junior. Her mother married Wyman’s son, Stephan, a man 16 years her junior. That makes Stephan his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:5-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Gospel Of Faith

Contributed by Timothy Dolan on Sep 30, 2012

The Gospel of Faith is outlined in the Hebrews 11:16-19. Faith is the means by which we prove God’s mercy, grace, and faithfulness. To illustrate the Gospel in the following passages; I will be presenting God’s Purpose, Our Problem, God’s Plan, and Our

The Gospel of Faith: Hebrews 11:16-19 Introduction: FF. Bruce, in his commentary of Hebrews wrote, “The earthly Canaan and the earthly Jerusalem were but temporary object-lessons pointing to the saints’ everlasting rest, the well-founded city of God. Those who put their trust in God ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:16-19

Denomination: Baptist