Sermons on Illustrations:

Being A Finisher

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jun 23, 2007

Athletic history records some leaps from worst to first. For example, the Minnesota Twins finished last in their division in 1990, yet came back to win the World Series in 1991, illustrating the maxim, “ it’s not how you begin, it’s how you finish!”

Being a Finisher Text: Hebrews 10: 32-39 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:32-39

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Two Sides Of God

Contributed by Steve Malone on Apr 2, 2004

These 2 sides of God are: God’s wrath and God’s grace. And in our study today, we will look the lives of 2 individuals (David and Jeroboam)in whose lives we see these 2 sides of God clearly illustrated. (1 Kings - pt 2)

"TWO SIDES OF GOD" TEXT: I KINGS 11-15 INTRODUCTION If I were to hold up a coin and show you that one side had on it George Washington and that the other side had on it Our National seal. And then if I were to say that the coin has 2 sides to it -- and the side you are facing -- is what ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Narnia: The Gift Of Assurance Series

Contributed by Philip Grose on Jan 17, 2006

Sermon#2 in a Series focusing on the gifts the children received while in Narina and how those gifts relate to the Gifts we recieve as Christians. Sermon focus is on God’s care for us as we cry out to Him in our desparation. Susan’s horn illustrates this.

Susan received two gifts during her journey to rendezvous with Aslan as she and her siblings attempt to save her brother Edmond. She received a quiver of arrows with a bow to shoot them with, and a horn. The bow and arrow is an obvious reference to the forceful offense that would be needed to ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 10:9

Denomination: Methodist

The Pharisee And Tax Collector Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 22, 2010

The true “righteous” person is not someone who flawlessly observes all the “rules”, but someone who begs for mercy and is accepted by God--despite having plenty of human imperfections. To illustrate this, Jesus tells a story of two people who are polar o

In preparation for this sermon, I did my taxes last week…so I have lots to say about that tax collector! How do we get to Heaven? By human effort? By keeping the rules? That works only if we could obey perfectly, which excludes all of us. Occasionally someone comes along who thinks ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Luke 18:9, Luke 18:1-14

Denomination: Congregational

Some Things We Should Not Do

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 12, 2010

The wilderness experience of the Israelites is an illustration of how God’s people can provoke His anger through disobedience and faithlessness. We must take heed lest we fall by the same experience of unbelief (v. 5 cf. 11, 12). The apostle lists some t

Intro: The wilderness experience of the Israelites is an illustration of how God’s people can provoke His anger through disobedience and faithlessness. We must take heed lest we fall by the same experience of unbelief (v. 5 cf. 11, 12). The apostle lists some things we, as Christians, must not do. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-10

Denomination: *other

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

Would You Rather Be Dead?

Contributed by Jay Winters on Feb 9, 2008

This Ash Wednesday sermon uses a scene from "Fight Club" as its major illustration - it attempts to show that Christ doesn’t just give us a second chance, but that He puts us to death (while taking on our death) in Baptism and give us the empty tomb.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three In One who makes our lives more beautiful than what they could ever be on their own. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, About ten years ago, a movie came out that just about everyone saw. It was called “Fight ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:3-14

Denomination: Lutheran

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

"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

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

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

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

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

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 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