Read our curated selection of sermon illustration for your next sermon. Preaching with an illustration will make your sermon memorable and help drive the point home.
According to recent news reports, in Greensboro, N.C., an 11-year-old boy discovered a purse with $2,000 inside. The boy suspected it was stolen and turned it in to police. The boy, Edward Myers, was helping plant trees in a park when he found the purse. He could be an example to people much older. We also can hope for a day when honesty does not surprise people.
In Mel Lazarus' comic "Momma," the title character is visiting her shiftless son who is still in bed. She says, "Francis, do you ever think about the challenges in life?" He replies, "Constantly, Momma. I've been doing it for years-and have actually figured out how to avoid most of them." Challenges come to all. There is no way, no matter how much we wish it so, to avoid the challenges of life.
In Saratoga, N.Y., there is a strange monument. It is comprised of a sculpture of a boot and an inscription of praise that never mentions by name the one being memorialized. The monument is in honor of Benedict Arnold, a brave Revolutionary War general before he became a traitor.
A drunken man stumbles across a baptismal service on Sunday afternoon down by the river. He proceeds to walk into the water and stand next to the old country preacher. The minister notices the old drunk and says, "Mister, are you ready to find Jesus?"
In a recent edition of his "Breakpoint" commentary, Chuck Colson talked about a recent landmark study demonstrating that abstinence programs are the most effective sex-education available: "The study was undertaken by University of Pennsylvania professor John Jemmott III. [Six hundred sixty-two] young girls were randomly assigned to one of five groups, including a control group. Some kids were taught contraceptive-based 'safe sex' education; others were taught to delay having sex; some girls were given a comprehensive message that included contraceptive information. Others were given general health messages about diet and exercise."
The teacher gave her fifth grade class an assignment: They were to have their parents tell them a story with a moral at the end. The next day, the kids came back and one by one began to tell their stories.
A woman woke up one morning, turned to her husband and said, "Honey, I just had a dream that you bought me a new gold necklace. What do you think it means?" He answered, "I don't know, but Valentine's Day is coming soon. Then you'll know."
A distraught dog owner called his vet pleading for an immediate appointment. He explained that his dog had a large growth or swelling near the corner of its mouth. The vet told him to bring the animal right over.
In his "One Minute Uplift" newsletter, Rick Ezell tells this story: "A university professor tells of being invited to speak at a military base in December and their meeting an unforgettable soldier named Ralph. Ralph had been sent to meet him at the airport; and after they had introduced themselves, they headed toward the baggage claim. As they walked down the concourse, Ralph kept disappearing -- once to help an older woman whose suitcase had fallen open, once to lift two toddlers up to where they could see Santa Claus, and again to give directions to someone who was lost. Each time he came back with a big smile on his face."
A man was driving home from a fishing trip in northern Michigan with his boat in tow. He had engine trouble a few miles inland from Lake Huron and didn't have a CB radio in his car, so he decided to use his marine radio to get help. Climbing into his boat, he broadcast his call letters and asked for assistance. A Coast Guard officer responded, "Please give your location."