Sermon Illustrations

When the devil's success rate goes up, the pastor's stock in the eyes of the community goes down. In a Wall Street Journal survey, 1,000 corporate executives were asked to name their most trusted confidant when faced with an ethical problem. Only 1% said that they would consult a pastor. Shockin

In the 12/18/03 issue of Sightings, Andrew Weaver and Christopher G. Ellison report that, "In 1988, only two states had large-scale casino gambling; now 27 states have it. Thirty-seven states operate a lottery, and some form of gambling is legal in 48 states. Advertisements for online gambling sites

Charles Francis Adams was the United States ambassador to Great Britain during the Lincoln administration. He had the habit of keeping a daily diary. He also taught his son, Brooks, the value of journaling his activities in a diary. One memorable day, eight-year-old Brooks recorded, "Went fishing w

The age of the computer brings much ease and expertise to the preparation of the worship folders/bulletins. Some churches which use the same basic format each week can simply call up the form on the computer screen, make a few necessary changes, and presto, it's done. But it can be tricky. One chu

Missionary Susie Hobert believes that one of her main responsibilities as a mother is to instill in her children a burden for their lost fiends. And she has done a good job. Ten-year-old Ryan was driving imaginary race cars with his friends. Several minutes later he came bounding into the house and

Calling the Dead Visitors to the Fiji Islands tell of a strange custom of "calling the dead." The one who has suffered bereavement climbs to a high tree of a cliff, and after mentioning the name of the deceased he cries out pathetically, "Come back! Come back!" The heart-rending wail is filled with

Success is living in such a way that you are using what God has given you to reach the purpose He intends for your life. (Kathi Hudson)

Occasionally I hear a so-called liberated parent say, "I don't want to tilt my child toward religion. I want to leave him free to examine the evidence and make up his own mind." Such comments remind me of an old story about Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the great English poet. One day he was talking wit

When you're faced with a busy day, save precious time by skipping your devotions.Signed, Satan

Robert Falconer tells the story of his witnessing among destitute people in a certain city and of reading them the story of the woman who wiped Jesus' feet with her tears. While he was reading he heard a loud sob and looked up at a young, thin girl whose face was disfigured by smallpox. After he