“The Holy Spirit came down on all the listeners” (Acts 10:44). Due to the vast television coverage of recent campaigns for the U.S. Presidency, even the very young became familiar with the images and the…
Sermon Illustrations
A politician running for office was outraged at an editorial about him that appeared in the local newspaper. He burst into the editorial rooms, charged into the editor ’s office, pounded his fist on the…
“I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves” (Luke 10:10). A few years ago, “Rotarian” magazine told the story of a certain organization that offered a bounty of $5,000 each for wolves…
“...you must look for things that are in Heaven, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand” (Colossians 3:11). A woman was driving along a country road when she noticed an old man sitting on…
A popular author of inspirational books tells of his first season as a member of his high school varsity football team. Being a substitute, he spent a good deal of his time sitting on the…
“…and whosoever sees Me, sees the one who sent Me” (John 12:45). A chartered plane was flying a group of tourists from the East Coast to San Francisco. As they passed over the mighty Rockies,…
“May He enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope His call holds for you” (Ephesians 1:18). A little bug who hung out in a big city museum had heard…
“‘Peace ’ is My farewell to you, My peace is My gift to you; I do not give it to you as the world gives peace. Do not be distressed or fearful” (John 14:27). Someone…
“And the child became strong, filled with wisdom” (Luke 2:40). There’s a wide-eyed little fellow who believes you’re always right. And his ears are always open and he watches day and night. You are setting…
“We who are strong have a duty to put up with the qualms of the weak without thinking of ourselves” (Romans 15:1). A New York City doctor, father of a twenty-six-year-old daughter and a twenty-two-…
“She was pregnant, and in labor, crying aloud in the pangs of childbirth” (Revelation 12:2). Patti and Scott were expecting a child soon. The parents-to-be invited another couple-- Bart and Rita--to see their new nursery...…
“So give encouragement to each another, and keep strengthening one another, as you already do” (I Thessalonians 5:11). Many years ago, at the University of Wisconsin, there was an undergraduate literary club — a group…
“Our Father, in Heaven, may Your Name be held holy” (Matthew 6:9). A woman who had ordered a “take-out” lunch was pleased by the promptness and courtesy shown by the restaurant’s delivery boy. “What’s your…
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). One of the great American movie directors was the late John Huston, whose films included “The Maltese Falcon,” “Moby Dick,” “Annie,” and the…
“…free to serve in a new spirited way and not the old way of a written law” (Romans 7:6). January, the first month of the year, gets its name from the Roman god, Janus or…
“No man pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does so, the wine will burst the skins and wine and skin will be lost” (Mk. 2:22). In a book called “The Kingdom Within,” the…
“May the day perish when I was born” (Job 3:3). A few years ago a college newspaper offered a prize to the person who submitted the best definition of life. The entries came pouring in…
“Parents, never drive your children to resentment, but in bringing them up correct them and guide them as the Lord does.” (Ephesians 6:4). This scene that took place recently at a service station: A woman…
“…the Sunrise from on high will visit us. To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death” (Luke 1:78-79). In his book, “Life After Life” — investigations into the “near-death” experience…
“Father, hallowed be Your Name” (Luke 11:2). There is the story of a woman who died and went to Heaven. She was greeted at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter, who said, “Before you enter,…