Sermon Illustrations Archives

Illustration: Young Boy Taking Initiative

Talk about taking initiative! An 8-year-old boy wrote and illustrated his own book, and snuck it onto the shelves of the Lake Hazel Branch of the Ada Community Library in Idaho. Instead of getting rejected, the book built up a waiting list of 135 people wanting to check it out. The story is here and…

Illustration: Lies, Deceit, and the IRS

After hearing a sermon on Psalm 52:3-4 (lies and deceit), a man wrote the IRS, “I can’t sleep knowing that I have cheated on my income tax. Enclosed is a check for $150. If I still can’t sleep, I’ll send the rest.”… We are sorry, but this content is for Annual and Lifetime members only.…

Illustration: A World of Gold

According to Discover Magazine, 99 percent of the gold on this planet is found in the Earth’s core. They say there is enough of the precious metal there to coat the entire surface of the earth 1.5 feet deep in gold. Even so, there is not enough treasure on this earth to outweigh what God…

Illustration: German Chocolate Assumptions

Do you like German Chocolate Cake? Well, it was actually invented in Texas, not the European country. It was named after Sam German, who in 1852 created a formula for a mild dark baking chocolate bar which was later sold by Baker’s Chocolate Company under the name “Baker’s German’s Sweet Chocolate.” Much later, in 1957,…

Illustration: Whatever It Takes

The great painter Henri Matisse was in his 80’s when his health because such that he could no longer stand or sit to paint on a canvas. Instead of quitting his beloved occupation, he attached a brush to a long stick and painted while lying in bed. Perseverance and dedication to craft!… We are sorry,…

Illustration: Great Leadership

Alexander the Great was known as a great leader, and he demonstrated why during a brutal trek through a desert. While all of his men were struggling with thirst, Alexander was offered water by one of his soldiers. Instead of drinking the water, Alexander asked the man if there was enough for the entire army.…

Illustration: Where Are Your Mittens?

This humorous illustration could serve as a jumping off point for a sermon on patience, something we all need a lot of, especially these days! Once upon a time, there was kindergarten teacher in Texas, who was helping one of her students put on his cowboy boots. He asked for help, and she could see…

Illustration: Alan Alda’s Opportunity

Many people know Alan Alda from his role in the television series M*A*S*H. But did you know that he didn’t sign on to play the character of Hawkeye Pierce until, six hours before filming began on the pilot episode? Would we have known Alan Alda if not for M*A*S*H? Be on the lookout for opportunity!……

Illustration: Have You Not Read?

Alexandre Dumas is the man who wrote The Three Musketeers. He wrote many other plays and books, with the assistance of a staff of ghostwriters. Dumas once asked his son, “Have you read my new book yet?” His son replied, “No. Have you?” Likewise, sometimes those who ought to know the Bible the best, do…

Illustration: A Bad World

Cyrpian of Carthage, North Africa wrote this during persecutions around 265-285 AD: “It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and good people who have learned the great secret of life. They have found a joy and wisdom which is a thousand…