First, make sure the story is relevant to the main point of your sermon. For example, if your sermon is about forgiveness, choose a story that clearly shows the power and importance of forgiveness. Then, introduce the story at the right time. It should flow naturally within the sermon. Don't just randomly insert it.
There are several places to look for free sermon illustrations stories. One option is to check out free e - book platforms. Sometimes, religious authors or organizations publish compilations of these stories as free e - books. Additionally, you could search on YouTube. There are channels that narrate or discuss sermon - related stories, which can be a great source of inspiration for your own study or sermon preparation.
One of the best funny sermon illustrations is about a shepherd who lost one of his sheep. He searched everywhere for it. When he finally found it, he was so overjoyed that he carried it all the way back home on his shoulders. This can be used to illustrate how God rejoices when one of His lost 'sheep' (people) are found. It's a story that can tug at the heartstrings while also being a bit funny in the image of the shepherd with the sheep on his shoulders.
Another funny story for a sermon illustration might be about a church mouse. The pastor was talking about how everyone has a role in the church community. He told of this little mouse that lived in the church. The mouse thought it was too small to be of any use. But one day, it noticed a piece of bread that had fallen near the altar. The mouse dragged it away, keeping the church clean. This shows that even the smallest among us can contribute.
One story could be about the little drummer boy. He had no great gift to bring to the baby Jesus like the rich men. But with his simple drum, he played his heart out. This illustrates that it's not about the grandeur of the gift but the sincerity of the offering. It shows that even the simplest of us can give something of great value in the spirit of Christmas.
The story of the Nativity itself is a powerful sermon illustration. Mary, a young and humble woman, was chosen to bear the Son of God. Joseph, her husband, showed great faith in believing and protecting them. This shows God's plan working through ordinary people. It tells us that God can use anyone for His great purpose, which is a great message for Christmas.
There were a few free illustration software for computers that could be used to create novel illustrations. Among them, MediBang Painting Pro was a completely free illustration and manga production software that supported both Windows and macs. It had simple operation and rich drawing functions that could help users turn inspiration into reality. In addition, Krita was also a free drawing software that supported drawing illustrations, animations, comics, and graphic designs. Krita had a comprehensive set of functions and could be used as a replacement for common drawing software. In addition, Inkscape was also a free software for creating illustrations and logo designs. All of these software were free and could be used on a computer.
Another story could be about the three wise men. They saw a bright star in the sky which they believed signified the birth of a great king. So, they followed the star from far away lands, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This story can teach children about the importance of following the signs that lead to something wonderful, like how we can follow the signs of Christmas to find the true meaning of love and giving.
Some religious bookstores or libraries might have collections of free Christian illustrations stories. They could be in the form of pamphlets or small booklets. Additionally, there are Christian communities on social media platforms where members might share such stories.