In Sermon Illustrations: showing 1,181-1,200 of 52,537

Questions That Churches Must Ask Themselves

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jun 7, 2022

Why is this church here or what really is our mission? Are we truly fulfilling our mission? How did we get here? Were we a split or the first of our faith? If a split, was it because of doctrine or something/someone else? If we are the first, have we fallen from our first love position or is ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1

Tags: Church, Purpose, Division

Denomination: Baptist

Eight Lies About Hell

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 6, 2022

HERE ARE 8 LIES OF THE DEVIL CONCERNING HELL. Unfortunately, many of these lies are found in pulpits, churches, seminaries or college campuses. 1.Hell is not a place, it is a state of mind (16:22 – “he died”). 2. Hell is annhiliation. When you die, you no longer exist! 3. Hell is ...read more

Tags: Hell, Death, Eternity, Deception, Satan, Lake Of Fire, Judgment, False Teachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is The Fire In Hell Literal Or A Figure Of Speech?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 6, 2022

Brian Bell has an interesting note on as to whether or not it is real flames in Hell or just a figiure of speech: "it seems it is a real torment, thus a real thirst, which desires real water, from a real finger, to touch ...read more

Tags: Hell, Death, Eternity, Scripture, Judgment, Inerrancy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Are Richer Than You Think...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 6, 2022

The richest 2% of the world's population owns more than half of the world's household wealth. Assets of just $2,200 per adult place a household in the top half of the worlds wealthiest. To be among the richest 10% of adults in the world, just $61,000 in assets is needed. If you have ...read more

Tags: Judgment, Blessings, Death, Eternity, Money, Wealth, Poverty  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Don't Have To Go To Hell.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 6, 2022

One day, when Vice President Calvin Coolidge was presiding over the Senate, one Senator angrily told another to go “straight to hell.” The offended Senator complained to Coolidge as presiding officer, and Coolidge looked up from the book he had been leafing through while listening to the debate. ...read more

Tags: Hell, Death, Eternity, Forgiveness, Salvation, Truth, Judgment, Politicians  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Misunderstandings Can Be Hilarious

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 6, 2022

Misunderstandings happen all the time. Here are some: My toddler was about to hit her head on a bar at the playground, so I told her to duck. She quacked at me and then hit her head. A guy ran into a service station and said he needed some 710. They had no idea what he was talking about. So he ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-11

Tags: Humor, Literal, Misunderstanding, Too Literal, Miscommunication  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Boldness Of Peter Cartwright

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 6, 2022

Peter Cartwright, a nineteenth-century circuit-riding Methodist preacher, was an uncompromising man. One Sunday morning when he was to preach, he was told that General Andrew Jackson was in the congregation and warned not to say anything out of line. When Cartwright stood to preach, he said, ...read more

Tags: Hell, Death, Eternity, Truth, Courage, Judgment, Boldness, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Buried With A Fire Extinguisher!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 6, 2022

An interesting newspaper clipping from 1999 told of a British man who was quite a character. Two or three days AFTER his funeral his friends started getting signed postcards from him. The cards said "wish you were here" and were addressed from ...read more

Tags: Hell, Death, Eternity, Judgment, Deceived  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unsung Heroines-Pilate’s Wife

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 4, 2022

Introduction: Some women can be unsung heroines even if they were not believers at the time. Such a woman is the wife of Pontius Pilate, the Roman official overseeing Israel at the time. Text, Matthew 27:19, KJV: 19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:19

Tags: Pilate's Wife, Dreams, Unsung Heroines

Denomination: Baptist

Ten Rules For Improving The Church

Contributed by David Parks on Jun 3, 2022

TEN RULES FOR IMPROVING THE CHURCH 1. Tell yourself over and over that since you are not perfect you would not fit into a perfect congregation, if one existed. 2. Instead of picking out the worldly members to point to, pick out the sincere, dedicated, spiritual members and thank God for them. You ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-2, 1 Peter 4:8, Matthew 7:1-5

Tags: Church, Encouragement, Judgementalism

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unsung Heroines-Rizpah

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 3, 2022

Introduction: Rizpah is only mentioned in a couple of places in the Bible. We don’t know much about her aside from this tremendous act of love she demonstrated in this story. Text: 2 Samuel 21:8-11, KJV: 8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:8-11

Tags: Famine, Gibeonites, Rizpah, Unsung Heroines

Denomination: Baptist

Unsung Heroines-The Women Who Prepared Materials For The Tabernacle

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 1, 2022

Introduction: The Tabernacle. For the first time in history, the God of Heaven agreed to dwell in one location with His special people, Israel. Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in the details of the construction, the listed steps and instructions, and other things but it’s important to remember: ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 35:20-29

Tags: Tabernacle, Offerings, Unsung Heroines

Denomination: Baptist

God's Way Is The Best.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 31, 2022

I read the story about a young woman who had prepared for missionary service on foreign fields. She had been appointed by the mission board and was ready to sail when she received a telegram saying that her sister had died in a western state. She cancelled her reservation and went home. The ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Tags: Faith, Trust, Obedience, Purpose, Providence, Will Of God, Sovereignty Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Reason Why Churches Are Dying Today...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 31, 2022

"Many churches today are filled to overflowing with those who want their ears tickled with the myths of easy believism and so called positive thinking. They come to have their egos fed and their sins approved, not to have their hearts cleansed and their souls saved. They want only to feel ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Tags: Bible, Church, Deception, Gospel, Spiritual Milk, Truth, Preaching, Word Of God, Last Days, False Teachers, Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Can Salvation Be Free While Following Christ Demands Everything?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 31, 2022

I am often asked, "How can salvation be free, but, yet, Jesus said that we cannot by His disciple unless we forsake everything for Him?" (Luke 14). Let me explain the answer to this question in a story. Once there was a man who collected and traded in pearls. He had a fine collection ...read more

Tags: Grace, Commitment, Salvation, Discipleship, Obedience, Count The Cost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Monkey Around With Eternity!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 31, 2022

I once heard about how animal catchers used to catch wild monkeys for zoos. I was told that they would set an empty glass pop bottle in an open field with a peanut dropped into it. Then they'd hide in the bushes and wait. After a while, a monkey would sneak up to the pop bottle, squeeze its paw ...read more

Tags: Eternity, Commitment, Satan, Discipleship, Temptation, Possessions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We’re Not Always Headed In The Direction We Think We Are

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on May 30, 2022

Once while living in Dallas, I witnessed to someone I worked with who proceeded to tell me they believed they just needed to be a good person to go to Heaven. Though I explained what the Bible says about being saved, they rejected my witness and went on with their life. It was clear to me they were ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:17, Proverbs 3:6

Tags: Deception, Truth, Right Path, Wrong Doctrine

Denomination: Charismatic

Don't Do Road Rage If You Have A Christian Bumper Sticker!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 29, 2022

I love the story of the stressed-out woman who was tailgating a man as they drove on a busy boulevard. When he slowed to a stop at a yellow light, the woman hit the horn, cussing and screaming in frustration and gesturing angrily. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and ...read more

Tags: Stress, Satan, Obedience, Humor, Hypocrisy, Testimony, Police  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Means Business

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on May 28, 2022

Little Johnny was going to a public school and he was doing very poorly in math. So his mother decided to put him into a Catholic school. When she got his report card at the end of the term, his grades in math had improved tremendously. So she asked him why. He replied, "When I saw that ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Tags: Cross, Hope In Jesus, Sin's Penalty, Law Upheld

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Power Of Holy Spirit In You

Contributed by John Bright on May 24, 2022

There is NO COMPARISON between the power of satan and the power of the HOLY SPRIT IN YOU. The power of satan is like a little firecracker while the power of the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20, 2 Timothy 1:7, Acts 1:8

Tags: Holy Spirit, Satan, Power

Denomination: Methodist