In Sermon Illustrations: "1 Timothy 3:10-20"

Tests Of True Humility

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 8, 2020

Tests of True Humility - this is "tricky" 1. Do you feel joy when others are honored? 2. Do you honestly and openly admit sin? 3. Do you seek truth from others regarding your weaknesses? 4. Do you accept criticism graciously? 5. Do you turn all worry, anxiety and concern over to the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-3, 1 Peter 5:5-11

Tags: Brokenness, Godliness, Honesty, Humility

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Have You Lost The "scent"?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 1, 2021

DEMAS LOST THE "SCENT" A man bought a new hunting dog. Eager to see how the dog would perform, the man took him out to track a bear. No sooner had they gotten into the woods than the dog picked up the trail. Suddenly he stopped, sniffed the ground, and headed in a new direction. He had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:10, 1 John 2:15-16

Tags: Compromise, Backsliding, Loving The World, Worldliness, Values  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Warning Mr. Smith?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 28, 2021

PERILOUS, FULL OF DANGER, HIGH RISK, EXPOSED TO RUIN AND DISASTER, SERIOUS-IMMEDIATE DANGER, SETBACK, THREATENING OUR FINANCIAL, PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL BEING… DANGER Remember the series LOST IN SPACE… there was a ROBOT, SERIES 1A-1998 MODEL B-9 CLASS RODNEY YM-3. HE WAS JUST CALLED ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18-19, 2 Timothy 3:4

Tags: Be Ready, Warning

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Bible Is Not About Science Or Philosophy

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Oct 8, 2022

The Bible has a single purpose. It was given to reveal the love of God as manifested in the divine provision of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is its aim, and sound interpretation must never lose sight of this aim. Consequently, it is a serious and misleading error to regard the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 2:12-13

Tags: The Bible, Science, Love Of God, Philosophy, Exegesis, Inspiration, Interpretation, Human Authors, Hermeneutics  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Meekness When Inconvenienced

Contributed by Richard Tow on Mar 20, 2023

Charles Spurgeon tells the story of an archbishop who lived in a small house in Scotland. He had only one employee, but the employee tended to be forgetful. One day the employee got up before the bishop and decided to go fishing. As he headed out, he locked his Archbishop Leighton in the house with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5, Matthew 11:28-29, 1 Timothy 6:11

Tags: Gentle, Gentleness, Humility, Contentment, Meekness, Meek  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Meekness: The Cutting Horse And The Mule

Contributed by Richard Tow on Mar 20, 2023

Meekness is strength under control. At one time in my life, I was heavily involved with horses. It is a beautiful thing to watch a well-trained cutting horse work. Just a gently touch of reign on his neck or a shift in the rider’s weight can ignite a quick turn in that powerful animal. He does ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5, 1 Timothy 6:11, Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Meek, Meekness, Teachable, Submission, Submitted  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Handel's Messiah-The Back Story

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 9, 2023

George Frideric Handel's Messiah is one of the most beautiful musical renditions of Scripture ever created. What we don’t often hear about is the troubled back story during the writing of the Messiah. It was at this time that Handel was struggling financially because there was a shift in music, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7, Isaiah 53:3, 1 Timothy 6:15-16

Tags: Christmas, Despised, Handel's Messiah, Rejected, King Of Kings  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Johnny Appleseed Gospel

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Feb 22, 2024

Demond Wilson was a TV actor in 1970's He starred along with Redd Foxx on the TV show, "Sanford and Son." Later in life Wilson became a gospel preacher. He made this beautiful statement: “I’m just a nobody telling everybody about Somebody who ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17, John 14:6, 1 Timothy 1:15

Tags: Preaching, Salvation, Gospel, Jesus Christ, Evangelism, Witnessing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Symbols Of The Bible In Scripture

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

The Bible identifies itself through several clear metaphors and similes. These symbols serve the purpose of helping us understand what the Bible is and what it can do in our lives. Let’s examine of a few of those symbols today. 1. A Mirror - James 1:23-25 - As a mirror the Word of God perfectly ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Peter 1:21

Tags: Word Of God, Scripture, Sword Of The Spirit, Symbols, Bible  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Are The Message, Christ Is The Goal

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 13, 2009

WE ARE THE MESSAGE, CHRIST IS THE GOAL James S. Stewart, A Faith to Proclaim: "Christian preaching begins only when faith in the message has reached such a pitch that the man or the community proclaiming it becomes part of the message proclaimed ... To be thus taken command of, so that our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:22-24

Tags: Evangelism How To

In A Former Church I Served, A Mother Started ...  PRO

Contributed by David Haun on May 27, 2004

In a former church I served, a mother started reading the Bible to her young son. A few weeks later they were reading from the Gospel of John. When she read John 3:16, her son commented, "Oh, I know this. This is an old one..." Being familiar with a Scripture can do that to us. We can "know" ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Timothy 3:12-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Hard Do You Prepare For Sermons?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

Howard Hendricks shares this insight about the value of preparing and study for sermons... " When I was a college student—I worked in the college dining hall, and on my way to work at 5:30 am. every morning I walked past the home of one of my professors. Through a window I could see the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Studying The Word, Sermons, Sermon Preparation, Shepherding, Feeding The Flock  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ranger Creed

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 7, 2011

THE RANGER CREED Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment. Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Tags: Christian Values

Seven Types Of Loneliness

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 1, 2021

7 Types of Loneliness 1. New-situation loneliness. You’ve moved to a new city where you don’t know anyone, or you’ve started a new job, or you’ve started at a school full of unfamiliar faces. You’re lonely. 2. I’m-different loneliness. You’re in a place that’s not unfamiliar, but you feel ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:10

Tags: Loneliness, Alone, Alcohol, Fear, Drugs, Depression, Widow, Single  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Four Things The Bible Does For Us

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for: 1. Doctrine—what is right 2. Reproof—what is not right 3. Correction—how to get ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Bible, Doctrine, Inerrancy, Scripture, Teaching The Word, Sword Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Am A Soldier  PRO

Contributed by Dr. C. David White on May 26, 2002

I am a soldier in the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct, Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit-- trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire. I am a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, 2 Timothy 2:3-4, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

Tags: Disciplines General, Call Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

They Will Know What Jesus Looks Like Now

Contributed by Timothy Lueking on Apr 3, 2023

Maybe you have heard the story of a young boy who was given an assignment in his elementary art class. He was asked to draw a picture of something that was priceless to him. He thought about all things he valued and then the idea came to him as to what was most important and valuable. Throughout ...read more

Scripture: John 1:18, 1 John 4:12, 1 Timothy 6:15-16, Mark 16:15

Tags: Image Of God, Share Your Faith

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Taking Out A Loan To Pay God

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 13, 2023

There was an older man in my church in Texas who came to me with tears in his eyes after a sermon I preached on tithing. He said, "Pastor, thank you for telling our people the truth about how God can bless you when you are obedient to His Word." He wiped a tear and said, "Pastor, I ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:10-11, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Proverbs 3:9-10, 1 Timothy 6:10

Tags: Repentance, Stewardship, Tithing, Loans, Brokenness, Forgivness, Giving  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When A Thief Was Surprised At Church!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 13, 2023

When I was pastoring in Texas, something strange happened one Christmas that I will never stop laughing about. Because it was a Christmas holiday, we were at home with our family taking a break from our normal ministry schedule. We did not go to the church campus for the weekend. But, while we ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:10-11, Proverbs 3:9-10, 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Tags: Surprises, Stealing, Tithing, Robbing God, Pastors, Church, Giving, Humor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Good Start Matters

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Mar 19, 2024

I can remember it like it was yesterday. It was my sixth-grade field day when all the elementary schools gathered for a series of track and field events at the town’s high school track. It was a sunny New England spring morning and I was representing Glen Forest Elementary School in the 50-yard ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Timothy 2:8, Ephesians 5:15-17, Colossians 4:5

Tags: Prayer, Meditation

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ