In Sermon Illustrations: "living for jesus"

What Would Jesus Buy?

Contributed by Ken Pell on Dec 4, 2011

WHAT WOULD JESUS BUY? Some of you are familiar with the name, Morgan Spurlock. He produced the documentary "Super-Size Me." He has produced another lesser-known production titled "What Would Jesus Buy?" Please note: I am not recommending the movie it is a bit distasteful but it makes a good point. ...read more

Tags: Christmas Advent

Denomination: Nazarene

Why Jesus Was Born In A Stable

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 5, 2012

WHY JESUS WAS BORN IN A STABLE According to the ancient historical writer Jerome, he feels Jesus was born in a stable because "...it would have been fitting for Christ to come into the Holy of Holies in the Temple, but he came into this world in a stinking stable, for us... "Christ found no room ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Without Jesus—what A Mess

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 5, 2012

WITHOUT JESUS--WHAT A MESS I still remember the suppertime. We were having spaghetti – and what’s spaghetti without adding Parmesan Cheese. As you know Parmesan, once refrigerated, tends to clump together. So I took the jar of Parmesan, and in dramatic fashion, held it in front of my face and ...read more

Tags: Jesus Christ

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Jesus Used Parables

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 16, 2013

WHY JESUS USED PARABLES The following thoughts reveal why Jesus used the parabolic method (They are adapted from - All the Parables of The Bible by Herbert Lockyer). • Parables attract attention and when fully understood are sure to be remembered. They are a great help for our short-term ...read more

Tags: Parables, Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Honored Marriage And Weddings

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 7, 2022

Note the high honor our Lord places upon marriage and the wedding ceremony in his very first miracle. It honors God when we come to a wedding pure and proclaim our trust in God for the marriage to succeed! By his presence at the marriage feast, the Son of God said, ‘This is an honorable thing’ ...read more

Tags: Jesus, Miracles, Marriage, Weddings

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The World Needs Followers Of Jesus...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

THE WORLD NEEDS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS... who cannot be bought; whose word is their bond; who put character above wealth; who possess opinions and a will; who are larger than their vocations; who do not hesitate to take chances; who will not lose their individuality in a crowd; who will be as honest ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Disciples, Examples, Witnesses

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The World Needs Followers Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 28, 2024

THE WORLD NEEDS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS... who cannot be bought; whose word is their bond; who put character above wealth; who possess opinions and a will; who are larger than their vocations; who do not hesitate to take chances; who will not lose their individuality in a crowd; who will be as honest ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-21

Tags: Followers Of Jesus, Disciples, Commitment, Christians, Sacrifice, Witnesses  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Is Coming --- Get Busy!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 22, 2024

During his 1960 presidential campaign, John F. Kennedy often closed his speeches with the story of Colonel Davenport, the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives. On May 19th, 1780 the sky of Hartford darkened ominously, and some of the representatives, glancing out the windows, ...read more

Tags: Laziness, Prophecy, Rapture, Time, Second Coming, Return Of Christ, End Times, Faithfulness, Work  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Post-Resurrection Appearances Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

Post-resurrection Appearances of Jesus in the New Testament: To Mary Magdalene Jn 20:14-18; Mk 16:9 To the women returning from the tomb Mt 28:8-10 To Peter later in the day Lk 24:34; 1 Cor 15:5 To the disciples going to Emmaus in the evening Lk 24:13-31 To the apostles (except Thomas) Lk ...read more

Tags: Easter, Apologetics, Resurrection, Gospel, Truth, Witnesses, Evidences  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Our (Lawyer) Advocate

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jun 10, 2024

I would like for you to picture a scene. There is a court room. The judge is seated behind the bench. The jury is in place. There are people watching the proceedings. There is someone on trial sitting before the judge. And that person is you! The charge against you is that you are a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:1-2

Tags: Forgiveness, Advocate, Judgment Seat, Lawyer, Court Room  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Fig Tree Jesus Cursed

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

An acted-out parable: most of Israel was like a fig tree out of SEASON. “The early figs, appearing in March or April and ripening in June, are called ‘bikkurah.’ …The early fig was considered a great delicacy by the Hebrews. The late or green figs, which sometimes ripen after the fall of the leaf, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-25, Matthew 21:18-22

Tags: Curse, Fig Tree

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus Loves The Little Children

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 24, 2014

I had a preacher friend, Carl Etchinson, who had several children. These children grew up and then began having children so Carl had many grandchildren. One of his sons was having another baby. The baby was born late at night and Carl’s son did not call Carl. They forgot the next morning to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1

Tags: God The Father, Heavenly Father

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Quotes From Napoleon On Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 8, 2016

QUOTES FROM NAPOLEON ON JESUS I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Tags: Jesus, World Religions, Universalism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus In Every Book Of The Bible

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 19, 2016

JESUS IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE In Genesis – He is the seed of woman. In Exodus - He is the Passover Lamb. In Leviticus- He is Our High Priest. In Numbers- He is the Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night. In Deuteronomy- He is the Prophet like unto Moses. In ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-7

Tags: Bible, Jesus, Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Silence And Solitude: Jesus Example

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 16, 2016

Jesus made a habit of withdrawing to "the Hills" or "a lonely place" or "the wilderness" or "a high mountain" or the Garden of Gethsemane. He went to these places before he chose his disciples, after he heard of his cousin John's beheading, after feeding the 5000, after healing a leper, for the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:12, Luke 9:28

Tags: Solitude, Silence

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Mr. Incredible, Jesus, And The Pharisees

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jun 1, 2018

In the movie The Incredibles, there is a scene where ex-Super Hero Bob Parr, aka Mr. Incredible, has a confrontation with his boss. Mr. Incredible has been forcibly retired from the hero business for years, and is working at an insurance company. He is doing a good job, but too good of a job. He ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:1-6

Tags: Healing, Sabbath, Sabbath Controversy, Healing By Jesus

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Is The Answer To Our Dilemma

Contributed by Bokang Abednego Nkhahle on Oct 7, 2019

The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon while he was busy threshing wheat to hide it from the midianites. And said to Gideon, the Lord is with you mighty man of Valour. The one who reside in you is bigger that your dilemma. Gideon did not realise his potential until the angel appeared to him and ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:12

Tags: Power, Authority, Be Courageous

How Is Jesus Coming Back?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 28, 2019

HOW IS JESUS COMING BACK? We don't know WHEN He is coming......but we do know HOW He is coming. Jesus is coming PERSONALLY – ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Revelation, Second Coming, Armageddon, Rapture, The Return Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Verses For Following Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 16, 2020

FOLLOWING JESUS. Beside each passage of Scripture, write down what you think that verse is saying about following Jesus in the coming year. Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Philippians ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Discipleship, New Year, Following Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Jesus Trained The Disciples

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

Robert E. Coleman wrote the book, The Master's Plan of Evangelism, and gave us the principles that Jesus used to spread the Gospel around the world until He returns. Here is the list: 1. SELECTION:   “He chose from the twelve.” (Luke 6:13)  2. ASSOCIATION: The principle of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8

Tags: Evangelism, Outreach, Discipleship, Missions, Witnessing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational