In Sermon Illustrations: "1 Samuel 1:1-40:1"

How Do We Know That Jesus Is The Son Of God?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 2, 2022

As we approach the last of the last days, we see an alarming trend among many pastors to drift away from the basic truths of Scripture. We should not be surprised. Jesus promised this day would come (Matthew 24, II Timothy 3). So, how do we know for sure from Scripture that Jesus is the very ...read more

Tags: Deity, Son Of God, Apostasy, Jesus, Truth, Last Days, Heresy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Do You Give Without Enabling?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 2, 2022

How do you give biblically and with a Christ-like approach to needy people, yet not enable the person to become co-dependent on your giving heart? (1) Learn to distinguish between DIVINE appointments and drive-by-guiltings (Luke 10:33/ 1 Timothy 5:8/ Deuteronomy 15:11 and Galatians 6:10/ ...read more

Tags: Needs, Enabling, Wisdom, Discernment, Giving, Finances, Tithing, Good Samaritan, Sacrifice  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The U.s. Department Of Education Reports That ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 10, 2008

The U.S. Department of Education reports that 1.1 million, or 2.2% of all U.S. children, are ...read more

Tags: School

Researcher George Barna In 2006 Asked Pastors ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Crowson on Mar 23, 2008

Researcher George Barna in 2006 asked pastors what they thought was the number 1 priority in the lives of their congregations. Pastors responded that 70% of their peoples #1 priority was their walk w/God. Keep in mind that Barna is asking pastors about people who regularly attend worship. When ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Now – There Are A Lot Of Different Religions We ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Mar 4, 2003

NOW – there are a lot of different religions we could look at this morning BUT I have limited our discussion to just 4… Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity… AND – the reason is because they represent over 76% of the world’s population… CHECKOUT – the chart in your ...read more

Tags: World Religions

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

American Donors Give About The Same Over The Long ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2006

American Donors give about the same over the long term. The IRS reports that those who itemize deductions on their tax returns have claimed since 1975 that between 1.6% and 2.16% of their income went to charitable concerns. Gallup polls finds that charitable donations run between 1.5% and 2% and ...read more

Tags: Giving General

The Works Of The Flesh Outlined

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 23, 2023

List of sins that are the works of the flesh: 1. Sexual sins (19-21) (1) Adultery (2) Fornication (3) Uncleanness (4) Lasciviousness (5) Drunken revellings (orgies) 2. Superstitious sins (20) (1) Idolatry (2) Witchcraft 3. Social sins (20-21) (1) Hatred (2) Emulations or jealousy (3) ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-23

Tags: Witchcraft, Idolatry, Holy Spirit, Flesh, Adultery, Sin, Sex  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wealth & Generosity: The 400 Taxpayers With The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 18, 2006

Wealth & Generosity: The 400 taxpayers with the highest reported incomes gave away more than 14% of their incomes to charity. ...read more

Tags: Giving General

If I Can't Be Good Enough...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jan 3, 2003

IF I CAN'T BE GOOD ENOUGH... Little Billy, caught in mischief, was asked by his mother, "How do you expect to get into heaven?" He thought for a moment and then said, "Well, I’ll just run in and out and keep slamming the door until ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 32:16-17, Isaiah 32:16-17, Acts 17:29-31, Ephesians 3:8-13, Hebrews 10:19-22, Hebrews 6:10-11, 1 John 3:18-23  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation, Basics Of Christianity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

N.t. Wright Quote On Christian Artists

Contributed by Matthew Redder on Sep 21, 2018

I love this quote as I believe it is hard for the Christian artist to always understand their place in the church. Truth be told, artists have an incredible gift and responsibility in the community to illuminate the realities of the Word and of this life we live. Wright puts it well: "The ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23, Exodus 35:35, Proverbs 22:29, Romans 12:2, Romans 12:6, 1 Timothy 4:14, Ephesians 2:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Painter, Poet, Dancer, Dance, Art, Creative, Artist, Christian Artist, Musician, Music, Creator  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Four Descriptions Of A Life Without Christ

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 2, 2023

Satan hates God and everything and everyone in the Kingdom of God. He fights the Kingdom on a daily basis and will continue to try to stop the Gospel from spreading (I Thess. 2:18, Ephesians 6:11-12). Paul described the condition of all of those who are unbelievers and living in the Kingdom of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:10, 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, Acts 16:31, 1 Corinthians 1:23, 2 Corinthians 4:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Gospel, Satan, Salvation, Spiritual Blindness, Unbelievers, Unsaved, Lost, Perishing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[226]. A Message From A Poem - Quantum Leaps

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 11, 2025

[226]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - QUANTUM LEAPS This poem is in 4 sections though all are related. It deals with the progression of wickedness in the world, but that progress has been very rapid. Those who are older, and in a reflective mood, will recall how things were in the 1950s and 60s when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 2 Corinthians 5:16-17, 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 1:10

Tags: Change, Antichrist, Wickedness, The Last Days, A New Creature, The World Gets Worse, Rapid, Christian Poems, Quantum Leaps  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Top Participation Sport In The U.s. Is ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 18, 2006

The top participation sport in the U.S. is bowling (69.1%) followed by Basketball (65.1%) and golf (40.8%).(Foster ...read more

Tags: Entertainment

Nothing In Vain

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 8, 2006

God and nature do nothing in vain. Aristotle (384–322 B.C.), Greek philosopher. Politics, bk. 1, ...read more

Tags: God The Father

My Daily Confession Of Who I Am In Christ ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Dec 4, 2003

[“My Daily Confession of Who I am in Christ Jesus,” Larry Millemon] I am free from the curse of the law—poverty, sickness, and death. (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) Jesus was made the curse for me. (Galatians 3:3) I am no longer under the bondages of Satan; I’ve been translated into the Kingdom of God. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7

Tags: Basics Of Christianity, Worry

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Deity Of Christ In Scripture

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 6, 2022

While Jesus was and is a man, He was and is also God. What does the Bible say? • He is omnipresent – Matt, 18:20; Matt. 28:20 • He is omnipotent – Matt. 28:18; Heb. 1:3 1. Over disease – Matt. 4:23 2. Over Satan – Heb. 2:14 3. Over demons – Matt. 8:16 4. Over men – John 17:2 5. ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Deity Of Christ, Jesus, Two Natures, Virgin Birth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

This Is An Alleged New Year’s Letter ...  PRO

Contributed by Tony Fox on Dec 12, 2000

ILL: This is an alleged New Year’s letter written from a church member to the pastor. Dear Pastor: You often stress attendance at worship as being very important for a Christian, but I think a person has a right to miss now and then. I think every person ought to be excused for the following ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-30, Mark 7:1-8

Tags: New Year's Day, Growth In Christ, Faith, Sandra

Denomination: Baptist

U.s. Divorce Statistics  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mavis on Dec 7, 2001

U.S. Divorce Statistics (1997 except where noted) Total divorces granted: 1,163,000 Rate per 1,000 population (1999): (excluding CA, CO, IN and LA) 4.1 State with the lowest divorce rate: Massachusetts. Rate per 1,000 population: 2.4 State with the higest divorce rate: Nevada. Rate per ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-10

Tags: Marriage Singleness, Divorce

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Eve: The World's First Mother  PRO

Contributed by Stan Szelkowski on May 5, 2011

EVE: THE WORLD'S FIRST MOTHER 7 Advantages of Being 1st 1. No "in-laws!" 2. No one to be compared to (Eve never heard, "Johnny's mother...") 3. No bad culture or influences to fight against 4. No birthdays (of your own) to celebrate (perpetually 29 and holding!) 5. You hold the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:27-30, Luke 18:1-8

Tags: Mothers

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Consider What We Know About Divorce In The ...

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Nov 12, 2003

Consider what we know about divorce in the United States: > In 1998 2.2 million couples married and 1.1 million divorced. > In 2000, 58 million couples were married yet separated and another 21 million couples were divorced. > People between the ages of 25 to 39 account for 60% of all ...read more

Tags: Divorce

Denomination: Assembly Of God