In Sermon Illustrations: "2 Corinthians 4:20-5:20"

The Power Of God's Word!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 25, 2021

How powerful is the Preached Word of God?  On October 7, 1857, C. H. Spurgeon preached to his largest audience ever, some 23, 654 assembled in the mammoth Crystal Palace for a national day of fasting and prayer. A few days before the event Spurgeon had gone to the huge hall to test the ...read more

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

Tags: The Word Of God, The Bible, Salvation, Preaching, Miracles, Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Open Rebuke Is Better Than Secret Love.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 25, 2021

The Scripture tells us that "Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Proverbs 27:5-6).   Rebuke means sin is not only pointed out, it is condemned. The church really doesn’t do this ...read more

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

Tags: Sin, Preaching, Repentance, Rebuke, Pastors, The Word Of God, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[020] A Message From A Poem - Arrogance Without Truth

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 26, 2024

[020] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ARROGANCE WITHOUT TRUTH Those of us who are older know very well the great change that has come over our societies from what we lived under in the 1950s to the 1990s at which point it all started to decline. The decline is rapid now as we see lawlessness, riots, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:17-18, 2 Timothy 3:1-2

Tags: Truth, Arrogance, The Me Generation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is Doctrine?

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 25, 2025

What is doctrine? “The word translated “doctrine” means “instruction, especially as it applies to lifestyle application.” In other words, doctrine is teaching imparted by an authoritative source. In the Bible, the word always refers to spiritually related fields of study. The Bible says of itself ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 4:16

Tags: Instruction, Belief, Doctrine

Denomination: Methodist

[040] A Message From A Poem – Chaotic Times Are Meant To Be

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 1, 2025

[040] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CHAOTIC TIMES ARE MEANT TO BE This world is in chaos and your understanding of that depends on your assessment in the scriptures. Right now in the United States there is a new presidency under Trump, and the sick state of American society is being revealed with ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:12-13

Tags: Last Days, Chaos, Leaven, Poetry, United States, President Trump, Evil  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[181]. A Message From A Poem – Man’s Departure Is Away From God

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 3, 2025

[181]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – MAN’S DEPARTURE IS AWAY FROM GOD We live in a world in decline and it was prophesied that way – {{2 Timothy 3:1-5 “Realise this, that IN THE LAST DAYS DIFFICULT TIMES WILL COME, for men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Timothy 3:13

Tags: Old Nature, Christian Poems, Britian, Wales, Getting Worse, Sin, New Birth, Tribulation, Sinful Nature, Departure  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Church As A Spectator Sport

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 5, 2011

CHURCH AS A SPECTATOR SPORT A British pastor and author made this observation a few years ago. I think it’s still accurate. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, "Men and women no longer...exercise in sport as they used to. Instead, people tend to sit in crowds and just watch other people play. ...And I ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16, 1 Corinthians 12:27

Tags: Church Practices

If You Could Only Have One Book....

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

It is said that when the famous missionary, Dr. David Livingstone, started his trek across Africa he had 73 books in 3 packs, weighing 180 pounds. After the party had gone 300 miles, Livingstone was obliged to throw away some of the books because of the fatigue of those carrying his baggage. As ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-16, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 4:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible, Faith, Scripture, Books, Livingstone, Missionaries  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

F.e. Marsh Has Enumerated Some Of God's ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 17, 2006

F.E. Marsh has enumerated some of God’s blessings: An acceptance that can never be questioned. (Ephesians 1:6). An inheritance that can never be lost (I Peter 1:3-5). A deliverance that can never be excelled (2 Corinthians l:10). A grace that can never be limited (2 Corinthians 12:9). A hope ...read more

Tags: God The Father

British Poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge Once Had A ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 3, 2001

British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge once had a discussion with a man who firmly believed that children should not be given formal religious instruction, but should be free to choose their own religious faith when they reached maturity. Coleridge did not disagree, but later invited the man into his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Golf Immortal Arnold Palmer Recalls A Lesson ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jan 28, 2001

Golf immortal Arnold Palmer recalls a lesson about overconfidence: It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament, and I had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. I felt I was in pretty good shape. As I approached my ball, I saw an old friend standing at the edge of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-11

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Emotions, Humility

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Young Man Once Approached Socrates To Ask If ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2001

A young man once approached Socrates to ask if the philosopher would teach him the gift of oratory. His request was then followed by an incessant stream of words until, finally, Socrates placed his hand over the inquirer’s mouth and said, “Young man, I will have to charge you a double ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4

Tags: Patience

In Streams Of Living Water, Richard Foster Told ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 8, 2001

In Streams of Living Water, Richard Foster told of Billy Graham preaching at Cambridge in 1955. For three nights he tried to make his preaching academic and enlightened, but with no effect. Graham finally realized that presenting the intellectual side of faith was not his gift and began preaching ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Tags: Apologetics General, Sharing My Testimony, Sharing Your Faith

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Agape Love, The Highest Form Of Love, Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Feb 9, 2001

AGAPE LOVE, THE HIGHEST FORM OF LOVE, IS REFERENCED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT 137 TIMES AS ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Tags: Christian Love, God's Provision

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Little Girl Walking In A Garden Noticed A ...  PRO

Contributed by Ted Sutherland on Mar 26, 2001

A little girl walking in a garden noticed a particularly beautiful flower. She admired its beauty and enjoyed its fragrance. “It’s so pretty!” she exclaimed. As she gazed on it, her eyes followed the stem down to the soil in which it grew. “This flower is too pretty to be planted in such dirt!” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Tags: Perseverance, God In The Hardships, Gods Will, Contentment, Purpose, Trial  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A Rabbi's Conversion  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Mar 28, 2001

Illus.: “A Rabbi’s Conversion” Rabbi Slostowski, a professor at a seminary in Tel Aviv, hated the Lord Jesus Christ. So great was his resentment that he sharply criticized a young student who was reading a Hebrew New Testament. The young man replied by giving him the copy. That night, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:7-13

Tags: Holy Spirit Attributes, Apologetics The Bible, Becoming A Christian

Denomination: Wesleyan

Charlie "Tremendous” Jones Has Come ...  PRO

Contributed by James May on Apr 12, 2001

Charlie “Tremendous” Jones has come up with a way to tell his entire life history in 15 seconds or less. He says, “I am not what I used to be, I am not what I shall be, but, by the Grace of God and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Tags: Grace, Peace, Discipleship

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Winston Churchill's First Speech ...  PRO

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 13, 2001

[Illustration: Winston Churchill’s first speech to the house of commons three days after becoming prime minister, at the beginning of World War II] "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:57

Tags: Endurance, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Baptist

Rich Atchley Says That If You Went To The Average ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Apr 16, 2001

Rich Atchley says that if you went to the average university campus today, & asked students if they know a verse of Scripture, most would say that they do. If you had asked 10 or 15 years ago, most would have quoted John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Tags: Apologetics The Bible, Truth, Truth Absolute

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are Fathers Necessary?, Citation: Charles ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Jun 15, 2001

[Are Fathers Necessary?, Citation: Charles Colson, How Now Shall We Live (Tyndale, 1999)] In How Now Shall We Live, Chuck Colson notes the disturbing realities that plague children who grow up without a father: Children in single-parent families are five times more likely to be poor, and half the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:12-14

Tags: God With Us, Father's Day, Family, Divorce

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational