In Sermon Illustrations: "2 John 2:10-19"

Friends In The Church

Contributed by John Putty on Apr 7, 2011

FRIENDS IN THE CHURCH Flavil Yeakley decided to track one hundred new members within his church for six months. After six months, 90 percent of the actives had six or more friends in the congregation (average 7.3) ...read more

Tags: Friendship New Friends

Denomination: Assembly Of God

In The Gospel In Hymns, Published In 1950, Is A ...

Contributed by John Putty on Apr 14, 2011

In The Gospel in Hymns, published in 1950, is a story about Philip Brooks, author of “O Little Town of Bethlehem”: One April fools day, Brooks saw a boy on Boylston Street in Boston trying to reach a doorbell. Brooks walked up the steps and said, "Let me help you, my little ...read more

Tags: Kindness

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Self-Remedies

Contributed by John Putty on Apr 16, 2011

SELF-REMEDIES Not many people enjoy going to the doctor, but according to Reuters, in 1994, one London accountant to that to an extreme. The 63 year old man needed bladder surgery, but he couldn't overcome his fear of doctors and hospitals. So he self-reliantly did what had to be done. He ...read more

Tags: God's Provision

Denomination: Assembly Of God

High On Their Huddles

Contributed by John Hamby on Apr 25, 2011

HIGH ON THEIR HUDDLES One of my favorite preachers is Dr. Tony Evans in Dallas. Some years ago I heard him give the following description of the purpose of the church service. He said, "In football they have a huddle, the goal of the huddle is to give you thirty seconds to call the play; that is ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Truth?

Contributed by John Bright on Oct 17, 2022

I hate to be the bearer of bad news… but there is a deep divide in this sanctuary. No – it’s not what you think. It’s not political parties. It’s not hot-button social justice issues. Nope, it’s our view of “What is truth?” Here’s a way to view our divide from Os Guiness: “Three baseball ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:24-36

Tags: Baseball, Absolute Truth, Umpires

Denomination: Methodist

How I Found Hope

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 7, 2023

HOW I FOUND HOPE By Danielle Strickland — I stole my first car when I was twelve years old. In family court, when my fate seemed to be incarceration, a leader from my church insisted I was going through a hard patch, but I could be sentenced to community service at a camp. The judge jumped at the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Tags: Jesus, Hope

Denomination: Methodist

Fishing With A Net

Contributed by John Bright on May 12, 2023

Dr. Daniel B. Wallace has taught Greek and New Testament courses on a graduate school level since 1979. He wrote about this idea based on Matthew 4 “19 He said to them, “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people.” 20 They left their nets immediately and followed him.” “It’s strange ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:19

Tags: Fishing, Evangelism, Hell

Denomination: Methodist

Formula For Going To Heaven

Contributed by John Bright on May 27, 2023

That’s right – heaven or hell is the final destination for every human being. I want to crystal clear about this! All humans have been born into a state of Sin (with a big S). We commit sin (with a little s) because we are Sinners – not vice versa. At the instant of salvation, our Sin nature is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:12-19

Tags: Hell, Atonement, Sin, Heaven

Denomination: Methodist

Hope Ain't Hoping

Contributed by John Bright on May 27, 2023

I want to give you a shorthand way of remembering the difference between the hope in our Bibles and the hope out in the world. Hope ain’t hoping. Today, folks plan outside events and say, “I sure hope it doesn’t rain.” Every Sunday, some folks may show up here and say, “I sure hope PJ doesn’t ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-5

Tags: Faith, Hope, Hoping

Denomination: Methodist

Fathers Make A Difference

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 15, 2023

According to the 2022 U.S. Census Bureau, 18.4 million children, 1 in 4, live without a biological, step, or adoptive father in the home. That’s enough children to fill New York City twice or Los Angeles four times over. Research shows that a father's absence affects children in numerous ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:21

Tags: Dad, Fathers Day, Reading

Denomination: Methodist

Don't Call God A Liar With Joy

Contributed by John Allen on Mar 11, 2024

There is a sin committed by many Bible-believing Christians, a sin that borders on the curse of Revelation 22:19, taking away from the words of the Bible. More specifically, it is a common sin of the enemy: Redefining the words of Scripture. What word? Joy. A well-meaning Christian says, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, Matthew 13:44

Tags: Happiness, Joy

Leaving The City Of Regret

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 1, 2025

Leaving the City of Regret by Larry Harp I had not really planned on taking a trip this time of year, and yet I found myself packing rather hurriedly. This trip was going to be unpleasant, and I knew in advance that no real good would come of it. I'm talking about my annual "Guilt ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16

Tags: Freedom, Regret

Denomination: Methodist

Throw Yourself On The Mercy Of The Court

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 1, 2025

Imagine you were in a courtroom standing before a judge and you are being charged with a crime that carries the death penalty. Every person is born a sinner. The penalty of that sin is eternal death without the atoning sacrifice of Jesus’ blood. Back to the courtroom – the judge reads the verdict ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:11-12, Romans 3:23

Tags: Mercy, Blood, Guilty, Courtroom

Denomination: Methodist

Thin Skinned And Hard Hearted

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 2, 2025

Somebody smarter than me said the greatest problem in the local church is that we are not who we were designed by God to be. As Believers, we were made to be thick-skinned and tender hearted. That’s how we can “love one another fervently with a pure heart.” (1 Peter 1:22) Instead, we have become ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Peter 1:22

Tags: Forgiveness, Fervent Love, Tender Hearted

Denomination: Methodist

Dirty Clothes

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 2, 2025

Have you ever been working outside, gotten your clothes all dirty, then put clean clothes on top of those to go somewhere? Of course not! If we are going to put on Christ (Romans 13:12-14), we need to remember to take off the old ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1, Romans 13:12-14

Tags: Christ, Gossip

Denomination: Methodist

A Strong Foundation

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 2, 2025

The foundation of your house is important to making sure it continues to stand. The foundation of a skyscraper is even more important. Years ago, I read that the challenge for making buildings taller and taller was not adding floors on top – the challenge is adding to the base. Three ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27

Tags: Bible, Foundation

Denomination: Methodist

The Idol Of Tv

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 2, 2025

“I believe that people who are watching television more than (reading) the Word of God are living in idolatry. God wants us to turn off our televisions and turn on the Word of God, to spend time watching His Word, that we will be washed in His Word and conformed into His image and likeness.” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Tags: Bible, Television, Idols

Denomination: Methodist

Are We Hypocrites?

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 13, 2025

I once saw a video of a pastor who had figures, covered with sheets, up in the front of the church. As he started to preach, they were uncovered and you could see monsters and scary characters related to Halloween. The preacher kept asking, “Should these be in the House of God?” The congregation ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-12

Tags: Holiness, Halloween, Hypocrite

Denomination: Methodist

Listen To The World

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 13, 2025

I also believe we are at a unique time in history where most folks today would identify with these three descriptions: • “Living in darkness” • “Not a people” • “Without mercy” Have you noticed this in folks? They are desperately trying to fit in and be a part of some group. These groups seem ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Tags: Evangelism, Anxiety, Listen, Hoplessness

Denomination: Methodist

Speed Limit

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 13, 2025

Let’s talk about following the speed limit. Why not? Maybe you don’t like being told what to do? That’s the definition of rebellion. Maybe you know better than everyone else. If so, those closest to you suffer the most! The starting point is safety. I have some family members that refuse to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:15-16, Exodus 21:5-6

Tags: Submission, Rebellion, Speed Limit, Bond Servant

Denomination: Methodist