In Sermon Illustrations: "2 Samuel 1:1-40:1"

Jesus, Hand Me That Can Of Tomato Soup!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

5-year old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn't want to go in alone. "It's dark in there and I'm scared." She asked again, and he persisted. Finally she said, "It's ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 43:1-2

Tags: Faith, Fear, Children, Humor, Presence Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Deceitfulness Of Sin

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 8, 2020

One of the largest freshwater turtles is the alligator snapping turtle. Found primarily in the southeastern United States, these massive turtles have been known to weigh close to 250 pounds. They are carnivorous, and while their diet is primarily fish, they have been known to eat almost anything ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-3, Luke 18:9-14, Romans 3:23

Tags: Sin, Deception, Temptation, Deceit

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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: Godliness, Humility, Honesty, Brokenness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discipleship Is A Call To Suffer

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

John R. Scott gives a modern example of one who suffered for the gospel observing that… "Few men of this century have understood better the inevitability of suffering than Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He seems never to have wavered in his Christian antagonism to the Nazi regime, although it meant for ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:12, Philippians 3:1-20, Romans 1:16

Tags: Church, Commitment, Discipleship, Suffering, Will Of God, Bonhoeffer  (view more)  (view less)

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

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

On Evangelism Tactics

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 9, 2021

Many Christians have a wrong interpretation of 1 Corinthians 9:22. Paul would not have gotten a tattoo, a Mohawk, piercings etc. to witness to a group like that because it would have hindered him in witnessing to other groups. He spoke to them from their frame of reference, like all great teachers, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:22, 2 Corinthians 6:17

Tags: Evangelism, Separation, Piercings, Tattoos

Denomination: Baptist

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: Warning, Be Ready

Denomination: Assembly Of God

On Living And Dying

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 22, 2021

Martin Luther King Jr. on living, dying and his funeral. If any of you are around what I have to meet my day, I don’t want along funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. Every now and then I wonder what I would want them to say. Tell them not to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Philippians 1:21, Galatians 2:20

Tags: Loving Others, Death, Love, Giving, Servanthood, Serving, Funerals  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

They Did Not Deny That Faith Was An Essential ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

They did not deny that faith was an essential part of salvation, but they added to it (works, circumcision, & other rituals). Many do the same thing today they believe salvation is by grace + … Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., was ill with a staff infection of the throat. A new medicine called ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35, 2 Timothy 4:1-6, Galatians 5:1-12

Tags: Doubt

To Have Prayed Well Is To Have Studied Well." ...

Contributed by Paul Steffens on Dec 11, 2007

"To have prayed well is to have studied ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 4:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hostile Natives Surrounded His Missions ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Montgomery on Apr 17, 2008

Hostile natives surrounded his missions headquarters one night, intent on burning the Patons out and killing them. John Paton and his wife prayed all during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see that, unaccountably, the attackers had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:17, Luke 17:11-19, Acts 9:13-18

Tags: Angels

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Overcoming The Loss Of Hands And Feet

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 16, 2008

David and Becky Guinn have been on my mind this past week. In 1997, the Lord blessed me to go with David on a mission trip to Ukraine. It was a life-changing experience for me. David and Becky deeply love the Lord. They have faithfully served the Lord for years in college ministry, mission work and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:25-30, Matthew 12:9-15, 2 Timothy 1:1-12

Tags: Faith, Perseverance, Overcome Difficulty

Denomination: Baptist

Caterpillar Ugly, Butterfly Beautiful  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Caterpillar Ugly, Butterfly Beautiful It is a well-known fact that a caterpillar changes into a butterfly. The butterfly can truthfully say as he looks at the caterpillar, "Such was I, but now I am changed." Every Christian has once been a sinner, living for self and the momentary pleasures ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 4:7-11

Tags: Resurrection, Salvation, New Life, Born Again, Christian Witness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joy To All Nations  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2009

To again quote Charles Spurgeon: "It is joy to all nations that Christ is born, the Prince of Peace, the King who rules in righteousness...Beloved, the greatest joy is to those who know Christ as a Saviour...The further you submit yourself to Christ the Lord, the more completely you know Him, the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 9:6, 2 Peter 1:16-21

Tags: Christmas Advent

Grief

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on May 17, 2022

On Death and Loss… He was 50 years old. The cancer was aggressive and relentless. The pain was unmanageable and agonizing. In two months he was gone. I didn't have the opportunity to say good-bye and if I did, what would I say? Could I get the words out? Our last communication, me in Port ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25, Psalm 90:1-12, 2 Corinthians 1:1-7

Tags: Death, Grief, Sickness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Power Of Holy Spirit In You

Contributed by John Bright on May 24, 2022

There is NO COMPARISON between the power of satan and the power of the HOLY SPRIT IN YOU. The power of satan is like a little firecracker while the power of the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20, 2 Timothy 1:7, Acts 1:8

Tags: Holy Spirit, Satan, Power

Denomination: Methodist

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

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Ted Turner Turned Away From God

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2022

Cable television mogul Ted Turner criticized conservative Christianity and said, "Jesus probably would be sick at his stomach" over the way his ideas have been "twisted" by today's preachers, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Turner made his remarks at a ...read more

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

Tags: False Professors, Deception, Bitterness, Last Days, Unbelief, Apostasy, Denying The Truth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Because He Loved Them

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Mar 14, 2023

Because He Loved Them They tried to shame Him. They tried to destroy Him. They tried to ruin Him. He died for them! They despised Him. They mocked Him. They humiliated Him. He died for them! They stripped Him. They spat in His face. They beat Him. He died for them! They made Him bear the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 10:9-10

Tags: Easter, Crucifixion, Salvation, Redemption, God's Love, Greater Love, Poems Of God's Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

You Can Change

Contributed by Richard Tow on Mar 27, 2023

Colin Smith tells the story of a friend who had a severe heart attack. The man said it felt like an elephant on his chest. He survived, but the doctor told him he would have to change his diet. Colin asked the man what he ate before the heart attack. The man said he loved cheeseburgers, fries, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6, 2 Timothy 2:22, Luke 6:21

Tags: Habits, Hunger, Addiction, Righteousness, Health, Eating  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic