In Sermon Illustrations: "3 John 38:15-16"

Unfold Your Deck Chair - Funny Story

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 3, 2026

In a "Peanuts" strip, ... Charlie Brown and Lucy were discussing ... theology. Lucy said, ... "On the great cruise ship of life, ... some people ... take their deck chairs ... to the bow. And some people ... take their deck chairs ... to the stern. Where do you put your deck ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-34, John 14:6

Tags: Deck Chair, Faith, Life, Ship, Chair  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

How Do You Make This Thing Work? War Story

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 3, 2026

The story is told ... about an Army sergeant ... who was caught near a beach ... by German artillery ... and managed to protect himself ... by moving to the water's edge. While improving his position with a trench shovel, ... he came upon an ornate crucifix ... the kind that prosperous ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-34, John 14:6

Tags: Faith, Lordship, War, Superficial

Denomination: Anglican

Looking For A Loophole. W C Fields Story

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 3, 2026

It is a difficult thing... to look in the mirror of our soul... and see where we really stand ... in our relationship with God. Some hold back ... from a total commitment to Jesus... and in a way, ... are looking for a loophole ... to make them acceptable ... before God. (Pause) W. C. Fields ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-34, John 14:6

Tags: Spirit, Battle, Commitment, Flesh, Loophole  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Wolfing Down Yourself

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 6, 2026

***WOLFING DOWN THE PAIN By F. Buechner OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS RESENTMENT AND ANGER ARE POSSIBLY THE MOST FUN. TO LICK YOUR WOUNDS, TO SMACK YOUR LIPS OVER GRIEVANCES LONG PAST, TO ROLL OVER YOUR TONGUE THE PROSPECT OF BITTER CONFRONTATION STILL TO COME. TO SAVOR TO THE LAST TOOTHSOME MORSEL THE ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:3-7, John 15:11

Tags: Hurt, Unforgiveness

Denomination: Assembly Of God

I Want To Build A Bridge

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 28, 2026

I WANT TO BUILD A BRIDGE! The parents had died and left the farm to their two sons. The farm was divided by a creek. There was deep, hard feelings between the two brothers. They had not spoken to each other in several years. They went to the same church but they would not talk or even look at each ...read more

Scripture: John 15:14, Matthew 1:23

Tags: Bridge, Build

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Muscle Memory Of The Violin

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

From 5th grade through high school graduation, I played the violin. I was serious about it, participating in all-region orchestras, competitions, all of that. My senior recital was performing the Bach Double Concerto with one of my best friends. Here's the thing about playing a string ...read more

Scripture: John 21:3, Romans 7:15

Tags: Spiritual Drift, Sanctification

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

They Called Me Frodo

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 18, 2026

I want to tell you about a title I had in high school. Picture a 5'6" and a half, scrawny, 110 pound kid with long curly hair down to his collar bone. Got it? The nickname was Frodo. Do you know what I did to earn that nickname? Nothing. The last Lord of the Rings movie had come out about ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29, Isaiah 53:7

Tags: Identity, Names

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[147]. A Message From A Poem – Inspired From Romans 1 Verse 25

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 29, 2025

[147]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – INSPIRED FROM ROMANS 1 verse 25 This poem was inspired by Romans 1:25 which I quote – {{“for they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than THE CREATOR WHO IS BLESSED FOREVER. Amen.”}} Worship God the Creator. ...read more

Scripture: John 1:3, Romans 1:25, Hebrews 1:2

Tags: Christian Poems, Jesus Created All Things, Sing The Hymns, Worship, Praise, Hymn, Creator, Triumph  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[062a]. A Message From A Poem – Does Suffering Cancel Out A God Of Love?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 14, 2025

[062A]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DOES SUFFERING CANCEL OUT A GOD OF LOVE? THE POEM AS IT IS WILL NOT FIT IN THE ILLUSTRATION SPACE AVAILABLE. I HAVE HAD TO SPLIT IT INTO THREE PARTS. THIS IS THE FIRST PART PART 1 INTRODUCTION TO THIS POEM This is my most serious poem because it addresses ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 45:6-7, John 3:16, Exodus 34:6-7

Tags: Comfort, Suffering, Tragedy, God Of Comfort, God Of Love, Hurt, Pain, Love, Compassion  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Repentance And Baptism  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 11, 2011

REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM Steve Atkerson states: "John the Baptist explicitly stated the purpose of his baptism when he said, 'I baptize you with water for repentance' (Mt 3:11). Did John baptize them so that they could repent or because they already had repented? That is, was John's baptism a means ...read more

Tags: Baptism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Deity Of Christ In Scripture

Contributed by Garris Hudson 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: Virgin Birth, Deity Of Christ, Two Natures, Christmas, Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Believing Without Following

Contributed by Kevin Karhoff on Mar 12, 2013

John 3:16 and Luke 9:23 have to go together in order for there to be an accurate understanding of the gospel’s invitation. John 3:16 emphasizes believing. Luke 9:23 focuses on following. Those two things must necessarily go together. There is no believing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Obedience, Jesus Christ

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Quotations On Truth  PRO

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Mar 6, 2013

QUOTATIONS ON TRUTH Where I found truth, there found I my God, who is the truth itself (Augustine). Genuine spiritual knowledge lies not in wonderful and mysterious thoughts but in actual spiritual experience through union of the believer's life with truth. When a truth is unfolded by God it most ...read more

Scripture: John 16:13, John 16:33-38, Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 6:33, Philippians 4:4-5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Truth

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He's A Liar!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 2, 2023

A missionary to the American Indians was in Los Angeles with an Indian friend who was a new Christian. As they walked down the street, they passed a man on the corner who was preaching with a Bible in his hand. The missionary knew the man represented a cult, but the Indian saw only the Bible. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-5, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Spirit Of Error, Satan, Discernment, Truth, False Teachers, False Teaching, Spirits, Holy Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Obedience Matters To God

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 2, 2025

So many churches in our day have been captivated by church growth techniques and have made attendance the measure of success. I have got bad news for these folks – God’s measure of success is the ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15, 1 John 5:2-3, 1 Samuel 15:22

Tags: Obedience, God's Will

Denomination: Methodist

The Fragments Of Our Lives - Good Story

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 25, 2026

Hear God's Word in John's telling: BIBLE "And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost." 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those ...read more

Scripture: John 6:12-13, Matthew 14:19, Mark 6:41, Luke 9:16, John 6:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Brokenness, Leftovers, Fragments, Gathering, Problems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

[363]. A Message From A Poem – Don’t Follow And Be Aware

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 6, 2026

[363]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DON’T FOLLOW AND BE AWARE This is a corrupt world and I think that is the general consensus among people, though the non-believers see some things differently. Jesus said something once that is hard to put into practice. {{Matthew 10:16-17 “Behold, I send you out ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16-17, Luke 16:8, 1 John 4:4, John 17:14-16

Tags: Shrewd, Beware, Imposters, Evil One, Crooks, Unbelievers, Thieves, Aware, Fakes, Rogues, Scammers, Frauds, Cheats, Christian Poems, Phoneys, Beware Of Men  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

100 Names For Jesus In The Bible

Contributed by Garris Hudson on May 19, 2016

Advocate (1 John 2:1) Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18) Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13) Amen (Rev. 3:14) Apostle of our Profession (Heb. 3:1) Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2) Author of Life (Acts 3:15) Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2) ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Scripture, Jesus, Salvation, Names Of Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blackaby: What Does A Calling Look Like?  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 3, 2013

BLACKABY: WHAT DOES A CALLING LOOK LIKE? Henry Blackaby shares from his book "The Power of the Call" pages 10-14 a clear picture of what one looks like who is called by God into pastoral ministry: 1. The pastor is chosen 2. He is chosen by God 3. He is chosen by God to be His servant 4. He is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4, 1 John 4:7-10

Tags: Leadership General, Elder, Shepherd, Pastor

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[113]. A Message From A Poem – Have You Seen A Gouldian Finch?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 20, 2025

[113]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HAVE YOU SEEN A GOULDIAN FINCH? I keep finches including the gouldian finch, one of the most beautiful finches in the world, if not the most beautiful. If you have not seen one, go do a search on the internet. This poem covers a number of subjects. When you look ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8, Acts 17:30-31, John 1:3

Tags: Creation, Evolution, Repent, Colors, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Gouldian Finches, Wise Designer  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational