In Sermon Illustrations: "A Door In Heaven"

[160]. A Message From A Poem – Jesus So Loved Me

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 9, 2025

[160]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – JESUS SO LOVED ME We have here a poem that covers some of the great and important aspect of the gospel. The Lord died for my sins. We ask why the innocent One has to die for the guilty. Jesus is the Substitute and love was behind that. {{1 Corinthians 15:3 “I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3, Romans 1:21, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Tags: Christian Poems, Christ The Sacrifice, Sin, Heaven, Guilty, Substitute, Substitutionary Atonement, Christian Poetry, Love, Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Last Chance  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 13, 2009

LAST CHANCE When Bishop Philip Brooks, author of "O, Little Town of Bethlehem," was seriously ill, he requested no friends come to see him. But when an acquaintance of his named Robert Ingersoll, a famous anti-Christian propagandist, came to see him he allowed him to come in right away. Ingersoll ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Witness, Love, Man, Heaven, Stewardship, Valentine, Reporter, God Brings Hope, Dog  (view more)  (view less)

Embraced By The Darkness

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 18, 2022

"Embraced By the Light" or is it more like.... "Embraced By the Darkness?" The idea of Hell and judgment are nowhere to be found in Betty Eadie’s bestseller, Embraced By The Light, on the N.Y. Times bestseller list. In November 1973, Eadie allegedly died after undergoing a ...read more

Tags: Hell, Death, Jesus, Heaven, Judgment, False Teachers, Lies, Deceit, False Prophets  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Was The Church Chosen To Replace The Fallen Angels?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 24, 2024

Augustine believed that God created the order of angels to exist in a perfect harmonic balance with one another which was subsequently lost due to the fall of Satan (and those who followed Satan in his rebellion). This showed the tragedy which developed as a result of Satan’s rebellion. Not only ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:1-4

Tags: Spirits, Sovereignty Of God, Devils, Worship, Heaven, Satan, Angels, Demons, Rebellion, Church  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Billy Graham On Hell

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 19, 2022

BILLY GRAHAM ON HELL: "It isn’t fashionable today to talk about Hell—but the Bible is clear: God created us with a soul that will live forever and when we die, we will continue to exist—either in the place the Bible calls Heaven or in the place it calls Hell. Hell, the Bible says, is ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Hell, Death, Sin, Heaven, Salvation, Gospel, Truth, Judgment, Invitation, Billy Graham  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Tale Of Choices And Consequences

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 16, 2024

Once, there was a traveler named Samuel, whose heart was set on reaching a city famed for its eternal beauty and joy. However, during his journey, he stumbled upon a quaint, comforting village. Lured by its immediate solace, Samuel decided to rest there for a while. As days turned into weeks, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Tags: Christian Dilemma, Heaven, Journey, Eternal Joy, Losing Sight, Spiritual Goal, Earthly Comfort  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Pentecostal Dog

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 12, 2024

Farmer Jones lived in the countryside alone except for his old dog that he had by his side for years. But, unfortunately, his pet died and Farmer Jones went in town to see his pastor about his loss. “Pastor, my dog is dead," he said. "Could you possibly do a funeral service for this old ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22

Tags: Jokes, Dogs, Funerals, Denominations, Pentecostals, Laughs, Death, Resurrection, Heaven, Humor, Pastors, Churches  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

John Powell, A Professor At Loyola University In ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 9, 2002

John Powell, a professor at Loyola University in Chicago writes about a student named Tommy in his Theology of Faith class: Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith. That was the day I first saw Tommy. ...read more

Tags: Evangelism The Lost

Early In The Nineteenth Century, The King Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Early in the nineteenth century, the King of Prussia, Frederick William III, found his nation in great trouble. He had been attempting to bring prosperity to his land, but constant wars had drained the treasury. After prayerful consideration, he wrote an open letter to the women of Prussia asking ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Death, Heaven, Afterlife, Wisdom, Walk, New Year's Day, Favor, Handicap, Limp, Swagger  (view more)  (view less)

The Night Before Cassie Bernal Was Murdered At Columbine

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 6, 2022

On Tuesday April 20, 1999, Cassie Bernal was in the Columbine Colorado high school library reading her Bible when the two students burst in carrying guns. According to one of the witnesses, her friend Josh, one of the killers pointed his gun at Cassie and asked, "Do you believe in ...read more

Tags: Faith, Death, Persecution, Heaven, Satan, Testimony, Terrorism, High School, Last Words, Martyrs, Columbine  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Humanity's Quest For Moral Understanding

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 19, 2024

I recently watched a video by Pastor David Wilkinson discussing the innate human understanding of good and evil, heaven and hell. Based on this, I believe that our inherent moral sense inevitably drives humanity to create various religions. Hinduism, with its openness to diverse divine forms, and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:14-15

Tags: Religion, Good, Moral Compass, Innate Morality, Moral Understanding, Jesus' Impact, Hell, Evil, Heaven  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[100]. A Message From A Poem – Glory And Adoration To The Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 9, 2025

[100]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GLORY AND ADORATION TO THE LORD WHAT ABOUT THIS POEM? This poem, of all my poems, is my number one favourite and the most satisfying for me. It was a joy to write and a joy to contemplate the Lord while doing so. I think it speaks for itself in the meditation ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:12-13, Revelation 21:3-4, Revelation 22:3

Tags: Tears, Crying, No More Curse, Christian Poetry, Poem Messages, Pain, Light, Heaven, Joy, Eternal  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[283]. A Message From A Poem – The Lord, Our Hope, Our Joy, Our End

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 31, 2026

[283]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE LORD, OUR HOPE, OUR JOY, OUR END This is another of my earliest poems. This poem is a personal testimony to a time when I was walking in the valley of the shadow. STANZA 1 – All dark nights break forth into sunshine and my dark night looks forward to the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:2, Psalm 23:4-5, 2 Corinthians 12:2-4

Tags: Heaven, Joy, Sorrow, Dark Night, Blessings, Burdens, Valley Of The Shadow, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[276]. A Message From A Poem – The King’s Highway

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 24, 2026

[276]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE KING’S HIGHWAY This poem is a picture. It places all Christians on the highway to heaven, one I have called, “The King’s Highway.” We are familiar with Pilgrim’s Progress which was the journey Pilgrim took on his way to the Celestial City. In a pale ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:23, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, John 3:7

Tags: Rapture, Born Again, Highway, Pilgrims, Pilgrims Progress, Journey To Heaven, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Highway Of The King  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[174]. A Message From A Poem – I Was Woken Out Of Sleep

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 22, 2025

[174]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – I WAS WOKEN OUT OF SLEEP 11 August 2025. I had the most terrible dream. It was so involved and graphic, and it was like justice was closing in on me for some heinous crime though I knew I was innocent yet oscillating with on and off with guilt. I want to forget ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:14, Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 23:3-4

Tags: Awake, Draw Near, Dream, Bad Dream, Christian Poem, I Will Never Leave You, Heaven, Storms Of Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[271]. A Message From A Poem – The "I Ams” Of John’s Gospel

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 21, 2026

[271]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE “I AMs” OF JOHN’S GOSPEL There are 7 or 8 of the great “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John. I have done these in a Series on SermonCentral – about 18 messages I think - ...read more

Scripture: John 6:20, John 10:7, John 6:35, John 14:6, John 10:11, John 15:1, John 8:12, John 11:25, John 8:58  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Truth, Life, I Am, I Am The Way, I Am The Door, I Am The Bread Of Life, I Am The Good Shepherd, I Am The Resurrection, I Am The Light Of The World, I Am The True Vine, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, The I Ams Of John  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[175]. A Message From A Poem – Bema – The Judgement Seat Of Christ

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 22, 2025

[175]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BEMA – THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST What do Christians think of the judgement that is coming for Christians that is outlined in these very telling verses? – {{1 Corinthians 3:11-15 “for no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 John 2:28, Revelation 4:10-11, Matthew 10:42, Revelation 22:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Reward, Cup Of Cold Water, Bema, Judgment Seat Of Christ, Judged, Judgment, Shame, Penalty, Judge, Rewards, Ashamed, Heaven  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The True Story Of Denise And Diane

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 31, 2023

The Story of Denise and Diane One Sunday morning many years ago, as I pastored in Massachusetts, a lady attended our church for the first time. At the end of the service, at the time of the invitation, she came to the altar. I noticed that one of our ladies prayed with her. After the service, as I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 18:1-2, 2 Kings 20:1-6, Luke 16:1-2, James 4:14, Proverbs 27:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ready To God, Mysterious Ways Of God, Life, Preparation, The Gospel, Cancer, New Years, Preparing For Death, Holy Spirit, Heaven, Obedience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[136]. A Message From A Poem – I’m Just Changing Residence

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 17, 2025

[136]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – I’M JUST CHANGING RESIDENCE I have lived in my current home for 45 years. Before that we lived in a home for 10 years. I have only ever owned two homes. Some people change homes like they change clothes. When a Christian dies some say, “He has gone home to be ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-3, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Tags: Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Point Of Death, New Address, Heaven, Dying, Homes, Absent From The Body, Dwelling Places, Residence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[251]. A Message From A Poem – That Coffin Is Not Me

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 3, 2026

[251]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THAT COFFIN IS NOT ME This is a special poem and unusual for my style. It is full of meaning, very serious meaning. It is me telling my story (as if I had died). Some may find the subject strange; others may not want to think about such things. The point is, we ...read more

Scripture: John 10:9-10, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, Hebrews 9:27, Genesis 2:17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Funeral Service, Absent From The Body, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Repent And Be Saved, Christian Burial, Death, Heaven, Alive, Dead, Coffin, Christian Funeral, Hell  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational