In Sermon Illustrations: "Acts 21 23 1"

The Keepers Of The Aquarium

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 4, 2022

The late Sam Shoemaker, an Episcopalian bishop, summed up the situation this way with the way churches are not fulfilling the Great Commission of Christ to share the Gospel with the world: "In the Great Commission the Lord has called us to be -- like Peter -- fishers of men. We've turned ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Great Supper, Evangelism, Outreach, Gospel, Witnessing, Churches, Great Commission  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Plant The Seed And Wait For The Harvest

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 4, 2022

D.L. Moody made an covenant with God that he would witness for Christ to at least one person each day. One night, about ten o- clock, he realized that he had not yet witnessed; so he went out in to the street and spoke to a man standing by a lamppost, asking him, "Are you a Christian?" ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Mark 4:1-20

Tags: Faithfulness, Word Of God, Witnessing, Evangelism, Harvest, Gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Melt The Saints And Get Them Into Circulation!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 4, 2022

During the reign of Oliver Cromwell, there was a shortage of currency in the British Empire. Representatives carefully searched the nation in hopes of finding silver to meet the emergency. After one month, the committee returned with its report. "We have searched the Empire in vain seeking ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Gospel, Witnessing, Lost, Great Commission  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Servanthood & Father Damien

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Aug 4, 2022

When visiting the Hawaiian Island many tourists will visit the island of Molokai. It has quiet charm, gentle breezes and a soft surf. Father Damien came to the island for a different reason. He came to help people die. He came there because leprosy came there first. No one knows how ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-4, Mark 10:42-45

Tags: Evangelism, Servanthood

Denomination: Lutheran

What A Young Boy Saw In The Face Of A Missionary

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

Many years ago when the great missionary Adoniram Judson was home on furlough, he passed through the city of Stonington, Connecticut. A young boy playing about the wharves at the time of Judson’s arrival was struck by the man’s appearance. Never before had he seen such a light on any ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23, Acts 1:8

Tags: Evangelism, Children, Missions, Testimony, Witnessing, Fruit Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Does Your Ministry Rely Upon God's Power?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 15, 2023

David Platt in his book Radical has a chapter entitled "Beginning at the End of Ourselves -- The Importance of Relying on God's Power (Subsection entitled - “Dependent on Ourselves or Desperate for His Spirit”) Platt went on to say, "This is where I am most convicted as a pastor. I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8-11, Ephesians 5:18

Tags: Power, Repentance, Pastors, Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If God Took The Holy Spirit Out Of This World...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 15, 2023

"If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of this world, much of what we’re doing in our churches would go right on and nobody would ever know the difference!" "I do not believe in a repetition of Pentecost......but I do believe in a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8-11, Ephesians 5:18

Tags: Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Revival, Feast Of Pentecost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Praying Lost Friends Into The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 11, 2024

Some years ago a young girl was very sick and not expected to recover. Because of her love for Jesus, she was troubled that she had not been able to do more for Him in her short life. Her pastor suggested that she make a list of people in their little town who needed Christ and pray that they might ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8

Tags: Evangelism, Faith, Death, Children, Heaven, Missions, Prayer, Lost, Unsaved  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You've Been Summoned

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Apr 18, 2024

A couple of years ago I had the honor of serving on a jury. It was by no means a noteworthy trial but it was important to the people involved. I felt a great deal of responsibility as the jury deliberated and eventually arrived at a verdict. We all wanted to make the right, fair and just decision ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Evangelism, Witness, Testimony, Witnessing, Great Commission  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Can Wash Away My Sin?

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 4, 2025

Your hands are wonderful creations of God! Look at your hands. But if left to do whatever we want – those hands get us into trouble. Try telling a child, “Don’t touch that!” Eve used her hand to pick a forbidden fruit. Adam received the forbidden fruit from Eve. Cain used his hand to murder ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:16, Genesis 4:11

Tags: Eve, Adam, Cain, Hand

Denomination: Methodist

Repent For Better Health

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 10, 2025

Since this is the season of Lent, it’s a good time to repent of the unhealthy habits we have developed over the years. That means we tell God: “You’re right, and I’m wrong.” That’s the beginning of repentance. Then we need to make a plan. There’s an old saying: Those who fail to plan, plan to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-6, Acts 3:19

Tags: Diet, Food, Repent, Health, Sleep, Exercise, Bible Reading  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

7 Ways To Pray For Lost Loved Ones

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

Praying for Unsaved Loved Ones “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16) 1. Pray that God will draw them to himself. “No one can come to me unless the Father … draws him.” (John 6:44) 2. Pray for the Holy Spirit to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, John 20:21

Tags: Prayer, Intercession, Burden, Lost, Unsaved, Unbelievers, Evangelism, Holy Spirit, Salvation, Gospel, Missions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

100 Names For Jesus In The Bible

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton 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

He Who Is

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 22, 2012

He Who is "the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15),(21) is Himself the perfect man. To the sons of Adam He restores the divine likeness which had been disfigured from the first sin onward. Since human nature as He assumed it was not annulled,(22) by that very fact it has been raised up to a ...read more

Tags: Incarnation, Jesus' Ministry

Denomination: Catholic

What We Do Not Know  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW F.B. Meyer once said that when we see a brother or sister in sin, there are three things we do not know: First, we do not know how hard he or she tried not to sin. Second, we do not know the power of the forces that assailed him or her. Thirdly, we also do not know what we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16, Acts 9:10-19, Galatians 6:1

Tags: Judgment

Some Thoughts On The 4b Movement

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 15, 2024

Introduction: Ever since the November 2024 American elections, there seems to be more and more reference to the “4B” movement. That this movement began in South Korea a number of years ago seems to be of little importance to any number of American women. This is especially true of those American ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19, Romans 13:9, Acts 15:29

Tags: Women, Christian Living, 4b Movement

Denomination: Baptist

Easter Outline - 7 Fears Of Death

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

Seven fears related to death: 1) Fear of the process: But.....Jesus is with you. – Psalm 23:4 2) Fear of non-existence: But....You will be alive and well. – John 11:25-26 3) Fear of bodily decay: But....You will receive a new body. – 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4

Tags: Family, Heaven, Hope, Reunion, New Heaven, Death, Fear, Christ, Easter, Resurrection  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Across Nicaragua, Graffiti Plastered Houses, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 20, 2005

Across Nicaragua, graffiti plastered houses, walls, and public buildings. The most prevalent campaign slogan everywhere was: “Daniel 5:25.” Intended to be a simple instruction on how to vote, it literally meant, “Vote for Daniel Ortega, the 5th position on the ballot, on the 25th day of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Tags: Daniel

The Sheep Who Went "moo"

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 22, 2025

A flock of sheep are grazing in a field, happily going "baa baa" to one another and discussing life as usual when suddenly they hear a "moo mooooooooooo!" They look around &see only sheep. They carry on grazing as before. "Moo moo!" One sheep can hear it all too ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:26-31, 1 Corinthians 9:19-22, Nehemiah 8:8, Acts 2:5-13

Tags: Language, Midrash, Reading, Paraphrasing, Translating  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

[195]. Message From A Poem – Not In Degrees Or Pedigrees But On Your Knees

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 10, 2025

[195]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – NOT IN DEGREES OR PEDIGREES BUT ON YOUR KNEES One thing that used to frustrate me in teaching was to see really good teachers who did not get recognition because they did not have a string of degrees. The Education Department thinks the more qualifications, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:4-8, Acts 4:13, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Apostle Peter, Poison, Equipped, Qualifications, Academic Degrees, Pedigrees, Holy Spirit, Pride, Appointment, Ability  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational