In Sermon Illustrations: "Blessed Are the Pure in Heart"

Keep Away From Sin!

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 24, 2022

Genesis 4 Devotional Part 2 The first children from Adam and Eve grew up having 2 different interests: Abel took care of animals while Cain took care of plants. When it was time to worship God (how did they learn and why did they worship God?), Cain offered firstfruits from the field and Abel ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:6-15

Tags: Heart, Cain, Sin, Relationship, Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Awesome Thanksgiving Illustration

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 7, 2022

There is a legend of a man who found the barn where Satan supposedly kept his seeds ready to be sown into the human heart. On finding these seeds of discouragement more numerous than the other seeds, he learned that those seeds could be made to grow almost anywhere. When Satan was questioned, he ...read more

Tags: Blessings, Faith, Gratitude, Leprosy, Lepers, Miracles, Thanksgiving  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Majesty Of God

Contributed by David Simpson on Jan 18, 2013

Just how can we comprehend the Majesty of God? By removing thoughts that limit the greatness, the Majesty of God. We need to show the majesty of God in our words and actions every day and start letting people know where we stand. It is not with great trumpets - or magnificent choirs - but it is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 71:19, Psalm 33:8

Tags: Outreach, Blessing, Majesty Of God, Workplace Evangelism

Denomination: Christian Church

It’s Too Late To Hide

Contributed by Mark Beaird on Dec 31, 2015

It’s Too Late to Hide I first noticed him as he shuffled past me while making his way through the crowd of excited children swarming around the room at the school for deaf and blind children outside Saigon, Vietnam. He moved slow, but steady. His arms and legs were twisted and drawn in such a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:15-16

Tags: Blessings In Christ, Accepted By Grace, Acceptance In Christ

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When Covid-19 Is Over.....

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 30, 2020

When this coronavirus Is over and life returns to normal, may we never, ever take for granted again..... * A handshake or a kind word from a stranger * A hug from a friend * Worshipping with other believers in a crowded church service * A boring night at home * Full shelves at the grocery ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Coronavirus, Blessings, Gratitude, Remembering, Revival, Thankfulness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bigger Hands

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 9, 2020

A story is told of a little girl that would not take a handful of cherries when the general store owner told her to take one After several times of saying no, the owner told her to hold out her hands and he filled them with the cherries she loved. On the way home, Momma asked her why should would ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 132:15

Tags: God, Hands, Blessing, Provision, Source, Supply  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

I Heard Of A Couple Who, As They Were Paying For ...  PRO

Contributed by James H. Cook, Jr. on Oct 13, 2001

I heard of a couple who, as they were paying for groceries in the check-out line, were discussing their soon to be 50th wedding anniversary, when the young cashier interjected by saying, "I can’t imagine being married to same man for 5o years!" The wife wisely replied, ...read more

Tags: Marriage Commitment, Unconditional Love, Change Of Heart

Denomination: Baptist

It Was A Cold, Winter Day. A Carcass, On An Ice ...  PRO

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Jul 23, 2007

It was a cold, winter day. A carcass, on an ice floe, floated slowly down the Niagra River. An Eagle, flying overhead, spied the easy prey below, and descended upon it. He began to eat. As he did, the water of the river began slowly pushing the flow toward the falls. But could not the eagle, ...read more

Tags: Sin, Temptation, Hard Heart, Flesh And Spirit

Denomination: Baptist

You'll Find Jesus There  PRO

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Apr 28, 2008

YOU'LL FIND JESUS THERE "Tomorrow morning I'll open up your heart" the surgeon said to the 8 year-old-boy. "You'll find Jesus there," the boy said. The surgeon continued, "I'll open your heart and check the damage." "You'll find Jesus there," the boy said. "When I see the damage, I will suture ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:1-17, Exodus 22:18-40, Mark 5:25-34, Joshua 5:13-15

Tags: Clean, Heart, Messed Up, Job The Man

Denomination: Christian Church

How Does God See Our Worship?

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 17, 2022

Because Adam and Eve sinned against God, we note from the end of Genesis 3 that they were banished from the perfect Garden of Eden, where God provided everything for them. Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden to now labor for their day to day needs. In the Garden of Eden work was a delight; ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-7

Tags: Confession, Heart, God, Rebellion, Yielding, Worship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Moody And The Filling Of The Spirit  PRO

Contributed by Ken Pell on May 27, 2012

MOODY AND THE FILLING OF THE SPIRIT One of the great preachers in U.S. history is D. L. Moody. He pastored in Chicago and there is still a wonderful Bible College there that bears his name and values. Mr. Moody was a successful minister, but by his own admission, he lacked the power in his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:1-22

Tags: Pentecost, Blessing, Esau, Isaac, Curse, Spoken Word  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Meekness......don't Leave Home Without It.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 15, 2020

William Barclay gives an extra "amplified" translation of Matthew 5:5: "Blessed are the Meek". "Oh, the bliss of the man who is always angry at the RIGHT TIME and never angry at the wrong time, who has every instinct, every impulse, and every passion under control because ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: The Blessed Man, Strength, Weakness, Meekness, Gentleness, Beatitudes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Are Richer Than You Think...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 6, 2022

The richest 2% of the world's population owns more than half of the world's household wealth. Assets of just $2,200 per adult place a household in the top half of the worlds wealthiest. To be among the richest 10% of adults in the world, just $61,000 in assets is needed. If you have ...read more

Tags: Death, Blessings, Eternity, Poverty, Judgment, Money, Wealth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

#8230; Claire Schenot Burkat, "Five ...  PRO

Contributed by Troy Borst on Aug 29, 2001

ILLUSTRATION… Claire Schenot Burkat, "Five Myths of the Perfect Pastor" His sermons were over their heads. His opinionated views alienated his colleagues. Coworkers found him boastful, even arrogant. A physical disability drove him to over-function in ministry. The first two congregations he ...read more

Tags: Heart-Soul, Leadership General, Surrender, Paul, Apostles General  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The People With The Roses  PRO

Contributed by Ryan Johnson on Feb 23, 2002

THE PEOPLE WITH THE ROSES John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn’t, the girl with the rose. His interest in her had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:38, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 6:33, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 13:24-43  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Compassion, Evangelism Fear Of, Great Commission, Heart, Love, The Organ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Cloudy Days

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 18, 2021

My wife told me about a dream where she is looking up at a cloudy sky with two arms sticking through the clouds and says, I love you. The arms sign back to her, "I love you." I am cautious about dreams and interpretations because most are just our brains doing what we call in the IT ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5

Tags: Love, Heart, Alone, Arms, Cloud, Dark, Silence, Sile  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Blindness

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 22, 2025

Aero Condor was experiencing money problems in Peru and needed to cut back expenses. So, rumor had it they hired two blind pilots. Story soon spread about these pilots, but no one believed it. So one day the plane was loaded and up came the two pilots, with dark glasses and walking sticks. The ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:10, Matthew 15:14, Matthew 23:16-19, Matthew 23:24-26, Luke 6:39, John 9:39-41, John 12:40, Romans 2:19, 2 Corinthians 4:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Blind, Spiritual Blindness, Hard Hearts, Not Understanding, Lack Of Discernment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A New Year's Devotional

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other! In fact, here are some startling stats about typical resolutions for the new year in America: • 27% break their resolutions by the first week of January. • 31% lose their resolutions by the second week of January. • 41% ...read more

Tags: Prayer For New Year, Resolutions, Blessings, New Year, Material Possessions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Square Fillers

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Oct 19, 2018

In the military we had a term that we called “square fillers.” We would have a check-list of requirements and before each requirement or inspection item, there would be printed a little square . When each requirement was completed, you would check off the appropriate square. The term came to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13-36

Tags: False Religion, Unrighteousness, Outward Appearances, Minimum Requirements, Heart For God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Take Time To Say Thank You

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 2, 2023

A doctor wrote a letter of thanks to a schoolteacher for having given him so much encouragement when he had been in her class 30 years before. He later received this reply: "I want you to know what your note meant to me. I am an old lady in my eighties, living alone in a small room, cooking ...read more

Tags: Blessings, Encouragment, Gratitude, Retired People, Senior Adults, Thank You, Thanksgiving, Teachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational