In Sermon Illustrations: "Christ In The Old Testament"

Savior Or Judge?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 14, 2014

A young man was drinking heavily and decided to go for a swim at a California beach. Fortunately, an older man was watching the young man as he entered the water and did not come back up for air. The older man ran to the struggling young man and saved his life. A few years later, that same ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-18

Tags: Evangelism, Christ, Decision, Judgment Day

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Son Of God  PRO

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 2, 2014

THE SON OF GOD "The SON OF GOD became a Man..........so that Men may become the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12

Tags: Jesus, Son Of God, Deity Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Atheism To Ben Hur

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 19, 2016

FROM ATHEISM TO BEN HUR "After six years given to the impartial investigation of Christianity as to its truth or falsity, I have come to the deliberate conclusion that Jesus Christ was the Messiah of the Jews, the Savior of the world and my own personal Redeemer." -- General Lew Wallace, one-time ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:1

Tags: Conversion, Testimony, Jesus Christ, Atheism

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sifted Like Wheat

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Dec 15, 2016

A rooster’s crow announced the dawn. This dawn was not the sunrise, still hours away, but the dawn of Peter’s realization of what he had done. Like the first rays of the sun slicing through the night’s darkness, Peter awakened to his sin and its gravity. It cut him to the core of his being, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-32

Tags: Peter, Betrayal Of Christ, Sifted, Rehabilitation

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Not Ordinary

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 18, 2017

When we describe our kitchen to other people we always talk about new appliances, or new counters, or even our new silverware. But, we never describe the wall color to someone. The reason is simple: it is ordinary. Everyone has it, it’s not worth mentioning, and so we don’t even consider ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:24

Tags: Jesus, Jesus Christ, Ordinary, Extraordinary

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Train Engineer

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Jul 25, 2018

Main Idea: God the Father sacrificed His only Son so that we could live. Verse: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV). Illustration: Once there was a train engineer who had one ...read more

Tags: Sacrifice, Sacrifice Of Christ, Sacrifice For Others

Denomination: Charismatic

Jumping The Grand Canyon

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Jul 25, 2018

Main Idea: No matter how good you are, you cannot make it to heaven through your own effort. Verse: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV). Illustration: Once, two men had ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Sin, Need For Christ, Need For Salvation

Denomination: Charismatic

Jesus Took Our Place

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Jul 25, 2018

Main Idea: Jesus died a horrible death so we could live for eternity. Verse: Jesus “Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness…” (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV). Illustration: A man was sentenced to a horrible death. He was to be buried up ...read more

Tags: Salvation, Sacrifice Of Christ, Sacrifice For Others

Denomination: Charismatic

Out Of Tune

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Aug 1, 2018

Main Idea: God is perfect and He cannot tolerate any sin in His presence. Verse: “As for God, His way is perfect” (Psalms 18:30 NKJV). Illustration: Once there was a famous conductor who was asked to direct a world class orchestra. He chose a famous piece of music and the orchestra gathered ...read more

Tags: Sin, Salvation, Perfection, Need For Christ

Denomination: Charismatic

Paid In Full, Finally

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 10, 2020

It’s always a happy day when you make the final payment on a car loan or any other kind of loan! The money you’ve been sending somewhere else you can now send to another bill—oops—or savings account or wherever you feel led to put it. I know, there are some folks who are greatly excited if you ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Salvation, Payment For Sin, Blood Of Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Coming Soon !?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 13, 2020

Many of us, I'm sure, remember hearing the words "Coming soon to a (fill in the blank) near you . . ."m intended to grab your attention. Well, sometimes that did indeed happen, as a lot of us want to find something new, maybe the latest and greatest thing to come our way. There are a ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-3, Acts 1:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Tags: Immanence, Coming Soon, Return Of Christ

Denomination: Baptist

The Fellowship Of The Unashamed

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16

Tags: Bold Faith, Unashamed Of Christ, Discipleship

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Was At Calvary 2000 Years Ago

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 6, 2022

Once during a trip to Israel, Dr. R.G. Lee visited the site where many believe Jesus Christ was crucified. He told his Arab guide that he wanted to walk to the top of the hill, but the guide tried to discourage him. The preacher was determined to climb the hill, so the guide accompanied him. When ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Romans 5:8

Tags: Cross, Calvary, Golgotha, Identification With Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas Traditions Around The World

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 19, 2022

As Americans, we pride ourselves in "doing Christmas up big." Tons of gifts, big holiday feasts, huge trees, Lights on the houses. Here are some of the other ways people prepare for the celebration of Christmas: * In Italy they have no Christmas trees, instead they decorate small ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Birth Of Christ, Customs, Traditions

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Percentage Will Go To Heaven?

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Apr 21, 2023

[Pastor Clendennen speaking:] For many years, in the church I pastored, we had an all-night prayer meeting the last Friday night of every month. One such Friday night, out of four-hundred members, there were forty-one of us present. As I was praying, I heard this Word from the Lord: “You are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:40-42, 1 Corinthians 15:52, Revelation 1:7

Tags: Rapture, Bride Of Christ, Return Of Jesus

Denomination: Charismatic

The Corpse Of Sin  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 25, 2002

THE CORPSE OF SIN When he was arrested in February 2002 for dumping off as many as 200 bodies in nearby woods, 28 year old Ray Brent Marsh, the operator of Tri-State Crematory told authorities that the incinerator had not worked for some time. A spokesman for the company that made the ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ, Sin Deceptive, Sin Exposed

The Touch Of The Master's Hand

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

The Touch of the Masters Hand Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on the old violin, but held it up with a smile; "What am I bidden, good folks," he cried, "Who'll start the bidding for me?" "A dollar, a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:16-17

Tags: Salvation, New Creation In Christ, The Master, Anointing Of The Spirit

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

This Puppy Will Need Someone Who Understands

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 9, 2024

A little boy appeared under the store owner’s sign, "Puppies for sale." "How much are you going to sell the puppies for?" he asked. The store owner replied, "Anywhere from $30 to $50." "I have $2.37," the little boy said, "Can I please look at ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:15-16, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: Understanding, Incarnation, Deity Of Christ, Humanity Of Christ, Trials, Bethelehem, Children, Sin, Temptation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jonah Jones - From Cocaine Trafficker To Christian Counselor

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 27, 2009

*The closer we get to Jesus, the more we will see a change in our lives. *Jonah Jones had a terrible childhood. Jonah’s parents were drug traffickers who introduced him to cocaine when he was 8-years-old. Unbelievable! -- but true. Worse than that, Jonah’s stepfather raped him. His mother abused ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22, Matthew 16:20-25

Tags: Testimonies About Jesus, Testimonies, Changed By Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Excerpts From Saturday Evening Post Magazine ...  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Feb 19, 2001

Excerpts From Saturday Evening Post Magazine article on Jack La Lanne: Fit for Life. At 86, Jack La Lanne has dipped, chinned, pushed, pulled, and lifted more often than anyone in recorded history. His present training regimen is tailor-made for only superheroes. While many of his contemporaries ...read more

Tags: Leadership General, Christian Disciplines, Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ