In Sermon Illustrations: "Come"

Cymbala's Easter Story  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 31, 2005

CYMBALA'S EASTER STORY Jim Cymbala preaches at a church in the slums of New York. He tells the following story: It was Easter Sunday and I was so tired at the end of the day that I just went to the edge of the platform, pulled down my tie and sat down and draped my feet over the edge. It was a ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 18:15-18, Luke 23:32-34, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, John 13:34-35, Matthew 25:34-45, Psalm 40:1-3, Ephesians 2:1-10, Colossians 1:1-11, Matthew 18:22-35, Matthew 22:1-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Second Coming, New Year, Dignity, Body Of Christ, Supper, Work  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Streams Of Mercy Are Still Flowing

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2019

Robert Robinson was a wild young man who came to repentance listening to a George Whitefield sermon. He later became a pastor and wrote a couple of hymns, particularly the famous, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing", which was written in 1757. Later in life, Robinson wandered from the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1

Tags: Promises Of God, No Condemnation, Backsliding, Mercy Of God, Come Thou Fount  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's Later Than It's Ever Been!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 6, 2023

A young boy was playing in his grandmother’s house near a large grandfather clock. Noontime was approaching, and when both hands of the old timepiece reached 12, the chimes began to ring. As he always liked to do, the boy counted each gong as it sounded. This time, however, something went wrong ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:18

Tags: Second Coming, Rapture, Time, Return Of Christ, End Times, Prophecy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Soon And Very Soon, We Are Going To Burger King!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 29, 2023

Kids say the darndest things.....even in church! One day as I was cleaning, I began singing one of my favorite gospel songs, "Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King!" I just love that song. Well, my young son, Cory, was in the next room listening to my song. Suddenly, he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, John 14:1-6

Tags: Second Coming, Armageddon, Rapture, King Of Kings, Return Of Christ, Humor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jewish Weddings And The Return Of Christ

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 30, 2023

An understanding of the Rapture can be gained from understanding the Jewish Wedding Tradition. IN THE JEWISH WEDDING TRADITION, • As the young man becomes of age to marry, • He builds a room onto his father’s house, • So there will be a place • For him and his bride to live. WHEN THE YOUNG ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, John 14:1-6

Tags: Return Of Christ, Jewish Weddings, Revelation, Israel, Second Coming, Armageddon  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Would He Say?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

WHAT WOULD HE SAY? If He should come today And find my hands so full Of future plans, however fair, In which my Savior has no share, What would He say? If He should come today And find my love so cold, My faith so very weak and dim I had not even looked for Him. What would He say? If He should ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Tags: Return Of Christ, Judgment Seat Of Christ, Rapture Of The Church, Evangelism, Second Coming, Last Days  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gentlemen, It's Closing Time!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 4, 2023

At the end of the 19th century, two French writers went to visit the well-known French scientist, Peirre Berthelot. Berthelot was a kind of a scientific prophet. He forecast some of the weapons of mass destruction which would appear in the next century. He said to the writers, "We have only ...read more

Tags: Second Coming, Last Days, Armageddon, Rapture, Return Of Christ, End Times, Prophecy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[123]. A Message From A Poem – He Will Receive Us To Himself

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 8, 2025

[123]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HE WILL RECEIVE US TO HIMSELF Time for confession. It is no secret that the theme that occurs in a few of my poems (sometimes only a brief mention) is that of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in Person for all His disciples. That coming is soon and is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Tags: Jesus Receives Us, Received To Him, Caught Up, The Coming Of The Lord, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dirty Windows

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 12, 2023

"A friend of mine, Bud Wood, founded Shepherds Home in Wisconsin for boys and girls with developmental disabilities. The original ministry opened its doors in 1964 to 36 children, providing them a loving residential environment and a school that would focus on their unique needs, helping them ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, Philippians 3:20, 1 John 3:1-3

Tags: Return Of Christ, Disabled Children, Revelation, Children, Heaven, Second Coming, Rapture  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[036] A Message From A Poem – Blessed Lamb Of God In Adoration

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 25, 2025

[036] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BLESSED LAMB OF GOD IN ADORATION This was written as a hymn that can be sung. The emphasis is on the Lord Jesus Christ not so much on us. I hate these modern songs where it is all about “me”. Let us get back to glorifying the Lord for who He is and for what He ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:11, 1 Corinthians 1:18, Ephesians 4:8-10

Tags: Compassion, Adoration, Lamb, Second Coming, Poetry, The Cross, Lamb Of God, Poem  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You Packed And Ready To Go?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 28, 2023

The word "maranatha" is a Syriac expression that means: "our Lord comes." It was used as a greeting in the early church. When believers gathered or parted, they didn't say "hello" or "goodbye" but "Maranatha!" If we had the same upward look ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, John 14:1-6

Tags: Rapture, Ready, Readiness, Maranatha, Feast Of Trumpets, Prepared, Church, Preparation, Second Coming  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Budding Of The Fig Tree

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 16, 2023

Luke 21 records the parable of the Budding of the Fig Tree by Jesus. This parable is interpreted by many evangelical writers as a reference to the Regathering of Israel as prophesied by Ezekiel 38. It happened in 1948 as the nation was re-born miraculously as we prepare for the return of ...read more

Tags: Prophecy, Second Coming, Parables, Rapture, Return Of Christ, Regathering, Israel, End Times  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

End Times Ignorance

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 22, 2025

A friend says to a seminarian, “What subjects are you studying at school?” The young theologian says, “You know, the usual, Biblical Texts, Church History, Ministry and Systematic Theology.” The friend asks if he has studied anything on eschatology in his Systematic class. The seminarian ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-22, Matthew 24:1-51

Tags: Eschatology, Second Coming, Tribulation, Millennium, Bible Prophecy, Last Things, End Times  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

False Prophecies About The Return Of Christ

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 6, 2024

Throughout history, there have been various preachers and religious figures who believed that Jesus’ Second Coming was imminent. Let’s explore some notable predictions and claims related to this event: Hippolytus of Rome, Sextus Julius Africanus, and Irenaeus (500 CE): These early ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Tags: Deception, End Times, Prophecy, Second Coming, Last Days, Rapture, False Doctrine, False Teaching, False Prophets, Return Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[102]. A Message From A Poem – God Sends No One To Hell

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 9, 2025

[102]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GOD SENDS NO ONE TO HELL The Introduction for this poem is longer than average. So as not to be misunderstood, the title of the poem does not mean God has no control over hell. He certainly does but just so that you don’t miss the message of the poem, I need to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:4, Revelation 19:20, Matthew 25:41, Isaiah 30:33, John 3:16, Mark 9:47-48, Revelation 20:14, Matthew 25:31  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Poetry, Sheep And Goats, The Second Coming, The Lake Of Fire, Christian Poems, Wheat And The Tares, Hell, Gehenna, Lazarus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Haman Is A Type Of The Antichrist

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 28, 2023

Some Bible students have seen in Haman an illustration of the “man of sin”, or the Antichrist, who will one day appear and ruthlessly rule over humanity (2 Thess. 2; Rev. 13). Haman was given great authority from the king, and Satan will give great power to this wicked world ruler we call the ...read more

Tags: Tribulation, Haman, Man Of Sin, Esther, End Times, Prophecy, Second Coming, Antichrist, Rapture  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dolphins Sleep With One Eye Open

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 28, 2023

Did you know that dolphins sleep with one eye open? It’s true. They do so because they can only ever let one side of their brain sleep at a time. When the left side of the brain sleeps, the right eye will close, and vice versa. This isn’t some weird, ambidextrous stunt they’re pulling. Rather, ...read more

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

Tags: Revelation, Church, Vision, Sight, Prophecy, Second Coming, Rapture, Focus, Eyes, End Tiimes  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Things You Do When You Are Obsessed With Prophecy!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 30, 2023

Things you do when you are obsessed with biblical prophecy: 1. You always leave the top down on your convertible in case the Rapture happens while you are driving! 2. You never buy green bananas. 3. Bar code scanners make you nervous. 4. You refuse a tax refund check because the amount comes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:12-18, John 14:1-6

Tags: Return Of Christ, Prophecy, Second Coming, Antichrist, Parousia, Rapture, Tribulation, Revelation, End Times  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

General Macarthur Said, I Will Return!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 6, 2024

General Douglas MacArthur, during World War II, famously declared to the people of the Philippine Islands, “I shall return.” This resolute statement was made after he was ordered to leave the Philippines, which were under Japanese invasion. His promise echoed the determination of our Lord Jesus ...read more

Tags: End Times, Prophecy, Second Coming, Last Days, Rapture, Signs, Return Of Christ, Promises  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[232]. A Message From A Poem - Reflections On The Christian Life

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 20, 2025

[232]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - REFLECTIONS ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE The poem explores some aspects of our faith. Each stanza makes a statement beginning with "What". STANZA 1 – Christ is glorified, and one day we will share in that glory. STANZA 2 – As perfect Man Jesus helps us in our ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:10-11, Titus 2:13, Romans 5:6, Hebrews 2:18, 1 Peter 1:21  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Helpless, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Comes To Our Aid, Glory, Worship, Hope, Help  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational