In Sermon Illustrations: "Denial Of God"

There Was A Woman Who Was Going Through Some Very ...  PRO

Contributed by Robert Garrett on Apr 11, 2005

There was a woman who was going through some very difficult and trying circumstances. She was experiencing major distress in her marriage, her job was very unfulfilling and was causing her heartache. She became so distraught over her circumstances that she felt like just giving up. She felt ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:28-31, Luke 10:1-39, Isaiah 40:28-31, Romans 8:1-4, Psalm 18:1-30  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love Others, Freedom, God In The Hardships, Giving, Choice, Endurance, Slavery  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Life In A Box! (09.02.05--The Temporal ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 31, 2005

Life In a Box! (09.02.05--The Temporal Things!--Matthew 6:21) Did you ever stop to think, about the legacy that you will leave once this life is over? Will you be remembered for the things you did or the things that you owned? I was asked that question the other day and the asker simply asked me ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:21, Psalm 34:10

Tags: Immanuel, Goals, God With Us, Legacy, Finding Fulfillment, Testimony, Struggles  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

The Power Of Godly Hope

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Feb 23, 2006

*King Duncan tells the story that reminds us of the power of this hope. This happened in 1993, to a man named Terry Stout. Terry was the business manager for the Psychiatry Department at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. *One Fall morning Terry was running a little late, but (I’m sure led by ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-2, Hebrews 6:17-20

Tags: Despair, Godly Hope, Salvation, Suicide, Power Of God's Word, Hope  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

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

Computers

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Feb 21, 2020

Three ways our choice to follow God is like a computer (phone/electric device) 1. We need to stay plugged in to keep our batteries charged. (prayer, scripture, worship all charge our batteries) 2. We need to keep our Virus Protection up-to-date. (Sin is as prevalent as viruses on the internet. ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 2 Timothy 1:12

Tags: Computers, Virus, Connected, Phones, Charged, Virus Protection, In God's Hands  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Billy Graham's Great Regret

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

Billy Graham was once asked, "If you had to live your life over again, what would you do differently?" He answered: “One of my great regrets is that I have not studied enough, I wish I had studied more and preached less. People have pressured me into speaking to groups when I should ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Bible Study, Word Of God, Pastors, Sermon Preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Amazing Accuracy Of Scripture

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 28, 2020

Professor Emeritus of Science at Westmon College, Peter Stoner, has calculated the probability of one man fulfilling the major prophecies made concerning the Messiah. The estimates were worked out by twelve different classes of 600 college students. The students carefully weighed all the factors, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Word Of God, Inerrancy, Prophecies Fulfilled, Inspiration Of The Bible, Bible, Messiah  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Appearances Of Jesus After His Resurrection

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2022

Jesus appeared at least ten times after His resurrection before He ascended into heaven. There were apparently many more appearances not recorded (see Jn. 20:30–31; 21:25). 1. He appeared to Mary Magdalene (Mk. 16:9–11; Jn. 20:11–18). 2. He appeared to the women running to tell the disciples about ...read more

Tags: Resurrection, Teaching, Preaching, Word Of God, Apostle Paul, Appearances Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Outline Of The Lord's Prayer

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 8, 2022

This profoundly simple model captures everything we need to know about prayer. It sets the standard, or pattern, for praying the way Jesus prayed. Outline: The paternity of prayer: “Father” The priority of prayer: “Hallowed be your name” The program of prayer: “Your kingdom come” The ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness, Prayer, Temptation, Lord's Prayer, Daily Bread, Kingdom Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Was That Baby Boy Who Almost Died

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 15, 2022

When I was 15 years old, I met Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. It was the summer before my sophomore year in high school. That summer, the Lord called me to preach with an unmistakable calling on my life. I had a dream of one of my best friends one night. He was surrounded by flames and ...read more

Tags: Gospel, Miracles, God's Call, Prodigal Son, Testimonies, Father, Healing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dead Religion

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 13, 2022

Steven Cole gives us a powerful personal application of the story in Luke 13:10-17. Luke concludes this story by noting that Jesus’ opponents were being humiliated, but the multitude was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him (Lk 13:17). As we saw before, Jesus and His teaching ...read more

Tags: Faith, Church, Satan, Preaching, Revival, Religion, Kingdom Of God, Outlines  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Miracle Of Eddie Rickenbacker

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2022

It is gratitude that prompted an old man to visit an old broken pier on the eastern seacoast of Florida. Every Friday night, until his death in 1973, he would return, walking slowly and slightly stooped with a large bucket of shrimp. The sea gulls would flock to this old man, and he would feed them ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Tags: Thanksgiving, Protection, Angels, Rescue, Miracles, Gratitude, God's Will, Deliverance, Providence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Face To Face With Christ

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 12, 2023

Fanny Crosby was one of the greatest hymn writers in the history of the Church. However, she was born blind, but never used her issue to blame God or play the victim. In fact, she once praised God for her blindness and said, "God did her a favor by making her blind" because the first ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Tags: Blindness, Hymns, Fanny Crosby, Sovereignty Of God, Death, Glory, Heaven  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When A Thief Was Surprised At Church!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 13, 2023

When I was pastoring in Texas, something strange happened one Christmas that I will never stop laughing about. Because it was a Christmas holiday, we were at home with our family taking a break from our normal ministry schedule. We did not go to the church campus for the weekend. But, while we ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:10-11, Proverbs 3:9-10, 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Tags: Pastors, Tithing, Robbing God, Stealing, Surprises, Church, Giving, Humor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Difference Christmas Makes

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 24, 2023

At Christmastime, we set up our Christmas trees and toy trains. We may even walk along singing carols, or we may preach a sermon, but these bits and pieces are barren if we are thinking only of them or even thinking only of being in heaven, and are not stopping to ask ourselves, “What difference ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Tags: Shepherds, Christmas, Glory, God's Glory, Ordinary People, Making A Difference  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Five Finger Prayer Formula

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 10, 2024

Prayer is a conversation with God, not a formula. Yet sometimes we might need to use a “method” to freshen up our prayer time. We can pray the Psalms or other Scriptures (such as The Lord’s Prayer), or use the ACTS method (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication). I recently came ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

Tags: Faith, Worship, Praise, Prayer, Hearing God, Receiving, Asking, Needs  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Are The Five Solas Of The Reformation?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 11, 2024

What are the 5 Solas of the Reformation? The 5 “Solas” of the Reformation (“solas,” meaning, “alones”) are five principles that are foundational to the doctrine of salvation that were the focus of the Protestant Reformation. These five "solas" led to the rejection of the false teachings ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Romans 5:1-8

Tags: Faith, Grace, Scripture, Sin, Salvation, Theology, Glory Of God, Reformation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[220]. A Message From A Poem - Praise The Lord Who’s Worth It

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 5, 2025

[220]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - PRAISE THE LORD WHO’S WORTH IT This poem is another attempt at a song. What is in my head I can not share with you, as I can’t write the music and harmony. I can do the lyrics but not the music. The last poem I submitted called “Praise God! Praise God!” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 69:30-31, Psalm 22:3

Tags: Praise, Praise The Lord, Praise To God, Christian Poems, A Christian Song  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Integrity Is The First Step To True Greatness. ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Integrity is the first step to true greatness. Men love to praise, but are slow to practice it. To maintain it in high places costs self-denial; in all places it is liable to opposition, ...read more

Tags: Leadership General

How To Receive The Lord's Righteousness - A Terrific Trade

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 29, 2025

This is David's message to us in Psalm 37:5-6, where he tells us to trust in the Lord. David said, "Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday." *How is the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-11, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: Horrible Times, Shelter, God's Peace, Rest, Hardships, Cares, Cast Your Cares, Evil, Trust, Suffering, Trusting God, Righteousness, Rejoice, Pain, Peace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist