In Sermon Illustrations: "Drawing Near To God"

Misapplied Scriptures, John 9:31: Does God Hear Sinners, Or Not?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 13, 2023

Introduction: This is another verse of Scripture which has been used and misused by many people for a long time. Some folks teach that it’s basically useless for any sinner to pray because “well, right there, it says, ‘God heareth not sinners!’” But is that what the verse really teaches? Here’s ...read more

Scripture: John 9:31, Psalm 66:18

Tags: Blind Men, Misapplied Scripture, Unusual Healings, Jesus

Denomination: Baptist

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

Unintentionally Humorous Texts: Laban, "Why Did You Steal My Gods?”

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 23, 2024

Introduction: Let me say first of all that the Bible is a very sacred Book, not to be trifled with. It’s precious and untold numbers of believers have given their lives to simply have and read it, let alone defend it against any number of attacks. Having said that, there are a number of places ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 31:26-30

Tags: Laban, Idols, Teraphim, Jacob, Rachel  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[135]. A Message From A Poem – I Will Still Praise God My Saviour

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 17, 2025

[135]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – I WILL STILL PRAISE GOD MY SAVIOUR Some people find it hard to be joyous a lot of the time and get despondent over various setbacks and trying circumstances in life. In fact I do not know a Christian who at some time has not been through this. Honesty will admit ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13, Habakkuk 3:17-19

Tags: Praise, Setbacks, Christian Poems, Crops Fail, I Will Praise God, Exalt The Lord, No Fruit, Vine, Faithfulness, Fail, Fig Tree, Olive, Despondent  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[181]. A Message From A Poem – Man’s Departure Is Away From God

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 3, 2025

[181]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – MAN’S DEPARTURE IS AWAY FROM GOD We live in a world in decline and it was prophesied that way – {{2 Timothy 3:1-5 “Realise this, that IN THE LAST DAYS DIFFICULT TIMES WILL COME, for men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Timothy 3:13

Tags: Old Nature, Christian Poems, Britian, Wales, Getting Worse, Sin, New Birth, Tribulation, Sinful Nature, Departure  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In An Article Entitled, "Mosaic And Ancient ...

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jul 3, 2003

In an article entitled, “Mosaic and Ancient Near Eastern Laws,” (from the www.theology.edu/Eqypt3) we read that the Code of Hammurabbi and the Mosaic code “differ in their moral code.” “In the Hebrew laws, a greater value is generally placed on human life, and the Babylonian code has nothing in it ...read more

Tags: Commandments General, Commandments No Gods

Denomination: Church Of God

There Is An Old Sermon Illustration That I Have ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Dec 11, 2002

There is an old sermon illustration that I have heard many times but recently I learned that the illustration has a basis in fact. A man by the name of John Griffith, lived in Oklahoma in 1929 and lost all he had in the stock market. He moved to Mississippi where he took a job as bridge tender for ...read more

Tags: God's Love, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Christian Church

[166]. A Message From A Poem – Know Jesus – Know Comfort And Peace

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 15, 2025

[166]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – KNOW JESUS – KNOW COMFORT AND PEACE Obviously, the connection here is a vital one, and it’s an eternal one. Those who know Jesus should be living in comfort and peace. That needs defining. Comfort is not the comfort of materialism by having a great home with ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1, Romans 3:17, Isaiah 48:22, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Acts 9:31  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Peace With God, Wicked, God Of All Comfort, Christian Poems, Holy Spirit, Peace, Comfort  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Hound Of Heaven

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 2, 2023

In his book The Call, author Os Guinness writes: We cannot find God without God. We cannot reach God without God. We cannot satisfy God without God—which is another way of saying that our seeking will always fall short unless God’s grace initiates the search and unless God’s call draws us to Him ...read more

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

Tags: Grace, Salvation, Works, Sovereignty Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Years Ago, My Youngest Daughter, Marilyn, And I ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Hutto on Jan 27, 2001

Years ago, my youngest daughter, Marilyn, and I went shopping for Connie. It’s hard. You wives, it’s hard for a man to shop for his wife because we don’t know what you want, and we don’t want to get that for you, anyway. But Marilyn and I thought we had found the perfect gift: a nightgown. You can ...read more

Tags: Thirst For God, Know God, Hunger For God, Lordship Of Christ, God's Provision, Assurance Of Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Most Incredible Birthday Miracle

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 21, 2022

I heard a missionary from Brazil tell an amazing story of the faithfulness of God at an Evangelism Conference in Dallas several years ago. He said that there was a woman named Maria in his country who was an unbeliever who was celebrating her 30th birthday. On that day, she looked up to Heaven ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Missions, Prayer, Miracles, Testimony, Will Of God, Waiting On God, Faithfulness Of God, Sovereignty Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Complaining On The Day Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 30, 2009

Complaining on the Day of Judgment The story is told of billions of people scattered on a great plain before Almighty God’s Throne. Some of the groups near the front talked heatedly - not with cringing shame; but, with belligerence. "How can God Judge us?" said one. "What does He know about ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-18

Tags: Injustice, God's Judgment

An Arab Chief Tells A Story Of A Spy Who Was ...  PRO

Contributed by James Owens on Aug 29, 2001

An Arab chief tells a story of a spy who was captured and then sentenced to death by a general in the Persian army. This general had the strange custom of giving condemned criminals a choice between the FIRING SQUAD and the BIG, BLACK DOOR. As the moment for execution drew near, the spy was ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness For Others, God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Church Of God

Hey, I Can Hear ...

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Sep 2, 2009

"Hey, I can hear you!" The other day, Susan and I were eating out and some guys at a nearby table were talking about some of their experiences with women. They were getting louder and louder, and it seemed like they were trying to one-up each other with who could say the most inappropriate thing. ...read more

Tags: God's Omniscience, Prayer Persistence

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Little Boy's Knots!" Revelations 19:11-17 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 15, 2005

“A Little Boy’s Knots!” Revelations 19:11-17 Key verse(s): 16:“On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KINGS OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” There’s something about being rescued this is so completely satisfying. A number of years ago (pre-cell phone days) I was driving along the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:11-17

Tags: God's Provision, God's Forgiveness, God Cares, Protector, Provider, Strengthen  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

How Deer Become Thirsty

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 30, 2020

There are 2 times when a deer develops tremendous thirst - one is when he is running from danger, the other is when he is facing an opponent in combat. When he is hunted, he will take to the river and stay submerged as long as he can hold his breath. He will then swim downstream in the middle so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Psalm 42:2

Tags: Psalms, Worship, Deer, Hungry For God, Longing For God, Thirsting For God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Gives More Grace

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

"He gives more grace when the burdens grow greater. He sends more strength when the labors increase, To added affliction He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace. When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed 'ere the day is half ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5-6, Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Prayer, Suffering, Will Of God, God's Goodness, Love Of God, Pain, Grace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Don't Know About You, But I Am Tired Of Just ...  PRO

Contributed by Darren Ethier on Apr 9, 2002

"I don’t know about you, but I am tired of just being ‘another somebody’ to the lost around me. I have made a decision. I made up my mind and set my heart to declare, ‘I am going to pursue the presence of God in my life. I am going to get so close to God that when I walk into secular and public ...read more

Tags: Promises Of God, Church Practices

Denomination: Pentecostal

Charlie's Thanksgiving List

Contributed by Perry Hancock on Nov 22, 2022

Charlie’s Thanksgiving List The pastor at the downtown men’s shelter was ready to begin the Thanksgiving service. Everyone was ready for him to begin and finish since the service was before the meal. After a few hymns were sung, it was time for the pastor’s Thanksgiving sermon. This year he had ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:2

Tags: Thanksgiving, God's Blessings

Denomination: Baptist

A Man Named Floyd Collins, In 1925, Was Exploring ...  PRO

Contributed by Bud Rose on Nov 26, 2005

A man named Floyd Collins, in 1925, was exploring near Mammoth Cave in Kentucky and got stuck. He was fifty-five feet from the surface and he got stuck. Icy water was dripping in his face. The rescuers came in and diverted the water, and they talked with him, they calmed him down, but they couldn’t ...read more

Tags: Sin Separates From God

Denomination: Pentecostal