In Sermon Illustrations: "Exalt The Lord"

I Remember A Neighbour Of Mine Dying With Acute ...

Contributed by David Moore on Dec 5, 2008

I remember a neighbour of mine dying with acute Leukemia. He was a believer who needed much encouragement, and one day a woman from his church told him God had revealed to her that He would spare his life, like he spared the life of Hezekiah. He asked me what I thought. I shared some deep ...read more

Tags: Prophecy

Denomination: Baptist

Too Many Christians Of Our Day Seem To Be Totally ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2008

Too many Christians of our day seem to be totally unconcerned with the need to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom.8: 29). Rather, they seem to think that they can live pretty much as they please, as long as they admit it to God. This could not be farther from the truth. Somewhere along the ...read more

Tags: Christian Values

No Difference

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

NO DIFFERENCE Too many Christians of our day seem to be totally unconcerned with the need to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom.8: 29). Rather, they seem to think that they can live pretty much as they please, as long as they admit it to God. This could not be farther from the truth. ...read more

Tags: Sanctification

Too Close To Where I Got In

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

TOO CLOSE TO WHERE I GOT IN Vance Havner said it this way: "Too many of us today are shaky about what we believe, BUT NOT SHAKEN BY WHAT WE BELIEVE." Our faith doesn’t shake us or have a hold on us. A little boy fell out of his bed. When his mama asked him what happened, he said, "I don’t know. ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ

Many Years Ago, Thomas K. Beecher Once ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Many years ago, Thomas K. Beecher once substituted for his famous brother, Henry Ward Beecher, at the Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, New York. Many curiosity seekers had come to hear the renowned Henry Ward Beecher speak. But when Thomas Beecher appeared in the pulpit instead, some people got up and ...read more

Tags: Worship General

The Late Great Irish Anglican Archbishop Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

The late great Irish Anglican archbishop of Dublin and poet, Richard Chenevix Trench (1807 - 1886), wrote: "Lord, what a change within us one short hour Spent in Thy presence will avail to make! What heavy burdens from our bosoms take! What parched grounds refresh as with a shower! We kneel, and ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16

Tags: Prayer General

William Gladstone, In Announcing The Death Of ...

Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Feb 9, 2009

WILLIAM GLADSTONE, IN ANNOUNCING THE DEATH OF PRINCESS ALICE TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, TOLD A TOUCHING STORY. THE LITTLE DAUGHTER OF THE PRINCESS WAS SERIOUSLY ILL WITH DIPHTHERIA. THE DOCTORS TOLD THE PRINCESS NOT TO KISS HER LITTLE DAUGHTER AND ENDANGER HER LIFE BY BREATHING THE CHILD’S BREATH. ...read more

Tags: Love For God

Denomination: Baptist

Hope For A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 10, 2009

HOPE FOR A CHANGE In the Peanuts comic strip, we find Snoopy thinking to himself: "Yesterday I was a dog. Today I’m a dog. Tomorrow I’ll probably still be a dog. Ohh...there’s so little hope for advancement." Well, there is hope for those who have a dog’s life, but the change will require them ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tags: Change

I Was Tremendously Challenged By A Conversational ...

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 15, 2009

I was tremendously challenged by a conversational exchange in a short-lived situation comedy. It was a comedy where the late Danny Thomas played a doctor. There was a scene in “The Practice” where a nurse overhears Thomas’ character praying. When she comments on it, the doctor denies it. “I was not ...read more

Tags: Prayer General

Denomination: *other

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

Preachers Who Make You Throw Up!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2019

A Pastor was doing his Children's Church sermon where all the kids come down to the front & hear a story. The Pastor was discussing the story of Jonah. He quoted the Scripture from Jonah: "The Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah upon the dry land." When the Pastor ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-7

Tags: Jonah, Bad Preaching, Children's Church, Embarrassing Moments

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Propitiation And Jewish Roots

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 30, 2019

Modern Jews, like Jews centuries before Christ, believed their suffering atoned for sing.Faithful Jews even today are encouraged to offer a prayer when seriously ill or near death called the Viduy (or Vidui) prayer: "I acknowledge before You, Lord my G-d and the G-d of my fathers, that my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31

Tags: Atonement, Propitiation, Calvary, Death Of Christ, Penal Atonement  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Four Levels Of Spiritual Maturity

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 15, 2019

There are 4 levels of spiritual maturity for believers in Christ. I have created the names of each phase to add to this great quote from John Maxwell: #1 - REBELLION: I'm going to do what I want regardless of what God says. #2 - CONDITIONAL LOVE: If God gives me what I want, I will give Him ...read more

Tags: Spiritual Maturity, Growing In Grace

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Called

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 15, 2019

The Called are those who have been summoned by God. Called to salvation (Rom. 8:30) Called both Jews and Gentiles (1 Cor. 1:24) Called "with a holy calling" (2 Timothy 1:9) Called with a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1) Called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1Pet. 2:9) Called to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:30

Tags: Election, Calling, God's Sovreignty

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Need Revival When.....

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 30, 2020

1. You are entertained by things that once grieved you. 2. You are silent where you once spoke. 3. Your prayer closet has cobwebs and your Bible is dusty. 4. You have ceased to grieve over your own sin. 5. You have stopped sharing your faith. 6. You are more excited about your personal agenda ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Revival, Beatitudes, Thirsting For God, Hungering For God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Tests Of True Humility

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 8, 2020

Tests of True Humility - this is "tricky" 1. Do you feel joy when others are honored? 2. Do you honestly and openly admit sin? 3. Do you seek truth from others regarding your weaknesses? 4. Do you accept criticism graciously? 5. Do you turn all worry, anxiety and concern over to the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-3, 1 Peter 5:5-11

Tags: Godliness, Humility, Honesty, Brokenness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Is Our Strength

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Oct 12, 2021

My beautiful mama was always so strong, a tower of strength, courage and faith that stood like a beacon for our family. Psalm 46:1 says God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. As I meditated on this, I remembered a time when I was about 3 years old or so. I saw myself ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1, Psalm 28:8, Psalm 37:39, Exodus 15:2

Tags: Fear, Protection, Strength, God Is Our Strength

Denomination: Charismatic

Thank God For Blessed Subtractions!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 10, 2023

Three local pastors were discussing their Easter Sunday results with one another on the Monday after Easter. The Methodist minister said, "Easter services worked out great for us! We gained four new additions at First Methodist!" Praise God! The Baptist preacher grinned ...read more

Tags: Arrogance, Bragging, Preachers, Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, Easter, Revival, Church Growth, Pride, Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Empowered To Serve

Contributed by John Bright on Nov 9, 2023

In every war there are stories of courage, bravery, and acts of heroism that go beyond all human limitations. Do you know the name Desmond Doss? He was a soldier in WW2 that came from Lynchburg, Virginia. Because of his faith tradition that prevented him from carrying a weapon, he enlisted as a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:59-60

Tags: Courage, Heroism, Bravery, World War 2

Denomination: Methodist