In Sermon Illustrations: "Expense Of Others"

Pope Francis: Fulfilling His Role

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Apr 4, 2013

POPE FRANCIS: FULFILLING HIS ROLE A wonderful story of a religious leader who really does "get it" is the new Pontiff of Rome, Pope Francis. It is the story of role fulfillment. One reporter wrote: "Last night, in a break from tradition the Pope, Pope Francis, did not celebrate what is called ...read more

Tags: Humility

Denomination: Methodist

Going Beyond Our Teachers  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jul 9, 2013

A well-known Bible teacher gives this insight: "Someone on our staff informed me several months ago that a woman had called the ministry office to find out what my 'official position' was on a biblically gray area. When she was told that it's not my policy to make 'official' public statements ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Tags: Legalism, Opinion, Spiritual Growth, Debatable

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Let's Give Them A French Kiss!!  PRO

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 14, 2014

SERMON BLOOPER!!! One of our youth pastors was leaving to go to another church on the same day my wife and I returned from a mission trip to France to encourage our missionaries there. As we closed the service, I brought my wife on the stage on live tv and illustrated how French churches "greet ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:16

Tags: Humor, Preacher Bloopers, Holy Kiss

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rejected On Earth

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 23, 2016

REJECTED ON EARTH... Campbell Morgan was one of 150 young men who sought entrance to the Wesleyan ministry in 1888. He passed the doctrinal examinations, but then faced the trial sermon. In a cavernous auditorium that could seat more than 1,000 sat three ministers and 75 others who came to listen. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-10

Tags: Moses, Acceptance, Rejection, Calling

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I'm That Clown!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 1, 2016

I’M THAT CLOWN It is said that in a great city there was a physician famous for his wisdom. A man came to him one day and said, "Doctor, I want you to see what is wrong with me." The doctor checked him over and said, "Your heart is all right. Your lungs are all right. Your blood pressure is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-12

Tags: Happiness, Joy, Emptiness

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Relaxing Our Grip On Troubles

Contributed by Jerry Stephens on Mar 18, 2017

Recently I was praying at bedtime. I felt overwhelmed by the things I didn’t get done that day; things that would be facing me the moment I opened my eyes the following morning. As I recited my litany of woes, I sensed the Holy Spirit asking me which among them I thought he couldn’t handle. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

Tags: Prayer General, Trouble, Trust, Prayer

Denomination: Vineyard

Sacrifice Stats

Contributed by David Simpson on May 19, 2017

It’s Memorial Day weekend. It is seen by many as the beginning of summer. Lake Lanier will be filled with boaters and swimmers and campers and picnickers who will celebrate fun on this holiday weekend. But, the truth of Memorial Day is that it is not a celebration. It is a commemoration; a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27-28

Tags: Sacrifice, Memorial Day, War Stats

Denomination: Christian Church

Trust God With The Splinter

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Apr 28, 2018

Trouble is inevitable. It has spawned the counseling ministry. Therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, support groups dedicate their lives to helping people deal with grief, addictions, abuse, and stress. There are many solutions offered. You can pop a pill or uncork a bottle or take a ...read more

Tags: Trust God, Comfort Of God

Denomination: Baptist

Fallen

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 23, 2019

Fallen I wanted to be the best you ever had. Now, I am a lonesome, loathsome cad. I once drank in Your holy truth. Now, I drown myself in gin and vermouth. I told others of the sacrifice you gave. Now, it is my soul You need to save. I sang the power of the Blood Then dragged you Name ...read more

Tags: Repentance, Sorrow

Denomination: Baptist

Beatitudes For Marriage

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 30, 2020

We all know and love the Beatitudes for what they mean to our own personal lives, but recently I sensed the Lord leading me to write down how these guidelines for Kingdom citizens affected the lives of married couples. The results were received very powerfully by our amazing church family: Poor ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Marriage, Prayer, Beatitudes, Couples

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Effective Greeting

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 17, 2020

We are to connect with other people in an attractive way. Evangelism depends on it. The unity of the Body of Christ depends on it. When we lived in Kansas City, we visited Impact Church. As we walked into the foyer of that large church, we were greeted by a lady who drew us in immediately. She ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:21-23, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:26, Romans 15:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Outreach, Acceptance, Inclusiveness, Greet, Friendliness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Famous Last Words

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 31, 2021

FAMOUS LAST WORDS..... 1. Charles Gussman was a writer and TV announcer, who wrote the pilot episode of Days of Our Lives, among other shows. As he became ill, he said he wanted his last words to be memorable. When he daughter reminded him of this, he gently removed his oxygen mask and whispered: ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Tags: Paul, Death, Farewell, Last Words

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Put Your Body Where Your Mind Is...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

There is a wonderful story in a book entitled, The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., which was based on Dr. King’s speeches and writings. On one occasion he told of growing up in Atlanta, Georgia: "I remember another experience I used to have in Atlanta. I went to high school on the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-5, Philippians 2:5-11

Tags: Segregation, Obedience, Body, Mind Of Christ, Mind, Racism, Martin Luther King  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If Ii Were Satan...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

IF I WERE SATAN… I would delude their minds into thinking that they had come from man's effort, instead of God's blessings; I would promote an attitude of loving things and using people, instead of the other way around; I would convince people that character is not an issue when it comes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7-9

Tags: America, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, The Devil

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Heard The Story About The Group Of Seniors At ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

I heard the story about the group of seniors at the nursing home who were sitting around talking about all their ailments. “My arms have gotten so weak I can hardly lift this cup of coffee,” said one. “Yes, I know,” said another. “My cataracts are so bad I can’t even see my coffee.” “I couldn’t ...read more

Tags: Heaven

On September 3, 1939, Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

On September 3, 1939, Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse was traveling by train through Europe on the way to preach in Belfast, Ireland. Hitler was unleashing his fury. There were wars and rumors of more wars. Britain’s prime minister was ready to declare war. Everything was tense. What was next? Troops ...read more

Tags: Gifts Encouragement

It Happened In The Jungle One Day. A Lion With A ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

It happened in the jungle one day. A lion with a big ego went around asking the other animals who the king of the jungle was. “Who’s the king of the jungle?” the lion roared at a monkey. “Why you are, Mr. Lion,” said the monkey with fear in his voice. The lion went on and found a zebra. “Who’s ...read more

Tags: Divinity Of Christ

A Few Years Ago, Television News Captured The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

A few years ago, television news captured the drama of a brave man who gave his life for others. A flight from Florida crashed into the icy waters of the Potomac River, a few feet short of the runway at National Airport. Within minutes, a rescue helicopter was at¬tempting to ladder-lift the ...read more

Tags: Jesus Christ

Billy Graham Tells A Story About Albert ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Billy Graham tells a story about Albert Einstein, who was going on a train to an out-of-town engagement. The conductor stopped to punch his ticket. The great scientist, preoccupied with his work, with embarrassment rummaged through his coat pockets and briefcase to no avail. He could not find his ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

Here Are Some Rules To Live By - Marcus ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Here are some RULES TO LIVE BY - Marcus Aurelius, the great Roman philosopher, identified the following traits of a successful person: Consciousness of an honest purpose in life. A just estimate of himself and everyone else. Frequent self-examinations. Steady obedience to what he knows to be right. ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will