In Sermon Illustrations: "Faith In Jesus"

The Easy Yoke

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 15, 2020

A yoke was a wooden frame which was put on the backs of animals and around their necks joining the two animals for a common task, such as plowing or pulling a load. If you were yoked with Jesus Christ, who do you think would "pull the load"? Obviously the Lord. And so in order to manifest ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: Discipleship, Beatitudes, Christian Life, Surrender, Yoke, Following Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Auctioneer And The Old Violin

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 20, 2020

Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while To waste much time on the old violin, But held it up with a smile. ‘What am I bidden, good folks,’ he cried, ‘Who’ll start the bidding for me? A dollar, a dollar,’ then ‘Two; Only two? Two dollars, and who’ll make it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, John 3:1-7

Tags: New Birth, Jesus, Salvation, Cross, Redemption, Change, Transformation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Holding Others Up

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

One of the best leaders and models in discipleship was Dawson Trotman, who died after helping to rescue two drowning girls. Says Chuck Swindoll: “When Dawson Trotman passed away, he probably left a legacy of discipleship on this earth that will never be matched except perhaps in the life of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 9:23, Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Discipleship, Following Jesus, Great Commission, Dawson Trotman, Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Moses And Elijah

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 6, 2022

Lessons to learn about the appearance of Moses & Elijah and departed loved ones: They lived on even though they had left earth hundreds of years before. They could be identified without any formal introduction. They could speak to each other. Their intelligence was not ...read more

Tags: Elijah, Glory, Jesus, Moses, Heaven, Cross, Miracles, Transfiguration  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Deity Of Christ In Scripture

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 6, 2022

While Jesus was and is a man, He was and is also God. What does the Bible say? • He is omnipresent – Matt, 18:20; Matt. 28:20 • He is omnipotent – Matt. 28:18; Heb. 1:3 1. Over disease – Matt. 4:23 2. Over Satan – Heb. 2:14 3. Over demons – Matt. 8:16 4. Over men – John 17:2 5. ...read more

Tags: Virgin Birth, Deity Of Christ, Two Natures, Christmas, Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Evidence For The Resurrection Is Reliable And True

Contributed by Timothy Lueking on Apr 3, 2023

It was the middle of the 1800s and a man by the name of Simon Greenleaf was teaching a class on evidence of law at Harvard University. Greenleaf was considered by many to be the greatest expert on evidence of law the world has ever known. He had been praised for his knowledge and when it comes to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Matthew 28:1-10, 1 Peter 1:3

Tags: Reliability Of Truth, Jesus The Risen Savior, Easter, Resurrection, Evidence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Free Indeed!

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Sep 30, 2023

Once a pastor was speaking on the topic of Spiritual Freedom. He began to wax poetical in his delivery as he repeated over, and over this phrase… “I’m free! I’m free! Praise God I’m free indeed!” After service a little boy shook his hand and said, “Preacher, I’m free! I’m free! I’m free indeed!” ...read more

Scripture: John 8:32, John 8:36, John 8:21-36

Tags: Freedom, Sermons Of Jesus, Pastor Jokes, Laughter The Best Medicine

Denomination: Baptist

Where Are The Nail Prints In Your Hands?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 4, 2023

During the Middle Ages there was a popular story which circulated about Martin of Tours, for whom Martin Luther was named. It was said that Satan once appeared to St Martin in the guise of the Savior himself saying that he was Jesus. Martin was ready to fall to his feet and worship this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Tags: Temptation, Blood Of Jesus, Atonement, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Cross  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bridge That Wouldn't Break

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 8, 2024

As the Union Pacific Railroad was being constructed, an elaborate trestle bridge was built across a large canyon in the West. Wanting to test the bridge, the builder loaded a train with enough extra cars and equipment to double its normal payload. The train was then driven to the middle of the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Victory, Defeat, Jesus, Sin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Is Left-Handed!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 12, 2024

Little Philip was spending the weekend with his grandmother after a particularly trying week in infant school. His grandmother decided to take him to the park on Saturday morning. It had been snowing all night and everything was beautiful. His grandmother commented, 'Doesn't it look like ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:34, Colossians 3:1

Tags: Father, Jesus, Children, Sunday School, Grandmother, Throne Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[194]. A Message From A Poem– No Other Is So Worthy

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 9, 2025

[194]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM– NO OTHER IS SO WORTHY This is a worship and praise poem. When we ascribe majesty to Jesus we are worshipping Him. I have tried to do that because He is INDEED worthy of our feeble praise. When we are in heaven one day as part of the whole redeemed Church, our ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 99:9, Psalm 95:6, Psalm 29:1-2, Revelation 5:9

Tags: Jesus Is Worthy, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Worship, Praise  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Missionary Explains Gospel To A Devoted ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 26, 2010

Missionary Explains Gospel to a Devoted Hindu Faith in Jesus is the means to appropriate God’s justification. Since Jesus Christ has finished the salvation of humanity, man’s response is to rely on that finished work. Reliance on Jesus for salvation is putting our total trust in Him. Perhaps a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31

Tags: Missions, Salvation By Grace

Family Resemblance

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 23, 2025

Family Resemblance *There will always be resemblance in families, and I'm not just talking about our physical appearance. I'm talking about the way we talk, our mannerisms, our quirks, our habits, and our attitudes. Well, what's true about our earthly families is also true about ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 144:1-15

Tags: Traitors, Deceivers, The Lord Of Hosts, Floods, High Tower, Righteous War, God's Help, Deliverer, King David, Brevity, Praise The Lord, Mortality, Shield, Salvation, Joy, Rock, Fortress  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Persuasion

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 12, 2023

A pastor asked a dying man, "My friend, what persuasion are you?" The man replied, "I am of Paul’s persuasion." The pastor said, "I am afraid you didn’t understand me. Of what persuasion are you?" The man answered, "Oh, I understood you. I am of Paul’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-9, Romans 8:28-39, 1 John 5:1-13

Tags: Assurance, Pastors, Denominations, Faith, Death, Heaven, Salvation, Hope  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Happens When We Learn About A Really Bad ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

What happens when we learn about a really bad guy repenting? It happens all the time in prison ministry, yet many of us think those people aren’t worth saving. They had more chances than most of us are willing to give them, yet God hasn’t given up on them. Jeffrey Dahmer was a convicted murderer ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

What Must We Do To Get Married?

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Jan 12, 2019

A couple once asked me: "What must we do to get married?" I answered: "All you have to do is say, I do." But, I ask you, was this all? What about the ring, the marriage license, the blood test and the wedding ceremony? Are these also parts of getting married? In marriage, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:30-31, Hebrews 11:1

Tags: I Do, Faith In 3d, Commitment, Salvation, Obedience, Confession, Purpose, Foundation, Faith, Love, Marriage  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Greatest Commandment

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 22, 2025

From the Talmud: Rabbi Simlai taught "Six hundred and thirteen commandments were given to Moses; then David came and reduced them to eleven in Psalm 15.; Isaiah (33:15), to six; Micah (6:8), to three; Isaiah again (56:1), to two; and Habakkuk ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17, Mark 12:28-34, Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 5:1, Matthew 22:36-40  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ten Commandments, Greatest Commandment, Law Keeping, Justification By Faith, Two Great Commands, Torah, Faith And Works  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Judgment Seat Of Christ - 10 Things To Know

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 2, 2023

In Paul's day, every city in Greece built a public place called the Bema, or “judgment seat”. It was from this raised platform, usually in the center of town, that official announcements were made, judgments rendered and commendations handed out. All public proclamations came from this Bema ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Tags: Judgment, Judgment Seat, Rewards, Bema, Resurrection, Heaven, Faithfulness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Conversion Of A Communist

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

Leonard Ravenhill tells the story of preaching an 8-day crusade in a large church in Glasgow, Scotland starting the first day of World War II. That shattered his meetings and no more than 50 people showed, so they started to meet in a side room instead. Despite this, he preached his heart out every ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Tags: Resurrection, Power

Denomination: Methodist

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