In Sermon Illustrations: "False Gospel"

Four Descriptions Of A Life Without Christ

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 2, 2023

Satan hates God and everything and everyone in the Kingdom of God. He fights the Kingdom on a daily basis and will continue to try to stop the Gospel from spreading (I Thess. 2:18, Ephesians 6:11-12). Paul described the condition of all of those who are unbelievers and living in the Kingdom of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:10, 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, Acts 16:31, 1 Corinthians 1:23, 2 Corinthians 4:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Gospel, Satan, Salvation, Spiritual Blindness, Unbelievers, Unsaved, Lost, Perishing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

People Still Want To Be Invited To Church

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

Most Americans say they would visit a church if invited by a family member, neighbor or a friend. A recent study by the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and LifeWay Research found that 67 percent of Americans say a personal invitation from a family member would be effective in getting them to ...read more

Scripture: John 20:21, Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Easter, Church, Gospel, Evangelism, Missions, Lost, Unchurched, Unbelievers, Wintessing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What The Bible Says About The Resurrection Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

Well over three hundred verses are concerned with the subject of Jesus' resurrection in the New Testament. We are told that this event is a sign for unbelievers (Matthew 12:38-40); cf. John 20:24-29) as well as the answer for the believer's doubt (Luke 24:38-43). It serves as the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:38-43

Tags: Christ, Easter, Resurrection, Heaven, Gospel, Cross, Miracles, Empty Tomb  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Misusing The Good

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 23, 2019

The Gospel does not alter God's promises for Israel. It is not meant for that, just as a laser light has specific purposes but can be misused. Laser pointers are not toys. [https://phys.org/newsstory below:] Concern is growing over the safe use of small, battery powered, hand held lasers. For ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:1-20

Tags: Israel, The Gospel, Damage, Ignorance, Mischief, Charlatans, Expense Of Others, Wreckless  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Man In History Who Refused His Own Pardon

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 18, 2021

In the early 1800’s, President Andrew Jackson issued a full pardon to George Wilson, a man sentenced to be hanged for his crime. However, believe it or not, George Wilson refused the pardon from President Jackson. But could he legally refuse the President’s pardon? Supreme Court Justice John ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12

Tags: Salvation, The Gospel, Pardon, How To Be Saved, Choices, Receiving Christ, Evangelism  (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

The Keepers Of The Aquarium

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 4, 2022

The late Sam Shoemaker, an Episcopalian bishop, summed up the situation this way with the way churches are not fulfilling the Great Commission of Christ to share the Gospel with the world: "In the Great Commission the Lord has called us to be -- like Peter -- fishers of men. We've turned ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Great Supper, Evangelism, Outreach, Gospel, Witnessing, Churches, Great Commission  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Eight Lies About Hell

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 6, 2022

HERE ARE 8 LIES OF THE DEVIL CONCERNING HELL. Unfortunately, many of these lies are found in pulpits, churches, seminaries or college campuses. 1.Hell is not a place, it is a state of mind (16:22 – “he died”). 2. Hell is annhiliation. When you die, you no longer exist! 3. Hell is ...read more

Tags: Death, Deception, Hell, Eternity, False Teachers, Satan, Judgment, Lake Of Fire  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ted Turner Turned Away From God

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2022

Cable television mogul Ted Turner criticized conservative Christianity and said, "Jesus probably would be sick at his stomach" over the way his ideas have been "twisted" by today's preachers, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Turner made his remarks at a ...read more

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

Tags: False Professors, Bitterness, Apostasy, Deception, Denying The Truth, Unbelief, Last Days  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[021] A Message From A Poem - Artificial People Living Artificial Lives

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 26, 2024

[021] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ARTIFICIAL PEOPLE LIVING ARTIFICIAL LIVES They say you can’t trust funeral directors, real estate agents (relators) and used car salesmen. That may be a generalisation but I think it does contain an element of truth. Anyway, moving to the core of the subject here ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:3

Tags: Artificial Lives, Hypoctites, Rolex, Play Actor, False, Fake, Artificial, Pretence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Six Major Heresies Confronting The Church Today

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 11, 2024

Since that very moment in the Garden of Eden when a single bite shattered the harmony of the world, man has tried to make his own way, be his own master, and set up his own kingdom. It's nothing new. Nevertheless, if we want to be faithful followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in this ...read more

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

Tags: Scripture, Discernment, Truth, Legalism, Word Of God, Last Days, New Age Movement, Hyper Grace, Emerging Church, Doctrine, Heresy, False Teachers, Pastors, Universalism, Prosperity Gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Be A Casanova.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 2, 2022

CASANOVA was renown for his self-indulgence, lust and hundreds of affairs. He ended his life in deception. On his death bed at the age of 73, he never repented, but simply said "I have lived as a philosopher and die as a Christian!" He has become so famous for his affairs with women ...read more

Tags: Obedience, Lost, Unsaved, False Assurance, Hearers, Doers, Hell, Eternity, Deception, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Going No Where Fast  PRO

Contributed by Philip Cairns on Feb 1, 2002

GOING NO WHERE FAST In his book "Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life", the author Charles Swindoll tells a story about the 19th Century agnostic Thomas Huxley (some of you might know that it was Huxley who promoted Darwinism and Humanism in his attacks on Christianity). Huxley was in Dublin and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:1-22, Exodus 2:11-23

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers, Hurry, Knowing God's Will, Gospel, Assurance Of Salvation, Busy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Holiness

Do You Really Believe What You Are Preaching?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 7, 2022

When Charles Peace (a convicted thief and murderer) was being escorted to the gallows, he was accompanied by a clergyman reading from The Consolations of Religion about the “flames never quenched.” Peace was a known criminal for whom the public had no sympathy; no one can say with confidence the ...read more

Tags: Scripture, Truth, Unbelievers, Last Words, Preaching, Gospel, Evangelism, Death, Witnessing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Ministered In The Marketplace More Than Anywhere Else.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 4, 2022

Christ met unbelievers where they were. And He met them most often in the marketplace, not in a place of worship. He realized what many Christians today still don't seem to understand. Cultivators have to get out in the field. According to one count, the Gospels record 132 contacts that ...read more

Tags: Great Supper, Church, Gospel, Parables, Witnessing, Great Commission, Marketplace, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seven Ways To Test The Spirits

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 2, 2023

The late A. W. Tozer had some wise counsel on how to test the spirits” from I John 4:1. He posed seven tests to apply to any teaching: (1) How does the teaching affect my relationship with God? Is He magnified and glorified, or diminished? (2) How does the teaching affect my attitude toward ...read more

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

Tags: False Teachers, Holy Spirit, Satan, Teachers, Teaching, Spirit Of Error, Spirits, Truth, Will Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Big Fat Lie Of Temptation

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 8, 2024

John Piper says that sin (lust for example) "gets its power by persuading me to believe that I will be much happier if I will follow it. The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier." And all of God's children ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Deception, False Teaching, Happiness, Lusts, Lies, Satan, Truth, Tests, Temptation, Spiritual Warfare  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When C.i. Scofield Met Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 14, 2023

Many years ago in St. Louis, a lawyer visited a Christian to transact some business. Before the two parted, his client said to him, "I've often wanted to ask you a question, but I've been afraid to do so." "What do you want to know?" asked the lawyer. The man replied, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23

Tags: Adam, Alcohol, Drunkenness, Gospel, Evangelism, Salvation, Sinful Nature, Sinners, Sin, Witnessing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keepers Of The Aquarium

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 14, 2023

The late Sam Shoemaker, an Episcopalian bishop, summed up the situation this way: "In the Great Commission the Lord has called us to be--like Peter--fishers of men. We've turned the commission around so that we have become merely keepers of the aquarium. Occasionally I take some fish out ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23

Tags: Witnessing, Sin, Salvation, Pastors, Lost, Evangelism, Gospel, Grace, Great Commission, Churches  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Tragedy On The Drawbridge

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 12, 2023

A man had the duty to raise a drawbridge to allow the steamboats to pass on the river below and to lower it again for trains to cross over on land. One day, this man's son visited him, desiring to watch his father at work. Quite curious, as most boys are, he peeked into a trapdoor that was ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, Romans 5:8

Tags: Salvation, Blood Of Jesus, Calvary, Easter, Death Of Christ, Cross, Crucifixion, Gospel, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational