In Sermon Illustrations: "God's Plan" showing 1,641-1,660 of 17,547

If You Want God's Favor

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 15, 2023

"If you want God's favor, there are two ways to relate to him. You can relate to him as an heir, or you can relate to him as a slave. The difference is that a slave tries to become acceptable to his master by presenting him valuable service; but the heir trusts that the inheritance of his ...read more

Tags: Grace, Freedom, Law, Legalism, Slave, Sonship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith Is Resting My Whole Weight On God!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 23, 2023

When missionary John Paton was translating the Scripture for the South Sea islanders, he was unable to find a word in their vocabulary for the concept of believing, trusting, or having faith. He had no idea how he would convey that to them. One day while he was in his hut translating, a native came ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Faith, Revival, Faithfulness, Spiritual Fruit, Fruit Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

7 Ways That Eve Distorted The Word Of God

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 27, 2023

Let’s go back to Genesis 2:16-17 to review exactly what God said and then we’ll compare it to the distortion Eve came up with: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in ...read more

Tags: Eve, Sin, Evil, Satan, Truth, Temptation, Word Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Knows What Is Happening In Your Nation

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 21, 2023

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that God is asleep when it comes to nations, or that He is out of touch when it comes to carnal banquets, or that He sits in Heaven wringing His hands when it comes to godless rulers (and foolish presidents!) who make unfair, rash, or stupid decisions. Mark it ...read more

Tags: Kings, Governments, Presidents, Wicked Rulers, Nations  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Still Has One More Move

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Sep 22, 2023

This is a story about a painting in a famous art gallery in France. The painting depicts two chess players, one of whom is Satan, who appears arrogantly confident, and the other is a man who looks forlorn. If Satan wins, he wins the man's soul. (The painting is now popularly known as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4, 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 4:7, Ephesians 6:11, 1 Peter 5:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Painting, Control, Player, Chess

If God Took The Holy Spirit Out Of This World...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 15, 2023

"If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of this world, much of what we’re doing in our churches would go right on and nobody would ever know the difference!" "I do not believe in a repetition of Pentecost......but I do believe in a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8-11, Ephesians 5:18

Tags: Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Revival, Feast Of Pentecost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of God's Word In The Philippines

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 17, 2024

Joanne Shetler, a dedicated missionary, spent years living among the Balangao people in the Philippines. Her mission was to translate the Bible into their language and share the good news of the Savior. However, progress was slow. One day, Ama, a man who had adopted Joanne as his Balangao ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Bible, Salvation, Missions, Miracles, God's Word, Genealogies Of The Bible  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Love Expressed At Christmas

Contributed by Richard L. Brown on Nov 23, 2024

When I was in the third grade (1963) the hot toy for boys that year was “The Riffleman’s Riffle”. It was a Loop-Lever-Winchester 44 caliber Rifle just like Lucas McCain’s rifle on the show….and every kid wanted one. I used to watch the show and fantasize that I was Marc McCane, Lucas McCain’s ...read more

Tags: Christmas, God's Love

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

He Is The Potter; We Are The Clay. He Is The ...  PRO

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Dec 15, 2003

He is the potter; we are the clay. He is the shepherd; we are the sheep. He is the Master; we are the servant. No matter how educated we are, no matter how much power and influence we may think we possess, no matter how long we have walked w/ Him, no matter how significant we may imagine ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:39, Jeremiah 18:1-6, Jeremiah 18:1-12

Tags: Knowing God's Will, Doing God's Will

Denomination: Baptist

I Once Talked With General Charles M. Duke, A ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 27, 2005

I once talked with General Charles M. Duke, a former astronaut who went on the Apollo 16 mission to the moon. I asked, “Once you were there, weren’t you free to make your own decisions and carry out your own experiments. He smiled and said “Sure, if I didn’t want to return to earth!” He went on to ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:11-19

Tags: Knowing God's Will, Doing God's Will

Denomination: Baptist

God Thought About My Future Before I Even Had A ...

Contributed by Randall Bergsma on Dec 5, 2006

God thought about my future before I even had a present! Let me explain. I know that some of you are already saving money for sending your kids to future education. And you don’t even have kids yet! You are pre-planning! That’s awesome. That’s the love of a parent, getting ready to give that ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Weaver  PRO

Contributed by David Haun on Dec 21, 2003

"The Weaver" J.B. Hernley My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me, I may not choose the colors, He knows what they should be. For He can view the pattern upon the upper side, While I can see it only on this, the under side. "Sometimes He weaveth sorrow, which seems strange to me; But I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:13

Tags: Knowing God's Will, God The Father

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

51% Of Baby Boomers Say They Are Doing Financial ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 13, 2009

51% of baby boomers say they are doing financial planning and their goals are set and on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:22-34

Tags: God's Provision

Behind The Scenes

Contributed by Brad Henry on Sep 20, 2011

BEHIND THE SCENES No wonder we are frustrated with the plans we see. We see injustice, but we don’t see behind the scenes. At Disney World there is a whole city underneath the Magic Kingdom. People are changing clothes, making outfits, and doing all the work to make everything above ground go ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships

Thoughts On Discipleship By Willard, Stott, And ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 23, 2010

THOUGHTS ON DISCIPLESHIP by Willard, Stott, and Warren Dallas Willard in his book "Divine Conspiracy" states: "....discipleship is real-life apprenticeship to Jesus." If we are students of Jesus then we must be with him. If I am an apprentice, a disciple, that means I must be with him to learn ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Tags: Discipleship

I Don't Know About You But I Believe One Of The ...

Contributed by Tim Overton on Nov 27, 2003

I don’t know about you but I believe one of the most important considerations in Christian life, salvation and believer’s baptism taking preeminence; is knowing what the Will of God, for our life is. As I have studied this subject, I have noticed that the phrase “Will of God” or “God’s Will” ...read more

Tags: Knowing God's Will, Doing God's Will

Denomination: Baptist

Outline Of Psalm 119 - The Power Of God's Word

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 14, 2023

Psalms 119 - David proclaims the power of God's Word. David in this Psalm describes God's Word in 48 different ways. Here are a few: 1. The Word of God is the source of cleansing - Psalms 119:9 (KJV) Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: David, Bible, Psalms, Word Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There Is A Little Bird In Kentucky That Is ...  PRO

Contributed by James Marshall on May 5, 2003

There is a little bird in Kentucky that is called a Killdeer bird. It builds it nest beside the road in the gravel.The eggs look gray and white speckles like the gravel on the roads. Children love to try to get them,The fun part is when you get close to her nest she will move off and ack like her ...read more

Tags: Temptation General, Temptation Resisting

Denomination: Pentecostal

My Little Red Bible - The Living Word Of God

Contributed by Perry Hancock on Nov 10, 2021

My Little Red Bible - The Living Word of God Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and powerful..." When I was 6 years old my parents gave me a little red Bible. Today, if you saw it, you would say that it has surely seen better days. Every time I pick it up it loses a little ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Tags: The Bible, Scripture, The Word Of God

Denomination: Baptist

The Citizens Of Feldkirch, Austria, Didn’t ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Sep 14, 2001

The citizens of Feldkirch, Austria, didn’t know what to do. Napoleon’s massive army was preparing to attack. Soldiers had been spotted on the heights above the little town, which was situated on the Austrian border. A council of citizens was hastily summoned to decide whether they should try to ...read more

Tags: God's Provision, God's Omnipotence

Denomination: Baptist