In Sermon Illustrations: "God's protection" showing 5,161-5,180 of 17,104

10 Reasons To Study The Scriptures

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

TEN REASONS TO STUDY THE SCRIPTURES 1. Will strengthen your personal life (1 John 2:14). 2. Will strengthen your assurance of salvation (1 John 5:13). 3. Will strengthen your confidence in your relationship with God (1 John 5:14). 4. Will undergird the effectiveness of your prayers (John 15:7). 5. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Truth, Word Of God, Scripture, Bible Study

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discipleship Is A Call To Suffer

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

John R. Scott gives a modern example of one who suffered for the gospel observing that… "Few men of this century have understood better the inevitability of suffering than Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He seems never to have wavered in his Christian antagonism to the Nazi regime, although it meant for ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:12, Philippians 3:1-20, Romans 1:16

Tags: Will Of God, Suffering, Commitment, Church, Bonhoeffer, Discipleship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Purpose Of Preaching

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 25, 2021

Warren Wiersbe, "Preaching must be marked by three elements: conviction, warning, and appeal ("reprove, rebuke, exhort"). To quote an old rule of preachers, "He should afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted." If there is conviction but no remedy, we add to ...read more

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

Tags: Comfort, Conviction, Preaching, Pastors, The Word Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Light In The Dark - A Poem By Elicia Roy

Contributed by Elicia Roy on Mar 17, 2021

LIGHT IN THE DARK We have been jolted, Tested and tried, Our times have been dark, With some comforts denied. Things that we clung to, And thought our security, Were ripped from our hold, Caused feelings of unsurety. “What will tomorrow bring?” “Is there hope for this dark time?” “Is there any ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:105, Psalm 18:28

Tags: Direction, Light, Guidance, Hope, Word Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Meditate On The Lord.

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Sep 18, 2021

Where I was Pastoring at the time I got 5th Sunday off. I had a favorite fishing hole. The water wasn’t very deep so I could wade in the water. That was fun for me. It had big trees that hung over the water and the sun would shine through them and made it look beautiful. It was great, this river ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Tags: God Teaches To Smooth Us, Life Is Rough

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Unsung Heroes-Those Who Made Copies Of The Scriptures

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 30, 2021

Introduction: sometimes we forget, or take for granted, the easy availability of God’s Word. Retail stores (not just Christian bookstores) sometimes have copies of the whole Bible for a dollar per copy! Secondhand or thrift stores occasionally have donated Bibles and other portions for a very ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 9:1-2

Tags: Jeremiah, Baruch, Daniel, Scribes, Word Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A Grief Observed

Contributed by Davon Huss on May 20, 2022

C.S. Lewis married when he was older to a woman named Joy. Joy got cancer and died just some years after they were married. Lewis, being a writer, wrote down his thoughts after she died in a journal. He turned that journal in a book called, “A Grief Observed.” The first few pages are somewhat ...read more

Scripture: John 11:35, Psalm 88:9

Tags: Loss, Peace, Answers, Grief, Where Is God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Keys To Understanding The Parables

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 13, 2022

KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING THE PARABLES Parables provide insight into the nature, coming, growth and of the Kingdom of God. Parables are by design intended to be surprising. They often sneak up on us. Parables are used to simulate thinking and cause the hearer to carefully contemplate what they ...read more

Tags: Teaching, Truth, Kingdom Of God, Parables, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Responsiblity To All Living Creatures

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Nov 18, 2022

Genesis 9:1-7 Devotional From Gen. 9:1-3 we note God blessed Noah and his sons. What was the command? – same as for the first man and woman – populate the earth (somewhat of a new beginning) What were given to man in v2? – man was given the responsibility to rule over all other creatures on ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:1-7

Tags: Responsibilty On Earth, People, Nature, God's Love

Denomination: Independent/Bible

From Godly To Rebellion?

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Nov 25, 2022

Genesis 10 – 11:9…. Look again at verses 10:5, 20, 31…. and 11:1…. What do you think is the explanation for this? – v32 gives the answer; all came from Noah (with his language, but the 3 sons went to all different areas of the world) The second half of Genesis 11 speaks of Abraham, from the line ...read more

Tags: God's Love, Godly, Evil, Rebellion, Mankind  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Parable Of The Pearl

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 28, 2022

Once there was a man who collected and traded in pearls. He had a fine collection of his own. But one day, while he was away on business, he spotted a beautiful pearl in a Jeweler's window. It was a pearl such as he had never seen, perfect in shape, size, and color. He thought to himself, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Tags: Discipleship, Decisions, Commitment, Kingdom Of God, Sacrifice  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who's In Charge?

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Jun 3, 2023

One of the most disturbing movies ever produced is Francis Ford Coppola’s classic reflection on the Vietnam War, Apocalypse Now. The film tracks an American officer who is sent upriver into the heart of the war-torn countryside in order to find and eventually assassinate a renegade commander who ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:1-17

Tags: Four Horsemen, God's Sovereignty, Apocalypse, Wrath

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Pearl Tree Parable

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 24, 2023

The kingdom of God is like a seed which a woman planted in her garden, and when the time came for the harvest, the tree branches were groaning under the weight of hundreds of large and beautiful pearls which rained down upon everyone who had taken shelter there, and they all became rich beyond ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-52

Tags: Kingdom Of God, Reward, Hidden Future, Fruit

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Belt Of Truth

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jul 9, 2023

I need Jesus. I need Him because He is the truth! I need Him because without Him I am weak and unable to fight the battles that constantly throw lies my way. I need to be prepared for the battle by having the armor of God. I need the belt of truth. Rick Burdette, minister with Cornerstone ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:14

Tags: Jesus Is Truth, Armor Of God, Belt Of Truth

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sun And The Wind

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 16, 2024

One day, the Sun and the Wind argued over who was stronger. They see a man walking with a coat and decide to settle their dispute by seeing who can make him remove his coat. The Wind blows fiercely, but the harder it blows, the tighter the man clutches his coat. Then, the Sun gently shines its warm ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:1

Tags: Persuade, God's Warmth, Gentleness, Gentle, Fables  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[019] A Message From A Poem - An Atheist’s Lament

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 22, 2024

[019] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - AN ATHEIST’S LAMENT I do not know how many nations know what the 1st of April is. In western society it is known as April Fools’ Day and is a time when some play tricks on others. The Day is also known as “All Fools’ Day.” The following is taken from The Editors ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:1, Psalm 53:1-2, Ecclesiastes 2:14

Tags: April Fools Day, Fools, Atheists, There Is No God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Use The Old Golf Ball!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 8, 2024

As the golfer approached the first tee, a hazardous hole with a green surrounded by water, he debated if he should use his new golf ball. Deciding that the hole was too treacherous, he pulled out an old ball and placed it on the tee. Just then he heard a voice from above say loudly: "Use the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Lord's Prayer, Will Of God, Golf, Thy Will Be Done

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tiger Breath!" Matthew 6:9-13 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Feb 6, 2005

“Tiger Breath!” Matthew 6:9-13 Key verse(s): 13:“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” It has been foreordained that life is a temptation! Now that is a depressing thought if I ever heard one. Foreordained? That means that no matter what I do or how I do it, ultimately I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13, Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Sin Exposed, Risk Of Sin, Release, Sin Separates From God

Denomination: Lutheran

Standing Where The Fire Has Already Been!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 26, 2023

“Many years ago, a father and his daughter were walking through the grass on the Canadian prairie. In the distance, they saw a prairie fire, and they realized that it would soon engulf them. The father knew there was only one way of escape: they would quickly begin a fire right where they were and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9

Tags: Assurance, Blood Of Jesus, Forgiveness, Holiness Of God, Reconciliation, Roman Road, Salvation, Satan, Wrath Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

But Before That...  PRO

Contributed by Gregg Strawbridge on Jul 7, 2002

BUT BEFORE THAT... In 1992, when our own Govenor, Kirk Fordice stated unreservedly “America is a Christian nation” the response bordered on hysteria. But before that -- Congress, declared 1983 to be the “Year of the Bible” — stating that the Bible, the Word of God, has made a unique contribution ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:18, Psalm 33:12

Tags: Kingdom Of God, July, Heritage, History, Independence Day, Independence, America, Freedom  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed