In Sermon Illustrations: "Great Commandment"

Eat Twinkies Together

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 23, 2019

A Harvard study of 7,000 people found that the most isolated people were 3 times more likely to die than those with strong relationships. Reporting on the study, John Ortberg writes that “people who had bad health habits (such as smoking, poor eating habits, or alcohol use) but strong social ties ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:15

Tags: Church, Relationships, Synergy

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Revival Begins In The Prayer Closet

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 31, 2022

E.M. Bounds, who was born in 1835, began his three-hour prayer routine at 4am. To him, prayer was not a prelude; it was a priority. Edward Payson, who ministered during the Second Great Awakening, was said to have worn grooves into his hardwood floors as a result of prayer. Adoniram Judson ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3, 2 Chronicles 7:14

Tags: Holy Spirit, Prayer, Revival, Repentance

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

And We Can't Even Preach Without A Sound System Today???

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2022

Peter's sermon to such a large crowd of Jews reminds us of stories of how God's Spirit used George Whitefield in the 1700's as an instrument to bring about the First Great Awakening in America. John MacArthur says that "Whitfield preached in Bristol to 20,000 people regularly, ...read more

Tags: Whitfield, Simon Peter, Power Of God's Word, Pentecost, Gospel, Missions, Preaching, Revival, Word Of God, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ever Hear This Phrase? There Is Some Truth ...

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Sep 15, 2008

Ever hear this phrase? There is some truth there. In this perspective, religion is seen as something negative and even detrimental at times to one’s spiritual walk. Common conceptions here might include the idea that I really don’t need a religion or a church or a faith community as long as I still ...read more

Tags: Religion

Denomination: Church Of God

My Wife And I Have Invested In Some Exercise ...

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Nov 12, 2008

My wife and I have invested in some exercise equipment through the years. We’ve bought a stationary bike, an exercise ball, a weight set and even an Abs-machine. But, most of these items never met their intended goal. Our tone didn’t improve like we intended and we didn’t get stronger. Why? ...read more

Tags: Preparation

Denomination: Lutheran

Nothing But The Cross

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2008

NOTHING BUT THE CROSS J. A. James is quoted as saying, "Although the pulpit is intended to be a pedestal for the cross, even the cross itself is sometimes used as a mere pedestal for the preacher's fame. We may roll the thunders of eloquence, we may scatter the flowers of poetry, we may diffuse ...read more

Tags: Preaching

Preach The Cross

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

PREACH THE CROSS J. A. James is quoted as saying, "Although the pulpit is intended to be a pedestal for the cross, even the cross itself is sometimes used as a mere pedestal for the preacher's fame. We may roll the thunders of eloquence, we may scatter the flowers of poetry, we may diffuse the ...read more

Tags: Crucifixion

What Riches Of Grace

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Charles Spurgeon said: "What riches of grace does free forgiveness exhibit! To forgive at all, to forgive fully, to forgive freely, to forgive ever! Here is a constellation of wonders, and when I think of how great my sins were, how dear were the precious drops which cleansed me from them, I am ...read more

Tags: God's Forgiveness

Someone Once Wrote; And, I Quote: "Whoso Draws ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 31, 2008

Someone once wrote; and, I quote: "Whoso draws nigh to God one step through doubtings dim, God will advance a mile in blazing light to Him." The late great American author, lecturer, and radio commentator, Will Oursler (1913 - 1985), once said: "The beginning of faith is the beginning of our ...read more

Tags: Faith

Alexander Kept "Hope" For Himself

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 26, 2009

ALEXANDER KEPT "HOPE" FOR HIMSELF As Alexander the Great was setting out on his conquest of Asia, he inquired into the finances of his followers. To ensure that they would not be troubled over the welfare of their dependents during their absence, he distributed crown estates and revenues among ...read more

Tags: God Brings Hope

God Has A Way For Getting Your Need Met, Your ...

Contributed by Et Tapper on Feb 9, 2009

God has a way for getting your need met, your problem solved. That way is rooted in your faith’s becoming a SEED When you plant a seed, God changes the nature of that seed so that it becomes a plant, and the power of life surges in that tender young plant to such a great extent that even a ...read more

Tags: Miracles General

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Think It Was G. Campbell Morgan Who Said, "God ...

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 15, 2009

I think it was G. Campbell Morgan who said, “God puts you in a FIX to FIX you; and if you get out of the FIX before you get FIXED, God has to FIX another FIX to FIX you.” I usually use that in my Jonah sermon with regard to the belly of the great fish. It means that God will put us in circumstances ...read more

Tags: Sanctification

Denomination: *other

Moving Day

Contributed by Doug Lyon on Mar 7, 2009

MOVING DAY Shortly before his death, Dr. M. R. De Haan, founder of Radio Bible Class, took great comfort from an article written by J. E. Campbell. The article spoke of death in a unique way: "Moving day is coming. Just when the van will stop at our home we do not know—-but for everyone it is ...read more

Tags: Death

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Is The Fire In Hell Literal Or A Figure Of Speech?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 6, 2022

Brian Bell has an interesting note on as to whether or not it is real flames in Hell or just a figiure of speech: "it seems it is a real torment, thus a real thirst, which desires real water, from a real finger, to touch ...read more

Tags: Hell, Death, Eternity, Scripture, Judgment, Inerrancy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The Fulness Of Time, God Sent His Son

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 19, 2022

•When God sent His Son into the world, the ancient world benefited from several conditions that made it far easier to spread the news of the good new of salvation. Some of those conditions were: • Roman Law - This protected Paul and others as they traveled the Roman world and preached the ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Bethlehem, Rome, Prophecy, History, Sovereignty Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Captain Of The Lord's Hosts

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 17, 2023

The “Captain of the Lord’s Hosts” is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. We call this a CHRISTOPHANY. The word translated as, “Angel”, is another word for “Messenger” and does not limit the Divinity of Christ or make him a mere angel. What does Scripture say about the ...read more

Tags: Joshua, Jesus, Christophanies, Worship, Angels, Captain, Sovereignty Of God, Types, Christ In The Old Testament  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thank God For Blessed Subtractions!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 10, 2023

Three local pastors were discussing their Easter Sunday results with one another on the Monday after Easter. The Methodist minister said, "Easter services worked out great for us! We gained four new additions at First Methodist!" Praise God! The Baptist preacher grinned ...read more

Tags: Arrogance, Bragging, Preachers, Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, Easter, Revival, Church Growth, Pride, Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Chekhov's Advice

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 6, 2023

The great Russian playwright Anton Chekhov wrote to his younger brother in 1879 responding to a letter in which the brother had signed himself as “your insignificant and obscure little brother.” Chekhov’s answer to this false humility is classic. “Do you know,” Chekhov asked in reply, “before whom ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-11

Tags: Humility, Pride

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Much Does The Bible Talk About The Second Coming?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 28, 2023

Biblical prophecy provides some of the greatest encouragement and hope available to us today. Just as the Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ's first advent, so both testaments are filled with references to the second coming of Christ. One scholar has estimated that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, John 14:1-6

Tags: End Times, Prophecy, Second Coming, Last Days, Rapture, Day Of The Lord, Return Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sin Is Sin It Leads To Death No Matter How It Isillustrated.

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Oct 25, 2024

We the Church need to be aware of the danger there is from those who prophecy falsely, there is a great push within Christian circles to accept people's immorality in the name of God’s love, and grace. Sin remains sin, those of us who have repented of our sins know the release and joy that ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:1-41, 2 Corinthians 5:15

Tags: Grace, Acceptance, Salvation, Joy, Power, Redemption, Denial, Punishment, Repentence, Recrucifying Christ, Immorality, Danger, False Teachers, Release, Sanctification, Regeneration  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army