In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus' Authority" showing 1,861-1,880 of 8,963

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

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Get Out Of The Boat Until You Are Ordered!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 7, 2022

“Peter did not get out of the boat until he was ordered. God will not bless you in any adventure that He has not ordered. Faith is rooted in the Word of God and the will of God, not your feelings and emotions. It is stepping out on the promises and commands of God.  You don't name and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4, Hebrews 12:1-3

Tags: Walking On Water, Jesus, Faith, Fear, Peter, Obedience, Miracles  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Peter Wanted To Walk On The Water

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 7, 2022

Peter said to Jesus, "Command me to come to You on the water !" He wasn't getting out of the boat until the Lord called him to do that. Don't go and jump out of your boat and then expect a miracle from Jesus if He hasn't called you out of the boat in the first ...read more

Tags: Fear, Faith, God's Voice, Jesus, Miracles, Obedience, Peter  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If We Could Only See From God's Perspective

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 7, 2022

A man was walking along a railroad track on a very dark night when he came to a bridge.  He had gotten halfway across when he heard a train whistle up ahead.  He quickened his pace, but soon could see the light of the oncoming locomotive approaching.   With nowhere ...read more

Tags: Peter, Obedience, Miracles, Sovereignty Of God, Jesus, Faith, Fear  (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: Resurrection, Reliability Of Truth, Easter, Evidence, Jesus The Risen Savior  (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: Sermons Of Jesus, Laughter The Best Medicine, Pastor Jokes, Freedom

Denomination: Baptist

I Sent You Two Boats And A Helicopter!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 21, 2023

A man of faith is on top of a roof during a great flood in the South. Another man comes by in a boat and says, "Get in, get in, the water is rising!" The man of faith replied, "No, sir. I have faith in God and I know that He will answer my prayer and give me a miracle." So, ...read more

Tags: Protection, Prayer, Miracles, Miracles Of Jesus, Angels, Fear, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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: Atonement, Blood Of Jesus, Cross, Satan, Temptation, Spiritual Warfare  (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: Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Sin, Satan, Jesus, Defeat, Victory  (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

Praise Him In My Heart  PRO

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 4, 2001

PRAISE HIM IN MY HEART Praise God for Christmas. Praise Him for the incarnation, for the word made flesh. I will not sing of shepherds watching flocks on frosty nights, or angel choristers. I will not sing of a stable bare in Bethlehem, or lowing oxen, wise men trailing star with gold, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Tags: Christmas Advent, Christmas, Birth Of Jesus, Farewell, Graduation, Goodbye, Transition  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Questions For Mary  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 30, 2004

QUESTIONS FOR MARY Max Lucado has twenty-five questions that he wants to ask Mary the mother of Jesus, here are a few of my favorites. What was it like watching him pray? When he saw a rainbow, did he ever mention a flood? Did you ever feel awkward teaching him how he created the world? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Divinity Of Christ, Annunciation, Mary, Mary Jesus Mother, People In The Gospel  (view more)  (view less)

A Better Vow  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 22, 2003

A BETTER VOW Eric Snyder, Minister of the Farwell Church of Christ tells this story: I recently did a wedding. During the wedding rehearsal, the groom pulled me aside and made me an offer. He said "Look, I’ll give you $100 if you’ll change the wedding vows. When you get to me and the part ...read more

Tags: Submission, Romantic Love, Oneness, Marriage, Marriage General, Miracles Of Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

The Debt Is Paid

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Jul 25, 2018

Main Idea: Because of our sin, we owe a great debt that is impossible to pay, but Jesus paid the debt. Verse: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NKJV). Illustration: One time I was buying a sandwich at a store and I did not ...read more

Tags: Wages Of Sin, Jesus Paid Our Debt, Debt Is Paid, Sin

Denomination: Charismatic

Misunderstanding The Value Of The Cross

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 9, 2022

Some years ago, a 14-foot bronze crucifix was stolen from Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas. It had stood at the entrance to that cemetery for more than 50 years. The cross was put there in 1930 by a Catholic bishop and had been valued at the time at $10,000. The thieves apparently cut it ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-4, Romans 5:8

Tags: Blood Of Jesus, Cross, Crucifixion, Gospel, Lost, Truth, Saved, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Christmas Illustration

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 19, 2022

Jesus came to offer Himself for the sins of the world. o He was born in another man’s stable. o He was laid in another man’s manger. o He would preach in another man’s boat. o He would ride into Jerusalem on another man’s colt. o He would eat His last supper in another man’s upper room. o He ...read more

Tags: Jesus, Christmas, Birth Of Christ, Sacrifice, One Another, Others, Messiah  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Baby's Smile

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Dec 28, 2022

The Baby’s Smile “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.” John 16:21 We are in the last few days of the year. Most of our thoughts on Christmas is that it is ...read more

Scripture: John 16:21

Tags: Smile, Hope, After Christmas, Baby Jesus, Cross, Cradle To The Cross  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Currency

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Mar 19, 2023

Jesus might have asked, when presented with the coin with Caesar's image on it: "Whose image do you bear, whose image is stamped on you?” And the answer would have been - or should - have been: "We are carrying God’s image, we are carrying God’s name.” He coined us in his image. He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:34-40, Matthew 22:19-21

Tags: Jesus The Stranger, Image Of God, Coin, Circulation, Joseph G Donders  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed