In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus Lives"

You Are Richer Than You Think...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 6, 2022

The richest 2% of the world's population owns more than half of the world's household wealth. Assets of just $2,200 per adult place a household in the top half of the worlds wealthiest. To be among the richest 10% of adults in the world, just $61,000 in assets is needed. If you have ...read more

Tags: Judgment, Blessings, Death, Eternity, Money, Wealth, Poverty  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Welcome To Your Hut In Heaven!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2022

A man died and went to heaven.  He was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter who led him down the golden streets.  They passed stately homes and beautiful mansions until they came to the end of the street where they stopped in front of a rundown cabin.   The man asked St. Peter why ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Budget, Heaven, Giving, Stewardship, Tithing, Church Members, Surprises  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Getting Along

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 7, 2023

I read this account from Readers Digest: To save money, I suggested to one of my grown sons that we all live together in one house. I could tell he didn’t think it would be cost-effective when he asked, Who’s going to pay the therapist? That is something to think about. We love our families, but ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:15

Tags: Conflict, Gossip, Harmony, Arguments, Bickering  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Revenge, Justice And Grace

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 19, 2023

Someone has offered this penetrating comparison of the difference between revenge, justice, and grace. If someone brutally murders your son and you take things into your own hands, that's revenge. If you're content to allow the law and the courts to arrest and punish the offender, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness, Salvation, Redemption, Justification, Revenge, Adoption, Justice  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tony Evans Talks About God's Providence

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 21, 2023

Tony Evans described God's providence this way: “There are many times in our lives when God is nowhere to be found. There are many times when we look for God, but He cannot be located. There are many times when it seems like God is letting things happen to you and me that He wouldn’t ...read more

Tags: Esther, God, Trust, God's Will, God's Providence, Faith, Protection  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stop Look And Listen

Contributed by David Parks on Oct 11, 2023

Stop Look and Listen Early in the 20th century, with the advent of the automobile, the country's largest railroad became concerned about the many collisions at crossings. The company offered $2,500 for the three best words to use on a warning sign. The top prize winner was paid $833 for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:15-21, Romans 10:17, Psalm 19:1

Tags: Spirituality, Materialism, Faith

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why The Titanic Was Destroyed

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 28, 2024

In 1912, the world saw the maiden voyage of the great Titanic ship. Tragically, during the journey, the Titanic received a message from another ship that there were dangerous icebergs in the area. The radio operator put the message under a weight at his elbow and went on with his work. It ...read more

Tags: Action, Voice Of God, Disobedience, Hearing God, Works, Doers Of The Word, Obedience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Moonlight

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Feb 3, 2026

The moon doesn’t produce light. It has no power source of its own. No battery. No glow stick taped to the back. It simply reflects the sun. That’s us. We don’t generate love through effort, emotion, or religious hustle. We reflect Christ’s love as we remain in Him. When we stay close, obedience ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-10

Tags: Loving Others, Reflections

Denomination: Other

Two Men Are Seated In A Plane. The First Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

Two men are seated in a plane. The first is given a parachute and told to put is on as it would improve his flight. He’s a little skeptical at first because he can’t see how wearing a parachute in a plane could possibly improve the flight. After a time he decides to experiment and see if the claim ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23, Psalm 66:10

Tags: Temptation, Tempt, God's Provision

Jewish Weddings Are A Portrait Of The Last Days

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 2, 2023

When a Jewish man found a woman he liked (and most times his father would pick one out for him) he would approach the young lady with a marriage contract (a covenant). In the contract were laid out the legal terms in which he would propose marriage. The most important part of this contract was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Tags: Revelation, Church, Israel, End Times, Last Days, Rapture, Bride Of Christ, Weddings  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[096]. A Message From A Poem – From Earth To Heaven

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 3, 2025

[096]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FROM EARTH TO HEAVEN This poem is one of rhyming couplets and the theme is “now on earth, but looking towards being in heaven with the Lord.” Do you love the world? Well my answer is yes and no. I absolutely love the world, that is, the creation in the world. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:2-3, Hebrews 6:19, Romans 3:11-18, Psalm 8:3, Psalm 19:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Creation, Glory, Heaven, Hope, Poem, The World, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Listen To These Words Of A Taxicab Driver: ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 23, 2001

Listen to these words of a taxicab driver: Because I drive the night shift, my cab often becomes a moving confessional. Passengers climb in, sit behind me in total anonymity, & tell me about their lives. I encounter people whose lives amaze me, ennoble me, make me laugh & sometimes weep. But ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-5

Tags: Character

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Words Of A Taxicab Driver  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 26, 2007

Listen to these words of a taxicab driver…: Because I drive the night shift, my cab often becomes a moving confessional. Passengers climb in, sit behind me in total anonymity, and tell me about their lives. I encounter people whose lives amaze me, some ennoble me, others make me laugh and ...read more

Tags: Kindness

Kindness: The Closing Of A Life

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 25, 2011

KINDNESS: THE CLOSING OF A LIFE Because I drive the night shift, my cab often becomes a moving confessional. Passengers climb in, sit behind me in total anonymity, and tell me about their lives. I encounter people whose lives amaze me, some ennoble me, others make me laugh and sometimes make me ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:1-8

Tags: Kindness

One-Third Of Americans Reassess Priorities After ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 19, 2002

One-third of Americans Reassess Priorities After Terrorist Attacks (RNS) One-third of Americans say the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks were a "life-altering experience" that caused them to change their priorities, according to a new Gallup poll. Nearly half of conservative Christians -- 46 percent -- ...read more

Tags: Becoming A Christian, Basics Of Christianity, World Religions

You Turn On The Tv Set To See A Large Family ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Feb 26, 2002

You turn on the TV set to see a large family sitting at a long dining room table. A man and a woman sit at opposite ends of the table, with three boys on one side and three girls on the other. Then another woman appears from the kitchen wearing a blue blouse and a white apron. She’s also wearing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:15-24

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Servanthood, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Shame Of War.  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 25, 2003

The Shame of War. While living in Weil der Stadt, West Germany in 1989, my wife and I had a very profound experience with the local high school students. In order to make learning English a little more fun, the High School English teacher made an arrangement with the local theatre. The students ...read more

Tags: War, Emotions

There Is A Story In The Bible About A Man Named, ...  PRO

Contributed by Jess Bousa on Jan 2, 2005

There is a story in the Bible about a man named, Mephibosheth. He was the grandson of King Saul and the son of Jonathan. Saul’s son, Jonathan, and David were best friends. They actually entered into a covenant relationship, similar to the ancient covenant of being blood brothers. This means ...read more

Tags: Lodebar, Bible Influence

Denomination: Pentecostal

Johnny Fulton Was Run Over By A Car At The Age Of ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 21, 2005

Johnny Fulton was run over by a car at the age of three. He suffered crushed hips, broken ribs, a fractured skull, and compound fractures in his legs. It did not look as if he would live. But he would not give up. In fact, he later ran the half-mile in less than two minutes. Walt Davis was totally ...read more

Tags: Endurance

The Commercial Appeal," Memphis, Tn Tues., Sept. ...

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Mar 21, 2007

“The Commercial Appeal,” Memphis, TN Tues., Sept. 12, 2006. Study asks: In what God do we trust? Baylor University in Waco, Texas researchers found we may be "one nation, under God," but Americans actually worship at least four versions of the Lord (according to the Baylor Religion Survey released ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal