In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus Parables"

The Leadership Principles Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 11, 2020

The Leadership Principles of Jesus. • Jesus was willing to invest in people others would have dismissed. (Consider the disciples. They were not the “religious” elite, yet Jesus used them to start His church). • Jesus released responsibility and ownership in a ministry. (Jesus sent the disciples ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Luke 9:23

Tags: Discipleship, Leadership, Ministry Of Jesus, Business Management

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Is Watching You!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 18, 2020

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shone his flashlight around, looking for valuables, and when he picked up a CD player to place in his sack, a strange, disembodied voice echoed from the dark saying, "Jesus is watching you". He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Honesty, Jokes, Omnipresence Of God, Jesus Is Watching

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Came For Others.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 21, 2020

Just as the Old Testament priest would take an innocent lamb and slaughter it on the alter for the sins of the nation of Israel, so Jesus came to offer Himself for the sins of the world. His entire reason for coming from Heaven to others was for "OTHERS" and not Himself. o He was born ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Luke 19:10

Tags: Unselfishness, Evangelism, Christmas, Sacrifice, Jesus, Birth Of Christ, Others  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The Name Of Jesus Stop!

Contributed by Steve Malone on Sep 7, 2022

Telemachus was a monk in the 4th century. One day in prayer, He felt called by God to leave immediately and head to Rome. So he put his possessions in a sack and headed out. Upon arriving in Rome, he was immediately caught up in the crowd. The crowd was immense and excited. Soon ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Tags: Courage, Martyrs, Peacemakers, Telemachus

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Greatest Miracle Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 6, 2022

"The Transfiguration was not a new miracle, but the temporary pause of an ongoing miracle. The real miracle was that Jesus, most of the time, could keep from displaying His glory. “For Christ to be glorious was almost a less matter than for him to restrain or hide his glory. It is forever his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

Tags: Glory, Jesus, Humility, Leadership, Transfiguration, Miracle  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Never Alone With Jesus

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Aug 21, 2023

Never Alone With Jesus We are never alone with Jesus, We have no reason to ever fear. We are never alone with Jesus, For He promised He’d always be near. No matter where He may lead us, No matter what problem we face, No matter how daring the mission- He provides His marvelous grace. He’s ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:8, Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 28:20

Tags: Fear, Jesus, Friendship, Loneliness, Companionship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Was Jesus Born In Pennsylvania?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 29, 2023

When a little boy in a suburban Philadelphia Sunday School class was asked where Jesus was born, he quickly answered, "Philadelphia!" The teacher said, "No, try again." The little boy thought about the question and said, "How about Pittsburgh?" When the teacher ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-12, John 2:1-12

Tags: Pennsylvania, Christmas Humor, Christmas, Children, Advent, Sunday School, Birth Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Emphasis On The Resurrection Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 4, 2023

Notice the repeated emphasis on the Resurrection of Christ throughout the book of Acts. How can we do any less today in our preaching and teaching! Do you frequently mention the resurrection of Christ from the dead? If not, you should preach like Peter and Paul! 1. The pivotal point in Peter's ...read more

Tags: Jesus, Easter, Resurrection, Pentecost, Preaching, Acts, Resurrection Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Census At The Birth Of Jesus

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 9, 2023

Historians have been puzzled about the census. The one taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria. While all this begins to explain why Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, Luke is making a point. The birth of this little boy is the beginning of a confrontation between the kingdom of God - in all its ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-2

Tags: Mary And Joseph, Quirinus, Caeser Agustus, Bethlehem, Birth, Census  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Was Jesus Involved In Politics?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 4, 2024

WAS JESUS INVOLVED IN POLITICS? I hear that all the time as the excuse for Christians not voting. Is that biblically true? I spent hours searching through the Gospels for the truth and found these key teachings that describe Jesus' attitude and involvement toward the issue of government and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:1, John 10:10, Isaiah 9:6

Tags: Jesus, Evil, America, Corruption, Politics, Second Coming, Government, Return Of Christ, Voting, Kings, Elections, Rulers, Presidents  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Worship Jesus For The Cross

Contributed by Samuel M on Dec 18, 2024

Worship is not something that we should give to God, but something we owe God. We are worshipping God because we owe God our worship rather than free will. For all that Jesus has done and accomplished on the Cross, we owe Jesus our worship. Even if we repay every second from now by our praise and ...read more

Tags: Faith, Cross

Respond Like Jesus

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 20, 2025

I think that God expects us to respond (not react) when the world pushes back like Jesus responded to the folks who were unable to see what He was doing. It won’t make sense. Here’s an example of what Peter’s teaching would look like in his day: “Peter is telling the Christian merchant in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15-16

Tags: Anger, Blessing Others

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus Understands Us

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 17, 2025

If Jesus, "has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows,” then He understands what we are going through. Jesus understands our times of weakness. Jesus understands our times of fear. Jesus understands our times of worry. Jesus understands our times of doubt. Jesus understands our ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4

Tags: Fear, Doubt, Worry

Denomination: Methodist

Lord Jesus Intervene

Contributed by Samuel M on Apr 26, 2025

Lord Jesus, if you do not come into our battles, the war will be one-sided. The enemy will triumph, and there will be a lot of destruction. If you arrive late, we will be totally destroyed. Dear Lord Jesus, Let my ...read more

Tags: Faith, Hope

The Lion King: Jesus' Church

Contributed by Ken Pell on Mar 14, 2011

THE LION KING: JESUS' CHURCH Disney's movie "The Lion King" features a young lion named Simba who is destined to rule the jungle but finds himself "on the outs." As the story opens, his father takes him to "Pride Rock" (the equivalent of a throne) and shows him his inheritance ... he would rule as ...read more

Tags: Sin Deceptive

Denomination: Nazarene

I Heard About An African-American Who Tried To ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 1, 2001

I heard about an African-American who tried to attend a church. Sadly, the church wouldn’t even let him attend a service. The pastor said, "You just need to pray about it." About three weeks later the pastor saw him and asked, "Did you talk to the Lord about it?" The man said, ...read more

Tags: Jesus Teachings, Parable General, Racism

Sweet Grace  PRO

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 2, 2002

SWEET GRACE My new favorite movie is "Chocolat", about a little French village in 1959 that is governed by "tranquilité". In this town, you knew what was expected of you and where your place was. If you happened to forget, someone would remind you. They trusted in the wisdom of ages past, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Tags: Parable General, Grace, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Lutheran

It Beats Hell!  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 6, 2002

IT BEATS HELL! It is said that Abe Mulky, who became the Texas Evangelist, went to an old-fashioned revival and was under deep conviction. He went home and said to his wife, "Mandy, what shall I do? I am lost. I am miserable. But you know we have gained our possessions crookedly and if I get ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Tags: Parable Lazarus, Jesus Teachings, Hell

Comfortable In Hell  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 6, 2002

COMFORTABLE IN HELL Jeff Strite tells this story about his Dad. My Dad was what was known as "a rounder." A man’s man. Hard worker, hard fighter, and a hard player of baseball and basketball. He was attractive to women and he loved to go out and dance. Now, it’s not that dad was a stranger ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Tags: Hell, Jesus Teachings, Parable Lazarus

One Bible Mom Came To Jesus: Then Jesus Went Out ...

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on May 7, 2009

ONE BIBLE MOM came to Jesus: Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.’ But He answered her not a ...read more

Tags: Youth