In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus Return"

Poinsettia

Contributed by David Simpson on Dec 19, 2014

There are a lot of symbols at the Christmas season. All represent something. Santa Claus, mistletoe, wreaths, candles, etc. I’ve always admired the beauty of poinsettias, and decided to do a little research on them. You may know that they were named after Joel Poinsett, who happened to be the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Tags: Christmas, Wise Men, Star Of Christmas, Poinsettia

Denomination: Christian Church

Forgiveness For Everyone?

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 11, 2015

Lloyd Prator writes, “Take Adolph Hitler or better Joseph Stalin because he killed more people. What if, at the last minute, as Stalin lay dying, he turned his heart to Jesus and confessed his sins? Suppose he repented at the last minute, repented of the 14 million Russians Stalin killed… Would he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Tags: Forgiveness, Repentance

Denomination: Methodist

Several Years Ago I Read A Story Written By A...

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 11, 2015

Several years ago I read a story written by a preacher in the Philippine Islands. One day he was passing a large church on Good Friday when he spotted many selling incense, candles, veils and rosaries. He also saw several small boys who were running about selling crosses. He heard them calling, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Take Up Your Cross, Carrying Your Cross, Message Of The Cross, Cheap Grace

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas Eve Communion Confession

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 23, 2019

Confession O Lord, we remember you, O Lamb of God Born this day to take away the sin of the world; O Word become flesh, Who came down to share our humanity; You alone are worthy. Help us remember You not only with our lips, But with our hearts as well; Help our lives proclaim Your truth. As we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Christmas, Communion, Christmas Eve, Confession

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Is It A Weight Or A Wing?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

“The race of the Christian life is not fought well or run well by asking, "what's wrong with this or that?" but by asking, "is it in the way of greater faith, greater love, and greater purity? Not: “Is it a sin?” But: “Does it help me run the race! Is it in the way? ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Purity, Christian Life, Running The Race, Habits, Weights, Hindrances  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Boy Eating Apple

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 17, 2021

A four-year-old boy was eating an apple in the back seat of the car, when he asked, "Daddy, why is my apple turning brown?" "Because," his dad explained, "after you ate the skin off, the meat of the apple came into contact with the air, which caused it to oxidize, thus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:28

Tags: Bible, Understanding

Denomination: Methodist

The Holy Spirit Had A Monopoly On Moody

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 13, 2022

Dwight L. Moody was a shoe salesman from Chicago who fell in love with Jesus and started sharing his faith with everyone he met. Even though he was never ordained or had formal training, God used him to reach thousands for Christ as an evangelist. There was a group of British pastors who were ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit, Preaching, Revival, Jealousy, Moody, Critical Spirit, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Idolatry Of Cell Phones

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 26, 2023

t’s no surprise that 45% of Americans say that their phone is the most valuable possession. What is surprising is how far our obsessions with cell phones go: Over one-third of Americans (36%) say they’d give up their pets to keep their cell phone. 53% say that in a house fire or other disaster, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, Galatians 6:1-2

Tags: Cell Phones, Lust, Faithfulness, Idolatry, Time, Fruit Of The Spirit, Self Control  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Haman Is A Type Of The Antichrist

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 28, 2023

Some Bible students have seen in Haman an illustration of the “man of sin”, or the Antichrist, who will one day appear and ruthlessly rule over humanity (2 Thess. 2; Rev. 13). Haman was given great authority from the king, and Satan will give great power to this wicked world ruler we call the ...read more

Tags: Tribulation, Haman, Man Of Sin, Esther, End Times, Prophecy, Second Coming, Antichrist, Rapture  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Easter Outline - 7 Fears Of Death

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

Seven fears related to death: 1) Fear of the process: But.....Jesus is with you. – Psalm 23:4 2) Fear of non-existence: But....You will be alive and well. – John 11:25-26 3) Fear of bodily decay: But....You will receive a new body. – 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4

Tags: Family, Heaven, Hope, Reunion, New Heaven, Death, Fear, Christ, Easter, Resurrection  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Goal Of Spiritual Gifts

Contributed by John Bright on Sep 24, 2025

Spiritual Gifts were documented in Class Meetings within the Wesleyan tradition. It was there that members shared their lives – the successes and the struggles. They would search the Scriptures for answers, and they would pray for each other. Those prayers included listening for a Word from the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 12:28

Tags: Spiritual Gifts, Small Groups, Class Meeting, Love

Denomination: Methodist

People Generally Don't Like Change

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 30, 2025

People generally don't like change. As Mark Twain famously said, "The only person who likes change is a wet baby." There's a lot of truth to that quote. Many times, we think of change as being a bad thing, and we older people have seen a lot of bad changes in our lifetimes. *But ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Tags: Demon Possession, Spiritual Transformation, Paul, Salvation, Missions, Silas, Christian Service, Philippian Jailer, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

You Probably Recognize The Name Sam Houston. He ...  PRO

Contributed by Chris Edmondson on May 26, 2007

You probably recognize the name Sam Houston. He was a Texas and an American hero. Originally he was a native of Virginia. He became a congressman and a governor of the state of Tennessee. He eventually moved to Texas where he joined the fight for independence and became commander of the Texas army. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Thy Great ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Thy Great Salvation Sanctification The truths relating to the application of God’s great salvation are grouped under three headings: 1.) Justification; 2.) Regeneration and 3.) Sanctification. The Bible ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:4

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Evidences Of ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Evidences of Salvation Faith The second truth relating to man’s acceptance of God’s great salvation is true Biblical faith. Faith is the indispensable channel of salvation. In Hebrews 11:6 we are told that “…without faith it is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keys To ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Keys to Wisdom Proverbs 4:7-8 says, “Wisdom is supreme; though it costs you all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.” The whole of Scripture gives us some practical applications that can be accomplished by all who are willing to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:7-8

Tags: Wisdom

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessed Are The Merciful

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Blessed Are The Merciful In the Sermon on the Mount, we notice that Jesus' subject was not on how people are to be saved, but on the fruit of those who allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives. One of the signs or evidences that a person has been converted is that he is now merciful. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Tags: Character

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Salt Of The Earth  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Salt of the Earth Matthew 5:13 says to Christians, "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." Our Lord is telling His disciples that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13

Tags: Character

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Speaking The Same Language

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jun 10, 2011

SPEAKING THE SAME LANGUAGE Back in 1991, I went on a mission trip to the former Soviet Union. Twenty-or-so of us arrived on a snowy November day in Samara, a city of more than a million people located on the Volga River. We were there for about ten days, and our mission was to help start a ...read more

Tags: Preaching

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Message Of The Straight Jacket

Contributed by Christopher Roberts (Barrister) on Jan 22, 2013

THE MESSAGE OF THE STRAIGHT JACKET Satan employs a number of tactics against us, which most often God uses for our greater good. One of those tactics is to place a straight jacket of circumstance upon us, something that we are unable to deal with ourselves. Such a straight jacket might relate to a ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Denomination: Christian Church