In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus Teachings"

Fighting Temptation

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Oct 4, 2023

Have you seen the Kid’s Candy Challenge videos? • What happens in the Kid’s Candy Challenge is the parent tells their small child or children that they can have some candy • But they have to wait until mom or dad gets back • The candy is set right in front of them • Along with a phone to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Sin, Temptation, Jesus Cannot Sin

Denomination: Baptist

Do Not Love The World

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Jan 7, 2025

Now imagine this with me for a second. Let’s say you have a pillow and let’s say the family dog got ahold of that pillow and used it for a litter box… so you took it out and put it in the dumpster, and a family of rats moved into it and used it for a bed. And just before the day the trash truck ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15

Tags: Love Of Jesus, Desire, Love Of The World

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Behave Like Children

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

Warren Wiersbe writes, “We tell the children to behave like adults, but Jesus tells the adults to model ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-17

Tags: Jesus, Children, Child Like Faith

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Are The Synoptic Gospels?

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 15, 2026

We call Matthew, Mark, and Luke the Synoptic Gospels because they share a lot of the same content – “synoptic” means “common view.” They often include different ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36

Tags: Witness, Transfiguration Of Jesus, Synoptic Gospels

Denomination: Methodist

My Six-Eyed Mother

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Apr 17, 2026

I grew up in Amarillo, Texas. And I remember watching my mom navigate the wonderful world of vision changes as I got older. First she started holding the newspaper at arm's length, squinting like she was trying to read smoke signals. Then came the reading glasses. Those little drugstore ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:22-25

Tags: Faith, Spiritual Blindness, Seeking Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[362]. A Message From A Poem – Contemplating Our Dear Lord

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 6, 2026

[362]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – CONTEMPLATING OUR DEAR LORD As you see this is a short poem. It is a simple-hearted contemplation about our Lord Jesus. Stanza 1 is the forward look. Stanza 2 is about salvation. Stanza 3 is about songs of praise. Stanza 4 is about the Lord’s coming and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:5

Tags: Jesus, Thoughts, Christian Poems, Contemplating

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Goal And Person Of Change

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

The Goal and Person Of Change Many find themselves overcome by sins that have brought heartache, turmoil and even isolation. These sinful bondages are playing havoc across all social and economic layers of our nation’s families. Therapists, physicians, scientists and sadly, even some Christian ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:21-23, Mark 6:1-13

Tags: Life, Sanctification

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Brad Hightower Shares The Following Thoughts On ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 9, 2008

Brad Hightower shares the following thoughts on proper worship from http://21stcenturyreformation.blogspot.com/2004/12/jesus-clear-theology-of-worship-part-1.html In John 4 where Jesus articulates a “Clear Theology of Worship”. In fact, Jesus as the great prophet, the one who proclaims the final ...read more

Tags: Worship General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Misapplied Scriptures, John 9:31: Does God Hear Sinners, Or Not?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 13, 2023

Introduction: This is another verse of Scripture which has been used and misused by many people for a long time. Some folks teach that it’s basically useless for any sinner to pray because “well, right there, it says, ‘God heareth not sinners!’” But is that what the verse really teaches? Here’s ...read more

Scripture: John 9:31, Psalm 66:18

Tags: Blind Men, Misapplied Scripture, Unusual Healings, Jesus

Denomination: Baptist

Where Did That Come From?

Contributed by Rick Palmer on Oct 21, 2018

As a Police Officer we were required to use radar to influence drivers to slow down and obey the laws. One evening I parked at a T-intersection where Main Street intersected a major highway.This intersection was very well lite up because of the businesses located there, a restaurant with a gas ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:23, Matthew 28:14, 2 Peter 2:12-15, 1 John 2:15-16, John 15:19, Galatians 3:23-24, 1 Corinthians 2:14, John 16:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Reprove The World, Gospel Of Jesus Christ, Evangelism, Gospel, Jesus On The Cross, Preach The Gospel, Go Into All The World  (view more)  (view less)

Excuses, Excuses

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Excuses, Excuses In Luke 14:16 - 24, Jesus teaches using the "Parable of the Great Banquet." In it, Jesus shares about a man who was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. It was the custom then, as it is today, to send out invitations to such a special event quite a long ...read more

Tags: Arrogance

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seven Ways To Test The Spirits

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jul 2, 2023

The late A. W. Tozer had some wise counsel on how to test the spirits” from I John 4:1. He posed seven tests to apply to any teaching: (1) How does the teaching affect my relationship with God? Is He magnified and glorified, or diminished? (2) How does the teaching affect my attitude toward ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Holy Spirit, Teaching, Satan, Truth, False Teachers, Will Of God, Teachers, Spirits, Spirit Of Error  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Probably Do Not Remember The Name Nikolai ...  PRO

Contributed by Lynell Friesen on May 24, 2001

You probably do not remember the name Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin nor should you. But during his day he was as powerful a man as there was on earth. A Russian Communist leader he took part in the Bolshevik Revolution 1917, was editor of the Soviet newspaper Pravda (which by the way means truth), and ...read more

Tags: Miracles Of Jesus, Apologetics General, Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

History Records That During The Civil War, Many ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Jun 27, 2001

History records that during the Civil War, many acts of violence were committed by both the armies of the north and the south. Once such act occurred in October of 1862 in the town of Palmyra, Missouri. According to W. E. Sutterfield, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Palmyra, the town was ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, Cross Agony, Lordship Of Christ

Denomination: Baptist

Choosing A Road  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mavis on Jul 23, 2001

CHOOSING A ROAD After a Muslim in Africa was converted to Christ, his friends asked him why he became a Christian. He answered, "Well, it’s like this. Suppose you were going down the road and suddenly the road forked in two directions, and you didn’t know which way to go; and there at the fork ...read more

Tags: World Religions, Apologetics Jesus, Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

During The Time Of The French Revolutution, A ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Aug 11, 2001

During the time of the French Revolutution, a rich aristocrat was sentenced to death just for being an aristocrat. She was put in prison and was allowed to be served by her maid. While she slept, her maid out of a deep love for her mistress put on the mistress’ clothes. When the duchess’ name was ...read more

Tags: Lordship Of Christ, Cross Agony, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Anglican

When Elizabeth Married The Famous Poet Robert ...  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 13, 2001

When Elizabeth married the famous poet Robert Browning, her parents were so upset they disowned her. She and her husband settled far from home in Florence, Italy. Elizabeth loved her mother and father and did everything she could to be reconciled with them. Several times a month she wrote ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Tags: God's Provision, Cross Agony, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

: "Scarred Hands” (James S. ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Aug 21, 2001

Illus.: “Scarred Hands” (James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited, pp. 119-120) A small orphaned boy lived with his grandmother. One night their house caught fire. The grandmother, trying to rescue the little boy asleep upstairs, perished in the smoke and flames. A crowd gathered around the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6-8

Tags: Lordship Of Christ, Forgiveness In Jesus, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Wesleyan

Bryan Chapell Tells This Story That Happened In ...  PRO

Contributed by Dana Chau on Sep 2, 2001

Bryan Chapell tells this story that happened in his hometown: Two brothers were playing on the sandbanks by the river. One ran after another up a large mound of sand. Unfortunately, the mound was not solid, and their weight caused them to sink in quickly. When the boys did not return home ...read more

Scripture: John 6:68-71

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, Christian Disciplines, Christian Love

Denomination: *other

In England, There Is A Paper Factory That Makes ...  PRO

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Oct 10, 2001

In England, there is a paper factory that makes the finest stationery in the world. One day, a man touring the factory asked what it was made from. He was shown a huge pile of old rags and told that the rag content was what determined the quality of the paper. The visitor couldn’t believe ...read more

Tags: Descriptions Of God, Becoming A Christian, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Independent/Bible