In Sermon Illustrations: "Jesus The Stranger"

Popular Ideas Of Jesus  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 5, 2009

POPULAR IDEAS OF JESUS As we consider the risk of following Jesus, we must acknowledge the same thing; we must acknowledge that Jesus is THE Christ, not some popularized version we hear about today. In a posting just this last June, Kevin DeYoung, in his Restless and Reformed blog, describes ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-29

Tags: Faith, Christ, Jesus, Culture, Jesus Christ  (view more)  (view less)

What Jesus Prayed For

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 15, 2009

WHAT JESUS PRAYED FOR Philip Yancey, in an article for Christianity Today, wrote: "When Jesus prayed to the one who could save him from death, he did not get that salvation; he got instead the salvation of ...read more

Tags: Jesus Life

Denomination: Wesleyan

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 Garris Hudson 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 Garris Hudson 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 Garris Hudson 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 Garris Hudson 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, Elections, Rulers, Presidents, Politics, Second Coming, Government, Return Of Christ, Voting, Kings  (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

If Jesus Was Born Today

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

If Jesus was born today, it would be in a bed and breakfast A traffic warden, working late, would be the first on the scene. Later a TV network would arrive with their good wishes. The whole Occasion would be filmed as part of *Is this the Son of God” one hour special If Jesus was 30 today, ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25

Tags: Jesus, Born, Modern Day

Denomination: Anglican

Who Really Is Jesus?

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 27, 2025

Story: A Jew called Sholem Ash wrote this Jesus Christ is the outstanding personality of all time... No other teacher -Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Mohammedan - is still a teacher whose teachings is such a guidepost for the world we live in. Other teachers may have something basic for an ...read more

Scripture: John 5:24-27

Tags: Jesus, Napoleon, Eddie Snipes, Ash, Sholem  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

If Jesus Was Born Today...

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jan 12, 2026

If Jesus was born today based on Steve Turner’s poem If Jesus was born today, it would be in a bed and breakfast A traffic warden, working late, would be the first on the scene. Later a TV network would arrive with their good wishes. The whole Occasion would be filmed as part of *Is this the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: 21st Century, Jesus, Birth

Denomination: Anglican

The Change You Owe To Jesus  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 21, 2001

THE CHANGE YOU OWE TO JESUS John Wesley was a popular evangelist in early America and often rode from one church to another to preach. On one such journey, stopped by a highwayman who shouted, "Halt, your money or your life." Wesley got down from his horse, emptied his pockets to reveal only ...read more

Tags: Great Commission, Grace, Repentance

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

What Will You Do With Jesus This Christmas?

Contributed by David Tack on Dec 2, 2011

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS THIS CHRISTMAS? Many years ago in the countryside of Bethlehem the townsfolk prepared for just another day, though this day was quite extraordinary. The shepherds were out tending to their sheep and the Jewish nation was feeling the restraints of Roman oppression. ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Baptist

The Life Of Jesus Christ Was An Absolute ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Jan 17, 2001

"The life of Jesus Christ was an absolute failure from every standpoint except God’s. But what seemed to be failure from man’s standpoint was a triumph from God’s standpoint, because God’s purpose is never the same ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Tags: Promises Of God, God's Omniscience, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational