In Sermon Illustrations: "John 316"

What Is Doctrine?

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 25, 2025

What is doctrine? “The word translated “doctrine” means “instruction, especially as it applies to lifestyle application.” In other words, doctrine is teaching imparted by an authoritative source. In the Bible, the word always refers to spiritually related fields of study. The Bible says of itself ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 4:16

Tags: Belief, Doctrine, Instruction

Denomination: Methodist

We Heard The Story Of A Man Who Asked For A ...  PRO

Contributed by George Rennau on Mar 30, 2003

We heard the story of a man who asked for a Gideon Bible …He said the paper is very fine and perfect for rolling his cigarettes. The Gideon gave him the Bible on the condition that he before using the pages that he read them front and back. The man proceeded to smoke his way through Matthew, ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Desire For Love

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Aug 8, 2024

The Desire for Love Humor: A couple who had been chatting online for weeks finally met on their first date. After an expensive meal in an upscale restaurant, the lady plucked a daisy from the flower arrangement on the table, pulling the pedals off one by one. She repeated to herself, “He loves me, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:5, 1 John 5:4-5, 1 John 5:10, James 4:4, John 15:19  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Romance, Humor, Priorities, Love Of World  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Parallels Between Isaac And Jesus

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 19, 2014

PARALLELS BETWEEN ISAAC AND JESUS There is no clearer picture of the Cross and the sacrifice the Father made for us in Christ than Genesis chapter 22. Notice the powerful parallels between Isaac and Christ. Isaac is one of the clearest types of Christ in the Old Testament. 1.Both fulfilled ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 5:8, John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Tags: Typology, Christ, Salvation, Gospel, Cross, Isaac  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Choose To Be Found Doing My Duty - Good Story

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 2, 2026

Back in 1780, ...... the Connecticut House of Representatives ... was in session. The sky above ...become extremely dark. An eerie dark. Many of those in the House ... who were believers glancing out the windows, ... feared ...the end ...was at hand. Many wanted to adjourn the session, ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30, Matthew 19:16, 1 John 2:1-2, Acts 1:9-11, John 14:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Judgment, Duty, Faith, Light, Faithful, Sky  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The American Businessman Was At The Pier Of A ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 4, 2001

The American businessman was at the pier of a small costal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them. ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11, John 2:1, Acts 7:54-60, Ecclesiastes 5:18

Tags: Stand

Next Time You’re In An Airport Notice The ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Feb 1, 2001

Next time you’re in an airport notice the difference between passengers who have confirmed tickets and those on standby (Hybels, Too Busy Not to Pray 113). Those who have confirmed tickets are relaxed, their confident and expectant. Those on standby hang around the ticket counter, they pace and ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16, Genesis 4:1, 1 John 5:11-13

Tags: Faith, Confusion, Assurance Of Salvation, Born Again, God Brings Hope, Forgiveness In Jesus, Uncertainty  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Earlier That Same Year, 1885, Three Christian ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Hereford on Oct 30, 2001

"Earlier that same year, 1885, three Christian boys had shed their blood for Christ in Uganda. The king had ordered the arrest of these page boys in an effort to stamp out Christianity. The eldest was fifteen and the youngest was eleven-year-old Yusufu. They held fast their faith and staked their ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-12, John 14:12, 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Forgiveness In Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus—not Hate But Hope  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 31, 2003

JESUS- NOT HATE BUT HOPE "Jesus. It’s a little name. A small word. Say this little name in public, however, in a way other than an obscenity, and stand back and watch the fireworks. This little name is like a tiny detonator that triggers a nuclear warhead. You can say "God," and you won’t get a ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 14:23-29

Tags: Apologetics Jesus, Universalism, Lordship Of Christ

Joy Is Like The Hidden Note In The Glass. Joy ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 29, 2003

“Joy is like the hidden note in the glass. Joy is tuning in to what God is doing around you, seeing the world through his eyes, picking up on his delight in us as his children. Anyone can find happiness for a while… Happiness depends on what is happening to you. Joy is different; joy goes deeper. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:11, Galatians 5:22, John 15:11, Philippians 3:1

Tags: Joy

Denomination: Church Of God

A Bruise Is Better Than A Bite!" 1 Samuel 1:1-8 ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 13, 2005

“A Bruise Is Better than A Bite!” 1 Samuel 1:1-8 Key verse(s): 8:“Elkanah here husband would say to her, ‘Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?’” “Constructive criticism is when I criticize you. Destructive criticism is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-8, John 12:4-8, John 12:4-8

Tags: Emotions, Criticism

Denomination: Lutheran

The Devil's Beatitudes  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Sickling on Apr 3, 2007

THE DEVIL'S BEATITUDES 1. Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend even an hour once a week with their fellow Christians – they are my best workers. 2. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked -- I can use them. 3. Blessed are the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, John 16:33, 1 John 4:4

Tags: Satan, Church Small Groups, Beatitudes, Discouragement, Devil  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Sunflower Is Probably The Most Amazing ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

The Sunflower is probably the most amazing flowers God created. They literally follow the sun. No I don’t know about you, but one the most amazing things I have seen is a field of sunflowers. Watching one follow the sun through is cute. Watching hundreds in absolute unison follow the sun is ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, Acts 4:32, John 17:11, Psalm 133:1

Tags: Relationships, Faith General

How Does Adoption Change Things? ...  PRO

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 1, 2008

Illustration: How does adoption change things? Here’s a secular example: In 1952 a probation officer in New York City tried to find an organization that would assist in the adoption of a twelve-year-old boy. Although the child had a religious background, none of the major denominations would assist ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17, 1 John 2:25-26

Denomination: Other

The Real Trouble With This World Of Ours Is Not ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"The real trouble with this world of ours is not that it is an unreasonable one. The trouble is that it ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17, 1 John 2:3-17

Tags: Worldliness

Who Saved Me?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 28, 2012

WHO SAVED ME? During a terrible storm at sea that threatened every moment to carry the ship to the bottom, one of the ship’s crew was doing something on the deck when a great sea struck the ship and went fairly over the deck, striking this man with great force, disabling him and carrying him into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:10-14, John 10:10, John 10:11, Luke 7:38

Tags: Father, Salvation

Testimony About God's Comfort After A Suicide

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jun 26, 2012

Mot Richey was one of the precious senior adults at McClendon Baptist Church in West Monroe. She went home to be with the Lord in 2006. Mot was a lovely Christian lady. She was also a wonderful singer, wife and cook. In my whole life, I never met a more loving couple than Jack and Mot Richey. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-4, John 16:33, John 14:1-6

Tags: Grief, Suicide, God's Comfort

Denomination: Baptist

Max Lucado: Interlock Our Understandings  PRO

Contributed by Ken Pell on Aug 6, 2013

In his book, “Imagine Your Life Without Fear” Max Lucado gives some significant insight when he says, "Questions can make hermits out of us, driving us into hiding. Yet the cave has no answers. Christ distributes courage through community; he dissipates doubts through fellowship. He never deposits ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17, Hebrews 10:25, John 1:29-42, Luke 19:1-10

Tags: Fellowship, Discipleship

Denomination: Nazarene

They Took It Away!

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 3, 2020

My parents used to operate a true “Mom and Pop” grocery store before I started school. I still remember some of the good times—and some of the bad times, too, unfortunately—from those days gone by. Some of the items they had for sale were plastic models. These were mostly Revell, Lindberg, or ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:22, 1 John 5:18

Tags: The Will Of God, Take It Or Leave It

Denomination: Baptist

Room At The Cross For You

Contributed by Davon Huss on Sep 1, 2020

On the deck of a sinking ship stood an African slave- the last man on board. He was to be the last person to get on the last lifeboat. The life boat was loaded to the water line. The slave had something in his arms and the sailors refused to take him until he let that go. He pressed to his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:12, John 3:16, John 15:13

Tags: Salvation, Cross, Eternal Life, Perish

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ