In Sermon Illustrations: "Kingdom Of Heaven"

David Brainerd Was An American Colonial ...  PRO

Contributed by Herman Abrahams on Mar 27, 2003

David Brainerd was an American colonial missionary to the Indians who died at the age of twenty-nine. His diary reveals a young man intensely committed to God. Brainerd once said to Jonathan Edwards: “I do not go to heaven to be advanced but to give honor to God. It is no matter where I shall be ...read more

Tags: Heaven, Christian Values, Basics Of Christianity

Denomination: Charismatic

A Sunday School Teacher Asked His Class, "If I ...  PRO

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Dec 9, 2004

A Sunday School teacher asked his class, “If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and gave all my money to the church, would that get me into Heaven?” “NO!” the children all answered. “If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would that get ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4

Tags: Heaven, Kids, Second Coming, Salvation

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Wealthy Man Before Leaving On An Extended ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kilson on May 6, 2006

A wealthy man before leaving on an extended vacation said to a contractor, "While I am away, I want you to build me a fine new home according to these plans. Be sure you work with extreme care, and use the best of everything. Tell me the cost as soon as you have it and I’ll send you a check." ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Tags: Heaven, Foundation, Eternity, Building, Dishonesty  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Funny Epitaph On Tombstone

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2019

I am told that an Indiana cemetery has a tombstone that is over 100 years old which bears the following epitaph: "Pause, stranger, when you pass me by. As you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you will be. So prepare for death and follow me." An unknown passerby read those ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-7

Tags: Hell, Death, Eternity, Decision, Heaven  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Did Jesus Really Weep?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 30, 2020

When Jesus went to call Lazarus back from the grave......HE WEPT. Some have wondered why he wept. The Jews must have thought it was from sorrow, because they said, "Behold how He loved him" (John 11:36). Yet we wonder why he wept, if he was going to call him back to life? Maybe ...read more

Scripture: John 11:35, John 14:1-6

Tags: Death, Heaven, Lazarus, Weeping, Funerals  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Minutes

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 12, 2022

Two Minutes to Eternity Marshall Shelley tells the story of his son's short life - just two minutes.The baby boy was born with a "chromosomal abnormality" called Trisomy 13. After the delivery, the doctor passed the baby to his mom. He was a healthy pink; Then he began to turn ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27, Psalm 90:10-12, John 14:1-3

Tags: Death, Eternity, Heaven, Birth, Grief  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sting Of Death Is Gone For Every Believer

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 13, 2022

A little boy and his father were driving down a country road on a beautiful spring afternoon. Suddenly out of nowhere a bumblebee flew in the car window. Since the little boy was deathly allergic to bee stings he became petrified. His father quickly reached out, grabbed the bee, squeezed it in his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:55-56

Tags: Heaven, Funerals, Death, Fear, Resurrection  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Suitcase Of Pavement

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 13, 2022

A story is told about a man who found out it was his time to go to Heaven. He asked the Lord if he could bring just one thing. The Lord said, “No”. Finally after many requests the Lord said, “You can bring one thing.” Happily, the man packed his suitcase full of gold. When he arrived in Heaven ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, Revelation 21:1-7

Tags: Death, Heaven, Funerals, Streets Of Gold

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Too Busy To Die

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 13, 2022

Too busy to read the Bible, too busy to wait and pray; Too busy to speak out kindly, to someone who passes by the way! Too busy working and worrying, to think of the life to come; Too busy building earthly mansions, to plan for the Heaven above. Too busy to help a brother, who faces trials and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27

Tags: Hell, Death, Heaven, Salvation, Funerals  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

This Life Is Just A Rental

Contributed by Todd Catteau on May 14, 2024

In the last few years when our family travels instead of booking a hotel we have used an Airbnb or a Vrbo. If you’re not familiar with this concept it’s basically people renting out their homes to tourists. It’s especially convenient if we have a lot of family to house. We can all stay together, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-20

Tags: Heaven, Worry, Rust, Possessions, Moths  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

“Hope” Dedicated to All who have lost a child to a tragic early death, stillbirth, Miscarriage or even an abortion that was later regretted There is nothing quite as devastating as the loss of a child to an early death. There are always more questions than answers. There are many things we ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8

Tags: Trials And Difficulties

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Verses For Following Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 16, 2020

FOLLOWING JESUS. Beside each passage of Scripture, write down what you think that verse is saying about following Jesus in the coming year. Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Philippians ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Discipleship, New Year, Following Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joni Eareckson Tada, A Quadriplegic Who Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 3, 2007

Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic who was paralyzed in a diving accident as a teenager, talks about her wedding day. She says, “I felt awkward as my girlfriends strained to shift my paralyzed body into a cumbersome wedding gown. No amount of corseting and binding my body gave me a perfect ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:2-5, Revelation 19:6-9

Tags: Atonement, Heaven, Wisdom, Cross, Bride Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

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

God Is Pro - ...

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

God Is Pro - Choice! He really is! Every day of your life, until you draw your final breath, you will stand at the CrossRoads and be asked to make a choice. Which way will you choose? God has set before you two gates, one wide and one narrow. He has set before you two roads, one broad and one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-21

Tags: Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Got My Life, Got My Jesus! (09.07.05--The ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Sep 5, 2005

Got My Life, Got My Jesus! (09.07.05--The Temporal Things!--Matthew 5:3) In order to have all things, you must forsake all things. Tell that to those struggling with forsakeness in flood-ravaged New Orleans or storm-crushed Gulfport this morning! My guess is that few if any would understand the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Tags: Basics Of Christianity

Denomination: Lutheran

Sifted Like Wheat

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Dec 15, 2016

A rooster’s crow announced the dawn. This dawn was not the sunrise, still hours away, but the dawn of Peter’s realization of what he had done. Like the first rays of the sun slicing through the night’s darkness, Peter awakened to his sin and its gravity. It cut him to the core of his being, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-32

Tags: Peter, Betrayal Of Christ, Sifted, Rehabilitation

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Better To Love God And Die Unknown Than To Love ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 16, 2001

Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and be a hero; better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth; better to have taken some risks and lost than to ...read more

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, God Brings Purpose, Kingdom Of God

Unless There Is Within Us That Which Is Above Us, ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

Unless there is within us that which is above us, we shall soon yield to that which is ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:6-9, Joshua 7:6-9

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers, Kingdom Of God, Temptation Resisting

We May Never See The End Results, But That Is The ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders, ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a ...read more

Tags: Parable General, Parable Sower And Seed, Kingdom Of God