In Sermon Illustrations: "Knowing God"

Jesus Is Like Oxygen

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 22, 2008

Jesus is Like Oxygen I want to tell you about Andy Harris. Andy was one of a several people leading an expedition up Mt. Everest. When he reached the peak, he stayed there just admiring the amazing beauty. But he stayed there too long and on his descent, he became in dire need of oxygen. Andy ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers

Where Is Your ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 28, 2008

Where Is Your Treasure Intro: Long ago, in a kingdom far, far away, a rich king hired a “fool” to entertain him and make him laugh when he was sad. He gave the fool a golden scepter and told him that when he met a greater fool than he, to pass the golden scepter to that person. Years passed ...read more

Tags: Money

Sputtering  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

SPUTTERING A man in North Carolina bought a new car with a voice-warning system. ... At first he was amused to hear the soft female voice gently remind him that his seat belt wasn’t fastened. ... Edwin affectionately called this voice the "little woman." He soon discovered his little woman was ...read more

Scripture: John 14:26

Tags: Direction, Holy Spirit, Rebellion, Conscience

One Mountain Too Many

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 13, 2009

ONE MOUNTAIN TOO MANY "No one has the right to an activity that can cause so much suffering and pain to others just so they can do something fun." Those are the words of Karl Purnell who lost his 28 year-old son Chris to an avalanche when Chris was ice-climbing in Canada. You can hear and maybe ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 12:29-31

Tags: Idolatry

Absentees In The Upper Room

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 9, 2014

ABSENTEES IN THE UPPER ROOM Written by Dr. Larry Petton One of the curious questions I have always had concerns the people who actually saw Christ after His resurrection. I would love to have been part of that group to see Jesus in His glorified, resurrected body! But, for some reason, that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-15

Tags: Church, Holy Spirit, Resurrection, Power

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living Now

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it.” - Soren Kierkegaard We all know at least one person that, when given something really beautiful as a gift, will open a closet and store it away for “a special day” or “for when company comes over.” When you gave that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:34

Tags: Procrastination, Focused Living, Living Now

Denomination: Charismatic

Who's Got The Power?

Contributed by Dr. David Hallum on Jul 10, 2017

The light switch in the main bathroom in our house has been sketchy and in need of replacement for some time. Last Friday night it finally gave up the ghost. Do you think it broke in the “on” position or the “off” position? Of course it broke in the off position. If you drop buttered bread it ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 8:6-8

Tags: Power, Life And Death

Denomination: Baptist

The Heizer Creek Baptism

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018

Note: this story happened to me - Jim Butcher of Madison WV. One of my favorite baptism stories comes from a friend of mine who owns a house on Heizer Creek. He had a nice spot on his property to do baptisms and told the nearby country churches they were welcome to use it anytime, which a few of ...read more

Tags: Change, Transformation, Cursing, Baptism

Denomination: Baptist

Forgive Us Our Debts

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on May 20, 2019

The debt has been paid… (forgive us our debts…) The graduating class of Morehouse College got a surprise gift on Sunday (May 19, 2019) when billionaire Robert F. Smith announced during his commencement speech that he would pay off the entire student debt of the graduating class. Student loans in ...read more

Scripture: John 8:36

Tags: Forgiveness, Freedom, Generosity

Denomination: Pentecostal

Wiretap Into Your Home

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 22, 2020

The church is the bride of Christ. If we love the groom (Jesus), we will look for positive things to say about the bride (the church). Bob Russell tells a story about how years ago, when there were multiple party telephone lines, a preacher picked up the telephone to make a call but couldn’t get ...read more

Scripture: John 13:35, 2 Corinthians 11:28-29

Tags: Evangelism, Love For The Church, Speak Positively

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Miracle Of The Dead Sea Scrolls

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

In 1947, Muhammad adh-Dhib, a twelve-year-old Arab boy, made one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. While looking for a lost goat in Qumran, near the Dead Sea, he threw a stone into a cave and heard the sound of shattering pottery. Curious about the noise, he entered the cave ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Peter 1:21, Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Truth, Miracles, Dead Sea Scrolls  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Fellowship Of The Unashamed

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-12, Romans 1:16

Tags: Testimony, Unashamed, Unafraid, Evangelism, Commitment, Gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Good Race

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Mar 7, 2021

Many years ago, I coached the High School Swimming team. I had several athletes that went to College on scholarships; but the athlete I was thinking about while I was preparing this sermon, went on to compete in Triathlons. A Triathlon is a 1 mile swim, 25 mile bike ride, and a 6 mile run. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:7

Tags: Freedom, Endurance

Denomination: Baptist

The Fellowship Of The Unashamed

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

I am part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16

Tags: Bold Faith, Unashamed Of Christ, Discipleship

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Had A Gun To His Head When He Called My Office...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 7, 2022

When I was pastoring in Texas, an unknown man called our church office and asked for the Senior Pastor. The call was transferred to me and I quickly discovered that I had a frantic man on the line whom I didn’t know. He told me how horrible his life was and how he couldn’t stand living in “hell ...read more

Tags: Desperation, Jesus, Salvation, Rescue, Witnessing, Suicide  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Republican, Democrat, And Libertarian Arrive At Heaven

Contributed by Gregory Artz on Aug 31, 2022

A Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, and an unassuming man all arrived at the gates of Heaven. First the Republican spoke to St Peter, “I am sure am glad I made it here, I was sure to give plenty of money to the poor.” St Peter replied, sorry sir, your name is not in the book. Then the Democrat ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 146:1-4, Revelation 20:11-15

Tags: Politics, Heaven, Book Of Life

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Spreading The Deadly Disease Of Gossip

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 2, 2023

In 1520, one person stepped off a Spanish ship in Mexico and caused the deaths of thousands of people. The man was a soldier under the leadership of Pánfilo de Narváez, and he had smallpox. The soldier didn't know it, but wherever he went he exposed the citizens to a new disease. As a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:28-30

Tags: Division, Church, Church Fights, Church Splits, Gossip, Lies, Rumors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Men And A Truck

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Sep 3, 2023

I reworked this old joke and used two of my men. Always ask the permission of those you intend to us, since we know some are thin-skinned. I hope it will put a smile on your lips. HUMOR: Two Men and a Truck Ottis and Carolyn just got settled in his new house this past year. Ottis wanted to do a ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23

Tags: Labor Day, Laughter, Projects, Humor

Denomination: Baptist

Winston Churchill's Resolve

Contributed by David Swanger on Jan 19, 2024

After the Nazis drove the British army from the European continent at Dunkirk and obtained France’s surrender in June of 1940, the Germans were certain that victory in Europe was at hand and that Great Britain would seek a peace agreement. France also believed that was true. French General Maxime ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:62

Tags: Commitment, Resolve

A Reason To Give Thanks

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Nov 24, 2024

Do you remember Erma Bombeck, the homemaker who spun humorous anecdotes about suburban family life into a column syndicated to about 700 newspapers, television commentary, speeches across the country and books with titles such as “The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank,” “Just Wait Till ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Thankfulness, Assurance, Erma Bombeck

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ