In Sermon Illustrations: "Looking To Jesus"

Have You Ever Heard Of The Woman Who Hated ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on May 17, 2001

Have you ever heard of the woman who hated Mother’s Day? According to the Toronto Star’s website, there was such a woman. If you think the spirit of Mother’s Day has been spoiled by the commercialism of cards, flowers and once-a-year sincerity, you stand united with the woman credited with giving ...read more

Tags: Bible, Forgiveness In Jesus, Inspiration, Funny, God's Provision, Mother's Day, Taste, Spoil  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Embraced By The Darkness

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 18, 2022

"Embraced By the Light" or is it more like.... "Embraced By the Darkness?" The idea of Hell and judgment are nowhere to be found in Betty Eadie’s bestseller, Embraced By The Light, on the N.Y. Times bestseller list. In November 1973, Eadie allegedly died after undergoing a ...read more

Tags: Hell, Death, Jesus, Heaven, Judgment, False Teachers, Lies, Deceit, False Prophets  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Tragedy On The Drawbridge

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 12, 2023

A man had the duty to raise a drawbridge to allow the steamboats to pass on the river below and to lower it again for trains to cross over on land. One day, this man's son visited him, desiring to watch his father at work. Quite curious, as most boys are, he peeked into a trapdoor that was ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, Romans 5:8

Tags: Salvation, Gospel, Cross, Calvary, Blood Of Jesus, Death Of Christ, Evangelism, Easter, Crucifixion  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Christmas Story To Use!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 28, 2023

Pastor Clifford S. Stewart of Louisville, Kentucky, sent his parents a microwave oven one Christmas when microwaves were a new thing for many Americans. Here's how he recalls the interesting experience: "They were excited that now they, too, could be a part of the instant generation. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-12, John 1:1-12

Tags: Witnessing, Birth Of Christ, Son Of God, Evangelism, Christmas, Jesus, Salvation, Gospel, Missions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Story Of The Chair

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 22, 2024

Those of you who have heard of Evangelism Explosion by D. James Kennedy know the illustration of the chair. You know, a person can say ‘Yes, I see that chair. That’s a chair. I acknowledge that’s a chair. I believe that’s a chair. And I think that chair could hold me up if I sat in it.’ But ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:10-13, Ephesians 4:30-32

Tags: Cross, Assurance, Blood Of Jesus, Faith In Christ, Works, Grace, Mercy, Trust, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fake News Or Truth?

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Sep 30, 2024

Donald Trump has often spoken of what he calls, “fake news” when describing what he considers biased reporting. And it is true that most reporting about Trump is negative, while his opponents receive more favorable treatment. But did you know that the phrase “fake news” was first coined by ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:6-12

Tags: Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Fake News, Sure Witness, Jesus Is Son Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's Time To Change The Diaper!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 12, 2024

One day shortly after the birth of their new baby, the mother had to go out to do some errands. So, the proud papa stayed home to watch his wonderful new son. Soon after the mother left, the baby started to cry. The father did everything he could think of to do but the baby wouldn’t stop crying. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Salvation, Transformation, New Life, New Birth, New Creation, Changes, Trusting Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[124]. A Message From A Poem – He’s Leading As My Head

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 8, 2025

[124]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HE’S LEADING AS MY HEAD How many are lost in this world? I don’t mean unsaved, but I mean who don’t know where they are going or what lies ahead, or what life is about; those who feel life is meaningless and has no purpose? I know it is a lot of people. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:15, John 10:10, John 12:46

Tags: Christian Poetry, Christian Poem, Direction, Leader, Guide, Life, Meaningless, Leading, Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Spotless Puppy

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 19, 2023

A minister said that once he had a small, white Highland terrier puppy which he kept spotlessly clean by frequent washing, brushing, and powdering. One night a winter storm dropped a fresh blanket of snow on the countryside, and the next morning the whole world seemed to glisten under the splendor ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23

Tags: Roman Road, Sinners, Justification, Holiness, Adam, Conviction, Sinful Nature, Second Adam, Jesus, Sin, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love Lifted Me!

Contributed by Rick Palmer on Nov 4, 2018

God took a big basket and put everything in my life that was important, everything of value, and everything worth living for into the basket. Then he lifted it up very high and turn that basket upside down and shook it until it all scattered. Let me clarify, at the age of 36 I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:19, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Timothy 2:25, Ezekiel 18:30, Proverbs 28:13, Acts 3:26, Psalm 40:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Judgement, Cross Of Jesus, Jesus The Rock, Pray For The Lost, He Choose Me, Salvation Testimony, Lifted From The Mire, Salvation, Divorce, Depravity, Suicide, Cross Of Christ, Iniquity  (view more)  (view less)

[118]. Poem Message – He Comes For Me – The Blessed Hope – He Comes For Me

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 2, 2025

[118]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HE COMES FOR ME – THE BLESSED HOPE – HE COMES FOR ME Those who rightfully look forward with anticipation to the Rapture, know that the Lord is coming FOR THEM INDIVIDUALLY as well as for His Church. This event is known as “the blessed hope”, and it is such a joy ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17

Tags: Christian Poems, Rapture Poem, Come Lord Jesus, The Rapture, The Blessed Hope, The Coming Of The Lord, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[022] A Message From A Poem - At His Feet

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 3, 2024

[022] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - AT HIS FEET This poem looks at certain events focussed on being at the Lord’s feet. Those feet that today bear the scars of Calvary, walked this earth in ministry and teaching as God among us. The best known story about the feet of Jesus is this one – {{Luke ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:9-11, Luke 10:39-42, Luke 7:37-38

Tags: Worship, Feet, Devotion, Mary And Martha, At His Feet, Bow At His Feet, Wiping Jesus Feet  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

In The Villages Of Northern India A Missionary ...  PRO

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Apr 12, 2001

In the villages of Northern India a missionary was preaching in a bazaar. As he closed, a Muslim gentleman came up and said, "You must admit we have one thing you have not, and it is better than anything you have." The missionary smiled and said, "I should be pleased to hear what it is." The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:4-6

Tags: Easter, Easter Resurrection, Muslim, Islam, Miracles Of Jesus, Living God, Resurrection, World Religions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

How Important Is The Virgin Birth Of Christ?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 6, 2022

Several years ago, Redbook Magazine took a poll of students in Protestant seminaries. They found that 56% of the students in Protestant seminaries studying for the ministry rejected the idea of the virgin birth. The Survey Research Center of the University of California at Berkeley polled the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14

Tags: Mary, Christmas, Bethlehem, Jesus, Incarnation, Virgin Birth, Deity Of Christ, Humanity Of Christ, Liberalism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Captain Of The Lord's Hosts

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 17, 2023

The “Captain of the Lord’s Hosts” is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. We call this a CHRISTOPHANY. The word translated as, “Angel”, is another word for “Messenger” and does not limit the Divinity of Christ or make him a mere angel. What does Scripture say about the ...read more

Tags: Joshua, Jesus, Christophanies, Worship, Angels, Captain, Sovereignty Of God, Types, Christ In The Old Testament  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Must Increase And I Must Decrease

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Mar 30, 2023

HE MUST INCREASE, BUT I MUST DECREASE. When you need assurance of Eternity and answer the Gospel call- He must increase and I must decrease! When He bids you take up your cross and be willing then to give all- He must increase and I must decrease! When the storms of life threaten, and you ...read more

Scripture: John 3:22-36, John 20:30, John 1:29

Tags: God First, John The Baptist, Jesus First, Preeminence Of Christ, Exalt Christ, Premience Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Who's That?

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Apr 2, 2023

Who’s that ridin’ on a colt? Who’s that lowly and humbly coming- coming into Jerusalem on that glorious Palm Sunday day? Who’s that bringin’ hope with him? Who’s that gracefully offering- offering Himself as the Shepherd to all who’ve gone astray? Who’s that? Isn’t He the Messiah? Isn’t He the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-5, John 1:29

Tags: Hosanna, Prophecy About Jesus, Poems For Palm Sunday, Palm Sunday Poem, Religious Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[144]. A Message From A Poem – In The Manger Laid – Christmas Poem

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 27, 2025

[144]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IN THE MANGER LAID – CHRISTMAS POEM This was written as a simple Christmas poem. There is not much I want to say about it. My thoughts were that the poem can be used on cards or greetings, or for children’s pageants and that sort of thing. It is not meant to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:6-7, Luke 2:15-16, 1 John 4:2

Tags: Christmas Poem, Poem For Christmas, Mary, Christmas, Manger, Birth Of Jesus, Shepherds, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Easter On The Bench!" Matthew 28:1-10 Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 27, 2005

“Easter on The Bench!” Matthew 28:1-10 Key verse(s) 5:“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.’” Spending Easter Sunday alone is no way to spend Easter! Yet, when you have a bad virus and don’t want to infect anyone else, it may ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Tags: Easter Resurrection

Denomination: Lutheran