In Sermon Illustrations: "Love God"

Lucky Dog

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 15, 2022

A family put the following ad in the "Lost and Found" section of the paper: "Lost Dog: Crippled in front paw, blind in left eye, mange on back and neck, tail missing. Recently neutered. Answers to the name 'Lucky'". He truly was a lucky dog, because in spite of all ...read more

Tags: Lost, Lost Sheep, Prodigal Son, Luke 15, God's Love, Parables  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Arthur Pink, A Theologian From Another ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Aug 24, 2007

Arthur Pink, a theologian from another generation, talks against those who preach about Jesus as a savior from hell rather than a savior from sin. He explained that there are many who are dangerously deceived by this, because there are many who desire to escape the flames of hell, but have no ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

For Thou Art With Me

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 17, 2025

In Psalm 23:4, we read: “4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” I often to talk to folks who are grieving the loss of a loved one to remember the “FIVE LITTLE WORDS” of Psalm 23:4 – For… thou… art… with… me. Jesus died so that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Tags: God With Us, Fear

Denomination: Methodist

D. L. Moody Said, "I Believe Firmly That ...  PRO

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Oct 9, 2001

D. L. Moody said, “I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers, Love Of The Disciples

Denomination: Baptist

Mother Theresa Tells The Story Of Ministering To ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Nov 21, 2004

Mother Theresa tells the story of ministering to an old woman dying from starvation: “One evening we went out, and we picked up four people from the street. And one of them was in a most terrible condition. I told the sisters, ‘You take care of the other three; I will take care of the one who ...read more

Tags: God In The Hardships, Poverty

Denomination: Methodist

This Last Week I Was Thinking About This ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Feb 1, 2001

This last week I was thinking about this priority of love and I saw an incredible example of it on Dateline NBC. It seems that two members of the same church participated in a 40 day prayer and fasting time to seek God’s will for their lives. One of the woman badly needed a kidney transplant, and ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-50

Tags: Christian Love, Compassion, Prayer Persistence

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thin Skinned And Hard Hearted

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 2, 2025

Somebody smarter than me said the greatest problem in the local church is that we are not who we were designed by God to be. As Believers, we were made to be thick-skinned and tender hearted. That’s how we can “love one another fervently with a pure heart.” (1 Peter 1:22) Instead, we have become ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Peter 1:22

Tags: Forgiveness, Fervent Love, Tender Hearted

Denomination: Methodist

One Of Hitler's Bodyguards Was A Man Named Kurt ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Mar 28, 2001

One of Hitler’s bodyguards was a man named Kurt Wagner. He adored Hitler and reverenced him as a god. At the end of the war, with Hitler a suicide in a Berlin bunker, Kurt’s faith was shattered and he planned a suicide. Going for a final cup of coffee, he picked up a discarded Gospel tract and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tags: Grace, God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Miraculous Adoption Story From India

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 17, 2024

In Bihar, India, there is a man named Augustine Jubakumar who leads a mission called Gospel Echoing Missionary Society (GEMS). Pastor Augustine and his wife have 4 biological children and 4 adopted children. The stories of their adopted children echo our adoption into God’s family. One child was ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Compassion, Salvation, Missions, Chosen, Abortion, Love Of God, Babies, Miracles, Adoption, Inheritance, Others, India, Unconditional Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ravi Zacharias Tells In One Of His Books About A ...  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Henes on Jun 21, 2001

Ravi Zacharias tells in one of his books about a trip he made to Vietnam in 1971 to travel the country and preach. Wherever he traveled for a month in Vietnam a Vietnamese man who translated for him accompanied him. They were both young, and they saw many things that shocked them, things neither ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence, God In The Hardships, God's Provision

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

3. Holman Also Reminds Us The Focus Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 16, 2005

3. Holman also reminds us the focus of the Bible: God as the Bible’s Primary Subject The Bible and history begin with God (Gen. 1:1). The last chapter of the Bible describes God as the “Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Rev. 22:13 NRSV). All the way through ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:13

Tags: God's Provision, Focus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Name Stradivarius Is Synonymous With Fine ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hodges on Jun 16, 2001

The name Stradivarius is synonymous with fine violins. This is true because Antonius Stradivarius insisted that no instrument constructed in his shop be sold until it was as near perfection as human care and skill could make it. Stradivarius said, "God needs violins to send His music into the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:28

Tags: Workplace Integrity, Love Of The Disciples, Peace

Denomination: Baptist

He Shows Us The Mirror Of His Law, The Ten ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Schroer on Mar 12, 2001

He shows us the mirror of his law, the ten commandments, so that we know what we truly are. You know, I can think that I look like Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise, but when I look at myself in the mirror, I know the truth. When we look in the mirror of God’s law we see ourselves as we really are. We see ...read more

Scripture: James 1:23-25

Tags: Grace, God's Sovereign Will

Denomination: Lutheran

Jonathan Goforth

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 24, 2025

The reason we preach the Gospel is because we love God our heavenly Father and not to gain brownie points in heaven. Yes it will be hard work at times. Story: The well known Canadian missionary, Jonathan Goforth told this story about the joy that God has - when we are faithful in doing what he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Tags: Father's Joy, Goforth

Denomination: Anglican

The Foundation Of All Theology Is The Unity Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 11, 2001

The foundation of all theology is the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20, Ephesians 2:20, Ephesians 3:14-21

Tags: Christian Love, E, Unity, Trinity

How To Have 50-20 Vision

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

As Dwight Edwards writes, Paul's "chains were not clamped on by an oppressive Roman government, but by the hand of a loving, faithful Father Who was working it all to Paul's ultimate good and His glory. And so Paul was able to avoid bitterness toward the Roman authorities, for he did ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28

Tags: Faith, Trust, Suffering, Bitterness, Will Of God, Sovereignty Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Running For Life

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Nov 13, 2008

RUNNING FOR LIFE Recently I read a fable about a dog who loved to chase other animals. He bragged about his great running skill and said he could catch anything. Well, it wasn’t long until his boastful claims were put to the test by a certain rabbit. With ease the little creature outran his ...read more

Tags: God Brings Purpose

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Longer I Walk With Christ The Uglier My Sin ...

Contributed by Chris Surber on May 9, 2010

The longer I walk with Christ the uglier my sin seems to me. The closer into communion with God I am the more desperately thankful to God I am for having forgiven this broken, brazen, bold, sinner’s heart. It is only when we have been in the light that darkness is well defined. Interestingly ...read more

Tags: Sin Hurtful To God

Denomination: Christian Church

The Priest And The Levite (Parable Of The Good Samaritan)

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 20, 2022

Keathley makes several interesting points that the Priest and Levite mentioned in the Parable of the Prodigal Son were leaving Jerusalem and could not use the excuse that they did not want to touch the man and be unclean for worship. Why? They had already accomplished their duties and were heading ...read more

Tags: Priest, Parables, Hypocrisy, Pharisees, Kindness, Levite, Good Samaritan  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Holiness And Happiness  PRO

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Mar 14, 2011

HOLINESS AND HAPPINESS Quote taken from an article "9 Points for Preaching on the Problem of Evil" by Norman L. Geisler, a distinguished professor of apologetics at Veritas Evangelical Seminary in Murrieta, California: "The stark truth is that God is more interested in our holiness than in our ...read more

Tags: Apart, Joint, Love, Separation, Holiness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible