In Sermon Illustrations: "Matthew 3:3-4:1"

A Christmas Card From John The Baptist

Contributed by Larry Turner on Dec 3, 2015

How’s this for a Christmas card this year. On the front a beautiful winter scene. On the inside a nice thought. “The fire of the Holy Spirit, That should be your desire. To follow and obey him, For the Gospel, be a crier. So if Jesus comes back this year, May you not be found a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:11-12

Tags: Christmas, John The Baptist

Denomination: Foursquare

An Observation About Context

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 16, 2020

Context is very important, even in the little things. For example, people have done a lot of damage to Bible verses, stories, doctrines, etc., because they did not or do not consider the context. Someone once remarked that a Bible verse out of its context is like a diamond away from a necklace: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Context, Temptations And Testings

Denomination: Baptist

Drugs Are No Game

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 7, 2020

You’ve probably heard and seen it all when it comes to warnings about “don’t do drugs,” and so forth. Frankly, I’ve seen and heard a lot of them, and I’m sure glad someone told me about the dangers of drugs and drug abuse. Someone took a lot of time to get the information out and thanks to those ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Drugs, Temptations, Drug Abuse

Denomination: Baptist

Baptism Of Jesus

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 27, 2021

What do John the Baptist and Winnie the Pooh have in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Tags: John The Baptist, Winnie The Pooh

Denomination: Methodist

You Are My Dear, Dear Child: I'm Delighted With You.

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Apr 22, 2023

A famous movie-maker had a huge legal wrangle with his longtime mentor and guide. The younger man simply couldn't handle criticism and ended up rejecting the person who had helped him so much. When it was all over, a close friend summed up the real problem. "It was all about an ungenerous ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-13, Matthew 3:13-17

Tags: Loved By God, Jesus Baptism, God's Love, Loved

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fighting Temptation

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Oct 4, 2023

Have you seen the Kid’s Candy Challenge videos? • What happens in the Kid’s Candy Challenge is the parent tells their small child or children that they can have some candy • But they have to wait until mom or dad gets back • The candy is set right in front of them • Along with a phone to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Sin, Temptation, Jesus Cannot Sin

Denomination: Baptist

Proving That Jesus Won't Sin

Contributed by Brian Harvison on Oct 4, 2023

As the Union Pacific railroad was being constructed • There is a story about an elaborate trestle bridge that was built across a large canyon out West • Wanting to test the bridge the builder loaded a train with enough extra cars and equipment to double its normal payload • The train was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Jesus Can't Sin, Sin

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Tired? I Am.

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Dec 22, 2023

Can you believe it? Another year is in the books. I don’t know about you, but as magical and wonderful this time of year is, it is exhausting. I’m tired! And the fact is that it’s not just this time of year. I find myself getting weary and tired often. Life is like that. It can wear you down. ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7, Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Perseverance, Endurance, Temptation, Discouragement, Weariness, New Years, Tiredness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Winnowing Fork

Contributed by Subasini Peter on May 8, 2024

God's winnowing fork Imagine God being so good, loving and kind now will have a winnowing fork in His hand to separate the chaff from the grain. All our works in a lifetime we have done will be judged by God. All the works that do not glorify the name of Jesus Christ will be separated. We ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:12

Tags: Grain, Seed, Winnowing Fork

Entitlement With God

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 20, 2025

A Jewish woman is walking on the beach with her little grandson. Suddenly a huge wave sweeps the boy out to sea. Desperate, the woman looks up to heaven and says, “God, please rescue my grandson, my only grandson, the light of my life!” Miraculously, the next big wave deposits ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 25:1-24, Deuteronomy 25:1-18, Isaiah 61:1-3, 2 Chronicles 36:20-21, Matthew 20:1-16, Matthew 3:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: False Hope, Owed, Abraham, Privilege, Entitlement, Assumptions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

[237 H] [8]. A Message From A Poem - Scenes From The Gospels - Part 8

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 11, 2025

[237 H] [8]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 8 They are here to enjoy! Scenes from the Gospels are very special to me. I love them. They have taken a lot of effort, and many, many months revision to get them as correct as possible with the difficult word limitations. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-4, Matthew 13:10-13, Matthew 16:1-6, Matthew 13:31-32, Matthew 3:1-17, John 1:19-36, Mark 10:17-23, Mark 10:46-52  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Hypocrites, Signs Of The Times, Constantine, Sell What You Have, Blind, Bartimaeus, Lamb Of God, John The Baptist, Rich Young Ruler, Good Teacher, Sight, Gain, Pharisees, Baptize, Sadducees, Mustard Seed  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[237 J] [10]. A Message From A Poem - Scenes From The Gospels - Part 10

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 12, 2025

[237 J] [10]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - SCENES FROM THE GOSPELS - PART 10 They are here to enjoy! Scenes from the Gospels are very special to me. I love them. They have taken a lot of effort, and many, many months revision to get them as correct as possible with the difficult word limitations. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-4, Matthew 13:10-13, Luke 4:38-39, Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 10:29-37, Matthew 3:7, Matthew 12:33-37, Matthew 11:7-15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Herod The Edomite, Murderer, The Magi, The Good Samaritan, The Wise Men, Brood Of Vipers, Mother In Law Of Peter, Pharisees, Sadducees, John The Baptist, Levite, Fever, Jesus Heals, Wilderness, Herod  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational