In Sermon Illustrations: "Natural Revelation"

Jewish Weddings And The Return Of Christ

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 30, 2023

An understanding of the Rapture can be gained from understanding the Jewish Wedding Tradition. IN THE JEWISH WEDDING TRADITION, • As the young man becomes of age to marry, • He builds a room onto his father’s house, • So there will be a place • For him and his bride to live. WHEN THE YOUNG ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, John 14:1-6

Tags: Return Of Christ, Jewish Weddings, Revelation, Israel, Second Coming, Armageddon  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Foot In Mouthj

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 25, 2020

Here is a true story from Patrick Grilliot: We Uber drivers never know whom we’re going to end up with as a passenger. One day, I was driving over a new bridge, the design of which was very confusing. Completely confounded, I muttered, “I’d love to meet the genius who designed this mess.” With ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:5-11

Tags: Behavior, Complaining, Social, Discretion, Two Natures, Foot In Mouth, Embarass  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Downward Spiral Of Sin

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 19, 2023

DOWNWARD SPIRAL OF SIN Sin will take you farther than you ever thought you’d stray. Sin will leave you so lost, you think you’ll never find your way. Sin will keep you longer than you ever thought you’d ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23

Tags: Sin, Temptation, Judgment, Adam, Sinful Nature, Second Adam, Sinners  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Crickets And Crosses

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Mar 30, 2023

Early one Easter morning I stood before an old church graveyard. The crickets were chirping their morning melody for me. I saw three crosses that had been placed there by the congregation, erected as a reminder of the crosses on the hill called Calvary. Calvary, where Jesus was crucified between ...read more

Tags: Easter, Resurrection, Morning, Sunrise, Nature, Sunrise Service, Resurrection Day  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[204]. A Message From A Poem - Once I Was Lost – Now I Am Saved

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 17, 2025

[204]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - ONCE I WAS LOST – NOW I AM SAVED (Shakespeare) When Macbeth heard that Lady Macbeth was dead these words were spoken – “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow Creeps in this petty pace from day to day To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:14, 1 Timothy 2:5, Acts 4:12, John 9:25

Tags: Rejection, Natural Man, Christian Poems, Name, Salvation, Cross, Testimony  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Vernon And Joey

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Oct 13, 2012

It is fitting that we begin with a true story involving three main characters: an elderly man nearing death, a kindhearted woman in robust health, and a deceased boy very much alive. Five months earlier, physicians had diagnosed sixty-five-year-old Vernon Samuels with terminal lung cancer. They ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:3-4

Tags: Death

Denomination: Baptist

Dirty Windows

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 12, 2023

"A friend of mine, Bud Wood, founded Shepherds Home in Wisconsin for boys and girls with developmental disabilities. The original ministry opened its doors in 1964 to 36 children, providing them a loving residential environment and a school that would focus on their unique needs, helping them ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, Philippians 3:20, 1 John 3:1-3

Tags: Return Of Christ, Disabled Children, Revelation, Children, Heaven, Second Coming, Rapture  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A 73 Year Old Iowa Resident Aldin Straight Needed ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Umbehagen on Aug 23, 2001

A 73 year old Iowa resident Aldin Straight needed to visit his ailing brother, who lived on the other side of the state. There was no one who could drive Mr. Straight to his brother’s house. He himself didn’t feel capable of driving there he can’t read road signs when he drives faster than 20 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:10

Tags: Endurance

Denomination: Baptist

Because Of The Increase Of Wickedness, The Love ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Dec 25, 2001

"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." - Matthew 24:12-13 On the night of March 29, 1848, Niagara Falls completely and mysteriously stopped flowing. The estimated 500,000 gallons of water that customarily rushed ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-16

Tags: Love Of The Disciples, Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

C.s. Lewis: The Chronicles Of Narnia — Thirsty  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 25, 2002

C. Cs. Lewis "The Chronicles of Narnia" "Are you not thirsty?" said the lion. "I’m dying of thirst," said Jill. "Then drink," said the lion. "May I- could I- would you mind going away while I do?" said Jill. The lion answered this only by a look and very low growl. As Jill gazed at its ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:1-7

Tags: Jesus Teachings, Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Like The Story Of The 4 Year Old Boy From ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 19, 2000

I like the story of the 4 year old boy from Nashville who went with his grandfather into the woods to select a Christmas tree. They tramped all over, but the boy couldn’t find a tree that suited him. Finally, it began to get dark and cold, and the grandfather said they would have to quit looking. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:8-11

Tags: Worthy, Christmas

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Flag Of Rags  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 24, 2002

A FLAG OF RAGS In the final years of our imprisonment, the North Vietnamese moved us from small cells with one or two prisoners to large rooms with as many as 30-40 men to a room. We preferred this situation for the companionship and strength we could draw from our fellow prisoners. In addition ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:10-11

Tags: Patriotism, Political Freedom, Independence Day, Veterans, Endurance  (view more)  (view less)

John  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 15, 2002

John The "beloved disciple," was brother to James the Great. The churches of Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Thyatira, were founded by him. From Ephesus he was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Tags: Apostles General, Disciples

A Perfect Salvation—communion Meditation  PRO

Contributed by Robert Tatum on Sep 4, 2002

A PERFECT SALVATION-COMMUNION MEDITATION Near Mobile, Alabama there was a railroad bridge that spanned a big bayou. The date was September 22, 1993. It was a foggy morning just before daybreak when a tugboat accidentally pushed a barge into the bayou. The drifting barge slammed into the bridge. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-10

Tags: Forgiveness In Jesus, Christian Disciplines, Unconditional Love

Denomination: Baptist

A Missionary On Furlough Told This True Story ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Crow on Sep 2, 2003

A missionary on furlough told this true story while visiting his home church in Michigan, "While serving at a small field hospital in Africa, every two weeks I traveled by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies. It was a journey of two days and required camping overnight at the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:1-10

Tags: Prayer Answered, Prayer Adoration

Denomination: Baptist

A Fierce Battle Was Raging During The Civil War ...  PRO

Contributed by James O. Davis on Oct 28, 2003

A fierce battle was raging during the Civil War in the 1860s. General Sherman was leading the northern troops on a path from Chattanooga to Atlanta and on to the ocean. He was burning everything in his path. In time, he was involved in a strategic battle at Fort Altoona. The confederates, under ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:13-18

Tags: Second Coming

Denomination: Assembly Of God

My Name Is Vicki, And I Am Addicted. I Am Not ...  PRO

Contributed by Vicki Edwards on Apr 13, 2004

My name is Vicki, and I am addicted. I am not attempting at this time to recover, though I am growing more aware of my neediness daily. I’ll tell you of this obsession, which began in my childhood. My mother knew the same dependence, though I feel she is not as addicted as I am today. I wish she ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:8

Tags: Sharing My Testimony, Addiction

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

In The Movie "Shawshank Redemption," An Old ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 10, 2005

In the movie “Shawshank Redemption,” an old prisoner, Brooks Handlin, acts unreasonable and threatens to take another prisoner’s life. They find out that the reason Brooks has reacted this way is that he’s scared. Scared because his parole has been approved. You see those outside of Shawshank see ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-3

Tags: Heaven

Denomination: Christian Church

According To An Old Fable, A Man Made An Unusual ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 20, 2005

According to an old fable, a man made an unusual agreement with Death. He told the Grim Reaper that he would willingly accompany him when it came time to die, but only on one condition—that Death would send a messenger well in advance to warn him. Weeks winged away into months, and months into ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Tags: Death Nearness