In Sermon Illustrations: "New Heaven"

Remembering My Purpose  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 22, 2004

REMEMBERING MY PURPOSE The Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful and costly tombs ever built, but there is something fascinating about its beginnings. In 1629, when the favorite wife of Indian ruler Shah Jahan died, he ordered that a magnificent tomb be built as a memorial to her. The shah ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-14, John 2:14-25

Tags: Fulfillment, Lost, New Year's Day, Purpose, Communion  (view more)  (view less)

James S. Hewett, Former Pastor Of Saratoga ...  PRO

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Mar 23, 2008

James S. Hewett, former pastor of Saratoga (California) Presbyterian Church shares this story: “A little boy and his father were driving down a country road on a beautiful spring afternoon. Suddenly out of nowhere a bumblebee flew in the car window. Since the little boy was deathly allergic to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:22, Luke 24:4-6

Tags: Atonement, Sacrifice, Salvation, New Life, Apostles General  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

He Who Is A Stranger To Prayer Is A Stranger To ...  PRO

Contributed by Tony Abram on Apr 1, 2008

He who is a stranger to prayer is a stranger to power. When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don’t, they don’t. ...read more

Tags: New Life, Old Life, Take Off, Put On

Listen To The Words Of Max Lucado From His Book ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 2, 2008

Listen to the words of Max Lucado from his book "When God Whispers Your Name": "For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose. I choose love. No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice ...read more

Tags: Father's Day, Mother's Day, New Year's Day

We Used To Live In This Small Farming Town North ...  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Emmert on Sep 22, 2008

We used to live in this small farming town north of Manhattan. Down the street from our house was a sweet-natured and friendly family with a strange habit. They never seemed to throw anything away. They had completely filled their front porch with bags of trash and it wasn't long before their yard ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:37-38, Matthew 9:17, Mark 2:22

Tags: Change, Transformation, New Life, Born Again, Wineskin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Things I Have Learned From Gardening  PRO

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 10, 2010

THINGS I HAVE LEARNED FROM GARDENING • Nothing ever looks like it does on the seed packet. • Your lawn is always slightly bigger than your desire to mow it. • Whichever garden tool you want is always at the back of the shed. • The only way to ensure rain, is to give the garden a good soaking. ...read more

Tags: Creation, Growth, Discipleship, New Life, Church Planting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

The Two Coats

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Feb 17, 2011

THE TWO COATS A friend of mine once saw a tramp and decided to help him. He noticed he was wearing a dirty old coat. It was ripped and fit only for the bin. So my friend offered the tramp his coat. The tramp took it but to my friends surprise, instead of taking off the old coat and putting on the ...read more

Tags: Change, Old Coat, New Coat, Two Coats

Denomination: Brethren

Through The Eyes Of A 3-Year-Old

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

Rena was 3 years old when she went to her first baptismal service. It was new for her and a bit mystifying. As events transpired, she looked up at her father with surprise in her eyes, “Daddy, he pushed that guy under the water? Why did he do that?” The father tried to quietly answer her question ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Baptism, Good Works, Water Baptism, New Start

Denomination: Charismatic

The Touch Of The Master's Hand

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

The Touch of the Masters Hand Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on the old violin, but held it up with a smile; "What am I bidden, good folks," he cried, "Who'll start the bidding for me?" "A dollar, a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:16-17

Tags: Salvation, New Creation In Christ, The Master, Anointing Of The Spirit

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stranded On An Island

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 17, 2022

A shipwrecked mariner spent years on a deserted island, completely alone. Then one morning he sees a ship offshore and a smaller vessel pulling out towards him. When the boat grounded on the beach, the officer in charge handed the marooned sailor a bundle of newspapers and told ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Tags: News, Rescue, Society, Depravity, Shipwreck, Decay, Stranded  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Price Has Been Paid For You

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Aug 28, 2024

The story is told of a young man who left the old country and sailed to America to make a new life in the new world. Before he left, his father pressed some money in his hand. It wasn't much, but it was all he had. He hoped it would tide the boy over until he found a job. His mother handed him ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:13-14

Tags: Good News, Barriers, Intimacy With God, Missing Out

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

You're Not Home Yet!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 25, 2023

An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for years, and they were returning to New York City to retire. They had no pension; their health was broken; they were defeated, discouraged, and afraid. They discovered they were booked on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Missionaries, Heaven, Faithfulness, Spiritual Fruit, Rewards, Fruit Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Better Get Your Bags Packed!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 2, 2022

One day a very wealthy, powerful king died. His servants spread the unbelievable news all over the palace. He had died in his bed of natural causes. "Where has he gone?", asked one of the king's wisest counselors "Why, to Heaven of course!", answered all the ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Heaven, Salvation, Gospel, Excuses, Prepare, Procrastination, Fools  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Time It Was My Privilege To Watch The Ascent ...  PRO

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 1, 2001

"One time it was my privilege to watch the ascent of a balloon. It was bound to the earth by many cords. As the process of filling it with gas began, it struggled to get free. The first line was cut, and immediately that side was lifted from the earth. Then the second and third ropes were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

Tags: Holy Spirit, Heaven, Love Of The Disciples, Second Coming

Denomination: Church Of God

The Bible Says That "Today Is The Day Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Nov 4, 2003

The Bible says that “Today is the day of salvation.” Author Anne Lamott tells about a 7 year old girl who got lost in a big city. The girl frantically ran up and down several streets, looking for a familiar landmark. A policeman saw the girl, realized something was wrong, and offered to help. She ...read more

Tags: Church, Body Of Christ, Heaven, Home, What Is Evangelism?  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Words Leave A Lasting Impression

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jul 7, 2011

WORDS LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION As bad as it is to hear foul words, it is worse to speak them. A nobleman went to see how Josiah Wedgwood made his SUPERB POTTERY. A young apprentice was told to give the guest a tour of the factory. As they walked through the plant, the visitor began to use ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-21

Tags: Heaven, Message, Giving, Words, Tithing, Churches, Scroll  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Rain Man Doesn't Understand Inheritance

Contributed by David Ward on Feb 25, 2016

"Rain Man" was the top moneymaking film of 1988, and also won the Oscar for Best Picture. It tells the story of an abrasive and selfish wheeler-dealer named Charlie (Tom Cruise), who discovers that his estranged father has died and bequeathed all of his multimillion-dollar estate to his other son, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34

Tags: Eternal Inheritance, Treasures In Heaven, Priorities, Wealth And Riches

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Funeral Illustration

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

I love that scene in The Pilgrim's Progress where Christian and Hopeful come to the final river of death. They are fearful that the water will be over their heads. But Hopeful goes first and calls back to Christian, “Be of good cheer, my brother; I feel the bottom, and it is good.” For every ...read more

Tags: Death, Heaven, Promises Of God, Valley Of The Shadow Of Death

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grandma Is Cramming For Her Finals!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 15, 2024

Every time a little boy went to a playmate’s house, he found the friend’s grandmother deeply engrossed in her Bible. Finally, his curiosity got the better of him. “Why do you suppose your grandmother reads the Bible so much?” he asked. “I’m not ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-16

Tags: Death, Children, Heaven, Judgment, Bible Reading, Grandmothers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Larry Norman Funeral Was A Going Away Party

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

What a gathering! Over 500 poured into a church this morning to pay our respects to Larry Norman. As we entered, we were handed ‘circus programs’ (instead of a boring pamphlet) that read: "Larry Norman Presents: A Going Away Party." It was a gathering of friends, family and fans ...read more

Tags: Funerals, Christian Music, Death, Celebration, Heaven, Mourning  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational