In Sermon Illustrations: "Pastor Appreciation"

Good News, Bad News Laughs

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 13, 2022

Good News: You baptised seven people today in the river.Bad News: You lost two of them in the swift current. Good News: The women's group voted to send you a get-well card.Bad News: The vote passed by 31-30. Good News: The trustees finally voted to add more church parking. Bad News: They are ...read more

Tags: Jokes, Sermons, Sermon Introductions, Humor, Pastors, Churches  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Church Without The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2022

David Platt in his book, Radical, has a chapter entitled, "Beginning at the End of Ourselves -- The Importance of Relying on God's Power (Subsection entitled - “Dependent on Ourselves or Desperate for His Spirit?”). This is where I am most convicted as a pastor that I am part of a system ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:11

Tags: Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Power, Pastors, Programs  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A.w. Tozer On The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2022

Great Quote by A.W. Tozer on the Holy Spirit: "If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of this world, much of what we’re doing in our churches would go right on and nobody would know the difference! .I do not believe in a REPETITION of Pentecost, but I do ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:11

Tags: Power, Pastors, Ministry, Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Does Your Ministry Rely Upon The Holy Spirit?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2022

"When we rely on organization, we get what organization can do. When we rely upon education, we get what education can do. When we rely on eloquence, we get what eloquence can do. But when we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:11

Tags: Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Power, Pastors, Ministry, Church  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Uncompromising Preacher

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 19, 2022

Peter Cartwright, a nineteenth-century circuit-riding Methodist preacher, was an uncompromising man. One Sunday morning when he was to preach, he was told that General Andrew Jackson was in the congregation, and warned not to say anything out of line. When Cartwright stood to preach, he said, ...read more

Tags: Evangelism, Hell, Truth, Preaching, Faithfulness, Boldness, Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Does Your Ministry Rely Upon God's Power?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 15, 2023

David Platt in his book Radical has a chapter entitled "Beginning at the End of Ourselves -- The Importance of Relying on God's Power (Subsection entitled - “Dependent on Ourselves or Desperate for His Spirit”) Platt went on to say, "This is where I am most convicted as a pastor. I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8-11, Ephesians 5:18

Tags: Power, Repentance, Pastors, Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Types Of Preaching Found In The New Testament

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 15, 2023

Thomas Constable points out that there are 6 different kinds of preaching described in the New Testament: (1) kerugma, which means proclamation of the clear facts of the Christian message. (2) didache or teaching. This was explanation and interpretation of the facts-the "so what?" (3) ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-11

Tags: Church, Teaching, Preaching, Pastors, Homiletics, Teachers, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When I Passed Out Preaching On Death!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

I met Christ as my personal Lord and Savior when I was 15 years old. I had grown up in church and had faithfully gone to church 3 or 4 times per week my whole life......but I did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. After trusting Him as my Savior, I felt that God spoke to my heart ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27

Tags: Death, Heaven, Preaching, Humor, Pastors, Churches, Fainting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Joke To Share When Attendance In The First Service Begins To Drop

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 12, 2024

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The plaque was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven-year-old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25

Tags: Church, Worship, Pastors, Attending Church, Dead Churches  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Have Never Met A Soul Who Has Set Out To ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Oct 15, 2001

I have never met a soul who has set out to satisfy the Lord and has not been satisfied himself. -- ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 3:17-21, Ezekiel 3:16-21, Ezekiel 3:17

Tags: Discipleship, Fulfillment, Call, Christian Disciplines, Pastor, Mandate, Mentor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Young Lady Busied Herself Getting Ready For A ...  PRO

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Feb 26, 2006

A young lady busied herself getting ready for a blind date. This was not just dinner and a movie; her date had planned dinner at an exclusive downtown restaurant with live music and dancing. Wanting to make a good first impression she had taken the day off work. She cleaned her apartment; she ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-18

Tags: Dress Properly, Service, Second Coming, Pray, Pastor, Wait  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Is The Bible Literally True In America?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 25, 2021

A recent survey shows that fewer than one in four Americans (24%) now believe the Bible is "the actual word of God, and is to be taken literally, word for word," and 26% who view it as "a book of fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man." This is the first ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Preaching, Pastors, Churches, The Word Of God, Preachers, The Bible, America  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Open Rebuke Is Better Than Secret Love.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 25, 2021

The Scripture tells us that "Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Proverbs 27:5-6).   Rebuke means sin is not only pointed out, it is condemned. The church really doesn’t do this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Sin, Preaching, Repentance, Rebuke, Pastors, The Word Of God, Preachers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Babel And Pentecost In Contrast

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2022

"Pentecost was a reversal of the judgment at the Tower of Babel when God confused man’s language (Gen. 11:1-9). God’s judgment at Babel scattered the people, but God’s blessings at Pentecost united the believers in the Spirit. At Babel, the people were unable to understand each other, but at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:11

Tags: Ministry, Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Power, Revival, Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Paul's Persuasion

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 12, 2023

A pastor asked a dying man, "My friend, what persuasion are you?" The man replied, "I am of Paul’s persuasion." The pastor said, "I am afraid you didn’t understand me. Of what persuasion are you?" The man answered, "Oh, I understood you. I am of Paul’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-9, Romans 8:28-39, 1 John 5:1-13

Tags: Assurance, Pastors, Denominations, Faith, Death, Heaven, Salvation, Hope  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Free Indeed!

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Sep 30, 2023

Once a pastor was speaking on the topic of Spiritual Freedom. He began to wax poetical in his delivery as he repeated over, and over this phrase… “I’m free! I’m free! Praise God I’m free indeed!” After service a little boy shook his hand and said, “Preacher, I’m free! I’m free! I’m free indeed!” ...read more

Scripture: John 8:32, John 8:36, John 8:21-36

Tags: Freedom, Sermons Of Jesus, Pastor Jokes, Laughter The Best Medicine

Denomination: Baptist

Sleep In Heavenly Peas?? (Christmas Joke)

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 28, 2023

A little boy and girl were singing their favorite Christmas carol in church the Sunday before Christmas. The boy concluded singing "Silent Night" with the words, "Sleep in heavenly beans." " No," his sister corrected, "not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Tags: Pastors, Birth Of Christ, Christmas, Peace, Preaching, Mistakes, Humor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Burnout In The Ministry Is A Serious Problem.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 12, 2024

Burnout is a serious problem among pastors around the world. Some statistics include: On average, seminary trained pastors last only five years in church ministry. • 100% of 1,050 Reformed and Evangelical pastors had a colleague who had left the ministry because of burnout, church conflict, or ...read more

Tags: Elijah, Ministry, Burnout, Pastors, Simon Peter, Discouraged, Quitting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bloopers In The Bulletin

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 11, 2023

The following are actual church bulletin board bloopers found in churches across the United States. The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church. The Pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-7

Tags: Church, Humor, Secretaries, Failure, Pastors, Unconditional Love, Love For Others, Bloopers, Bulletin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Does Mom Get Done During The Day?

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 28, 2022

A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the yard. The door of his wifes car and front door to the house were open and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:1-31

Tags: Honoring Moms, Child Rearing, Mother, Toddlers, Housework, Domestic, Stress At Home, Wife, Mom, Appreciation, Mothers Day  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible