In Sermon Illustrations: "Puff Up"

Get In The Barrel

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Oct 18, 2017

A man was type rope walking across Niagara Falls. As he made his first attempt, it seemed like the draft from the falls would pull him down. With some struggle, he got to the other side and returned. A crowd began to gather. He asked: "how many of you believe I can take this wheel barrel across and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, Exodus 14:29-30

Tags: Faith, Obedience, Red Sea, Dry Land, Lord Saved Israel, Lord Destroyed Egypt, True Faith Trust God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Wrong Reasons For Study Of Bible

Contributed by Tony Abram on Jan 21, 2018

At the village church in Kalonovka, Russia, attendance at Sunday school picked up after the priest started handing out candy to the peasant children. One of the most faithful was a pug-nosed, lad who recited his Scriptures with proper piety, pocketed his reward, then fled into the fields to munch ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3

Tags: Holy, Sanctification

Sabbath Sympathy

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jun 1, 2018

Never one to back down from a fight, Jesus takes the bait, and summons the man. He literally says, “Rise in the midst of the group.” And there are two reasons for this request. He wants everyone to see and witness this event. He wants him up and in the middle. The second is this. As a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:3-5

Tags: Sabbath, Pharisees, Sympathy, Sabbath Controversy, Healing By Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Doing Something

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 14, 2019

GOD IS DOING SOMETHING Gas Station Business Card A few years ago, I was impressed of God to design a business card that had a picture of hell on the front with the words “GET OUT OF HELL FREE” on the back I placed Salvation Scriptures. I was driving to work early one morning and nearing my exit, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:27

Tags: Obedience, Unexpected

Denomination: Pentecostal

When The First Ice Cream Cone Was Born

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2019

A lot gets accomplished when people work together. In the summer of 1904, at the World’s Fair in St. Louis, it was hot and people were searching for something to help cool them off. A vendor named Arnold had just what they were looking for……something called ice cream. People lined up for what ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-7

Tags: Unity, Working Together

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

8 Lies Addicted Gamblers Tell Themselves

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 15, 2019

8 Lies Addictive Gamblers Tell Themselves 1. "One more trip to gamble won't hurt anything." 2. "I need to go gamble to see my friends." 3. "I'm a loser, so who cares if I gamble." 4. "I deserve to gamble, because I have had a hard week." 5. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:12

Tags: Excuses, Gambling, Work

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Pay On Friday

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on May 24, 2020

I am often asked by those with whom I study: “How often is the often?” How often do believers in Christ take communion? The bible does not say: “every Sunday.” Where does it state: “every first day of the week?” I explain it this way. I share with them one of my job interviews, for a training ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Tags: Communion, Contribution, First Day Of The Week

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Your Freedom

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Mar 20, 2021

As we conclude Galatians today, I want to further discuss your freedom in Christ. This entire letter is about not giving up your freedom in Christ for rituals. When I worked for McDonald’s in Canyon, TX; I was an Assistant Manager. It was around this time of year, which meant we sold many ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-18

Tags: Freedom, Freedom In Action

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Traditions Around The World

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 19, 2022

As Americans, we pride ourselves in "doing Christmas up big." Tons of gifts, big holiday feasts, huge trees, Lights on the houses. Here are some of the other ways people prepare for the celebration of Christmas: * In Italy they have no Christmas trees, instead they decorate small ...read more

Tags: Customs, Traditions, Christmas, Birth Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Six Ways To Be A Modern Day Barnabas

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 2, 2023

Below are six ways to encourage someone. When was the last time you encouraged someone in any of the following ways? Have you ignored some gentle promptings by the Spirit to encourage someone? Perhaps today you might ask God to whom you might send a note or make a call? Yes, dear brother or ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:36

Tags: Encouragement, Barnabas, Serving, Ministry To Others, Volunteers, Fellowship, Support, Giving  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Probability Of Jesus Fulfilling Messianic Prophecy!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 28, 2023

In his book, Science Speaks, Peter Stoner applies the modern science of probability to just eight Messianic prophecies regarding Christ. He says, "The chance that any man might have fulfilled all eight prophecies is one in 10 to the 17th. That would be 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000." (one ...read more

Tags: Messianic Prophecy, Old Testament, Christmas, Jesus, Science, Miracles, Son Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sun And The Wind

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 16, 2024

One day, the Sun and the Wind argued over who was stronger. They see a man walking with a coat and decide to settle their dispute by seeing who can make him remove his coat. The Wind blows fiercely, but the harder it blows, the tighter the man clutches his coat. Then, the Sun gently shines its warm ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:1

Tags: Persuade, Fables, God's Warmth, Gentleness, Gentle  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

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

Thief And Parrot

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Aug 7, 2025

One night, a thief broke into a big, rich house. He wanted to steal expensive things. He looked around and started putting gold and jewelry into his bag. As he walked through the house, he suddenly heard a voice say: "Jesus is watching you." The thief stopped. He looked around but didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 5:21

Tags: Parrot, God, Thief, Watching

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Midnight Cry

Contributed by Samuel M on Oct 1, 2025

There is a cry rising across the land. Every ear can hear this cry. This cry is heard in every nation, city and village. The cry is - "Behold the bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him". The cry is resonating so much in the atmosphere- The bridegroom is coming; the bridegroom is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:6

Tags: Faith, Hope

The Boy And The Sprinkles

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 20, 2025

He couldn’t have been more than seven or eight. A mop of brown hair, freckles across his nose, and a handful of coins jingling in his palm as he stepped up to the counter. “Ma’am,” he asked shyly, “how much is a scoop of vanilla ice cream?” The waitress smiled. “Fifty cents.” He nodded and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:48, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Tags: Love, Humility, Gratitude, Generosity, Kindness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Story Of The Bears

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 21, 2025

Story: One day Bill Morris went out hunting in the woods just outside Prince George in British Columbia, Canada. It had been a slow day and he hadn’t found any game to shoot. Suddenly, he heard a noise behind him. He whirled around and saw two ferocious looking bears coming towards him. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Tags: Hunting, Christian Bears

Denomination: Anglican

Trouble In The Church  PRO

Contributed by Douglas Duvall on Dec 3, 2006

Trouble in the Church ACTS 15:1-12 I. Decision 15:1-4 A. Men 15:1 B. Method 15:2 C. Messages 15:3-4 II. Demand 15:5-6 A. Demands 15:5 B. Deliberations 15:6 III. Declaration 15:7-12 A. Choice 15:7 B. Comparison 15:8-9 C. Conversion 15:10-12 Introduction Peter had ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

You Share Christ By Imitating Christ. A Story Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian Mavis on Oct 27, 2000

You share Christ by imitating Christ. A story is told – by Fredrick Beuchner I believe – called “The Happy Hypocrite." It is a story about a man who was born with an awful facial deformity. He grew up alone and lonely. When reaching adulthood, he decided to move from his town to begin a new life. ...read more

Tags: Hypocrite, Image Of Christ, Influence, Great, Accomplishment, Call Of The Disciples, Change, Discipleship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Happened On An Interview With Dr. Adrian ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Jan 26, 2001

*I happened on an interview with Dr. Adrian Roger’s long time Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis Tennessee. Dr. Rogers is summing up what made his years of ministry there possible: “If you were to put Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, anybody else out there and let them speak to the same people ...read more

Tags: Bible Influence, Bible Truth

Denomination: Baptist