In Sermon Illustrations: "Quotes"

Great Christmas Story To Use!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 28, 2023

Pastor Clifford S. Stewart of Louisville, Kentucky, sent his parents a microwave oven one Christmas when microwaves were a new thing for many Americans. Here's how he recalls the interesting experience: "They were excited that now they, too, could be a part of the instant generation. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-12, John 1:1-12

Tags: Witnessing, Birth Of Christ, Son Of God, Evangelism, Christmas, Jesus, Salvation, Gospel, Missions  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Red Neck Wedding

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Feb 22, 2003

The Red Neck Wedding In the Summer of 2000 a couple came to me and explained that they wanted me to perform their Wedding ceremony. The man was a farmer and the woman had grown up on a farm. They explained to me that this was both of their 2nd marriage and neither one of them had a Church ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:2

Tags: Wedding, Humorous Weddings

Denomination: Baptist

Reprove An Erring Brother, Do Not Reproach Him

Contributed by James Dina on Oct 7, 2020

REPROVE AN ERRING BROTHER, DO NOT REPROACH HIM Huwag mong pagsabihan ang isang scoffer, o kapopootan niya kayo, pagsabihan ang isang matalinong tao at mahal niya kayo. Magbigay ng tagubilin sa isang matalinong tao at magiging mas matalino pa rin siya, turuan ang isang mabuting tao at pag-iibayuhin ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 9:8

Tags: Reprove, Correct In Love

Denomination: Pentecostal

Creation Shows The Glory Of God!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

"The stars are God's fingerprints. The sun is a mere smidgen of His radiance. The moon is to remind us that He doesn't sleep at night. The vastness of space proclaims the infinity of His wisdom, while the sand pebble indicates His thoroughness with the puniest details. The lion hints ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-3

Tags: Creation, Glory, God, Nature, Agnosticism, Sovereignty Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In A Recent Survey It Was Found That 15 Percent ...  PRO

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 27, 2005

In a recent survey it was found that 15 percent of the ladies tinted their hair, 38 percent wore rouge, 98 percent wore eye shadow, 22 percent wore false eyelashes, 93 percent wore nail polish. And 100 percent voted in favor of a resolution condemning any kind of ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 2:1-13

Tags: Women

Denomination: Baptist

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

The Big Fat Lie Of Temptation

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 8, 2024

John Piper says that sin (lust for example) "gets its power by persuading me to believe that I will be much happier if I will follow it. The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier." And all of God's children ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Lies, False Teaching, Tests, Lusts, Deception, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Happiness, Truth, Temptation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tour Of The Art Museum

Contributed by Phillip Holbrook on May 29, 2019

Suppose you take a tour of an art museum that is advertising a look at the most important work in all of history. The curator points out some famous and priceless works by Picasso, Rembrandt and others. Then, he says to you, "I want you to see the most significant painting ever created", ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:19-20

Tags: Faith, Creation, Evolution

Denomination: Christian Church

Getting Away With It Is Half The Fun

Contributed by James Snyder on Sep 19, 2020

I must admit I don't get away with very much, and I never have. It's not that I never try. It's just that whenever I try to get away with something, it always backfires. I wish there were a class somewhere entitled, "How You Can Get Away with Anything." I certainly would sign ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 32:23

Tags: Sin, Humor

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

As If I Didn’t Already Know

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 12, 2024

I've been accused of many things throughout my life, but never having a great memory. It's not that I don't try to remember things; I can't remember things I'm supposed to remember. It has nothing to do with my age because it started as far back as I can remember. This ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:23-24

Tags: Memory, Relationship

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Inerrant Word Of God

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 21, 2020

"Divine Inspiration is not asserted of the authors of Scripture but of the writings themselves. But inspiration was not mechanical. The Holy Spirit did not destroy the personality and individual characteristics of the individual writers but rather so worked through the entire being of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Bible, Truth, Inspiration, Word Of God, Inerrancy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Young Elders Are Okay

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 22, 2025

Timothy was perhaps 35 years old, yet he was above and appointing elders. In the context of first century Israel, the term elder was not connected to age: "During the mishnaic period the name zaken ('elder') was reserved for scholars, and particularly members of the Sanhedrin... ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Tags: Youth, Leadership, Young Leaders, Elders, Qualifications For Elder, Elders And Age  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Faith Of Stonewall Jackson

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 8, 2021

There is a scene in the Civil War motion picture Gods and Generals that is telling. The movie follows the rise and fall of Civil War hero General Thomas Jackson, and does not try to hide his Christianity. Throughout the picture, Jackson's dependence on God is shown, but never more strikingly ...read more

Tags: Courage, Will Of God, Civil War, Sovereignty Of God, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Wife Has Become A Historian

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Dec 5, 2019

I had a brother once tell me: "That my wife, has become a historian." Of course, I inquired a little further, into what appeared to be a wonderful achievement. So I asked: “What do you mean my brother?” He replied: “She can tell me everything I have done wrong since we've been ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8:10-12, Hebrews 10:15-18

Tags: Love, Forgiveness, Marriage, Wife, Understanding, Patience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Steinway Pianos Are Crafted

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 14, 2021

THE POUNDER ROOM The Steinway piano has been preferred by keyboard masters such as Rachmaninoff, Horowitz, Cliburn, and Liszt and for good reason. It is a skillfully crafted instrument that produces phenomenal sound. Steinway pianos are built today the same way they were 140 years ago when Henry ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Tags: Discipline, Trials, Tests Of Faith

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of Embraced Sacrifice Is Greater Than The Power Of Coercion

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Apr 8, 2022

"The cross has become the most widely recognized symbol in the world. It marks more graves, graces more jewelry, and sits atop more churches than any other design. The making of the sign of the cross is known from basilicas to baseball diamonds. Finding a logo has become big business, but no ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-42, Mark 15:21-41

Tags: Sacrifice, The Cross, Symbols

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Long Process Of Crucifixion

Contributed by John Bright on Apr 6, 2025

Roman crucifixion was a long, drawn-out process that often lasted for several days. This was not the case for Jesus - "Pilate marveled that He was already dead…" Mark 15:44. What happens on that cross? • With weight on the wrists - the chest is stretched when the person is slumped ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:44, John 19:33-34

Tags: Water, Blood, Crucifixion, Sermon

Denomination: Methodist

Good Food From The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 28, 2025

GOOD FOOD FROM THE GOOD SHEPHERD This is David's message to us in Psalm 37:1-3, where the KJV says: 1. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. 2. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3. Trust in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-11

Tags: Rest, Hardships, Cares, Cast Your Cares, Horrible Times, Evil, Trust, Suffering, Righteousness, Rejoice, Shelter, Pain, Peace  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

It Was A Week That Was Shot To Pieces

Contributed by James Snyder on Jun 27, 2020

I only made one mistake last week, which is something of a record for me. I try limiting mistakes to one at a time, but not always in sequential order. I once tried to make my mistakes in a logical order, but it turned out to be a mistake. The one faux pas I made was taking Monday off. I proposed ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Tags: Humor, Plans

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Ain’t 16 Anymore

Contributed by James Snyder on Jul 24, 2021

I’ve had so many birthdays in my life that I really don’t know how old I am. All I know is that I’m one year older than I was last year. I would not be able to remember when my life began if it wasn’t for paperwork.. To many people, numbers are very important, but in my opinion, a number is just a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Tags: Birthday, Growing, Responsibity

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance