In Sermon Illustrations: "Running From God"

The Will Of God Is Not This...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2019

THE WILL OF GOD “The will of God is not something you ADD to your life. It’s a course you choose. You either line yourself up with the Word of God…...or you capitulate to the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Will Of God, Living Sacrifice, Commitment, Word Of God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Is Missing!!!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 15, 2020

Two young boys in a Christian school had been continually mis-behaving and were sent to the principal’s office on several occasions. The principal knew what they really needed was to have God in their lives, so she brought the first boy in and set him down. “I want to ask you a question. Where is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Psalm 46:10, John 3:16, Romans 5:8

Tags: Humor, God's Love, Guilt, Unconfessed Sin, Confusion  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Starving For God

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 23, 2020

BEATITUDE #4 - "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." “What Jesus is talking about is no mere reference to hunger which could be satisfied by a mid-morning snack. The thought is that of STARVATION. Are you longing for God like that? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Beatitudes, Hungry For God, Thirsting For God

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Is Excellent

Contributed by Ritchie Guerrero on Oct 25, 2020

To realize how God is excellent and Mighty In Power, very simple. Go to a place near you that is called Nature "Tourist Spot" or "Tourist destination", you will see the beauty of creation not even touch by human hands.. I.e Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon, Banff, El Nido Palawan, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 147:5

Tags: Creation, Excellence, Awesome Wonders, Excellence Of God

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Help Of God

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Nov 20, 2020

Alex Haley, the author of "Roots," had an unusual picture hanging on his office wall. It was a picture of a turtle on top of a fence post. When asked, "Why is that there?" Alex Haley answered, "Every time I write something significant, every time I read my words and think ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1

Tags: God, Help, Assistance

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Servant Of God

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Jan 11, 2021

There was once a servant of God, who had gotten very depressed and tired and went to sleep. He had a vision of an ugly, unlikable frog coming towards him. In the beginning, he didn’t like it. However, the frog followed him, and, whenever he turned around, it was behind him. Finally, when man of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28

Tags: Tired, Crown, Vision

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God With Us

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Dec 2, 2024

I started out by describing a song that I had been singing all week long. (I used Leaning on the Everlasting Arms but you can use any song). I spent about 5 - 7 minutes giving all the details of the song. The author, the beat, where it is used at, who sung the song, etc. I keep the title ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:23, Philippians 2:5-11

Tags: Emmanuel, Immanuel, God With Us

Denomination: Church Of God

Encounter With God

Contributed by Samuel M on Jan 25, 2025

Moses' encounter with God, not only resurrected his calling, but it also resurrected a 400-year-old promise given to Abraham. Our experience or visitation with God not only resurrects our calling, but also resurrects the promises of our ...read more

Tags: Faith, Hope

Seeking God

Contributed by Samuel M on Feb 18, 2025

Seeking God is a life-giving living experience similar to a boat crossing earthly waters and entering divine waters, where we behold the glory of God, are swept up in God's ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1

Tags: Faith, Hope

If God Is Good

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 1, 2025

There is a problem at the heart of Christianity. If God is good and loving why is there evil and suffering in the world? There is an old response when you are asked to do something: “I would if I could but I can’t so I won’t.” That response is like one of the ways our world tries to solve this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:17

Tags: Evil, Suffering, Goodness Of God

Denomination: Methodist

Seek God

Contributed by Samuel M on Apr 26, 2025

The Christian life can be summarized in two lines: "Always preparing to meet God" and "Meet God." ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:29

Tags: Faith, Hope

Entitlement With God

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 20, 2025

A Jewish woman is walking on the beach with her little grandson. Suddenly a huge wave sweeps the boy out to sea. Desperate, the woman looks up to heaven and says, “God, please rescue my grandson, my only grandson, the light of my life!” Miraculously, the next big wave deposits ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 25:1-24, Deuteronomy 25:1-18, Isaiah 61:1-3, 2 Chronicles 36:20-21, Matthew 20:1-16, Matthew 3:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Abraham, Privilege, Entitlement, Assumptions, False Hope, Owed  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Keeping Company With God  PRO

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Jul 31, 2007

Philip Yancey writes in his book, Prayer, that “… Keeping company with God also includes expressing the times of trial and frustration. In Fiddler on the Roof, Tevye keeps up a running dialogue with God, giving credit for the good things but also lamenting all that goes wrong. In one scene he ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Gods That People Manufacture

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 13, 2019

THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME. In his book, Your God is Too Small, J. B. Phillips describes some of the common gods that people manufacture. One is the grand old man god, the grandfatherly, white-haired, indulgent god who smiles down on men and winks at their adultery, stealing, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-10

Tags: False Gods, Idolatry, Ten Commandments

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Video Clip From The Messenger – ...

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 7, 2005

Illustration: Video clip from The Messenger – Joan of Arc from Videos That Teach 2 Page 108: The Movie France is embroiled in the The Hundred Years War with England, and young Jeanne d’Aragon (milla Jovovich) hears the voice of God telling her to lead the French army into battle and defend their ...read more

Tags: Temptation Resisting

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Person God Blesses

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 12, 2008

THE PERSON GOD BLESSES First, what do we notice about the Person God blesses. A. The person God blesses has had a conversion to God's ways. Where do I get this concept? I get it from Abram’s name change. When we first meet him he is known as "Abram." After an encounter with God (Gen. 17:5) he is ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Separation From Your Love

Contributed by Michael Buckingham on Jun 24, 2011

SEPARATION FROM YOUR LOVE I remember once there was girl I loved so much in my youth, I thought that we would be together forever, and I thought that I could never live without her! But now I hardly ever think about her... the truth is that I really can live without her. So what changed between ...read more

Tags: Prayer General

Denomination: Baptist

This Story Comes From Reggie ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 28, 2009

This story comes from Reggie McNeal: I was sitting on a bench on a beach boardwalk late one afternoon, resting after an hour walk. I had passed a woman in a green uniform pushing a broom several times. She came toward my bench doing her meticulous sweeping of the sidewalk. Suddenly she stopped, ...read more

Tags: Servanthood

Guidance From A Fortune Cookie?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 21, 2020

My wife and I occasionally balance our diets with some good old Chinese food! Besides, every cook deserves at least one day off and I plan on doing this for my favorite gal as often as I can! One of the best things about these restaurants is wondering what kind of "fortune" we'll ...read more

Scripture: John 7:17

Tags: Bible, Guidance, Word, Fortune Cookies

Denomination: Baptist

Quote From Jerry Vines, ...

Contributed by Troy Borst on Feb 2, 2005

Quote from Jerry Vines, http://elbourne.org/sermons/index.mv?illustration+2567 “Our churches are in serious trouble today. There is virtually no difference between the average church member and the person who is not a Christian. God meant for the Christian to be different, to live a different kind ...read more

Tags: Sharing My Testimony

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ