In Sermon Illustrations: "Seeing God"

The Power Of Godly Hope

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Feb 23, 2006

*King Duncan tells the story that reminds us of the power of this hope. This happened in 1993, to a man named Terry Stout. Terry was the business manager for the Psychiatry Department at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. *One Fall morning Terry was running a little late, but (I’m sure led by ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-2, Hebrews 6:17-20

Tags: Despair, Salvation, Suicide, Godly Hope, Hope, Power Of God's Word  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Square Fillers

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Oct 19, 2018

In the military we had a term that we called “square fillers.” We would have a check-list of requirements and before each requirement or inspection item, there would be printed a little square . When each requirement was completed, you would check off the appropriate square. The term came to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:13-36

Tags: False Religion, Unrighteousness, Outward Appearances, Minimum Requirements, Heart For God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Computers

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Feb 21, 2020

Three ways our choice to follow God is like a computer (phone/electric device) 1. We need to stay plugged in to keep our batteries charged. (prayer, scripture, worship all charge our batteries) 2. We need to keep our Virus Protection up-to-date. (Sin is as prevalent as viruses on the internet. ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 2 Timothy 1:12

Tags: Computers, Virus, Connected, Phones, Charged, Virus Protection, In God's Hands  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Billy Graham's Great Regret

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

Billy Graham was once asked, "If you had to live your life over again, what would you do differently?" He answered: “One of my great regrets is that I have not studied enough, I wish I had studied more and preached less. People have pressured me into speaking to groups when I should ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Bible, Scripture, Bible Study, Word Of God, Pastors, Sermon Preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Outline Of The Lord's Prayer

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 8, 2022

This profoundly simple model captures everything we need to know about prayer. It sets the standard, or pattern, for praying the way Jesus prayed. Outline: The paternity of prayer: “Father” The priority of prayer: “Hallowed be your name” The program of prayer: “Your kingdom come” The ...read more

Tags: Forgiveness, Prayer, Temptation, Lord's Prayer, Daily Bread, Kingdom Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Was That Baby Boy Who Almost Died

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 15, 2022

When I was 15 years old, I met Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. It was the summer before my sophomore year in high school. That summer, the Lord called me to preach with an unmistakable calling on my life. I had a dream of one of my best friends one night. He was surrounded by flames and ...read more

Tags: Gospel, Miracles, God's Call, Prodigal Son, Testimonies, Father, Healing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dead Religion

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 13, 2022

Steven Cole gives us a powerful personal application of the story in Luke 13:10-17. Luke concludes this story by noting that Jesus’ opponents were being humiliated, but the multitude was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him (Lk 13:17). As we saw before, Jesus and His teaching ...read more

Tags: Faith, Church, Satan, Preaching, Revival, Religion, Kingdom Of God, Outlines  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Difference Christmas Makes

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 24, 2023

At Christmastime, we set up our Christmas trees and toy trains. We may even walk along singing carols, or we may preach a sermon, but these bits and pieces are barren if we are thinking only of them or even thinking only of being in heaven, and are not stopping to ask ourselves, “What difference ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Tags: Shepherds, Christmas, Glory, God's Glory, Ordinary People, Making A Difference  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Five Finger Prayer Formula

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 10, 2024

Prayer is a conversation with God, not a formula. Yet sometimes we might need to use a “method” to freshen up our prayer time. We can pray the Psalms or other Scriptures (such as The Lord’s Prayer), or use the ACTS method (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication). I recently came ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

Tags: Faith, Worship, Praise, Prayer, Hearing God, Receiving, Asking, Needs  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Are The Five Solas Of The Reformation?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 11, 2024

What are the 5 Solas of the Reformation? The 5 “Solas” of the Reformation (“solas,” meaning, “alones”) are five principles that are foundational to the doctrine of salvation that were the focus of the Protestant Reformation. These five "solas" led to the rejection of the false teachings ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, Romans 5:1-8

Tags: Faith, Grace, Scripture, Sin, Salvation, Theology, Glory Of God, Reformation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Have You Ever Heard Of The Woman Who Hated ...  PRO

Contributed by Andrew Chan on May 17, 2001

Have you ever heard of the woman who hated Mother’s Day? According to the Toronto Star’s website, there was such a woman. If you think the spirit of Mother’s Day has been spoiled by the commercialism of cards, flowers and once-a-year sincerity, you stand united with the woman credited with giving ...read more

Tags: Bible, Forgiveness In Jesus, Inspiration, Funny, God's Provision, Mother's Day, Taste, Spoil  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Buried In The Deepest Sea  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 8, 2002

BURIED IN THE DEEPEST SEA Several years ago Rick Stacy baptized a man in Lake Superior. It was late October and about 9:00 PM. Rick had been talking with Myron and his wife about accepting the Lord as their personal savior and sealing that decision with baptism into Jesus. Myron was hesitant ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 3:3, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:11-15

Tags: Grace, God's Forgiveness, Forgiveness, Baptism, Atonement, Born Again, Redemption, New Life, Sin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Love The Picture Of Sweet Baby Jesus, But We ...

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 15, 2009

I Love the Picture of Sweet Baby Jesus, but we don’t seem to like to think of God destroying mankind like He did in Genesis 6. We prefer the tamed version of God. The sanitized, warm, cuddly kind of God who does everything for us but tuck us in at night. The sweet baby Jesus rather than the Jesus ...read more

Tags: Judgment

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In Max Lucado's Book The Applause Of Heaven, He ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Jul 29, 2006

In Max Lucado’s book The Applause of Heaven, he gives an illustration, that cements Jesus’ point that the only way to change your life is to change your heart. At one time Max and his family lived in Rio De Janeiro, working as missionaries. Once, when they were leaving on a week long trip, Max ...read more

Tags: Betrayal

Denomination: Christian Church

[079]. A Message From A Poem – Faithful, Lord, You Are To Me And Us

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 12, 2025

[079]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FAITHFUL, LORD, YOU ARE TO ME AND US [THIS IS WHAT I WROTE IN 2022]. Recently I had to go to Townsville for a major ear operation to address a problem I have had for over a year and which would not be treated at the local Queensland State hospital because they ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:20, Romans 8:27-28

Tags: Caring God, Help, Poetry, Poem, Problem, Ear Operation, Townsville, Faithful, Victory  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let Me Tell You A Story From Alberta History: ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Dec 12, 2002

Let me tell you a story from Alberta history: Cree Chief Maskepetoon met Rev. Robert Rundle, and at their first meeting declared "I will never become a Christian as long as there are horses to steal and scalps to take." Nevertheless Maskepetoon became a staunch friend to Rundle and his attitude ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:20

Tags: Christian Liberty, Anxiety, Forgiveness General, God's Image, Prayer, Moving Forward, Supplication  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

[265]. A Message From A Poem – The Glory Of The Son [version 1]

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 17, 2026

[265]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE GLORY OF THE SON [Version 1] I get very uneasy about songs sung in churches that seem to glorify the person of man rather than the Person of Christ. Singing today is too egocentric and that takes away the glory from Christ. All praise and glory belong to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:17-20

Tags: Glory, Praise, Resurrection, Glory To God, Mount Of Transfiguration, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[266]. A Message From A Poem – The Glory Of The Son [version 2]

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 17, 2026

[266]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE GLORY OF THE SON [Version 2] I get very uneasy about songs sung in churches that seem to glorify the person of man rather than the Person of Christ. Singing today is too egocentric and that takes away the glory from Christ. All praise and glory belong to Him; ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:17-20

Tags: Glory, Praise, Resurrection, Glory To God, Mount Of Transfiguration, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[189]. A Message From A Poem – Lord, Wash Not Only My Feet

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 6, 2025

[189]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LORD, WASH NOT ONLY MY FEET This poem has its setting on the Passover night and it is this incident – {{John 13:3-10 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, rose from supper ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:26, John 13:3-10

Tags: Christian Poems, Clean, Disciples, Cleansing, Foot Washing, Hand Washing, The Word Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[264]. A Message From A Poem – The Facts Of Life

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 14, 2026

[264]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE FACTS OF LIFE This is a simple enough poem but it contains important information. I have called it “The Facts of Life,” not the normally understood application of that term, but the facts pertinent to the Christian life lived here on earth. The poem is in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 15:7

Tags: Living For Jesus, The Glory Of God, Walking With The Lord, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, The Facts Of Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational