In Sermon Illustrations: "Self Deception" showing 461-480 of 1,801

We Died Before We Came Here

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 6, 2022

When James Calvert went as a missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands, the captain of the ship sought to turn him back, crying out “You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages” Calvert only replied, “We died before we came here.” In ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:1-11

Tags: Missions, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Crucified With Christ, Christian Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Stranger By Billy Joel  PRO

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Sep 21, 2001

"The Stranger" by Billy Joel Well we all have a face that we hide away forever And we take them out and show ourselves when everyone has gone Some are satin, some are steel, some are silk, and some are leather They’re the faces of the stranger, but we love to try them on Well we all fall in love, ...read more

Tags: Satan, Sin Against God, Sin Deceptive, Temptation General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In The Film The Matrix, We Are Taken To The Year ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 6, 2002

In the film The Matrix, we are taken to the year 2199. The world has been taken over and is being run by AI: artificial intelligence. Harvested humans live in a computer generated dreamworld of artificial reality, never understanding that they are captives of an evil empire. But there are a few ...read more

Tags: Kingdom, Kingdom Of God, Parable Sower And Seed, Supernatural, Deception  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

The Usual Suspects Movie  PRO

Contributed by Alexier Mayes on Aug 22, 2015

In the 1995 movie ’The Usual Suspects’ the character Verbal utters these thoughtful words ’ The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20, Luke 4:1-13

Tags: Satan Is Real, Reality Of Satan, Devil's Deception, Beware Of The Devil

Denomination: Anglican

Floating Pumpkins

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 8, 2020

Satan will use the same type of tactics that hunters use in Africa. The story is told of a certain African tribe that learned an easy way to capture ducks in a river. Catching their agile and wary dinner would be a feat indeed, so these hunters formulated a plan. The tribesmen learned to go ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Peter 5:6-9

Tags: Sin, Deception, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Sexual Sins  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Be A Casanova.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 2, 2022

CASANOVA was renown for his self-indulgence, lust and hundreds of affairs. He ended his life in deception. On his death bed at the age of 73, he never repented, but simply said "I have lived as a philosopher and die as a Christian!" He has become so famous for his affairs with women ...read more

Tags: Obedience, Lost, Unsaved, False Assurance, Hearers, Doers, Hell, Eternity, Deception, Salvation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Identifying With Christ

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 15, 2019

During the Civil War a man by the name of George Wyatt was drawn by lot to go to the front. He had a wife and six children. A young man named Richard Pratt offered to go in his stead. He was accepted and joined the ranks, bearing the name and number of George Wyatt. Before long Pratt was killed in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-13

Tags: Christ Our Substitute, Identifying With Christ, The Exchanged Life, Crucifixion To Self

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Are Your Own Worst Enemy.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 26, 2023

"Cain slew Abel, but Cain’s worst enemy was himself". - R E Neighbour “There is an old Icelandic legend that contains its own lesson. There was a man who was constantly pursued by a terrible spirit which took the form of a dwarf. His grain ricks were fired, his barns unroofed, his ...read more

Tags: Abel, Cain, Blood Of Christ, Enemies, Hate, Murder, Offerings, Self  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Disguised

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Aug 15, 2018

I live in Arkansas. I LOVE when autumn comes and fall leaves drift down on autumn breezes. But in Arkansas, you have to be careful about those leaves on the ground because some of them conceal SERPENTS. There are lots of Copperhead Snakes here. Copperheads are venomous Pit Vipers that strike you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:14, Genesis 4:7, Genesis 3:1, Proverbs 23:27, Proverbs 22:14, Ecclesiastes 7:26  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Deceive, Disguise, Discerning, Affairs, Snares, Sin, Deception, Serpent, Adultery  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Spellcheck Fail

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Jun 1, 2021

I’m a terrible typist. I’m old enough to have taken typing class in high school when that kind of thing was taught, but I never thought that I would need to be proficient on a keyboard; so I bowed out. Typing was not in my future. But here I am on a keyboard just about every workday hunting and ...read more

Scripture: Judges 21:25, Deuteronomy 12:8, Judges 17:6

Tags: Deception, Wrong, Right, Morals, Judges, Ethics, Morality, Sin, Evil  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Balaam's Error,

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Oct 25, 2024

And this from the Revelation to John at Patmos: Jesus words to the angel of the church at Pergamum give us the view of God as to what happened in Numbers chapters 22-25, and why God was angry with Balaam. Balaam was a deceiver. “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:1-41, Revelation 2:14, Numbers 25:1-3

Tags: Deception, Teaching, Israelites, Pergamum, Stumbling Block, Sexual Immorality, Idols  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Characteristics Of People In The Last Days

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 6, 2024

CHARACTERISTICS OF PEOPLE IN THE LAST DAYS (II Timothy 3:1-4) Self-Centeredness: People will love only themselves and their money. Pride and Disobedience: They will be boastful, proud, scoff at God, and disobedient to their parents. Lack of Gratitude: Ungratefulness will prevail. Lack of Love ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-4

Tags: Deception, Antichrist, Last Days, Rapture, False Teachers, Tribulation, Signs, False Prophets, Return Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Kurt Cobain Died About 8 Years Ago. I Remember ...  PRO

Contributed by Scott Weber on Mar 23, 2001

Kurt Cobain died about 8 years ago. I remember the day I picked up the newspaper and read about it. He was the founder and lead singer of the rock group "Nirvana." His death was a suicide. He took a shotgun, pointed it to his head, and killed himself. The newspaper was filled with the words of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Tags: Hope, God Brings Purpose, God Brings Hope, Meaning, Self-Control  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Recently, I Saw A Letter Written By A Relatively ...  PRO

Contributed by Steven Chapman on May 2, 2001

Recently, I saw a letter written by a relatively new Christian to the person whose life had influenced hers so greatly. She actually lists about a dozen qualities she found contagious in the life of this older Christian. Listen to some of what she wrote: You know when we met; I began to discover a ...read more

Tags: Sharing My Testimony, Self Esteem, Sharing Your Faith, Great Commission

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Make This Muddled World A Better Place

Contributed by David Simpson on Feb 5, 2018

Make This Muddled World A Better Place January 24, 2018 Lanier Christian Church David Simpson The Academy Award Nominations came out yesterday. Of the movies nominated, one of them is about famous British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, entitled: Darkest Hour. Churchill left us with many ...read more

Tags: Bless Others, Give Of Self, Be A Blessing To Oth, Service, Compassion, Winston Churchill  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

The Idolatry Of Cell Phones

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 26, 2023

t’s no surprise that 45% of Americans say that their phone is the most valuable possession. What is surprising is how far our obsessions with cell phones go: Over one-third of Americans (36%) say they’d give up their pets to keep their cell phone. 53% say that in a house fire or other disaster, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, Galatians 6:1-2

Tags: Cell Phones, Idolatry, Faithfulness, Fruit Of The Spirit, Time, Self Control, Lust  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual Health Checks  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Spiritual Health Checks (True Devotions) Rick Warren wrote, "The key for churches in the 21st Century will be church health, not growth." When a congregation is healthy, it will grow spiritually and enjoy the benefits of a live, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. A healthy Christian ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42

Tags: Children, Moses, Deception, Godly Women, Listen, Liar, Selectively, Christian Disciplines  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Eight Lies About Hell

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 6, 2022

HERE ARE 8 LIES OF THE DEVIL CONCERNING HELL. Unfortunately, many of these lies are found in pulpits, churches, seminaries or college campuses. 1.Hell is not a place, it is a state of mind (16:22 – “he died”). 2. Hell is annhiliation. When you die, you no longer exist! 3. Hell is ...read more

Tags: Death, Deception, Hell, Eternity, False Teachers, Satan, Judgment, Lake Of Fire  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ted Turner Turned Away From God

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 20, 2022

Cable television mogul Ted Turner criticized conservative Christianity and said, "Jesus probably would be sick at his stomach" over the way his ideas have been "twisted" by today's preachers, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Turner made his remarks at a ...read more

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

Tags: False Professors, Bitterness, Apostasy, Deception, Denying The Truth, Unbelief, Last Days  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Natural Lesson On Spiritual Battles

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 8, 2024

In the Australian bush country grows a little plant called the "sundew." It has a slender stem and tiny, round leaves fringed with hairs that glisten with bright drops of liquid as delicate as fine dew. Woe to the insect, however, that dares to dance on it. Although its attractive ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-13

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Tests, Trials, Sin, Satan, Lust, Battles, Deception  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational