In Sermon Illustrations: "Shepherds Life"

I Cannot Say The Lord's Prayer If...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 8, 2022

An unknown author put together an interesting (convicting) summary of how we cannot pray the Lord's Prayer, which should be actually referred to as the Disciples’ Prayer, for Jesus had no sin to confess. I cannot say “our” if I live only for myself. I cannot say, “Father” if I do not endeavor ...read more

Tags: Kingdom Of God, Sermon On The Mount, Forgiveness, Prayer, Temptation, Holiness, Lord's Prayer  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Self-Control Inventory

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 27, 2023

Are you struggling with self-control in any of these areas that are addressed in the Book of Proverbs? • Uncontrolled lust. Proverbs 6:26: “For the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.” • Uncontrolled spending. Proverbs 21:20: “In the house ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Proverbs, Money, Lust, Alcohol, Anger, Fruit Of The Spirit, Discipline, Self Control  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Meekness: Personal Restraint For The Sake Of Others

Contributed by Richard Tow on Mar 20, 2023

Years ago, a young man named George Atley was serving in the Central African Mission. He was attacked by a group of natives. He had with him a Winchester repeating rifle with ten loaded chambers. The group was completely at his mercy. He could have killed every one of them. But as he assessed the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:15, Psalm 37:11

Tags: Evangelism, Love, Missions, Meekness, Restraint  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Take Time To Say Thank You

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 2, 2023

A doctor wrote a letter of thanks to a schoolteacher for having given him so much encouragement when he had been in her class 30 years before. He later received this reply: "I want you to know what your note meant to me. I am an old lady in my eighties, living alone in a small room, cooking ...read more

Tags: Teachers, Encouragment, Thank You, Retired People, Thanksgiving, Gratitude, Blessings, Senior Adults  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Budding Of The Fig Tree

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 16, 2023

Luke 21 records the parable of the Budding of the Fig Tree by Jesus. This parable is interpreted by many evangelical writers as a reference to the Regathering of Israel as prophesied by Ezekiel 38. It happened in 1948 as the nation was re-born miraculously as we prepare for the return of ...read more

Tags: Prophecy, Second Coming, Parables, Rapture, Return Of Christ, Regathering, Israel, End Times  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love

Contributed by Terry Cavanaugh on Nov 23, 2024

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, “If I could only see the world, I would marry you.” One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-10

Tags: Love, Marriage

Denomination: United Methodist

Are We Hypocrites?

Contributed by John Bright on Feb 13, 2025

I once saw a video of a pastor who had figures, covered with sheets, up in the front of the church. As he started to preach, they were uncovered and you could see monsters and scary characters related to Halloween. The preacher kept asking, “Should these be in the House of God?” The congregation ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-12

Tags: Holiness, Halloween, Hypocrite

Denomination: Methodist

What Happens When You Die?

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 15, 2026

This body is only a temporary dwelling place for our eternal spirits. Peter calls this body a tent, just like Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:4-8: “4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13, 2 Corinthians 5:4-8

Tags: Tent, Hope, Body, Heresy

Denomination: Methodist

Tommy Finding God  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Skinner on Dec 4, 2005

Illustration:Tommy finding God John Powell a professor at Loyola University in Chicago writes about a student in his Theology of Faith class named Tommy: Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith. That ...read more

Tags: God's Forgiveness

Denomination: Holiness

Va Baily Wrote About The Time He Realized The ...  PRO

Contributed by Ryan Johnson on Mar 6, 2002

VA Baily wrote about the time he realized the plan and purpose of life. I hurried into the local department store to grab some last minute Christmas gifts. I looked at all the people and grumbled to myself, "I am going to be in here forever." Christmas was beginning to become such a drag. I kinda ...read more

Tags: Promises Of God, God Brings Purpose

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

No Rusty Promises In Heaven!" Leviticus 26: ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jan 20, 2005

“No Rusty Promises in Heaven!” Leviticus 26: 40-45 Key verse(s): 45:“But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord.” If you are interested in learning about hope, take a walk sometime ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 26:40-45

Tags: God Brings Hope

Denomination: Lutheran

In The Chronicles Of Narnia, Several Young ...  PRO

Contributed by Glenn Robertson on Nov 16, 2005

In The Chronicles of Narnia, several young children represent Christians in a world of dragons, elves, unicorns, and many other mythical creatures. One of the children is a young boy named Eustace. Eustace is a very selfish boy. He always tries to see life for how it best benefits him. What he ...read more

Tags: Narnia

Denomination: Baptist

In 1998, Teresa And I Took Our Kids On A Short ...  PRO

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 7, 2006

In 1998, Teresa and I took our kids on a short vacation to St. Simon’s Island off the coast of Georgia. It would turn into one of the most memorable vacations that we would take over the course of the years. It was there that we begin to chase lighthouses scattered along the coastlines of ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Insignificant Is Significant

Contributed by Peter Loughman on May 15, 2008

THE INSIGNIFICANT IS SIGNIFICANT To anyone who knows her, Joanne is not a significant person. Honestly, chances are, Joanne will never accomplish anything significant. In the town that she lives in, Joanne is never going to be someone who people in town will see as an important person. Joanne is ...read more

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Was One Of Those Weeks

Contributed by James Snyder on Oct 19, 2019

At my stage in life, I have experienced a gazillion weeks. I thought about actually counting how many weeks I have lived, but I don’t have that many fingers or toes. It doesn’t matter how many weeks it is. I have lived enough weeks to know, when you think you have experienced everything there is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:23

Tags: Victory, Week Work

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Is This A Christmas Present Or What?

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 21, 2019

One great blessing of Christmas is presents. Of course, at my age, I am not too interested in what I am getting but rather what I am giving. I cannot think of one thing I really would want. I got everything I need even though some of it may be old and outdated. As long as it works, I'm happy ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6

Tags: Christmas, Holiday

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

A Great Testimony Of Salvation

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 20, 2021

A Great Testimony of Salvation *William MacKay had a great testimony about how God rewrote the story of his life. In the mid-1800s, as a teenager in Scotland, William left home to go to college. *His mother was greatly concerned about his spiritual life, so she gave him a Bible and printed a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:23-25, Romans 1:15-17, Romans 10:8-15

Tags: Salvation, Gospel Power, God's Work, The Bible, Christian Testimonies, William Mackay, Revive Us Again  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Just When I Think I Got Everything Covered

Contributed by James Snyder on Apr 16, 2022

Dr. James L. Snyder I like to have an organized life. I must confess that my idea of organization is not The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage’s idea. We may share many things, but not planning and organization. When she begins a project, it is well planned and organized down to the tiniest ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:40

Tags: Organization, Planning, Crafts

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Unsung Heroines-Another Woman At A Well

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 7, 2022

Introduction: Many of us are familiar with the story of “the woman at the well” in Samaria who spoke with Jesus (John 4). Many years before, another woman, at another well, helped save David’s life and maybe even the kingdom! Text, 2 Samuel 17:15-20, KJV: 15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 17:15-20

Tags: Unsung Heroines, Wells, Hushai

Denomination: Baptist

Another Turkey In The Oven

Contributed by James Snyder on Nov 25, 2023

What would Thanksgiving be without a turkey? I read somewhere that over 45 million turkeys are purchased during the Thanksgiving holiday. I’m unsure if that’s correct, but I believe it comes close to the mark. Thanksgiving is always my favorite time because the focus of Thanksgiving is food. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:23-24

Tags: Hearing, Turkey, Listening, Thanksgiving

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance