In Sermon Illustrations: "Tell About Jesus"

Without Jesus—what A Mess

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 5, 2012

WITHOUT JESUS--WHAT A MESS I still remember the suppertime. We were having spaghetti – and what’s spaghetti without adding Parmesan Cheese. As you know Parmesan, once refrigerated, tends to clump together. So I took the jar of Parmesan, and in dramatic fashion, held it in front of my face and ...read more

Tags: Jesus Christ

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Jesus Used Parables

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 16, 2013

WHY JESUS USED PARABLES The following thoughts reveal why Jesus used the parabolic method (They are adapted from - All the Parables of The Bible by Herbert Lockyer). • Parables attract attention and when fully understood are sure to be remembered. They are a great help for our short-term ...read more

Tags: Parables, Jesus Teachings

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tearing Down The Name Of Jesus  PRO

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2014

TEARING DOWN THE NAME OF JESUS When I was in college at Dallas Baptist University, I drove through Dallas on the way to my classes. I would always see a huge sign of a dynamic church in the area that said, "Lifting Up the Name of Jesus!" It was very impressive. One day while I was driving to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Discipleship, Hypocrisy, Conviction, Name Of Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus In Every Book Of The Bible

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 19, 2016

JESUS IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE In Genesis – He is the seed of woman. In Exodus - He is the Passover Lamb. In Leviticus- He is Our High Priest. In Numbers- He is the Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night. In Deuteronomy- He is the Prophet like unto Moses. In ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-7

Tags: Bible, Jesus, Salvation

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

100 Names For Jesus In The Bible

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 19, 2016

Advocate (1 John 2:1) Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18) Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13) Amen (Rev. 3:14) Apostle of our Profession (Heb. 3:1) Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2) Author of Life (Acts 3:15) Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2) ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Scripture, Jesus, Salvation, Names Of Jesus

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Silence And Solitude: Jesus Example

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 16, 2016

Jesus made a habit of withdrawing to "the Hills" or "a lonely place" or "the wilderness" or "a high mountain" or the Garden of Gethsemane. He went to these places before he chose his disciples, after he heard of his cousin John's beheading, after feeding the 5000, after healing a leper, for the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:12, Luke 9:28

Tags: Solitude, Silence

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Did Jesus Come?

Contributed by Paul Steen on Dec 9, 2017

For many people, Christmas is a time of sadness. They don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Many are saddened at Christmastime when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons. Turkey dinners may be only a wish ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:4-19

Tags: Christmas, Born Again, Merry Christmas, Happy At Christmas

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Jesus Took Our Place

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Jul 25, 2018

Main Idea: Jesus died a horrible death so we could live for eternity. Verse: Jesus “Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness…” (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV). Illustration: A man was sentenced to a horrible death. He was to be buried up ...read more

Tags: Salvation, Sacrifice Of Christ, Sacrifice For Others

Denomination: Charismatic

How Is Jesus Coming Back?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 28, 2019

HOW IS JESUS COMING BACK? We don't know WHEN He is coming......but we do know HOW He is coming. Jesus is coming PERSONALLY – ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Revelation, Second Coming, Armageddon, Rapture, The Return Of Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Would Jesus Do?

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 15, 2020

One woman writes: Our fourth grader celebrated his birthday on crutches, so he couldn’t carry the cupcakes into school without help. I asked our sixth-grader, Noah, to help his brother carry them in. I could,” he said, but I’d prefer not to. ”Spotting a teaching moment, my husband asked Noah, What ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:2, Ephesians 4:31, Ephesians 3:17, Galatians 5:23

Tags: Kindness, Helpful, Christlike

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Good Samaritan Is A Portrait Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 2, 2022

The Good Samaritan bears the features of the Lord Jesus Christ who comes to seek and save the lost. (1). "He came where he was." Christ comes to us right where we are. In our stripped and wounded condition we could do nothing for ourselves (Ro 5:6). (2). "He had compassion on ...read more

Tags: Neighbor, Kindness, Good Deeds, Good Samaritan, Types Of Christ, Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Honored Marriage And Weddings

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 7, 2022

Note the high honor our Lord places upon marriage and the wedding ceremony in his very first miracle. It honors God when we come to a wedding pure and proclaim our trust in God for the marriage to succeed! By his presence at the marriage feast, the Son of God said, ‘This is an honorable thing’ ...read more

Tags: Jesus, Marriage, Miracles, Weddings

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The World Needs Followers Of Jesus...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

THE WORLD NEEDS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS... who cannot be bought; whose word is their bond; who put character above wealth; who possess opinions and a will; who are larger than their vocations; who do not hesitate to take chances; who will not lose their individuality in a crowd; who will be as honest ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Tags: Disciples, Witnesses, Examples

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The World Needs Followers Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 28, 2024

THE WORLD NEEDS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS... who cannot be bought; whose word is their bond; who put character above wealth; who possess opinions and a will; who are larger than their vocations; who do not hesitate to take chances; who will not lose their individuality in a crowd; who will be as honest ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-21

Tags: Disciples, Witnesses, Followers Of Jesus, Sacrifice, Commitment, Christians  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Is Coming --- Get Busy!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 22, 2024

During his 1960 presidential campaign, John F. Kennedy often closed his speeches with the story of Colonel Davenport, the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives. On May 19th, 1780 the sky of Hartford darkened ominously, and some of the representatives, glancing out the windows, ...read more

Tags: Return Of Christ, Prophecy, Faithfulness, Second Coming, Rapture, Laziness, Time, Work, End Times  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Post-Resurrection Appearances Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

Post-resurrection Appearances of Jesus in the New Testament: To Mary Magdalene Jn 20:14-18; Mk 16:9 To the women returning from the tomb Mt 28:8-10 To Peter later in the day Lk 24:34; 1 Cor 15:5 To the disciples going to Emmaus in the evening Lk 24:13-31 To the apostles (except Thomas) Lk ...read more

Tags: Easter, Apologetics, Resurrection, Gospel, Truth, Witnesses, Evidences  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Fig Tree Jesus Cursed

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

An acted-out parable: most of Israel was like a fig tree out of SEASON. “The early figs, appearing in March or April and ripening in June, are called ‘bikkurah.’ …The early fig was considered a great delicacy by the Hebrews. The late or green figs, which sometimes ripen after the fall of the leaf, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-25, Matthew 21:18-22

Tags: Curse, Fig Tree

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Story Goes That Jesus Returned To Heaven ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 18, 2007

The story goes that Jesus returned to heaven following His death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb and the angels gathered around Him in amazement. Finally, Gabriel spoke up, “Master, you suffered terribly down there. Do they know and appreciate the extent of your sacrifice?” “No,” ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:14-20

Tags: Evangelism How To

The Great Russian Writer Dostoyevsky Tells The ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Sep 24, 2002

"The Great Russian writer Dostoyevsky tells the story of a woman who found herself in hell and she felt she did not belong there. She could not bear the suffering and cried out in agony for the mercy of God. God listened and was moved with pity. "If you can remember one good deed that you did in ...read more

Tags: Faith Vs. Works, Hell

Denomination: United Methodist

John Maxwell Tells A Story That Illustrates The ...  PRO

Contributed by William Jewett on Nov 2, 2000

John Maxwell tells a story that illustrates the importance of a positive attitude. A newly married woman insisted on going to the California desert so she could be near her soldier husband. The only place the couple could find to live was a rundown shack near an Indian village. The daytime heat was ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Joy

Denomination: *other