In Sermon Illustrations: "Treasure In Heaven"

How Long Is Eternity?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 22, 2022

A young boy went up to his pastor after his sermon and said, "Pastor, how long is forever?" The pastor knelt down by the side of the boy and said, "Why would you ask me that question, Billy?" Billy said, "Well, Pastor, you said that we were going to live in one of two ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Tags: Eternity, Heaven, Time, Everlasting Life, Hell  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Just A Second!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 5, 2023

A young man once asked God how long a million years was to Him. God replied, "A million years to me is just like a single second to you." The young man asked, "Then what is a million dollars like to you?" God replied, "A million dollars to me is just like a single penny ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:9-10

Tags: Eternity, Heaven, Time Management, Time, Clocks  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Did You Find When You Opened My Heart?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 16, 2023

Here’s a story about a little boy that was to have heart surgery. The surgeon sat beside the boy's bed and his parents sat across from him. The surgeon said to the little boy, "Tomorrow morning, I'll open up your heart." The little boy interrupted the surgeon and said; ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12, Romans 10:13

Tags: Heaven, Unbelievers, Evangelism, Death, Jesus, Children  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[190]. A Message From A Poem – My Prayer (Parts From Psalm 119)

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 6, 2025

[190]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – MY PRAYER (PARTS FROM PSALM 119) Christians regard the bible as the inspired word of God and as the sole rule for faith and doctrine. That makes the bible the most important resource available to us. It is a most treasured possession. There are many references ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:103, Psalm 119:89, Psalm 119:9, Psalm 119:18, 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Word, The Word Of God, The Bible, Statutes, Ordinances, Your Word, Law, Prayer, Treasure, Precepts, Testimonies  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seven Principles Of Finance For The Believer  PRO

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Feb 6, 2008

Seven Principles of Finance for the Believer By Jim and Pam Elliff One of the most recognizable differences in the believer and the world he lives in is his unusual relationship to money and possessions. However, even serious believers sometimes balk at the seeming extremities in the teaching and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

One Time It Was My Privilege To Watch The Ascent ...  PRO

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 1, 2001

"One time it was my privilege to watch the ascent of a balloon. It was bound to the earth by many cords. As the process of filling it with gas began, it struggled to get free. The first line was cut, and immediately that side was lifted from the earth. Then the second and third ropes were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

Tags: Holy Spirit, Heaven, Love Of The Disciples, Second Coming

Denomination: Church Of God

The Bible Says That "Today Is The Day Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Nov 4, 2003

The Bible says that “Today is the day of salvation.” Author Anne Lamott tells about a 7 year old girl who got lost in a big city. The girl frantically ran up and down several streets, looking for a familiar landmark. A policeman saw the girl, realized something was wrong, and offered to help. She ...read more

Tags: Church, Body Of Christ, Heaven, Home, What Is Evangelism?  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Words Leave A Lasting Impression

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jul 7, 2011

WORDS LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION As bad as it is to hear foul words, it is worse to speak them. A nobleman went to see how Josiah Wedgwood made his SUPERB POTTERY. A young apprentice was told to give the guest a tour of the factory. As they walked through the plant, the visitor began to use ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-21

Tags: Heaven, Message, Giving, Words, Tithing, Churches, Scroll  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Funeral Illustration

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

I love that scene in The Pilgrim's Progress where Christian and Hopeful come to the final river of death. They are fearful that the water will be over their heads. But Hopeful goes first and calls back to Christian, “Be of good cheer, my brother; I feel the bottom, and it is good.” For every ...read more

Tags: Death, Heaven, Promises Of God, Valley Of The Shadow Of Death

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"i've Got A Mansion Just Over The Hilltop" Song Story

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 21, 2022

In 1945, a young Christian businessman stood one evening in an evangelistic service in Dallas, Texas, and told how he had learned a valuable lesson from a small child. The gentleman stated that his business, for a number of months, had been in a steady decline. It looked as if it would completely ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Death, Revelation, Heaven, Hope, New Jerusalem, Funerals  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grandma Is Cramming For Her Finals!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 15, 2024

Every time a little boy went to a playmate’s house, he found the friend’s grandmother deeply engrossed in her Bible. Finally, his curiosity got the better of him. “Why do you suppose your grandmother reads the Bible so much?” he asked. “I’m not ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-16

Tags: Death, Children, Heaven, Judgment, Bible Reading, Grandmothers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Larry Norman Funeral Was A Going Away Party

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

What a gathering! Over 500 poured into a church this morning to pay our respects to Larry Norman. As we entered, we were handed ‘circus programs’ (instead of a boring pamphlet) that read: "Larry Norman Presents: A Going Away Party." It was a gathering of friends, family and fans ...read more

Tags: Funerals, Christian Music, Death, Celebration, Heaven, Mourning  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When I Passed Out Preaching On Death!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 25, 2024

I met Christ as my personal Lord and Savior when I was 15 years old. I had grown up in church and had faithfully gone to church 3 or 4 times per week my whole life......but I did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. After trusting Him as my Savior, I felt that God spoke to my heart ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27

Tags: Death, Heaven, Preaching, Humor, Pastors, Churches, Fainting  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Daddy Is The Pilot And He's Taking Me Home!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 10, 2024

• “A pastor was on a long flight home which started very peaceful but ran into an incredible storm; first the seat belt sign came on, then the announcer said we will not be able to serve the meal at this time, a severe storm is ahead of us. Then all the sudden the storm broke; the plane was in the ...read more

Tags: Faith, Heaven, Trust, Journey, Home, Heavenly Father  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[210]. A Message From A Poem – Our Pilgrim Journey

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 23, 2025

[210]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – OUR PILGRIM JOURNEY When I was to do the Introduction for this poem I noticed that it had only 3 stanzas. I don’t write poems that short, so back there in 2021, I may have intended coming back to it to add more. I can not remember now. Anyway I did add all the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-4, 1 Peter 2:11, Hebrews 11:13

Tags: Home, Pilgrim, Pilgrim Journey, Christian Poems, Heaven  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[105]. A Message From A Poem – Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 8, 2025

[105]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN This is a one off for me in this particular style. I had in mind to write a song and got this far. The lyrics are not a problem, just the tunes. This poem would be a song for more than one singer as I see the parts in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:5-7, 1 Timothy 6:11, Hebrews 13:5, 2 Corinthians 12:10

Tags: Christian Poems, Godliness, Contentment, Gain, Materialism, Difficulty, Christian Poetry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Sweet Attraction  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 13, 2002

A SWEET ATTRACTION In 1994, when Rick and Maureen Barker lost their little 5 year-old Rickey to a long term illness, a rare disorder of his digestive tract, they needed hope. They needed a picture of the eternal perspective we have in Christ. And the hope they needed came in a most unusual ...read more

Tags: Funeral, Funerals Non-Christian, Heaven, Faith, Child, Death  (view more)  (view less)

Almost Morning  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 28, 2002

ALMOST MORNING Dr. W. A Criswell, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas Texas, said on one occasion on an airplane flight he found himself seated beside a well-known theologian. He desperately wanted to start a conversation and they did get to talk. The man told Dr. Criswell about how he ...read more

Tags: Heaven, Funerals Non-Christian, God Brings Hope, Children

I Want To Tell You About A Practicing Christian, ...  PRO

Contributed by Bobby Scobey on May 22, 2007

I want to tell you about a practicing Christian, a public figure who lives out his faith in Jesus Christ. Here is a behind-the-scenes story. There was a lot of excitement in watching the Indianapolis Colts, led by Head Coach Tony Dungy, win their trip to the Super Bowl this past January. A TV ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1

Tags: Peace, Heaven, Chance, Hope, Assurance, Forget, Expectancy, Renew  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Don't Know How To Get To The Post Office!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 13, 2014

Dr. Billy Graham tells the story of a time early in his ministry when he arrived in a small town to preach a sermon. Wanting to mail a letter in those days, he asked a young boy where the post office was. When the boy told him, Dr. Graham thanked him and said, "If you will come to church ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, 1 Timothy 4:16

Tags: Evangelism, Outreach, Heaven, Humor, Billy Graham, Great Commission  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational