In Sermon Illustrations: "Useful To The Lord"

Did Haman Use Wood From Noah's Ark To Build His Gallows?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 28, 2023

We read in the Bible how, at the end of the Great Flood, the Ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat (which some identify as the Armenian Highlands). Since the Torah doesn’t ascribe any intrinsic holiness to Noah’s Ark, it is not at all surprising that once Noah left it, there isn’t any real ...read more

Tags: Archeaology, Noah, Miracles, Haman, Purim, Jewish Tradition, Gallows, Israel, Ark  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Young 12 Year Old Girl Saved By Lions

Contributed by Timothy Lueking on Jul 1, 2025

Several years ago I read a headline straight out of the heart of Africa, a story that grips your heart and soul. It is the story of a 12-year-old girl, stolen from her village, snatched by cruel men who beat her, tormented her, and planned to sell her into the world of human trafficking. She was ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:17

Tags: The Lord Stands Guard, Protection, Salvation, Lion Of Judah, Mighty To Save  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Today We Celebrate Holy Communion. In Our ...  PRO

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Sep 1, 2007

Today we celebrate Holy Communion. In our Methodist and Anglican traditions the spirit of repentance has always been at the heart and center in observing this holy sacrament. Traditionally since the publication of the first BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER in 1549 and John Wesley’s 1784 work THE SUNDAY ...read more

Tags: Righteousness, Bread Of Life

Denomination: Methodist

Glory To God, My Prayers Have Been Answered!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 22, 2022

A pastor bought a female parrot that became quite a problem. The only thing the parrot could say was, "Come on baby, let's kiss! Come on baby, let's kiss!" She was quite carnal. The pastor wanted a more spiritually-minded parrot, so he looked around for help. After much ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3

Tags: Lord's Prayer, Heavenly Father, Spiritual Warfare, Prayer, Intercession, Petition, Humor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Last Words To Wife

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 22, 2025

Her husband had been slipping in and out of a coma for several months yet she stayed by his bedside every single day. When he came to, he motioned for her to come nearer. As she sat by him, he said, "You know what? You have been with me all through the bad times. When I got fired, you were ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:22-25, Matthew 26:26-29, Luke 22:14-23

Tags: Death, Communion, Last Supper, Deathbed, Lord's Table, Last Words  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

[224]. A Message From A Poem - Psalm 23

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 10, 2025

[224]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - PSALM 23 This is yet another poem or song or hymn based on the most famous chapter in the bible. The language of this Psalm in the AV/KJV is superb in the language of the 17th century, so much so, that I am going to quote the AV translation of this Psalm:- Psalm ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Tags: Shepherd, Sheep, The Lord Is My Shepherd, Psalm Of David, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Author And Speaker Joni Eareckson Tada ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 30, 2001

Christian author and speaker Joni Eareckson Tada writes: I’m a quadriplegic, yet I can drive a van (my hand is secured to a big joystick so I can steer, accelerate, and brake). I enjoy being independent, so if there’s something I can do, I will - even if it means tackling the drive-thru at a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:19-20, Ephesians 2:11-22

Tags: Patience, Peace, Lord, Giving General, Give Thanks, Forgiveness, Christian Disciplines  (view more)  (view less)

[134]. A Message From A Poem – I Am With You Always

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 17, 2025

[134]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS This poem was written in a time of great trial that had been a lengthy one. It is so precious to know the Lord is with us always and never will He sleep or miss something. He knows our end from our beginning. I want to honour God in this ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:4-5, Matthew 28:20

Tags: Emmanuel, Jesus, Presence Of Jesus, Delight Yourself In The Lord, Close At Hand, I Am With You Always, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Commit Your Way To The Lord  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Strength To Forgive

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2024

Some of life's hurts are so deep and painful that to forgive the people who caused them seems impossible. Yet Jesus says that we can't experience His forgiveness if we have an unforgiving spirit. In World War II, Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsie were arrested for concealing Jews and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Tags: Forgiveness, Lord's Prayer, God's Strength, Forgiving Others, Corrie Ten Boom, Enemies  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[270]. A Message From A Poem – The Hope Of The Church

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 20, 2026

[270]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – THE HOPE OF THE CHURCH The coming of the Lord Jesus for His people and His Church is called “the blessed hope” in the AV and is translated this way in the NASB – {{Titus 2:13 “looking for THE BLESSED HOPE and the appearing of the glory of our great God and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2, Titus 2:13

Tags: Church, Hope, Rapture, The Blessed Hope, The Lord Is Coming, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In One Of Our Celebrated Greek Tragedies, ...

Contributed by Gene Edwards on Jan 12, 2007

IN ONE OF OUR CELEBRATED GREEK TRAGEDIES, ORESTES, WHO HAD SLAIN HIS MOTHER AS A JUDICIOUS ACT BECAUSE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH HER PARAMOUR, SHE HAD MURDERED HIS FATHER, AGAMEMNON, 1. ON HIS RETURN FROM TROY, IS REPRESENTED AS PURSUED BY THE FURIES. M. IN HIS DISTRESS, APOLLO ADVISES HIM TO GO ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

There Are Advantages To Being Able To See. For ...  PRO

Contributed by Howard Flynn on May 17, 2001

There are advantages to being able to see. For example, when I was a seminary student, I went to apply for a driver license. The clerk at the Department of Motor Vehicles asked me to read a line on the eye chart. I responded by reading a series of what I thought the correct letters were. To this, ...read more

Tags: Display, Honor, Kingdom Of God, Holy Spirit Attributes, Love Of The Disciples, Lord, Relationships  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Adventist

Family Resemblance

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Sep 23, 2025

Family Resemblance *There will always be resemblance in families, and I'm not just talking about our physical appearance. I'm talking about the way we talk, our mannerisms, our quirks, our habits, and our attitudes. Well, what's true about our earthly families is also true about ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 144:1-15

Tags: Traitors, Deceivers, The Lord Of Hosts, Floods, High Tower, Righteous War, God's Help, Deliverer, King David, Brevity, Praise The Lord, Mortality, Shield, Salvation, Joy, Rock, Fortress  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Cross Made The Difference

Contributed by David Simpson on Apr 20, 2020

I (David Simpson) grew up as part of the spiritual family of Hardwick Christian Church. Along with my parents and sisters, I learned about Jesus and Bible there. I don’t ever remember a Sunday throughout my childhood and into my teen years when I was not in that church building and doing life with ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:5, John 3:16

Tags: Good Friday, Cross, Lord's Supper, Blood Of Jesus, Cross Of Jesus, Sacrifice Of Jesus, Communion  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

[146]. A Message From A Poem – In Union With Christ

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 29, 2025

[146]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – IN UNION WITH CHRIST It is a great joy and a mark of praise that we are in Christ. Do Christians use that phrase “in Christ” and not think into the depth of it? In union with Christ examines that subject, and it is too great to write well on it in a poem with ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:4-6, Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 2:2, Romans 6:5

Tags: Forever, Love One Another, Risen Lord, Union With Chris, Grace, Savior, Unity, Bond  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[116]. A Message From A Poem – Having A Chat With God

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 27, 2025

[116]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – HAVING A CHAT WITH GOD There is nothing pretentious here. It is a simple prayer mixed with thoughts of the Lord. This poem is a meditation, one that I hope you can relate to in your life. Some make prayer a sanctimonious affair and it is about as dead as a ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:7, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 1 John 4:19

Tags: Grace, Love, Hope, Prayer, Christian Poetry, Christian Poems, Chat  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Much Does The Bible Talk About The Second Coming?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 28, 2023

Biblical prophecy provides some of the greatest encouragement and hope available to us today. Just as the Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ's first advent, so both testaments are filled with references to the second coming of Christ. One scholar has estimated that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, John 14:1-6

Tags: End Times, Prophecy, Second Coming, Last Days, Rapture, Day Of The Lord, Return Of Christ  (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

Patience With Others

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 22, 2024

"Einstein was four years old before he could speak and seven before he could read". Einstein became one of the greatest physicists who ever lived. "Isaac Newton did poorly in grade school." Newton, like Einstein was one of the smartest people of his day as a scientist. "A ...read more

Tags: Patience, Kindness, Time, Maturing, Waiting On The Lord, Teaching, Endurance, Discipleship, Leadership, Suffering  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational