In Sermon Illustrations: "Valley Of The Shadow Of Death" showing 681-700 of 3,607

I Heard About A Rich Man Who Was Determined To ...  PRO

Contributed by David Yarbrough on Mar 18, 2002

I heard about a rich man who was determined to take his wealth with him. He told his wife to get all his money together, put it in a sack, and then hang the sack from the rafters in the attic. He said, "When my spirit is caught up to heaven, I’ll grab the sack on my way." Well he eventually died, ...read more

Tags: Heaven, Death, Jesus Teachings, Money, Wealth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Pledge Of Allegiance: The Apostle's Creed ...  PRO

Contributed by Eric Vertein on Oct 27, 2004

GOD’S PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Apostle’s Creed is not a pledge of allegiance, which we speak before God. We are remembering the gospel. We are remembering God’s pledge to us. The Creeds are nothing different from the 23rd Psalm. They simply explain how our Good Shepherd has ‘restored my soul,’ ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6, Psalm 23:1-6

Tags: Love, Death, Faith General, Equal, Eternity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

Just Ask Him!" Judges 16: 28-30 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 2, 2004

“Just Ask Him!” Judges 16: 28-30 Key verse(s): 28: “Then Samson prayed to the Lord, ‘O Sovereign Lord, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.’” Has there ever been a time in your life when things have gotten ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:28-30, Judges 16:1-31

Tags: Demons, Death, Sickness, Prayer Supplication, Storm  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

Can't Wait Until Morning  PRO

Contributed by Steve Gallimore on Aug 28, 2008

Can't Wait Until 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 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:1

Tags: Death, Glory, Heaven, Salvation, Hope, Funeral  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

If ...

Contributed by Joe Bertone on Aug 1, 2012

IF ONLY There was a great Scotch writer and historian in the nineteenth century named Thomas Carlyle. He married a woman, who’d worked as his secretary named Jane Welsh. But Carlyle was dedicated to his writing so he didn’t spend much time with her. He just mostly wrote. At one point she became ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Tags: Death, Remorse, Parable Ten Virgins, Regret

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is There Life After ...

Contributed by Joe Bertone on Aug 24, 2012

IS THERE LIFE AFTER DEATH? In Randy Alcorn’s book In Light of Eternity he imagines two twins having a conversation in their mother’s womb. “You know,” one says, “there’s a whole world out there--grassy meadows and snowy mountains, splashing streams and waterfalls, horses and dogs and cats and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

Tags: Death, Eternity, Heaven, Afterlife, Hope, Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This Was The Second Time That Someone Has Died For Me

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

James Harnish tells the story of a woman in Tampa who probably received the best Christmas present of anyone. It came the week before Christmas. In August she had been diagnosed with severe cardiomyopathy, a rare heart disorder which causes the muscels of the heart to become inflexible. In fact, ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:4

Tags: Best Christmas Gift, Dying, Jesus Death

Denomination: Methodist

Where Will You Be?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 23, 2019

Where Will You Be? When the clouds burst open where will you be? Will there be joy in your heart when Jesus you see? Will you be running to hide from His face Or standing there with your head hanging in disgrace/ It surely is coming and the time is near at hand When Jesus comes to take his ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:10, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:12

Tags: Death, Rapture, Great White Throne, Bema

Denomination: Baptist

Propitiation In Ancient Judaism

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 30, 2019

David Flusser writes, “ Since the age of the Hasmoneans, Jews had believed that the saints who died to sanctify the name of God atoned for the sins of Israel… Even Jews who did not accept Christianity evidently believed that Jesus, like the other martyrs of the Roman ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31

Tags: Atonement, Propitiation, Death Of Christ, Penal Atonement

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Long Ride Home

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 19, 2020

(Note: I used this illustration as part of a funeral message in January 2017) Back when I was 11 years of age, I really discovered pro baseball! We lived about four hours away from Cincinnati, Ohio, at the time—which was no problem for me! Well, I must have really pestered Dad because he ...read more

Tags: Lazarus, Death Of Believers, Fathers And Sons, Assurance

Denomination: Baptist

The Sacrifice These Men Made For Freedom

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 31, 2021

Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. Their conviction resulted in untold sufferings for themselves and their families. Of the 56 men, five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Tags: Sacrifice, Freedom, America, Declaration Of Independence, Death  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is The Fire In Hell Literal Or A Figure Of Speech?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 6, 2022

Brian Bell has an interesting note on as to whether or not it is real flames in Hell or just a figiure of speech: "it seems it is a real torment, thus a real thirst, which desires real water, from a real finger, to touch ...read more

Tags: Judgment, Scripture, Eternity, Hell, Inerrancy, Death  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Funny Marriage Sermon-Starter

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 23, 2022

An 80 year-old woman was recently married to her 4th husband. A reporter questioned the occupation of her newly acquired husband. She replied that he owned a funeral home. Curious about the other husbands, the reporter also asked about their occupations. The woman paused for a while and stated ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-31

Tags: Humor, Husbands, Death, Marriage, Widows, Wives  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Saving Private Ryan Tells Us About Our Need For Grace

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 24, 2022

Saving Private Ryan is one of my favorite World War II movies. Three out of four brothers are killed in action, and then a search is launched to find the fourth, Private James Ryan, so that he is not killed, leaving his mother childless. Eight men are sent out to find Private Ryan, who is missing ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Tags: Legalism, Salvation, Death, Grace, Fear, Works  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Coach Bear Bryant Had A Purpose In Life.

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 13, 2022

The famous and very successful football coach Bear Bryant often told reporters, "I’d croak in a month if I quit coaching." After twenty-five years as the head coach at his alma mater, Bryant announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season. On December 29, 1982, he coached his ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27, Philippians 1:21

Tags: Death, Careers, Retirement, Sports, Men, Purpose  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Funnnnnnnnny Story About Lazarus!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 13, 2022

A teacher in children's church was telling the story of the rich man and Lazarus. She said that Lazarus sat outside the rich man's gate covered with sores and begging for food. And that the rich man passed Lazarus without even seeing him. But when they both died, Lazarus went to Heaven, ...read more

Tags: Salvation, Lost, Death, Heaven, Hell, Funerals  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sailing Into A New Harbor (Funeral)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 1, 2023

BIBLE For I am already being poured out ... like a drink offering, ... and the time has come for my departure. ..... I have fought the good fight, .... I have finished the race, .... I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, .... which the Lord, .... the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Tags: Harbor, Horizon, Funeral, Death, Departure, Ship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

I Am More Alive Than Ever - D. James Kennedy

Contributed by Timothy Lueking on Apr 3, 2023

D. James Kennedy wrote a book called "Skeptics Answered" and in this book, he made this observation that has always stuck with me. It reminds me of a quote from D.L. Moody many years before. Kennedy wrote, "There will, in fact, come a time when some of you will probably be standing ...read more

Scripture: John 11:25-26

Tags: Eternal Life, Easter, Death, Resurrection, Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

By Resignation I Have Meaning To Be Resigned To ...

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Nov 9, 2009

By resignation I have meaning to be resigned to allow God work in us for His purposes. It is not giving up. It is “Letting Go and Letting God.” Cliché, yes. But it is also very helpful and full of truth. Whether or not we actually journey through the wall depends ...read more

Tags: Enduring Trials, Trials And Difficulties

Denomination: Church Of God