Sermon Central
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1 Peter
Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 26, 2011 (message contributor)
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1. Our Living Hope
Contributed on Apr 26, 2011
Jesus is alive, so be sure and be glad today. Be sure of a glorious future, and be glad even in times of grief today.
Judy Packard of Lake Leelanau, Michigan, talks about the time her neighbor, visiting the Holy Land, sent a letter describing the beautiful gardens. Her 6-year-old mused, “I wonder if he saw the rose.” “What rose?” Judy asked. “You know,” said her ...read more
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2. The Holiness Of Grace
Contributed on Apr 29, 2011
If we want to live worthwhile lives in difficult times, then we as believers in Christ must anticipate the Father’s grace, imitate the Father’s character, and respect the Father’s judgment and love.
In 1988, Robert Fulghum published his best-selling book, Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. Recently, somebody suggested another book title: Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Noah. For example… • Don’t miss the boat. • Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ...read more
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3. Love And Longing
Contributed on May 13, 2011
God's plan for our transformation begins and ends with love. First we taste God's love. Then we crave God's Word. Then and only then do we love God's people.
Kung Fu Panda is the story of a flabby, out-of-shape panda bear named Po who longs to learn the ancient art of kung fu. Amazingly, Po is selected by the village leaders to become the Dragon Warrior – the greatest kung fu master of all time. But in spite of his new status, Po is still a big, ...read more
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4. Living Stones
Contributed on May 19, 2011
If we want to influence our friends and family members to follow Jesus, then we must KNOW who we are and BE who we are in Christ. We are God's holy temple and God's special people, designed to be living displays of His greatness, so let's live that way.
Howard Hendricks, one of my professors at Dallas Theological Seminary, sometimes talked about his days when he was a student at the same seminary. In one of those stories, he tells about the time he was invited to preach in west Texas. “You’ve all heard of Nowhere? Well,” ...read more
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5. Faith In Politics
Contributed on May 28, 2011
When it comes to the believer's involvement in politics, this principle should guide us: God calls us to submit to all human authority because of Christ, because of our critics, and because we are free in Him!
Deborah Horn, of McLeansboro, Illinois, was brushing her 9-year-old daughter’s hair on a Sunday morning when she began to pepper her mother with a lot of questions. Mom was doing her best to answer them until her daughter looked up and asked, “Are we Christians or Republicans?” ...read more
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6. Grace At Work
Contributed on Jun 3, 2011
If we want to find fulfillment and joy in our work then we must submit even to bosses who treat us infairly, for only in this do we experience grace and fulfill our calling.
David Roper’s 3-year-old grandson, Seth, in Judsonia, Arkansas, received a toy lawnmower for Christmas a few years ago, but he didn’t have the chance to use it until one hot July day when his father went out to mow the lawn and Seth volunteered to “help.” A few minutes ...read more
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7. Grace At Home -- Part I
Contributed on Jun 11, 2011
God's grace transforms a marriage when both partners submit to one another. Here, God says to a woman married to an unbelieving husband, "Submit to your mate, and so win him and woo him with an irresistible inner beauty."
George Hazlett’s wife made him a necktie a few years ago that he rarely wore. In fact, George had forgotten about it until one day a local men's store in Salem, Ohio, announced an “ugly tie” contest. George secretly pulled the tie from its resting place and entered it. He never ...read more
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8. Grace At Home -- Part 2
Contributed on Jun 17, 2011
If we want God’s grace to transform our marriages, then we must submit to our wives; we must understand them; and we must value them so that our prayers are not cut off.
Mrs. Foster, a teacher at the grade-school in Auburn, Washington, had a frustrating day with one of her first-grade boys. “You’ve been doing irritating things all day today. These things are some of my pet peeves,” she said sternly. “Do you know what a pet peeve is?” The young boy shook his ...read more
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9. Love Life
Contributed on Jun 24, 2011
If we want to love life, we must love people.
The Kid is the story of a successful, high-powered image consultant named Russ, who lives an empty life. Then one day, an 8-year-old boy shows up at Russ’ home. The boy’s name is Rusty and eventually Russ comes to realize that the kid is actually Russ himself when he was ...read more
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10. The Blessing Of Suffering
Contributed on Jul 9, 2011
Don’t fear people. Fear Christ and follow Him from grief to glory. Look to Jesus alone to keep your conscience clear even in the midst of your pain. Then you will enjoy the benefit of pain.
Joanna Lerud of Steamboat Rock, Iowa, was standing up to leave a restaurant when she hit her head hard on a lamp hanging above the table. As she staggered away, she heard an older gentleman, who was sitting nearby, say, “It will feel better when it stops hurting.” (Joanna Lerud, ...read more
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11. Ready To Suffer
Contributed on Jul 15, 2011
If we want to be ready to suffer for Christ, we must arm ourselves with His attitude, choose to abandon our sin, expect abuse, and anticipate God's approval.
Recently, I read about a fictitious manual for Peace Corp volunteers headed for South America. It offers advice on how to handle a chance encounter with an anaconda (a large type of boa constrictor). The advice comes under the heading, “What to Do If Attacked by an Anaconda”: #1) ...read more
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12. Finish Well
Contributed on Jul 22, 2011
If we want to finish well, then we must love deeply. That means we must pursue reconciliation, reach out to strangers, and serve each other with the gifts and strength God abundantly and extravagantly provides to every believer.
There has been a lot of talk about the end of the world lately. Harold Camping is still predicting the end of the world on October 21, 2011, even though his predictions about the rapture of the church did not come true on May 21, 2011. Others are saying that the end of the world will come on ...read more
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13. In The Fire!
Contributed on Jul 30, 2011
WHEN the fire comes, don’t let it burn you; instead, let it refine you. How? Don’t be surprised or ashamed by the fire. Instead, be glad in the fire, glory in the fire, and give yourself to God in the fire.
A man went to see his doctor in a state of high anxiety. “Doctor,” he said, “you have to help me. I'm dying. Everywhere I touch it hurts. I touch my head and it hurts. I touch my leg and it hurts. I touch my stomach and it hurts. I touch my chest and it hurts. You have to ...read more
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14. Leading Under Fire
Contributed on Aug 5, 2011
If we want to be effective leaders under fire, then we must be spiritually mature shepherds and overseers, who serve as willing, eager examples for others to follow.
Stuart Briscoe, in his book Everyday Discipleship for Ordinary People, tells the story about a fellow pastor who was officiating at the funeral of a war veteran. The dead man's military friends wanted to have a part in the service at the funeral home, so they requested that the pastor lead them ...read more
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15. The Way To Glory
Contributed on Aug 13, 2011
The way to glory even in our pain is clear: humble yourself before God and one another; harden yourself against the devil; and by God’s grace, keep your hope in Him.
Chan Gailey, who just began his second season as head coach for the Buffalo Bills, got his start coaching football at Alabama’s Troy State University. In 1984, with a 12-1 record, he led the Troy State Trojans to a Division II NCAA national championship. A week before the big game, he was ...read more