Sermons on 21st Century Context:

A Whisper From The Cradle

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Dec 14, 2025

Tonight, we gather in the glow of expectation, and I want to take you back to the most unlikely place God ever spoke—a stable in Bethlehem, where four humble details whisper a message of joy and peace that still echoes across the centuries.

Introduction In the hush of Advent waiting, we strain to hear. We listen for trumpets, for thunder, for the unmistakable voice of God breaking through our chaos. But what if the message we're longing for comes not as a shout, but as a whisper? Not from a throne, but from a cradle? Tonight, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Methodist

The Parable Of The Talents Series

Contributed by Kevin Brady on Sep 6, 2021

Three servants receive different gifts from their master. Two use them wisely. One does not. Why? This sermon explores the historical context of this parable with a view toward clarifying the plight of the unworthy servant. A re-telling of the story is followed by several meditations on the text.

Nothing was ready. Bags remained open and unpacked, with clothes neither in nor out. The servants ran from one unfinished task to another, trying their best to follow conflicting instructions from stewards who were themselves at odds. The mother of the house and her young children sat wide-eyed at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

What The World Needs Now Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Mar 31, 2021

What the World Needs Now "is love, sweet, love." But what does that kind of love look like, especially in the context of the great sin? Jesus provides us with a powerful lesson about the kind of love we need to receive and offer to others.

Most of us here are familiar with that hit song written by Burt Bacharach, “What the World Needs Now.” And of course, as bad as I am with notes, I’m even worse with lyrics, but in this case, I do remember the next few words—“Is love, sweet, love.” And admittedly, the song strikes a chord with ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11, Deuteronomy 17:6-7

Denomination: Bible Church

The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit – The Gifts Of Power

Contributed by Imelda Mesa on Sep 27, 2022

when we think of power in the context of God, we think of God's nature, character, and abilities to make the impossible possible, to make great things greater and grander. When we think of God's power, we think of the acts of God!

In a natural sense, when we think of power, we think of explosives; we think of something that can break a hard wall into tiny pieces. When we think of power, we think of natural abilities to create or influence something, either good or bad. But, when we think of power in the context of God, we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Foursquare

Confessions: Phone Booth Series

Contributed by J John on Dec 20, 2007

Does art imitate life or life imitate art? Joel Schumacher’s wonderful thriller Phone Booth was originally set to be released in November 2002, but as a result of the terrifying shooting spree by the notorious ‘Washington Sniper’, 20th-Century Fox chose t

--note-- 2003, Fox Directed by Joel Schumacher Screenplay by Larry Cohen Colin Farrell as Stu Shepard Kiefer Sutherland as The Caller Rated R for pervasive language and some violence - - - - - Does art imitate life or life imitate art? Joel Schumacher’s wonderful thriller Phone Booth was originally ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10

Denomination: *other

Why Us? Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Sep 5, 2021

The proof of God’s love and His faithfulness to His Covenant is People is the fact that they are still around despite every effort that’s been made over the centuries and millennia to not only eliminate them from “the River to the Sea” but off the face of the earth.

“Why me?” Have you ever sung that song? The refrain goes something like this: “Why do bad things always happen to me?” I was singing that song one day when a man came up to me and said, “Why not you? Are you special?” Yep. I am special. And so are you … which is why bad things happen to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 15:17-18, Zechariah 9:2-3, Genesis 17:1-8, Deuteronomy 7:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

The Solid Truth Concerning Salvation

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 16, 2021

Faithful servants of Jesus Christ like the apostle Paul and those who have followed him over the centuries were obedient to His call to proclaim the gospel despite hardships and opposition. We are to be just as faithful to the LORD in proclaiming the Gospel message as they had been.

At the end of the book of Acts, the apostle Paul is under house arrest in Rome awaiting a hearing from Caesar at his request. He is to appear before Nero and give an account of his work, teaching, and testimony concerning the Lord Jesus Christ and the salvation from sin He provides to all ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-6, Acts 28:28, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Romans 5:6-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Faithful Till The End

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 19, 2020

Peter makes a profound statement while writing to first century believers - the end of all things is at hand. He wanted the church to live and witness in light of anticipation of the Lord's soon return. Such an awareness would impact every aspect of Christian life.

Faithful till the End 1 Peter 4: 7-11 Today is a day unlike any we’ve ever known. In the past few years, the world has seen drastic change. We are living in a day of difficulty and decision. The day when God was given His rightful place in the affairs of our nation has been replaced with lust, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret Name Of Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Cameron Conway on Sep 19, 2018

Is Jesus really the name of the Son of God is there something that has bee forgoten over the centuries? Does Jesus Christ have a secret name that no one speak about or een realizes exists, and how does learning that secret name change who we are as Christians?

For more information and other teachings, podcasts, videos, books and study guides visit https://conwaychristianresources.com As Christians we declare that we follow the one and only true Son of God called Jesus Christ. We believe that He came from Heaven through a virgin birth, lived in Judea ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:4

Denomination: Foursquare

Isaiah Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 31, 2022

Isaiah was a prophet for King Ahaz right before the Assyrian conflict began. He was the 8th-century BC Israelite prophet after whom the Book of Isaiah is named. Within the text of the Book of Isaiah, Isaiah himself is referred to as "the prophet."

Isaiah Personal Description Isaiah was a prophet for King Ahaz right before the Assyrian conflict began. He was the 8th-century BC Israelite prophet after whom the Book of Isaiah is named. Within the text of the Book of Isaiah, Isaiah himself is referred to as "the prophet." However, the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Roommates, Bad Dates And Great Mates: Temptation Series

Contributed by Nelson Searcy on Nov 2, 2006

Throughout this series, we have said that God created sex and He wants us to enjoy it, but He created sex to be best experienced between one man and one woman, within the context of a life long committed marriage. And today, we are talking about temptati

ROOMMATES, BAD DATES & GREAT MATES Temptation “. . .the fruit looks so fresh and delicious” I’m glad you have chosen to be with us today, as we continue our series, Roommates, Bad Dates and Great Mates. Go ahead and pull out your message notes. We have had a lot of fun in this series so far. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

True Repentance Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Mar 15, 2022

“Come, let us return to the Lord.” (Hosea 6:1) Jesus went to the house of many tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees saw this and asked why Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners. In that context Jesus Quotes Hosea 6:6 (found in Matthew 9:13).

The story of the prodigal son gives us a great picture of repentance. The prodigal has messed up big time and ended up in a terrible situation, eating pig slop just to survive. That situation made him turn back to his father. But you don’t have to wind up on skid row to need repentance. A Christian ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 6:1-11, Hosea 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Survive

Contributed by Lee Houston on Jan 20, 2025

This morning, I was reading Mark 3:24-25, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” I did not remember the context in which he said it. I found it in a Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. I thought about Lincoln’s realization. It seems to me that we are again a divided nation.

Title: A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Survive Scripture: Exodus 20:16, Mark 3:24-25, Ephesians 4:29 Summary: This morning, I was reading Mark 3:24-25, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” I did not remember the context in which he said it. I found it in a Collected Works of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-5, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

The Prayer Of Jabez

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Nov 2, 2022

The prayer of Jabez has been used by many people over the centuries to seek a special blessing from God. To pray like Jabez, it's important for us to surrender our lives to God, trusting Him with everything we have, so that He can leave His mark through us for future generations.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES (1 Chronicles 4:9-10) (9) “And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.” (10) “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:9-10, Romans 15:4, Psalm 91:14-16, Psalm 19:14, Philippians 3:14, Matthew 6:13, 2 Chronicles 20:6-12, Matthew 6:9-13, Matthew 5:8, Jeremiah 33:3, Proverbs 10:22, Psalm 37:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Friend At Midnight Series

Contributed by Eric Carey-Holt on Feb 16, 2003

The model is the Lord’s Prayer and this pattern of prayer has been a part of the Christian tradition for centuries. This model lays out a way that we can pray to God and shows how we can have an effective life in prayer. Jesus did not just show this to th

THE FRIEND AT MIDNIGHT—Luke 11: 1-13 TEXT Luke 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." 2 He said to them, "When you pray, say: " `Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Methodist