Sermons on Above Average:

Turn Life's Challenges Into Positive Life Lessons

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 16, 2004

By the grace of God you can turn your failures and challenges in life into positive life lessons.

Turn Life’s Challenges Into Positive Life Lessons Hebrews 12:1 Introduction: Pastor Ray comes from the back of the church down the aisle with a back pack and carrying a number items including: small TV, tennis racquet, cell phone, etc. I’m sorry I’m late but I am slowed down by the weights I ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Model For A Memorial Or Funeral Message

Contributed by Don Hawks on Oct 16, 2002

This is a generic model for a funeral message for someone who died after struggling with an illness, using the autobiography of Morrie Schwartz who died of ALS to craft the message.

MESSAGE FOR A MEMORIAL OR FUNERAL SERVICE ___________________________ I’ve been in a funk for a couple of weeks now. But I think I’m coming out of it now. Strange that I could say that on the occasion for which we have come together here. It all started a couple of weeks ago as I anticipated ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8, Philippians 1:20-21

Denomination: Methodist

How Do You Rebuild After A Disaster? Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Oct 2, 2009

Things get done when we pray, take action, and persevere until a goal is accomplished.

Title: How Do You Rebuild After a Disaster? Text: Nehemiah 1-6 Thesis: Things get done when we pray, take action, and persevere until a goal is accomplished. Series: The Bible in 90 Days Whole Church Challenge In our reading this week we have leapt through the “Period of the Kings” during ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The High Cost Of Living Low Series

Contributed by Ron Theis on Jul 9, 2010

We have all experienced failure like Samson. But do you feel your hair starting to grow back???

The High Cost of Living Low Some are born to privilege, w/ many advantages, and can't seem to succeed, and then others are the opposite, born to nothing, and rise above it all to great success. Samson was an example of the former. He was born at a special time in Israel's history. 7 times this ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Lust Series

Contributed by Merv Budd on Aug 22, 2006

I look at the power, lure and dangers of lust from the story of David and Bathsheba.

Intro I need you to think way back to July 23rd we began a series, do you remember what it was? We began a series looking at the seven deadly sins. Allow me to do just a little bit of review for you. The Seven Deadly Sins are not found listed in the Bible, but they are a list of sinful attitudes ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Money Matters!

Contributed by Monty Newton on Sep 27, 2010

Giving is a way we love God with all our our heart, soul, mind and strength and out neighbor as ourselves... and away we lay up treasure in heaven!

Title: Why Go To Church: Money Matters! Text: I Timothy 6:6-19 Thesis: Giving money is a way we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbor as ourselves... and to lay up treasure in heaven! Introduction Johann Tetzel was a Dominican monk who served at the Pope’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The "M" Word Series

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Sep 4, 2012

Whether we are a good steward of God's provision or not depends on the attitude of our heart. Are we trusting God for all our needs? If so he will provide and bless us.

Money. It’s a hot topic! Most people in the world live in order to make money. After all, its money that pays the bills, puts food on the table and clothes on our back. But it’s also money that brings us comfort because we can buy for ourselves things that bring us ease and comfort in ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:7-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Why Am I Here?

Contributed by Dwight Davis on Jul 27, 2015

Thousands of books have been written in response to that age old question; what's the meaning of life?' Nearly all of them are wrong but there is an ancient book, written by the inspiration of God that tells us the answer to that most perplexing question!

Today we are going to talk about a question that has perplexed even the most intelligent people on earth for thousands of years. It's a question that has been widely debated by scholars and philosophers and yet simply ignored or even scoffed at by scientists and atheists. That question is "what is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Universal Praise Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 18, 2021

Can a pagan glorify the God of the Bible? If he becomes a believer, he certainly can. This invitation of Psa. 117 is authentic when it says whosoever will may come, and praise the God who is the God of all peoples.

If you think Psalm 117 is a short chapter, you are right, for it is the shortest in all the Bible. But it is twice as long in English as it is in the original Hebrew. It is 33 words in English, but only 17 in the Hebrew. And it is another of the many paradoxes of the Bible, for small as it ...read more

A New Beginning For A New Year

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 27, 2018

In John 3:1-21 we learn about the new birth.

Scripture As we look forward to a New Year in just a few days, I would like to preach a message that I am calling, “A New Beginning for a New Year.” My text for this message today is John 3:1-21, and it contains the most beloved and well-known verse in the entire Bible—John 3:16. Jesus wants all ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Kairos – Hearing From God Through Our Desires And People Series

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Mar 14, 2023

Are you willing to identify the desires of your heart and bring them to a trusted mature spiritual mentor/guide to help you hear the voice of God?

Did you ever play that game where you asked the question, “What would you do if you won $1 million?" What would you do? I asked my dad that question when I was about 10 years old. He looked at me very seriously and said “Martin, if I won a million dollars I would go to work, stand in my chair ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:6-8, Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Can’t Understand All This – Maybe You Struggle Too Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Sep 17, 2022

God's creation is so immense, so majestic, we struggle to understand it all. when we consider the universe, then our minds can't absorb the grandeur. Here some facts about the fuel system of the universe and the wonders of our own planet. It must turn us to God.

I CAN’T UNDERSTAND ALL THIS – MAYBE YOU STRUGGLE TOO We live in an amazing world, and when you study it, you are astonished at the complexity and the unbelievable marvels of the natural world. Not only that, but the infinitesimal brain of man has no way of understanding the universe. I love to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:1, Psalm 8:1-6, Psalm 19:1-2, Hebrews 11:3, 1 Corinthians 2:14, 1 Corinthians 1:18, Romans 1:21-22, Ecclesiastes 1:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Vision 2017

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

The vision going into 2017 is “Pursuing to be a Disciple of Jesus.” Are we willing to position and place ourselves in that spot where the Spirit of God will disciple us.

Opening illustration: I recently read the true story about a preacher who was standing at the door shaking hands as the congregation departed. He grabbed one man by the hand and pulled him aside. The preacher said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!" The man replied, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Am The True Vine

Contributed by Christopher Arch on Oct 2, 2024

Life of Christ

Title: Jesus said: “I am the true Vine” Type: Series Scripture: Jn. 15:1-17 Where: Navigators UI 10-10-24 Intro: Pastor Simala Grant asks: How many of you know what you are supposed to do when you get lost in the woods? (answer: remain where you are until somebody comes and finds you). Have ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The God Who Never Changes Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Oct 26, 2025

Our circumstances shift, but God’s character, promises, and purposes remain the same yesterday, today, and forever.

### **Introduction – The Only Constant Is Change** Video Ill.: Sermon Bumper 2 https://englishpluspodcast.com/the-only-constant-is-change-why-this-ancient-proverb-is-the-key-to-modern-life/ By English Plus July 31, 2025 You may have heard the old saying, “The only constant in life is ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6, James 1:17, Hebrews 13:8, Psalm 102:27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ