Sermons on Above Average:

Call Your First Witness

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 2, 2012

Jesus is God, and I can prove it. I call to the stand John the Baptist! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Call Your First Witness John 1 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/FirstWitness.html A witness is to tell the truth that he knows. He testifies before God and everyone the truth. Jesus is God, and I can prove it. I call to the stand John the Baptist! John the Baptist was a relative of Jesus. Their ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Birth Announcement

Contributed by Jeff Waibel on Sep 24, 2016

2,000 years ago everyone was watching the Roman empire, but the most important event happened in a stable in the little town of Bethlehem. A baby was born and the birth was so important the birth announcement was sent 700 years earlier.

So I am reading War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy right now. When you undertake some task as crazy as reading War and Peace, you have to work it into conversations as often as you can. Anyway, War and Peace is set during the Napoleonic wars from about 1803-1815. The book really makes the point that ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7, Isaiah 4:12-16

Denomination: *other

Galatians Part 6: "Watch Your Step!"

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 12, 2005

Watch your step and make sure that you are not deceived by the sinful nature. Remember to be careful not to burn yourself out doing the good for the Kingdom of God. Then we need to remember that being a new creation is what this life is all about.

Galatians Part 6 – “Watch your Step!” On the lighter side this morning: Opening Illustration: A Synagogue’s Custom A young scholar from New York was invited to become Rabbi in a small old community in Chicago. On his very first Shabbat, a hot debate erupted as to whether one should or should not ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Surrender All

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Apr 29, 2006

Five Stages of Peter’s Surrender

Luke 5:1-11 I Surrender All Woodlawn Missionary Baptist Church April 30, 2006 Introduction Steve Lyons will be remembered as the player who dropped his pants. He could be remembered as an outstanding infielder ... as the player who played every position for the Chicago White Sox ... as the guy ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Acts Of Mothers Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 1, 2006

The acts of mother’s have pointed to the truth that man and woman were made in the image of God and the sacrificial nature of mothers for their families reflects the sacrificial love God has for the world.

The Acts of Mothers Skit: Brian and Angie on the acts of Mothers A Video of different people telling what they appreciate about their mothers from New Life Community Church. On the lighter side of life: "The hand that rocks the cradle usually is attached to someone who isn’t getting enough ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Relationship To The Weak

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

We have a special responsibility to brothers and sisters who are weak.

Introduction: I heard about a college recruiter who interviewed a high school basketball star. The recruiter said, "I hear you’re pretty good." The player said, "I’m the best there is. I averaged 45 points per game. I was the best rebounder in my high school. And I led our team to 3 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Changing Your Mind Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 27, 2021

Mark tells us that the very first message that Jesus preached was that the kingdom of God was near and, therefore, people are to repent and believe the good news. This was the same message that John the Baptist had been preaching.

A mother calling to her son shouted, "Johnny, tell your sister to get in the house out of the rain." "I can't mom," came the reply. "And just why can't you?" demanded his mother. "Because we are playing Noah's Ark mom, and she's one of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Hunting For Humility?

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 25, 2000

Christianity would benefit greatly if there were more humble individuals in both pulpits and pews

When asked what were the three most important Christian virtues, Augustine replied, "Humility, humility, and humility." Yet, this great virtue is in rather short supply in our culture. Even very good people seem to have a hard time being really humble. One day Linus tells Charlie Brown, "When I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:6-21

Denomination: Baptist

He's No Angel

Contributed by Derrick-Lewis Noble on Oct 18, 2000

The writer of Hebrews went to great lengths to assure the readers that Jesus the Christ has certain characteristics which place him above all creation and which render it impossible for him to be an angel, a created being.

The writer of Hebrews went to great lengths to assure the readers that Jesus the Christ has certain characteristics which place him above all creation and which render it impossible for him to be an angel, a created being. Jesus the Christ is many things to many people...but he's no angel! What is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1

Beyond The Fear Of Infection Series

Contributed by Paul Kallan on Feb 15, 2003

The courage of solidarity leads us to stand above the fear of infection and touch the other in his suffering and to lift him out of exclusion, loss of relationship and death. Then we become witnesses to the power of God in the world.

The gospel passage Mark 1.40-45 shows how God relates himself to the human infirmities of body and mind. The story shows the possibility of human suffering under physical and mental infirmities. The story brings us clarity through the two opposing behaviours. God tries to bring healing into such a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Denomination: Catholic

What Is Your Mind Set?

Contributed by Bruce Ferris on Sep 16, 2002

Needless to say, there is a war raging inside of the Christian for control of the mind. That is why the Bible says to have the mind in you that is in Christ Jesus. It is why Christians are to seek things above and to crucify the flesh with its passions

What Is Your Mind Set? Needless to say, there is a war raging inside of the Christian for control of the mind. That is why the Bible says to have the mind in you that is in Christ Jesus. It is why Christians are to seek things above and to crucify the flesh with its passions and lust. The ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

Letting Jesus Live Through Us Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 24, 2014

Jesus would love for us to be his servants, to do his will above our own, and to direct the steps of our lives. But we must allow him to do so by surrendering our lives to him.

Letting Jesus Live Through Us (Colossians 3:14-17) 1. It was a bad week for criminals, based on a couple of UPI stories: “A Texas fugitive who was wanted on bank fraud charges was captured in Denver after he plummeted 17 stories down a trash chute while trying to evade police.” 2. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Count It All Joy

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 7, 2014

We’re going to look at James’ outrageous proposal, why Christians - above all others - are destined for trials, and how Christians should respond differently to them than other people.

COUNT IT ALL JOY James 1:1-4 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: EVOLUTION JOKE 1. Orangutan One day the zoo-keeper noticed that the orangutan was reading two books - the Bible and Darwin's Origin of Species. 2. Surprised, he asked the ape, "Why are you reading both those books?" "Well," said the orangutan, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Second Mile Marathon Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Feb 13, 2012

God is honored, and His glory proclaimed, when we go above and beyond what the world expects. Jesus challenges all of us to live life as "second mile marathoners." Are you up to the challenge?

The Second Mile Marathon - Matthew 5:38-42 - February 5, 2012 Series: Kingdom Life – A World Turned Upside Down #16 One summer evening in Broken Bow, Nebraska, a weary truck driver pulled his rig into an all-night truck stop. He was tired and hungry. The waitress had just served him ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Denomination: *other

Church Leaders And Ethics

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Feb 23, 2013

Ministerial ethics are the standards, principles, and broad guidelines that Christian leaders must observe. Ethical practices are upright, honorable, moral, lawful, above-board, and full of integrity. The conduct and lifestyle of modern-day Christian

Church Leaders And Ethics 1 Timothy 3:14-15 - These things I write to you….so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Ministerial ethics are the standards, principles, and broad ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:14-15

Denomination: Charismatic