Sermons on Above The Bar:

This Is What Counts In Life Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 22, 2024

God is in control of your life, my friend. All that you have is a gift of God. Your parents, your family, your marriage, your money, and your breath are all gifts from above.

At the conclusion of today’s message, you will be invited to respond to Jesus’ offer of a clean, fresh start. You can respond by going to the Encourager’s Room, a virtual room, or the altar. Today’s Scripture “After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained ...read more

Scripture: John 3:22-36

Denomination: Baptist

The Way Of Humilty

Contributed by Brian Williams on Apr 6, 2023

When a humble person listens and learns, they will not act in a way that brings disgrace on him or herself, on the church, or upon the name of the Lord. They will live in a way that honors God and His Word in everything and above everything else.

As many of you here know, we have been studying the book of Proverbs since February in a series called Wisdom that Works. So far this month we have talked about the power of words, fulfilling friendships, last week we heard about wisdom for anger and today, we come to the subject of the way of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Sep 30, 2022

The story of King Saul’s utter demise unfolds in 1 Samuel 15. The man who stood head and shoulders above all the people is imploding like a skyscraper building with the walls blown out.

The bigger they are the harder they fall. It is dramatic to see a skyscraper building brought to the ground. Dynamite blows out the walls and the building collapses to the ground. What once filled the skyline becomes reduced to a pile of rubble. The story of King Saul’s utter demise unfolds in 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:22

Denomination: Baptist

Docetism Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 18, 2022

Docetism was a refinement of Gnosticism. In the history of Christianity, Docetism is the heretical doctrine that the phenomenon of Jesus, his historical and bodily existence, and above all, the human form of Jesus, was mere semblance without any actual reality.

Docetism Docetism was a refinement of Gnosticism. In the history of Christianity, Docetism is the heretical doctrine that the phenomenon of Jesus, his historical and bodily existence, and above all, the human form of Jesus, was mere semblance without any actual reality. Its followers believed that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26

Denomination: Baptist

Old Habits Are Hard To Break Series

Contributed by David Owens on Aug 7, 2017

In this sermon, we witness Abraham falling back into the same sinful pattern of lying and we are forced to wrestle with our own struggle against sinful habits that are hard to break.

Introduction: A. Several elderly nuns were on the second floor of their convent one night when a fire broke out. 1. When the nuns realized the fire was blocking the exit, they took their habits off, tied them together to make a rope, and climbed out the window. 2. After they were safely on the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 20:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

False Teachers – False Hopes

Contributed by Ralf Bergmann on Jun 27, 2002

Everywhere we look people seem to always focus in on things that are different about each and every one of us. Sometimes we use this difference as a point of superiority in order to call ourselves better or above others.

Sermon Title: False Teachers – False Hopes Sermon Text: Jude 1:3-5 Sunday Evening, August 13, 2000 Scripture Introduction: There is much to be said for the saying that good things come in small packages, as is in this case with the small epistle of Jude. This letter in it’s beginning intent was ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:3-5

Denomination: *other

The Name Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Nov 30, 2002

The Name above all names should be in our hearts and on our lips. Hebrews 1:1-2:4 clearly proclaims the powerful message of who Jesus is and how we must heed and hold on to Him.

The Name Hebrews 1:1-2:4 I heard about a man who as he traveled he began to visit churches. He was traveling in the North East and out West and in the foyer of every church he visited he noticed a golden phone with a sign above it that said, “Talk with God, $10,000.” Finally, he came to ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Sting Or A Saint?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 24, 2010

An empty niche above the church door, made for a statue of a saint, but now containing a hornet’s nest, suggests the choice of letting our lives be empowered by God or letting the sting of death and disappointment take over.

The other day I was hauling in a load of stuff from my car. I came in the Aspen Street entrance to the building, the entrance nearest my office. For some reason, as I was carrying things through the door, I looked up above my head, probably to implore the Lord to give me an extra ounce of muscle ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Denomination: Baptist

Bowing To The Great Idol Of Self

Contributed by Mark Adams on Jan 13, 2007

The OT has a lot of interesting stories about idolatry, but is that really just a problem of the past? This sermon addresses the very real problem that our culture has in worshiping our own desires above all else.

To the reader: What inspired this sermon was a quote I read in R.C. Ortlund’s book, When God Comes To Church, p. 194. "Self is the great idol standing at the center of our conceptual world, to which all bow low. We even have a duty-to-self ethic, as if self-denial were harmful, immoral, and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Before The Trumpet Sound Fades

Contributed by Danny Anderson on Sep 29, 2006

The Rapture is that future event when the Lord Jesus Himself will return in the clouds above this earth and will catch away all the saved people of the world. It is a time that is referred to in Titus 2:13 as "The Blessed Hope Of The Believer."

Before the Trumpet Sound Fades Text: 1 Co 15:51-57; 1 Th 4:13-17 Introduction: I once heard an old preacher say, "I’m not lookin for a hole in the ground, I’m lookin for a hole in the sky!" The event he was referring to is known as "The Rapture". While this word itself does not appear in the Bible, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51-57

Denomination: Baptist

Be Ye Thankful

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Dec 5, 2005

On Thanksgiving: I am thankful I am not a Butterball turkey. There is one thing, above all, for which I give thanks, the lift of Jesus! Like the great old hymn says, love lifted me

Thanksgiving is a time for expressing our thanks for God’s providence and blessing. I am thankful that teenagers do grow up and eventually have teenagers of their own. I am thankful I am not a Butterball turkey. There is one thing, above all, for which I give thanks, the lift of Jesus! Like the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Sinfomercial

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Apr 10, 2010

We can guard against sin if we engage God in our lives, focus on things above with His word in our thoughts, hearts, and actions, and stay in constant prayer, confessing our sins to Him.

Sinfomercial 03/08/09 AM Text: 2 Samuel 11:1-17 Introduction I was flipping TV channels mindlessly (mindless TV, is that an oxymoron?) recently when something grabbed my attention. It was not a captivating program or a fascinating documentary or even a particularly delicious recipe on the food ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Walk On Water

Contributed by Andy Barnard on Dec 27, 2008

Anything effective that we are going to do in God is like walking on water … anything of eternal significance. God gives God sized assignments. An effective ministry takes place above and beyond our natural ability

HOW TO WALK ON WATER Matt 14:22-33 Anything effective that we are going to do in God is like walking on water … anything of eternal significance. God gives God sized assignments. An effective ministry takes place above and beyond our natural ability. SIX LESSONS ON HOW TO WALK ON WATER Lesson ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Extra Credit Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 24, 2011

A sermon based loosely on Luke 17:7-10 on extra credit, extra merit, going above and beyond the call of duty, to earn our salvation (Outline and material adapted from Dr. Jack Cottrell)

Introduction: Extra credit is an academic concept, particularly used in American schools. Students are offered the opportunity to undertake extra work in addition to their mandatory school work. Many times extra credit can be used as a way to allow a student to improve his or her grade after weak ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:7-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God’s Masterpiece

Contributed by John Gaston on Sep 8, 2015

The universe is filled with wonders of God's Creation, but the masterpiece of His Creation is man & woman. As a Child of God, you will live a God-kind-of-life if maintain your identity as being of Born from Above, not of this world.

GOD’S MASTERPIECE Eph. 2:10; Phip. 1:6 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR Since this is Labor Day, I thought I would give you “The 7 Signs of Aging.” B. GOD’S MASTERPIECE 1. Q: In the Universe, what do you think of when you think of God’s Masterpieces? 2. Examples: a. Great ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God