Sermons on Absence Without Leave:

7 Things Jesus Left Behind [ascension] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 24, 2006

40 days after the resurrection is the ascension. We should never forget 7 things Jesus remembered to leave behind. Link included to formatted text, audio & video, PowerPoint.

What Jesus Left Behind Acts 1:6-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/7ThingsLeftBehind.html Goodbyes aren’t easy, especially if the one leaving will be gone long. Ill—Babe Ruth said goodbye at Yankee Stadium, eaten up w/ cancer, and w/ tears he said goodbye. Ill—Watergate hearings, Nixon said ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

No More Excuses

Contributed by Sherman Gordon on May 19, 2007

Life is filled with opportunities and adventures with our name written on it. We must choose to go after these wonderful opportunities and leave behind the excuses as to why we cannot accomplish something.

NO MORE EXCUSES MATTHEW: 25:14-30 I HAVE ONLY JUST A MINUTE, ONLY SIXTY SECONDS IN IT. FORCED UPON ME, CAN’T REFUSE IT, DIDN’T SEEK IT, DIDN’T CHOOSE IT, BUT IT’S UP TO ME TO USE IT. I MUST SUFFER, IF I LOOSE IT, GIVE ACCOUNT, IF I ABUSE IT. IT’S ONLY JUST A MINUTE, BUT ETERNITY IS IN IT . . . ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Getting Back On Course In Christian Marriage Series

Contributed by Bruce Willis on Apr 9, 2008

This is the second sermon in a series of four on Christian marriage which deals with Getting at the Heart of God’s Plan, Being Mutually Submissive as well as Leaving and Cleaving - from an “exchanged life’ perspective.”

It doesn’t take a social scientist to figure out that marriage today is in trouble. Adultery, divorce, depression, alcoholism, work-alcoholism, and a host of other “isms” have reached epidemic proportions. It may have been Benjamin Franklin who said, “A disease is never brought under control ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible Is Applicable-Part 3 Series

Contributed by John Young on Nov 23, 2004

When James comes to talk about the Word of God in our text, he leaves us in no doubt about what we need to do to put the wonder to work in our lives.

I invite you to turn with me today to the book of James. While you’re finding your place let me give a few preliminary points (or thoughts) concerning this book and biblical hermeneutics in general. Every verse in the bible has three applications: historical, doctrinal, and spiritual. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Baptist

Expectations When Following Christ Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Oct 16, 2012

THE LIFE OF A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST IS FULL OF CONSTANTS. THERE IS THE CONSTANT OF AN ABUNDANT LIFE. THERE IS THE CONSTANT THAT JESUS WILL NEVER LEAVES YOU OR FORSAKE YOU. THERE IS THE CONSTANT THAT WE ARE A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST JESUS.THERE IS THE CONST

EXPECTATIONS WHEN FOLLOWING CHRIST ACTS 10:24-48 INTRODUCTION: THE LIFE OF A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST IS FULL OF CONSTANTS. THERE IS THE CONSTANT OF AN ABUNDANT LIFE. THERE IS THE CONSTANT THAT JESUS WILL NEVER LEAVES YOU OR FORSAKE YOU. THERE IS THE CONSTANT THAT WE ARE A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:24-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Nativity Off Script! Series

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Jan 1, 2009

A poem, ’The Ode to the Innkeeper’ tells of being too busy to recognise Jesus and so leaving him out of our life and a nativity story which points us to receiving Him.

THE NATIVITY OFF SCRIPT! The innkeeper at Bethlehem was one of the minor characters of the Nativity. He couldn’t find room for Mary as an expectant mother. Why? This poem tells he story. It’s called: THE ODE TO THE INNKEEPER The Innkeeper stands, he is guarding the door He’s got all he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Scurvy? What Are We Lacking?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 21, 2016

Scurvy is a terrible disease from the lack of Vitiman C... What are we lacking today that leaves us weak? Could we have a broken, dried up spirit--- LACKING JOY?

SPIRITUAL SCURVY? --- WHAT ARE WE LACKING? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr Kyfingers@aol.com I use several magnets of varying sizes... Text Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. JOY IS A MAGNET--- IT DRAWS GOOD, POSITIVE THINGS... JOY MAY ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Who Let The Dogs Out”

Contributed by Sean Dees on May 3, 2021

Today Lord willing I come to share with you a message of warning to those that may be here, that have become indifferent. These are those that are no longer sheep, but dogs leaving the will of God in search of vainglory.

Intro: Today Lord willing I come to share with you a message of warning to those that may be here, that have become indifferent. These are those that are no longer sheep, but dogs leaving the will of God in search of vainglory. Which causes me to ask, “Who let the dogs out.” I. Now these dogs ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 56:10-12

Godly Discontent - Genesis 31:1-18 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jul 24, 2021

Jacob is going to move on from one job to another. He’s leaving his place where he has a job now and he’s going to go to another job.

In our story today in Genesis 31 we see that Jacob is going to move on from one job to another. He’s leaving his place where he has a job now and he’s going to go to another job. I want to prepare our hearts for this study today by imagining us being in the story. I think the best way to do that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 31:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Empty Chair

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Nov 23, 2020

Every thanksgiving there is an tradition of leaving an empty chair for an unexpected guessed. Jesus expects us to do that to the hungry, thirsty, to the prisoned one. We are to help the least, lonely, lost, leper, and the other.

Matthew 25:31-46 The Empty Chair " -- for the least, the lost, the lonely, the leper, the "other"? 1. This week we will celebrate Thanksgiving • Thanksgiving is the day we set aside nationally to remind us to say "thanks" for the bounties God has heaped upon our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Methodist

Anointed For Mission [lectionary 3c]

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 30, 2018

Leave the success of your life to a power greater than you. Just do the things you were anointed for. Let a power greater than you take care of the ‘how.’

The theme in our Readings this Sunday is that the ‘opening of the Scriptures’ is consonant with ‘the opening of the eyes’. The use of physical seeing as a metaphor for spiritual insight is commonplace. Those that are blind(ed), are unable to read the Scriptures. E.g. Two young fish are swimming ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:2-10, Luke 4:14-21

Denomination: Catholic

God's Custodians Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 28, 2022

Serving the Lord is not all that complicated. Just serve Him faithfully and humbly. Every day, just humbly do what He asks you to do and leave the results up to Him.

I’ve had some experience in signing contracts with various musicians over the years to do concerts in the church. Those contracts spell out the details of what each party expects, and they contain few, if any, surprises. That’s not the case with some of the big-name entertainers. For example, Van ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-7, Matthew 11:29-30, Matthew 10:42, Matthew 25:21, Matthew 25:23, Luke 16:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Proof Of Zacchaeus' Salvation

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 21, 2022

A Christian man was making plans to leave the country. He went to apply for a passport, and he was told that before he could receive a passport he had to produce evidence of his birth.

He was stunned when the woman looked at him and asked him to do such a thing. He asked, "My standing before you is not evidence that I have been born?" She said, "No, you will have to bring your birth certificate or something comparable to a birth certificate to show proof of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Cost Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Aug 13, 2020

When we follow Jesus, we are stepping into a new life that leaves an old life behind. It will cost us some of our worldly ambitions, but it will give us so much more.

Following Jesus: The Cost Luke 9:23 Introduction Following Jesus means we hear his invitation to come and see, listen to His teaching, act upon what we learn from Him. When we follow Jesus, we are stepping into a new life that leaves an old life behind. It will cost us some of our worldly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23, Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Understanding Jesus' Declaration: "none Are Good, No, Not One"

Contributed by Ronald Moore on Nov 5, 2023

The words of Jesus in the Bible are profound and often leave us pondering their meanings. One such statement, found in the New Testament, is Jesus' declaration that "none are good, no, not one."

The words of Jesus in the Bible are profound and often leave us pondering their meanings. One such statement, found in the New Testament, is Jesus' declaration that "none are good, no, not one." These words can be challenging to understand, but they offer a valuable insight into the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19, Romans 3:22-24

Denomination: Anglican