Sermons on Absence Without Leave:

New Clothes/New Life

Contributed by Paul Larsen on Apr 5, 2004

An Easter Sunday Sermon that reminds us that just as Jesus left his graveclothes behind we can leave behind our graveclothes of fear, despair and sin. God gives us the robes of righteous and a new life that begins right now.

Easter Sunday - New Clothes - New Life Alleluia! Christ is risen! Happy Easter. It is wonderful to have you here today as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection and the new life he gives us. A pastor went to see a man who lived in the community but never attended church. He told him, "We ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-19

Denomination: Orthodox

The Life Of James Pt 1

Contributed by Charles La Porte on Jun 18, 2008

What is it in a man’s life that would cause him to leave the only vocation (job / job skills) that he knows? what would possess a man to forsake life, as he had known it during his entire adult existence, for the unknown?

The Life of James pt.1 Matthew 4:21-25 open to… What is it in a man’s life that would cause him to leave the only vocation (job / job skills) that he knows? what would possess a man to forsake life, as he had known it during his entire adult existence, for the unknown? After all , what security ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:21-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

He Is Always There!

Contributed by Tony Abram on Jan 29, 2007

HE IS ALWAYS THERE! I begin each day with a confession to the Lord by saying Jesus is my Lord, He is Lord of my spirit, Lord of my soul and Lord of my Mind. I do not want to leave any room for the enemy.

HE IS ALWAYS THERE! I begin each day with a confession to the Lord by saying Jesus is my Lord, He is Lord of my spirit, Lord of my soul and Lord of my Mind. I do not want to leave any room for the enemy. Psalms 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:17

From Closed Doors To Open Minds

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Apr 29, 2006

Contemporary Chrsitians are tempted to sit behind the secure walls of the church rather than engage the enemy of sin in the world. But, Christ Jesus calls us to leave the closed doors and open our minds to his gospel by living and sharing it with others.

Luke 24: 36 – 48 Closed Doors to Open Minds Intro: Agoraphobia – fear of open spaces – people who cannot go outside and spend their entire life closed up inside a house or apartment. I’ve often wondered how these people earn a living or get their groceries. What happens when they get sick? --- ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-48, Acts 3:1-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Predict God Will Be With You This Year Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 2, 2011

If God has promised that He'd never leave me or forsake me... shouldn't that mean I won't encounter any difficulties or frustrations in my life? No, but the reason what this is true may change your life.

OPEN: Some years back I read the true story of a conversation a traveler had with a farmer in New York State. They got to talking about the weather, and the farmer assured the traveler that he could tell what the weather was going to be - by watching the behavior of his cows. "When the cows are ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Gospel According To Abraham

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 27, 2011

Paul spends a lot of time on justification because our nature tries to clothe ourselves with righteousness in the form of fig leaves, but we are not truly clothed with righteousness until God does the clothing. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoi

The Gospel According to Abraham Romans 4:1-8 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/GospelAccordingAbraham.html 3:31 asked if the OT was void because of saving faith? God forbid! Now look at how he illustrates that saving faith is in the OT. vv. 1-8 Paul spends a lot of time on justification because ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Kingdom Of Heaven (Part 4) Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 31, 2015

The final question which it leaves with us is this: Are you really changed by your contact with Jesus Christ and are you still changing? Everyone in this congregation in one way or another has had a contact, a touch, with Jesus, has heard his voice.

Opening illustration: A certain man went to Church one Sunday. He frowned when the organist missed a note during the opening hymn. He gave a mean stare at two teenagers talking to each other when the congregation was at prayer. During the Scripture readings, he kept looking impatiently at his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:47-52

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christians Need Each Other

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jan 23, 2016

Jesus tells us that all of us are members of the Body of Christ, also known as the church. We don’t come to church as individual people and then leave. Jesus tells us that we are to be a team of people who work together for Him.

Good morning boys and girls! How many of you like to do things for yourselves, such as tying your shoe laces or getting dressed or brushing your teeth? Do you like it when people try to help you when you don’t need their help? Boys and girls, there are some things that we can’t do by ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Anglican

Christmas News: The Angels Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Dec 8, 2014

We need to be seized once more by heavenly realities – just as Zechariah was. We need to experience something like a shock to our smug certainties that whittle God down to a manageable size and leave us underwhelmed by the mysteries of eternity.

Angels have fallen on hard times these days. Hardly anyone thinks about them anymore…except at Christmas, of course. But even at that, people don’t much believe in them. Although…I knew a woman – a member of this church at one time: She told me that she had actually seen an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Legacy Of Truth Series

Contributed by Larry Grant on Feb 11, 2024

A legacy is something that is passed on, such as faith, ethics, core values, assets, character, reputation, or life. A legacy can be the sum of a person's accomplishments, actions, and values that resonate with others. John teaches we must leave a legacy of truth.

1 John 5:18-21 (NKJV) “The Legacy of Truth” February 11, 2024 INTRO: A legacy is something passed down from the past, such as from an ancestor or predecessor. A legacy is something that is passed on, such as faith, ethics, core values, assets, character, reputation, or life. A legacy can be the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:18-21

Denomination: Baptist

Forgive And Heal

Contributed by Steve Sheek on Dec 20, 2021

Tree of Life Messianic Congregation Houston. Joseph had an opportunity to punish his brothers for their treachery but instead forgave them. The result was a cohesive people group leaving Egypt 400 years later to become the nation of Israel. Forgiveness brings healing.

20211218 Parsha Vayechi – Forgive and Heal Notes Torah Portion Gen 50:15-21 Haftarah 1 Kings 2:1-7 Brit Chadashah Ephesians 4:26-32 The last reading from the book of Genesis is named Vayechi, which means "and he lived." The title comes from the first verse of the reading, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21, Ephesians 4:26-32

Denomination: *other

The Father Is A Fair Judge Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Feb 10, 2022

The story of the bible is a God walking with his people, attempting to rescue them. We must admit that God has been more than patient with humanity. He’s slow to anger, yet he does not leave unpunished. Exodus 34

God is … The Father is a Fair Judge February 13, 2020 The story of the bible is a God walking with his people, attempting to rescue them. We must admit that God has been more than patient with humanity. He’s slow to anger, yet he does not leave unpunished. Exodus 34 Romans 14:11-12 NIV For it ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:11-12, Revelation 20:1-3, Revelation 4:8, Colossians 2:13-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Freedom From Oppression

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jun 7, 2011

If we yield to temptations, the devil will continually follow us; but if we put on the whole armor of God, and stand out against him, he will leave us. Let sinners then submit to God, and seek his grace and favor; resisting the devil. Our nearness to God

Opening illustration: In the annals of US advertising history, one of the most efficient slogans ever is the California milk producers’ two-word question, “Got milk?” With that phrase, the group captured almost everyone’s attention. In surveys, the slogan was recognized by ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Father’s Day 2018

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 25, 2018

A humorous true story of how I became a Father. Most men today are not ready to be Father's. That's O.K. God can prepare you. Be an example, be a godly man who lives their faith daily . Leave a legacy that is reflected in your children's character.

Father’s Day 2018 Psalm 127 Congratulations! You’re now a father. I remember when it happened and how it happened but I do not remember being ready for it to happen to me. The mystery of life became evident when I became a father. I was 27 years old when my wife gave birth to our ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Provision Granted.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Feb 15, 2023

Does the word of God promise to supply all your needs? Did Jesus say He would never leave you? Did He say He would keep you from falling and present you faultless before the Father's throne?

Provision Granted. James 1:2-7 When James wrote his epistle some 30 years later after Jesus’ death. James humility is evident by the way he saw himself: "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" (James 1:1). James identified himself as the servant of Jesus rather than as a ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-7, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Ephesians 3:20

Denomination: Pentecostal