Sermons on Absence Without Leave:

The Foundational Role Of Apostles And Spiritual Gifts In The Church

Contributed by Anthony (Tony) Charles on Jul 11, 2025

Brethren, let us open our hearts and minds to the Word of God this morning. We gather as the Church, the body of Christ, and it is crucial that we understand the structure and foundation upon which we are built. For without a firm foundation, no building can stand. And so it is with the Church.

The Foundational Role of Apostles and Spiritual Gifts in the Church Introduction: Christ, the Cornerstone Brethren, let us open our hearts and minds to the Word of God this morning. We gather as the Church, the body of Christ, and it is crucial that we understand the structure and foundation upon ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:5, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Corinthians 12:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Series: Limiting The Holy One Of Israel (Part 2: Jesus Could Do Not Much Miracles In His Own Hometown Except... Why?)

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 10, 2020

Jesus, the local boy, leaves town and makes it big in the world - and returns with great following. He has shaken the religious establishment, nation & Roman world. You would expect his own to applaud him & see God's work displayed through Him. But no - He does few miracles. Why?

DO NOT LIMIT THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL (PART 2) JESUS COULD DO NOT MUCH MIRACLES IN HIS OWN HOMETOWN EXCEPT... 1. Mark 6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6, Psalm 78:41

Denomination: Charismatic

They Turned It Right Side Up - Troublemakers - World Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Aug 25, 2005

Christians are accused of turning this world upside down...but it’s the other way around. Those who think the world would be better off without us will one day get their wish! Link included to Formatted Text version and some great visuals in PowerPoint.

They Turned it Right Side Up! Acts 17:1-6 A man was shoveling snow in his driveway when 2 boys came along w/ shovels and said, “Hey Mister, can we shovel your driveway…only $2!?” He said, “can’t you see I’m doing that?” “Yes sir, that’s why we asked…we get most of our business from people who ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Sanctuary

Contributed by Ronald Fair on May 31, 2002

“The wings of God are broad wings covering up all our needs, our sorrows, our sufferings. There comes a time when we may feel forsaken, but the Lord never leaves us very long at a time. When we cry out ‘Lord, undertake for me’ His answer comes on swift

Sanctuary Scripture: Ps 84 Text PS 84:3 “Yea the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even Thine altars O Lord of hosts.” Introduction Some time ago, the Moody Monthly carried an article entitled, “Seven Days Behind the Iron Curtain”, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:4

Denomination: Methodist

Good Grief! Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Oct 13, 2025

We all thirst for meaning, hope, and grace. In Christ, we find the living water that truly satisfies. “Good grief” awakens us to our need for Him, leads us to repentance, and brings new life. The world is thirsty. Don’t leave them under an empty spigot — point them to Jesus, the living water.

### **Introduction** Video Ill.: Cat Funeral — The Skit Guys This morning, we are continuing our study The Gospel According to Peanuts. Charles Schulz, through something as simple as a comic strip, often pointed to some of life’s deepest spiritual truths — and even the truths of the gospel. That ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:10, Ephesians 5:14, Romans 13:11-12, Romans 6:6-8, John 3:3, Revelation 22:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Sure Promise Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jul 19, 2022

We are saved by faith, believing God’s promises. Now let’s live by them. You need to recognize your future is as bright as the promises of God. You held on to the key of promise. Jesus said, I will never leave you or forsake you. God kept his promise concerning Israel possessing the land.

An elderly believer was facing death. While he lay dying he told his pastor, “For years I have relied on the promises of God, but now in my hour of death I can’t remember a single one to comfort me.” His pastor replied, “Do you think God will forget?” He smiled, “No, no he won’t forget. I can ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 21:43-45

Denomination: Baptist

The War In Israel Our Duty And Responsibility

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Oct 15, 2023

We should pray for the peace of Israel as Psalms 122:-6-7 says We should pray that the hostages are safe and returned to their families without harm. Pray that both the Palestinians and the Jews can stop fighting and try to live in harmony. Pray that the fighting stops.

The War in Israel Our Duty and Responsibility By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - The Bible says, Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge”. No doubt last Sunday Morning and for sure this Sunday churches all over will be saying “Let’s pray for Israel”, because on last ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:16, Joshua 21:41-45

Denomination: Apostolic

Have You Signed On The Dotted Line?

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Jun 28, 2021

We sign our name to thousands of documents in our lifetime to secure anything from homes to cell phone agreements and do it without even reading the contracts most of the time. When it comes to “belonging” to a people of God however, we turn into a conspiracy theorists and feel threatened

TITLE: HAVE YOU SIGNED ON THE DOTTED LINE? SCRIPTURE: ST. LUKE 9:57-62 When was the last time you signed a contract? Any kind of contract – A Mortgage - A Car Loan - A New Job - A Marriage License - A School Admissions Agreement. Now consider this - How many pages was the contract? More ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

Admonition 101

Contributed by Ron Hietsch on Aug 27, 2011

Jesus sets forth a basic condition. Before admonishing someone practice self examination. If we do not see our own sins, we can not offer admonition to a fellow Christian. Without self examination our admonition can only deteriorate into judgment.

September 4, 2011 The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Year A Grace mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. The sermon text for today is Ezekiel 33:7-9. This encounter between God and Ezekiel takes place in the neo- Babylonian Empire during the captivity of Israel by ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:7-9

Denomination: Lutheran

The Foundation For Favor Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Mar 24, 2021

Often events and circumstances in life take us by surprise. At times life is going according to plan, and then without warning, difficulty arrives. Thankfully, God is omniscient, knowing all things. He is never taken by surprise and always works according to His divine will.

The Foundation for Favor Esther 2: 19-23 As we take a moment to consider our lives, we discover they are made up of varied series of events. Often one event serves to prepare us for a future event. At times, several events tend to blend together and create a major event. Viewing life from this ...read more

Scripture: Esther 2:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

Running From God Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Sep 6, 2012

Let me ask you….have you ever wanted to run away from home? Just leave everything, go someplace where no one can find you. At one time or another I would say that every one of us have felt like that. There was a problem or a situation or a person that

“Running from God” Jonah1:1-3 I read a story this week of a 5 year old boy who decided to run away from home. The woman who lived next door saw him leave as she was cutting her grass. She watched him as she walked up and down the sidewalk in front of her house dragging his little ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Bits And Pieces Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Jul 17, 2025

Before continuing, it’s worth stopping to reflect. The stories of rebellion seem to be without end. There were times of judgment, but even in those moments, God remained faithful.... This contrast between Israel’s rebellion and God’s faithfulness is what make this book so important.

July 19, 2025 Before concluding our trip through the book of Numbers, it’s worth stopping to reflect. The stories of rebellion seem to be without end. No matter what God did, whining and complaining and open rebellion were not far behind. There were times of judgment, but even in those ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Shipwrecked: Our Condition Before Christ Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Sep 27, 2025

Using the analogy of a shipwreck, this sermon on Ephesians 2:1-3 explores Paul's stark description of our condition without Christ: spiritually dead, helplessly swept along by the currents of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and destined for God's just wrath.

Introduction Imagine a person who has survived a terrible shipwreck. They are floating alone in the middle of a vast, dark ocean. Though they are breathing and their heart is beating, are they truly alive? They are cut off from land, from safety, from any source of help. They are completely at the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Best Laid Plans Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 19, 2019

Robert Burns wrote a poetic apology to a mouse for having destroyed its home. How often are we like that mouse when we try to leave God out? What does the Psalmist have to say about finding balance between faith and effort? Check out these thoughts from our Family Minister, Scott Jewell

There’s a popular saying that goes, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” Where does this saying come from? Many attribute this to John Steinbeck’s book- Of Mice and Men, written in 1937. He actually got the title from a poem by Robert Burns- To a Mouse, written in 1786. ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When People Say We Don’t Need God

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Nov 27, 2011

The TOWER of BABEL represents man’s effort without God. The Builders of Shinar failed in their attempt tried to reach heaven through human effort. We too will fail if we believe that spiritual enlightenment comes through human effort. The only way to k

The battle for our worship is a battle that draws our flesh and its desire to exert itself over God. The flesh demands that it be stroked, satisfied and honored. The inner part of our being cries out for independence. From our earliest days we desire to do things for ourselves. But we cannot ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational