Sermons on Absence Without Leave:

The God Who Is Gooder Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 24, 2017

There are people in this world that hate God. And they don't believe that God is good - they believe He is evil and unworthy of our praise. But is God good? And what does that mean to us?

OPEN: Is God Good? (wait for a reply) Of course He is. That’s what the Bible tells us and that’s what we believe or we wouldn’t be here. But, there are many out there who don’t like God. There are many agnostics and atheists work very hard at painting God as an evil and wicked God – unworthy of our ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Covenant Of Shalom

Contributed by Steve Sheek on Feb 5, 2018

Because of his zeal for the Lord, God gave Phineas a covenant of Shalom.

This week’s Torah portion is a continuation of last week’s story of Balak and Balaam. Balaam had advised Balak that the way to defeat Israel was to attack their morality. Sure enough, the women of Moab soon began corrupting the men of Israel to great effect. A great plague came on the people ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 25:10-18

Denomination: *other

The Journey Of Hope Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 26, 2017

What was it about the message of Gabriel about the Christ child that changed the world?

OPEN: (This sermon began with a clip from the Sony movie “The Star” – a cartoon rendition of the nativity as seen through the eyes of the animals that might have been there. Today’s movie clip showed Mary being told by the angel of her impending pregnancy) The video clip we saw retold the scene in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seeing Is Not Believing

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 2, 2006

The Spirit is the presence of Jesus lived through us to others.

Seeing Is Not Believing – John 16: 4b - 15 Intro: When we leave for an extended vacation we usually give instructions to those staying behind as to what will happen in our absence. Things like: The garbage man picks up trash early on Thursday morning, so you have to put the trash cans at the ...read more

Scripture: John 16:5-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Stolen - Pt. 1 - Presence Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Jan 17, 2019

Have you ever experienced theft? Something that is rightfully yours taken? This year, during Christmas, it is time to get those things back!

Presence I. Introduction No one likes a thief at any time of the year but especially at Christmas. You have read or seen accounts of families who have lost everything at Christmas due to a thief breaking into home or car. All hope seems to be lost. It seems Christmas for all of its emphasis on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:7-9, Matthew 2:16, Matthew 1:18-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Responsible Servants

Contributed by Arulselvam Rayappan on Mar 7, 2005

Followers of Jesus cannot be irresponsible. Privilege implies accountability.

DIOGENES was one day standing on a street corner laughing like a mad man. “Why are you laughing?” He was asked. “Do you see that stone in the middle of the street? More than ten persons have already stumbled on it, then looked at the stone and cursed it but nobody had removed it to prevent ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:45-51

Denomination: Catholic

Emotions In Prayer

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 23, 2017

There may be souls of spiritual depth who presume in themselves a meager capacity for prayer because they find interior silence unachievable.

“Clearly, then, the idea we have of God can make prayer difficult, if not impossible. We block our way to God by every wrong notion of God. That can happen if we dwell too much on God’s transcendent mystery, if we look upon him as distant and remote, as a God without eyes. A God unavailable to our ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

The Wonderful Peace Of God

Contributed by Louis J Locke on Dec 30, 2024

Throughout scripture we discover the wonderful peace of God.

THE BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF 'PEACE' 1. ‘Shalom’ – Completeness, wholeness, health, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, fullness, rest, harmony; the absence of agitation or discord. Common greeting in Israel – Shalom! 2. ‘Eirene’ – A state of rest, quietness, calmness; ...read more

Scripture: John 14:27, Colossians 3:15, Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Foursquare

Seeking God's Face Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

The heart of depression is when God's face is hidden, and the heart of joy is when God's face is shining upon you.

I heard a pastor tell of his experience on a plane. The stewardess was explaining that the parents were to be sure and put on their oxygen mask before they put them on their children. This seemed so selfish, and there was a natural resistance to the idea. It went against the grain of a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:11-22

Our Obligations In Christ

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 23, 2016

I approached this text with fathers in mind, for a Father's Day message. Our society needs men who understand their spiritual obligations and are willing to invest in the lives of others.

Our Obligations in Christ Philippians 2: 12-16 Today we celebrate Father’s Day and seek to honor those men who have made an impact in our lives, particularly our dads. I can honestly say that being a father is one of the greatest joys in life. I am thankful for the children God has blessed ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Year Of Alignment Not Struggle

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Dec 24, 2025

This is not the year of endless struggle. This is the year of alignment. God is calling His people into position, order, and flow.

THE YEAR OF ALIGNMENT NOT STRUGGLE INTRODUCTION Many believers have been taught that the Christian life must always be hard, exhausting, and full of endless battles. While spiritual warfare is real, constant struggle is not God’s design for His children. God never intended His people to live in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit As Applied To Prayer

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 23, 2017

Poverty of soul is a way of entering in prayer, especially at the outset of when we begin to pray.

Poverty of soul is a way of entering in prayer, especially at the outset. Poverty of soul cannot be sought as an item of self-knowledge. It retains always an unknown, elusive quality. It cannot be simply a thought of our unworthiness before God. Much less can it be a mood of despondency about ...read more

Denomination: Catholic

When Seats Become Set-Ups

Contributed by Norris Harris I on Feb 6, 2003

IT IS A fact THAT You have been SET UP for FAILURE, FRUSTRATION and the FORFEITURE of all that which you have FORCLOSED! In practice, your FAITH has FAILED to FUNCTION in the FACE of SET UPS. YOU JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN SEATS BECOME SET UPS.

Perhaps you are wondering, ’Why it is that your Service always seems to SET YOU UP?’ I don’t know, but I’m Speculating. I’m not sure, but its possible that you might be puzzled as to Why your SERVICE ultimately SET YOU UP for FAILURE? I can’t be absolutely certain, I have a sneaking suspicion ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 20:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Evaluation Our Values Series

Contributed by Tim White on Jan 23, 2012

Jesus tells us the cost of discipleship and the values we must hold to follow Him.

(My illustrations are from my files, primarily. No intention is implied that they are original. I have simply used them too much to remember where I found them. Variations of them can all be found on the internet, even on this site). Jesus addresses the crowd to share with them the values ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: Baptist

Finding The Peace Of Christmas

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Aug 9, 2004

A look at what lies at the Heart of God for Christmas

Christmas can mean so many things … For my kids… presents For many …. Family time… which may involve the warmth or challenge of being together. For many… a little break at the end of a busy year. What lies in the heart of God this morning? What is heaven celebrating? > PEACE Luke 2:14 ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational