Sermons on Accepting Difference:

Easter 2012: Because He Lives

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Apr 6, 2012

What difference does Easter make? Does it really matter? How does it impact the way you live your life on a daily basis? When Jesus got up and walked out of that tomb, he changed everything. Here are three simple ways that Easter has impacted my life and

EASTER: BECAUSE HE LIVES Scott Bayles, Pastor Blooming Grove Christian church: 4/8/2012 Welcome to the Grove. I just want to take a moment to thank everyone for choosing to spend Easter morning with us here at the Grove. Whether you’ve been coming to the Grove all your life, or this is your ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Christian Church

How To Find The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jun 8, 2021

The world is a very dangerous place spiritually, full of wolves that come to us in sheep's clothing, evil shepherds masquerading as good shepherds. How do we find the Good Shepherd? How do we determine the difference between good shepherds and bad? Jesus provides insight in John 10.

If you’re only casually familiar with the Bible, you might be surprised to find out that one of the major themes of the New Testament is false teachers. Under this general category fall false shepherds, false prophets and false apostles. You see, the Bible claims to be the truth about God and ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-13, John 9:13-34

Denomination: Bible Church

Faith At Work Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 25, 2018

We were created to work! Yes, it’s true and it is part of God’s plan of creation! Work is a place God uses us as Christians to influence our fallen world. Work is a place where we make a difference for the Kingdom of Heaven. We are created to contribute to our society for the good.

Video Illustration: Faith and Work! Series: You work Matters! Thesis: We were created to work! Yes, it’s true and it is part of God’s plan of creation! Work is a place God uses us as Christians to influence our fallen world. Work is a place where we make a difference for the Kingdom of Heaven. We ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:22-24, Ephesians 6:5-8, Exodus 35:30-35, Exodus 36:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Leaders Can Serve Those They Are Called To Lead Series

Contributed by Brett Crosson on May 10, 2019

Christ was the ultimate leader. He was the greatest servant leader. But exactly HOW did he serve his disciples. We will look at this today, and encourage you to emulate him.

How leaders and pastors can serve others Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28, Philippians 2:1-5, Matthew 20:26-27

Denomination: Pentecostal

Our Spiritual Bottom Line

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Aug 24, 2003

Pentecost 11: Believers are called to be different than the sinful world. But where does the child of God find the power to live a God-pleasing life? Our lesson today points us to our relationship with God through the forgiveness Christ has won for us. We

Take a look at this. It’s one of those little slips of paper that the bank’s automated teller machine gives you when you make a withdrawal. It’s got some interesting information on it. Apart from the name and other basic account information, the ATM machine prints the amount of money you withdraw ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Next Level Worship - The Real Thing

Contributed by Keith Manry on Apr 11, 2003

What’s the difference between a Palm Sunday Worshipper and a Good Friday Worshipper? I believe it’s all in the person’s outlook on worship. This sermon is a challenge to take worship to the next level, the level where worship becomes more than just an eve

Next Level Worship – the Real Thing – Palm Sunday, 2003 Matthew 21:1-17 A little boy lived out in the country around the turn of the twentieth century. He had never seen a traveling circus, and one was coming to his town on a particular Saturday. When he asked his father for permission to go, his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

Happy Are The Persecuted (Pt.1)

Contributed by Steve Hereford on Nov 29, 2002

Many of us have been persecuted because of our faith in Jesus Christ. Some of us have been mistreated because we live differently than others. But when it happens how do you react? Join Pastor Steve as he addresses this question.

When was the last time you were persecuted? Was that persecution just or unjust? Were you persecuted for "righteousness sake" or because of "Jesus’ name? or was it for some wrong you committed? In our study today, we’re going to see that there is a price that we will pay for following Jesus Christ ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas For Frodo Baggins, Harry Potter, And Jaws

Contributed by Benjamin Doolittle on Mar 29, 2002

The weaker defeats the stronger. The pure in heart defeats the corrupt. These popular stories all share this theme. Yet,they also suggest that "we can do it alone." "We don’t need anybody else." The story of our faith is very, very different fro

Loving, Wonderful, Holy God, In your Son was life, and His life was the light for all people. May His light be our light. This Christmas, may we rediscover anew the light of your Son, by these words and our meditations. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen. I want to talk about Christmas. But ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

How To Speak To People's Interests In Evangelism

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 13, 2001

Let us ask the Lord’s help in exploring the different ways to learn how to speak to the people’s points of interests. This will help us practice wise evangelism as is advocated by Eccl. 10:10:``If the axe is dull and its edge is unsharpened, more strength

How To Speak To People’s Interests in Evangelism Learning Objectives 1. The students will explain why it is important to appeal to people’s interests in evangelism. 2. The students will write a paper describing how to appeal to people’s interests in evangelism and church planting. 3. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Rejection Crew: Ahithophel And Judas

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 18, 2000

What makes a trusted person turn against his or her friend? Divorces that come out of nowhere, friendships dissolved, church splits...Today, we’re going to look at parallels between Ahithophel and Judas; we’ll note some similiarites & differences, and th

Intro 1. Civil war is a nasty thing, often polarizing people: Robert E. Lee asked by Lincoln to head up Union troops....against slavery, but loyal to South... 2. Israel experienced several "Civil Wars" that divided the nation... 3. But when David’s son, Absalom, rebelled against him, that had to ...read more

Scripture: John 12:4-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Cause Worth Fighting For Series

Contributed by Tim George on Dec 9, 2001

Either we define our times or they define us. In the familiar story of David and Goliath we see that truth played out. Saul and Israel were allowing the Philistines to define them. David was a different kind of man however. He intended to define his times

“ Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand … that all the earth may know that there is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-45

Denomination: Baptist

Living In The Desert Series

Contributed by David Asch on Oct 5, 2004

A look at 3 different scenes from desert living. Three scenes that show us how God uses the desert to form his people, to call his people to himself. By the time we’re done, maybe you will want to go out to the desert too…

LIVING IN THE DESERT Mark 1:1-13 INTRO: Have you spent much time in the desert? I have. For over 30 years I lived in Southern California, which is basically one big desert – with lots of sprinklers! We traveled, camped, and explored the desert. As a youth pastor, we took kids on desert motorcycle ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love Lifted Me

Contributed by Michael Vaughn on Feb 28, 2008

The miracle of Jesus walking on the water is very well known by Christians of all ages and denominations, but let’s take a little different look at this section of scripture. Here we will find 3 areas to help us grow in our faith questions during our "sto

Love Lifted Me Matthew 14:22-32 During the season of Lent, we usually focus on what we are giving up. For some it may be candy, or TV, or chocolate, for my 17 year old daughter it is sodas. But this year instead of giving something up, I am going to try to improve something, my workout routine. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-32

Denomination: Methodist

The Bald Eagle Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 6, 2008

Micah’s symbol of the bald eagle, a sign of grief, applies to America. We are abandoning justice, kindness, and the humble walk with God. Our collapse is from within rather than from without. Yet God has sent a different kind of conqueror to redeem us.

What we see is more powerful than what we hear. The visual always trumps the audible. I learned a long time ago that what people see is more powerful than what they hear. I learned it when I sat through an education professor’s hour-long lecture about why lecturing was the least effective way to ...read more

Scripture: Micah 1:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Let's Make A Deal

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 14, 2005

Parable of the dishonest manager: The Kingdom of God works on different principles than we’re used to. Efficiency, practicality, and self-interest are not the core values of the Kingdom. God expects a lot more for us (and from us) than we expect him to.

There was a rich man. This man was so rich that he didn’t make his own bed. He had a personal maid who did that. He didn’t make his own dinner. He had a personal chef who did that. He didn’t drive his own car. He had a chauffeur who did that. He didn’t balance his own checkbook. He had a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed