Sermons on Ambiguous Terms:

Unstrained Mercy

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 9, 2011

Unstrained mercy needs to be constrained by the same constraints that God himself recognizes: by wisdom, by justice, by the long-term, eternal good of the person you are trying to help.

We’ve seen a lot about pardons in the news lately, haven’t we. Why did former President Clinton pardon Marc Rich? The “fugitive financier” is the nicely alliterative phrase that all the commentators use - I bet the journalist who coined the phrase is wishing he - or she - ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Wait On The Lord - Isaiah 40:27-31

Contributed by Gary Snider on Oct 26, 2010

Everyday we lift prayers unto the Lord. We get impatient many times and try to make things happen on our own schedule and terms.

1 - PRAY STEADILY - "fainteth not....neither is weary..." - Daily 2 - PRAY SELFLESSLY 3 - PRAY FOR SOUNDNESS - Wisdom "....there is no searching of his understanding..." REALIZE THAT... 1 - GOD IS SOVEREIGN - "...the everlasting...the Creator..." 2 - GOD DEMANDS SUBMISSION - "...wait upon the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:27-31

Denomination: Baptist

Racy Words

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jul 22, 2019

The Christian journey can be described as a "race." We choose the kind of race we run -- fun and games; obligatory; or the long-term run.

1. Last week we “passed the baton” in regard to teaching people the word of God from generation to generation and person to person. 2. It made me think of the ancient Roman Games and how they were used as illustrations for the Christian life. 3. The Games in Rome were a big deal. Although much of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Mission Of The Seventy-Two Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jul 5, 2014

Jesus sending seventy-two disciples on a short-term missions trip in Luke 10:1-16 gives us several principles regarding missions.

Scripture In the first nine chapters of The Gospel of Luke we were introduced to the identity of Jesus as the Messiah sent by God to seek and to save the lost. From Luke 9:51 onwards Luke introduces us to Jesus’ teaching on discipleship. A disciple is simply a follower, a learner, a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

End Time Christians Must Hunger For God's Word Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Mar 17, 2021

And to be honest, I have heard preachers throw around the term “we must have a hunger for God’s Word”. But what does that really mean?

Introduction The Bible tells us that Enoch walked with God; the Bible tells us that Noah walked with God. These walks with God were more God talks- where God talked to them, and these men took to heart what God was telling them. We know that to be the case because Enoch as result of those walks ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 15:16

Denomination: Baptist

Sola Fide Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 29, 2020

This morning, we come to faith alone. This was the material principle of the Reformation. The question at hand was, “How is one made right with God?” The theological term for this is “justification.”

Sola Fide - Faith Alone James 2:14-26 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 10-20-19 Screen Door on a Submarine I love that song! Just as it is silly to think about a screen door on a submarine, it is equally absurd to talk about a living faith without loving deeds. This ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Baptist

How Does One Get To Heaven

Contributed by John Hamby on Jul 23, 2018

A contrast, between a child who received Jesus just the way He offers and a wealthy adult who wanted to come to Jesus on his own terms.

“How Does One Get To Heaven?” Luke 18:15-27 So how does one get right with God? How does one get to Heaven? Previously in Luke chapter eighteen, Jesus has just told the Parable of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:15-27

Denomination: Baptist

Kingdom Keys - 1 And 2 Timothy Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Jan 12, 2024

Christian leadership is different from other forms of leadership because it is focused on God's longer term goal over the immediate task at hand.

So maybe you’ve heard it said, ‘read your bible’ so you tried and failed. Our hope as leaders is that all of us will pick up God’s word and come to understand the true nature of God. After all, the bible is God’s Word curated over centuries detailing His nature, His will, the meaning of life and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:8-12, Ephesians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 4:7, Acts 3:19, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 1:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Leaven Series

Contributed by Dr. Tom Badia on Feb 15, 2024

Today, we more likely use the term “yeast” instead of “leaven” WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LEAVEN? • It causes bread to rise. • It makes bread spongy and soft

06. The Parable Of The Leaven SERIES; The Parables Of Jesus INTRODUCTION Jesus presented some of His most memorable lessons as parables. One reason He used parables is for the helpful way they connected abstract spiritual truths with regular everyday activities. These stories empowered simple, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:6

The Omniscient God

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 17, 2025

The term omniscient means "all-knowing." God’s omniscience means that He has complete knowledge of everything—past, present, and future.

THE OMNISCIENT GOD By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 147:5 – "Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite." Supporting Texts: Job 37:16, Proverbs 15:3, Isaiah 46:9-10, Hebrews 4:13, Romans 11:33 INTRODUCTION: The term omniscient means ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 147:5, Job 37:16, Proverbs 15:3, Isaiah 46:9-10, Hebrews 4:13, Romans 11:33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Pressed, But Not Crushed!

Contributed by Andy Harris on Oct 18, 2000

Intro: The Apostle Paul sums up our existence here on earth in realistic terms! We are in a pressure cooker! The challenges of life and the accompanying stress are constant companions.

Intro: The Apostle Paul sums up our existence here on earth in realistic terms! We are in a pressure cooker! The challenges of life and the accompanying stress are constant companions. But, while we share in the same troubles that the world has, thank God, we will overcome! Paul says it this way, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Following The Leader

Contributed by Stuart Blount on Sep 6, 2001

What is authentic discipleship ? Surely it is that which Jesus taught. In this message we look at the terms Jesus laid down for those who would choose to follow him.

FOLLOWING THE LEADER The Terms of Authentic Discipleship The children’s game ‘following the leader’ has introduced all of us to the concept that Jesus sought to initiate among his DISCIPLES. Watching, walking, imitating, responding as the leader does. Matthew 16:21-28 The setting and context ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Pentecostal

Out Of Control Or Self-Control?

Contributed by James Groce on Jun 15, 2002

According to Acts 24:24-25, Felix sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ in terms of righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.

Introduction According to Acts 24:24-25, Felix sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ in terms of righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. During Paul’s sermon, Felix became frightened and sent Paul away. Paul preached a sermon that made the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:24-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

Eternal Redemption

Contributed by Mark Baker on Jul 21, 2007

Have you ever stopped to consider that God sees us from an eternal viewpoint? That He considers us valuable, and has a long term plan for us?

Matthew 25:34. "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, `Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Have you ever stopped to consider that God sees us from an eternal viewpoint? That He considers us valuable, and has a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Holy Cow God Moments Series

Contributed by Jeff Skinner on Sep 29, 2011

God is Holy, this is not a term that describes his nature, it describes Deity. Something who is Wholly other. When we encounter God it is a Holy Cow God moment

Holy Cow! –God moments. I still remember the first time we took Hayden to Chick Fil-A and they had the cow roaming. We had been there on many occasions and the “Chick Fil-A Cow” , hence forth to be remembered simply as “The Cow” roamed then as well, but this time, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:12-22

Denomination: Nazarene