Sermons on Ambiguous Terms:

Infant Memorial Funeral

Contributed by Chris Surber on Dec 1, 2010

I prepared this sermon for use in the case of a late term still birth. It can be modified slightly to fit any infant memorial service. These are difficult situations. Much prayer and compassion and humility are advised.

Parker’s Memorial Message I wonder if perhaps… In fact, this thought has brought a great deal of comfort to me this week… I wonder if recently an angel in heaven opened the book of life and seeing Parker’s name printed within, said “This one is too beautiful to see ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Christian Church

Extravagant Love

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Jul 9, 2014

When the unbelieving world looks at the Christian, they have a difficult time figuring us out. In terms of their own world view, the way we Christians live doesn't make a lot of sense.

Extravagant Love Mark 14:1-9 1. Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him; 2. for they were saying, “Not during the festival, otherwise there might be a riot of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-9

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Inhale And Exhale The Gospel

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 31, 2015

In the Christian life faith and works go together like inhaling and exhaling. Billy Graham stated it in these terms: Faith is taking the Gospel in; works is taking the Gospel out." Updated September 2018

A very young boy ... was hurrying ...to catch a bus. Carrying gifts under his arm, ...he was struggling ...with his crutches. Suddenly, ...a man bumped into him ... knocking his parcels ......in all directions. The man then paused ...and scolded the young lad... for getting in his way. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7, 1 John 3:17-18, James 2:1-20

Denomination: Anglican

Throw It Overboard

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Dec 28, 2015

Before we move into this New Year of 2016, there are somethings we need to throw overboard. To get out of a God ordered storm, we need to come to terms with some stuff and Throw It Overboard.

TITLE: THROW IT OVERBOARD SCRIPTURE: JONAH 1:1-16 It is important to spend this 52nd and final Sunday of the year 2015 providing proper focus and closure. We have made it and endured another year. I am sure all of us would admit that we have had some struggles and ups and downs throughout the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Called To An Alternative Lifestyle - A Holy Lifestyle Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 22, 2016

Are you following an Alternative Lifestyle? The term Alternative lifestyle covers a pretty diverse range of living, as Christian's we have been called to follow an alternative lifestyle, an alternative path, the narrow way.

We continue in our series on Dynamic Disciples and this month we are focussing on being called into the family of God. Our focus for this evening is God’s Alternative Society. The question as always to begin is: Are you following an Alternative Lifestyle? The term Alternative lifestyle ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christmas Is For Purity Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 15, 2021

Purity is to be prized by categorically every one of God’s children. The last text I read puts it in stark terms: If you don’t prize purity, then you’re not a child of God.

In a California neighborhood in 2009 one resident decorated his lawn with a depiction of Jesus shooting Santa Claus with a double-barrel shotgun. Fox News had reported that Jesus points the weapon at Santa’s dead body while Rudolph lays sprawled across the hood of a pick-up truck. The creator, Ron ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:5, Romans 6:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit And The Bride Series

Contributed by Stephen Smith on Feb 18, 2020

The fifth message in this series, describing the role of the Holy Spirit in readying the Church (as a Bride) to meet her Bridegroom in the air. Explains the meaning of terms such as the Baptism of the Spirit, Filling of the Spirit and Fruit of the Spirit.

The Bible: A Love Story Pt 5: The Spirit and the Bride In the last few messages in this series, we've discussed the way in which the Church, as a Bride-to-be, will one ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:35-36, Ruth 3:12, John 3:8, John 6:55-56, John 14:26, John 15:26, Ruth 2:20, Ruth 3:9, John 16:8-11, Romans 6:4, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, 1 Corinthians 3:2, 1 Corinthians 12:7-13, John 16:13-14, Romans 5:5, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:3, Ephesians 4:30, Ephesians 5:18-20, Ephesians 5:30-32, Ephesians 6:17, Ephesians 4:13, Galatians 5:25, Philippians 2:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Hebrews 2:14, Hebrews 6:4, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 Peter 4:10, Philippians 2:13, Colossians 3:16, 2 Peter 1:4, Revelation 22:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

The Six Silent Days Of Israel And God's Promised Land Series

Contributed by William Tan Yh on Jun 22, 2020

The decisions we make can have important consequences. Some of these decisions have long-term and affect whether we can reach our destiny which God has prepared for us.

Dear brothers and sisters, throughout our lives we have made many major and minor decisions. Some of these decisions have long-term or short-term implications that affect us. I wish to quote three Bible examples when people made their decision to follow God. Number 1 (Ruth 1:16) In Book of ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:16, John 6:68, Joshua 6:2-17

Denomination: Charismatic

Hunger For Holiness Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 30, 2020

This week, I want to define our terms – “blessing,” “hunger and thirst,” “righteousness,” and “filled,” and then look at a story that Jesus told to help his disciples understand what true hunger looks like.

The Jesus Manifesto: Hunger for Holiness Matthew 5:6; Luke 15:11-24 Chenoa Baptist Church Pastor Jefferson M. Williams 07-29-18 Hungry Mountain Men A couple of years ago, I did something that was way out of my comfort zone. This city boy went to the mountains. Two friends and I drove to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6, Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

Faith In The 21st Century: The Seven Key Aspects Of Faith

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 28, 2021

Faith is something that sets the Christian apart from the world. The Christian believes in a God unseen. The Christian believes differently from the world. The people of the world don't think in terms of belief.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." Hebrews ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21, Hebrews 11:1-3, John 7:7

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Resurrection: When Shall It Come? Series

Contributed by Phillip Smith on Jan 28, 2025

We have determined there will be a resurrection of the saints. The next logical question is, “When shall the Resurrection come?” The coming Resurrection some call a Rapture. We will define this term in our lesson today.

In our study of the Resurrection and what scripture tells us, we read the introduction of the topic of a resurrection by our Lord, Jesus Christ. (The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail) Last week we studied the resurrection as spoken by Jesus and his Apostles. (Resurrection?) We have determined there ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, John 15:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, Revelation 14:14-16, Revelation 14:17-19, Matthew 24:42  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Meeting In The Air (1 Thessalonians 4)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 29, 2024

Many no longer use the term rapture, because it is often confused with a so-called "secret" rapture. Let's look at meeting the Lord in the air, in 1 Thessalonians 4.

Meeting the Lord in the air at His return, was once called the rapture. Many no longer prefer that term because it is so often confused with a so-called “secret” rapture. Regardless of our personal theories, the important thing is that we are ready for Christ’s return. Let’s discuss this in 1 ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Empires In Collision: Christ And Caesar

Contributed by Michael Bird on May 11, 2003

This sermon sets out to examine Mk 12:13-17 not in terms on Church-State relationships but rather by illucidating its socio-religious context and its application for God’s image bearers today.

EMPIRES IN COLLISION: CHRIST AND CAESAR Mark 12:13-17 13 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. 14 And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone’s opinion. For you are not swayed by ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fellowship

Contributed by Howard Mcglamery on Jan 27, 2003

Sometimes Christians speak in "Christianese". We talk in terms and words not in common usage outside the church. "Fellowship" is one of those words. This sermon is on our fellowship with God and our fellowship with our fellow man.

Fellowship Mice Story -- Three pastors met and were talking over conditions at their churches. The first pastor said, "You know, since summer started, I’ve been having trouble with mice in my church. I’ve tried everything----noise, spray, cats---nothing seems to scare them away." The second ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:8-9, Acts 2:41-42

Denomination: Baptist

How To Help People Find Eternal Life As Jesus Did – John 4

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 19, 2002

It is easy to determine when something is aflame. It ignites other material. Any fire that does not spread will eventually go out. A church without evangelism is a contradiction in terms, just as a fire that does not burn is a contradiction.

How to Help People Find Eternal Life as Jesus Did – John 4:7-39 Statistics:George Barna reports some amazing facts. Most Americans, including profession Christians, believe that people are inherently good and that there primary purpose is to enjoy life as much as possible. a). 38% believe that ...read more

Scripture: John 4:7-39, John 4:1-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational