Sermons on Anxious Bench:

Easter Sermon On Peter

Contributed by Ava Ch on May 25, 2025

Resurrection hope meets us in our wandering and regret, assuring us that no failure is final when grace rolls the stone away.

Introduction Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Friends, we gather on this Easter morning in the light of resurrection, but many of us carry shadows too. The shadows of the past year. The shadows of our regrets. And if we’re honest, some of us arrive like Peter—with hearts that have wandered, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

No Greater Love

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 4, 2014

Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

No Greater Love John 15:12-13 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/nogreaterlove.html If you compared the Bible to the OT temple, then John's gospel would be the Holy Place, and chapters 13-17 would be the Holy of Holies, the Most Holy Place, the 'inner sanctum'. All of these words were spoken by Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

Freed For Joyful Obedience (2003)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 23, 2021

Until we are justified in our actions, we are separated by sin away from God. That separation causes us to feel guilty and it denies us the feeling of joy that comes from being reconciled to God in and through Jesus Christ!

FREED FOR JOYFUL OBEDIENCE Text: Hebrews 9:11-14 Charles Colson mentioned that whenever questioned by curious people in the media about which of his Watergate perfidies [sins] (deliberate acts of betrayal of trust) made him feel the most remorseful, he replies honestly and invariably ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-14

Denomination: United Methodist

A God Who Gives

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Dec 26, 2007

God loves and He gave. When He gave, He gave sacrificially and willingly. We are to love those whom God loves. Let us learn to give sacrificially and willingly.

God is a giver. • “For God so loved the world that He gives His only Son Jesus…” GOD LOVES AND HE GAVE God gives because He first loves. It is out of love for you that He gives. • We can’t see love, but when God gives, we see it. • You are loved, whether you know it or not. You are important to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:9-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God's Love Knows No Borders

Contributed by Chris Surber on Oct 31, 2007

A stranger may be an unlikely friend waiting to be made or they may be an opportunity to worship God as you show hospitality to them. Christ has loved us and in response we are to love others. God’s love knows no borders. We are to love others the way t

God’s Love Knows No Borders, Leviticus 19:33-34 Introduction In a large stone cathedral in Europe there was a large, magnificent pipe organ. It was a Saturday afternoon, and the sexton was making one final check of the choir and organ loft high in the balcony at the back of the church. He was ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:33-34

Denomination: Christian Church

Could I Ever Fall From Faith?

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Aug 17, 2009

Could I Ever Fall from Faith? 1) Yes, if you underestimate sin. 2) No, if you rely on God’s promises.

“That could never happen to me.” Ever think that when you see the homeless sleeping on a park bench? Ever suppose: “I’m getting a good education. I manage my money well. And I don’t have any addictions so no, that could never happen to me”? I wonder how many homeless people too once thought that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

The World Is Against You Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Aug 30, 2016

Sermon adapting Little Red Riding Hood to talk about the power Christians have in overcoming the world which is against us.

THE WORLD IS AGAINST YOU 1 JOHN 4:1-7 #GreaterIsHe THE STORY… Little Red Riding Hood (p) Once upon a time there was a little girl; we’ll call her Little Red Riding Hood, who was heading to her grandmother’s house to make muffins. Little Red and her grandmother both loved fresh ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Balancing The Books - An Easter Sermon Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 16, 2017

Easter is all about "accounting". When most people think about going to heaven, they count their good deeds... but God doesn't do it that way. How do we prepare ourselves for standing before the one to Whom we must give an accounting?

OPEN: There’s been a story in the news recently about the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, otherwise known as HUD. Apparently HUD has had a problem balancing their books. It seems their books were off about (PAUSE) $516 BILLION dollars. Now that’s not an error of a few 100,000 dollars… or ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-11, Hebrews 4:13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sanding The Floors Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 5, 2009

Developing leaders is like sanding floors -- acknowledging that flaws will be removed only by abrasion. But such weaknesses become a channel for strength and for God’s grace to work.

We could all have such perfect houses if people didn’t use them. The most beautiful and perfect rooms you will ever see are the ones in furniture displays at the store or maybe in a museum someplace, and the reason they are so perfect is that nobody uses them. But in the real world houses are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Guard Against Legalism Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Jun 6, 2016

Legalism hinders the work of the true gospel of Jesus Christ and wreaks havoc with the spiritual lives of those affected by it.

We continue on in our series of messages through the New Testament book of Titus. It’s written by the apostle Paul to his protégé whose name is (anyone?). Paul has left Titus on the isle of Crete for a reason. Titus 1:5a – The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:10-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Get In The Game! Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Apr 26, 2005

Sermon one in a series designed for a giving campaign named, "Get In The Game!"

Ed Young, Jr., Senior Pastor of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas, tells the following story from his days as a college basketball player: During my freshman season at Florida State University, Greg Collingsworth and I did not play that much. In fact, there was a fifteen game stretch where we ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

God's Amazing Grace Series

Contributed by John Raulerson on Oct 4, 2006

God’s grace is truly amazing and understanding His grace toward us allows us to experience His riches.

Series: Experiencing the Riches of Christ THE RICHES OF GOD’S AMAZING GRACE Ephesians 2:1-10 I. MAN’S HOPELESS CONDITION APART FROM CHRIST A. We Were Dead (2:1) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; B. We Were Dominated (2:2-3a) by the World (2:2a) Wherein ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Return To The Garden"

Contributed by Jerry Depoy on Jul 12, 2005

God did not create Eve until Adam had learned to be the "Keeper of the Garden." If our sons are not taught to be "keepers of the garden," there is no hope for the future of America. America’s gardens (homes) will become a wilderness!

Title: "Return to the Garden" Introduction: God Made a Garden. Have you ever wondered why God made man in the first place? As you study the creation story, it is very evident that God was very pleased with his beautiful garden. But there was no man to till the garden soil. He made man to be ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:15-25

Denomination: Baptist

True Or False - Two Ways To Heaven”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Apr 2, 2020

We have arrived at Galatians Chapter 3. Chapters 1-2 Paul’s defense of his apostleship and a strong warning against prejudice. : Chapters 3-4 Paul defends the “gospel” salvation by faith in Jesus, even using Abraham as an illustration of faith.

In Jesus Holy Name March 8, 2020 Text: Galatians Series Galatians 3:10-11 Redeemer “True or False - Two Ways to Heaven” We have arrived at Galatians Chapter 3. With this sermon we turn a corner in our journey through Galatians. This short letter has ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

"Galatians: Only One Way To Heaven” Series

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jan 26, 2023

Three things can never be separated. Jesus, His words written in the Scriptures and the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings Jesus to life, and the scriptures point us to Jesus. Separate one from the other and you will miss heaven. (Leonard Sweet)

In Jesus Holy Name January 29, 2023 Text: Galatians 3:1,7-8,11 Redeemer “Galatians: Only One Way to Heaven” Paul has arrived back in Antioch from his first missionary journey after eighteen months on the road. While there, he received a report that ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-8, Hebrews 2:14, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Acts 15:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran