Sermons on Anxious Bench:

In The Safe Hands Of God

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 22, 2010

How can we respond to difficult circumstances with acceptance and abandonment? Mary’s response to the angel in Luke 1: 38 shows us. The only way to have that same attitude is to believe that God’s will is “good and acceptable and perfect”, and to lay down

Opening illustration: At age 16, Madame Jeanne Guyon (1648-1717) was forced into an arranged marriage with an invalid 22 years older. She found her marriage to be one of utter humiliation. Her husband was often angry and melancholy. Her mother-in-law was a merciless critic. Even the maid despised ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Rewrapping Gifts"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 22, 2010

A sermon about the kindness, grace and love of God.

Ephesians 2:1-10 “Rewrapping Gifts” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN www.eastridgeumc.com Several years ago, before GPS systems were the norm, I was driving across the country, and among the people I wanted to meet up with was an old high ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Real Life Evangelism Part 2 Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 29, 2009

Ever think that you could never be a missionary? Think again. Just as Jesus sent out His 12, He sends you out as an undercover operative in hostile territory to spread His love. Find out how and how to be prepared for your mission!

5 – 6 The Field of Operation: we have a specific field of operation and Jesus doesn’t send us out on the big stuff until training us on the small. 7 The Message: we are to say what Jesus said: the kingdom of God is at hand. The message is as different as each individual but the content is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:11-42

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

God’s Amazing Grace Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Dec 5, 2009

The Bible teaches that we are saved by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. However, we must beware the spirit of the Pharisee, because they will try to keep you from experiencing God’s grace.

SUPERNATURAL #16: GOD’S AMAZING GRACE OPENING STORY: “I heard (this story) from a friend who works with the down-and-out in Chicago: A prostitute came to me in wretched straits, homeless, sick, unable to buy food for her two-year-old daughter. Through sobs and tears, she told me she had been ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-11

Denomination: *other

The Promise Of Christmas

Contributed by S S on Dec 21, 2009

Sermon on Luke 1:26-38 - The Promise of Christmas.

Luke 1:26-38 The Promise of Christmas Introduction How many promises have you ever made in your life? What was the biggest one? For some, perhaps the greatest promise or covenant we can ever make is our marriage covenant with our spouse. At yet the Bible explains that our marriage covenant ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: *other

The Word Made Flesh

Contributed by Malcolm Chester on Jan 5, 2010

A reflection on God pitching his tent in our neighbourhood

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. If you read the ‘Message’ translation of John 1:14 it says ‘The word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood’. And another version reads ‘The word became flesh and pitched his tent among us.’ I like those two translations of that ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

A Virgin Will Conceive

Contributed by Richard Futrell on Oct 8, 2010

Like Ahaz before us, we don’t want a sign from God--at least a sign that leaves God running the show. What Ahaz did on the outside, we do on the inside. We like things just the way they are, if it leaves us in charge.

Intro Isaiah’s prophecy of the Virgin giving birth was a sign against King Ahaz. It’s also a sign against us, all fallen humanity. Ahaz was a young Israelite man gone bad. He was of David’s line, but not of David’s faith. And he had become king of the Southern kingdom of Israel, Judah. Ahaz ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14

Denomination: Lutheran

End-Times Living

Contributed by Richard Futrell on Nov 10, 2010

End-times living won’t be easy. Jesus doesn’t promise that it will be. How can it? This universe is plummeting down to its death, and such death throes are never pleasant.

Intro The end of the church year draws near. With the end of the church year comes preaching of the end: the end of this creation, the coming of Jesus Christ, and the new creation on the Last Day. When Jesus comes on the Last Day, the world as we know it ends. That probably doesn’t cross ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-28

Denomination: Lutheran

God’s Reset Button

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 17, 2010

Paul always looked for the hidden blessing in every trial. Have you been complaining about your situation? Grumbling short-circuits faith, but joy revives it.

Are you trapped in a prison of despair, doubt or anxiety? Learn to release the power of praise. The apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians is one of the Bible’s most unique books. Some scholars call it "the epistle of joy" because the word "joy" or "rejoice" appear in it 16 times. Yet what is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, Philemon 4:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preacher Can't Quit!

Contributed by Frank Edwards on Jan 23, 2010

"DOOMED TO BE A PREACHER"

Why the Preacher Can't Quit "Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing and I could not stay." JEREMIAH 20:9 Destined to be a preacher? "Yes! Absolutely and ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Watch God Work

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Feb 10, 2010

It is only as we take what Christ has blessed and give to others in His name that we can really stand back and Watch God Work. Let's be His hands extended and truly "feed" the multitudes the bread of life.

WATCH GOD WORK MATT. 14:13 21 This morning I want us to look at one of Christ's most important miracles...the feeding of the multitudes. This miracle is important because all four gospel writers tell about it. It is important because it happened before such a large crowd of people. Jesus and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Dealing With Depression Series

Contributed by Ken Hubbard on Feb 11, 2010

A sermon on how believers can effectively deal with depression

TEXT: 1 Kings 19:1-9 "And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Six Miles Of Obedience

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 25, 2010

Funeral message for Eva Myers, whose distinctive discipline was six miles of walking daily ... a metaphor for walking with Christ.

"Whoever obeys [God’s] word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: whoever says, ’I abide in him,’ ought to walk just as he walked." At first I didn’t believe it. Six miles a day?! How could anybody, especially one up in her years, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 26:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Do We Have A Right To Judge Others? Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on May 31, 2010

Only God is righteous and therefore the only one who has a right to judge!

How can people know God?? There are many ways how God reveals Himself but the three main ways God reveals Himself is through Jesus Christ, His Creation (the entire Universe), and yes of course through His Word, the Bible. Now, What do you think God looks for in people?? Basically, God looks for ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Take Every Thought Captive Series

Contributed by Scott Bradford on Jul 29, 2010

This sermon is about how to deal with tempting thoughts!

Jenny struggled with depressing thoughts. Most of the time she knew she had a really good life. Good job. Roof over head. Great boyfriend. But she had these occasional piercing thoughts that of doubt and depression. John was a great guy. Everybody at work loved him. Great wife, wonderful children. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist