Sermons on Anxious Bench:

Created To Flourish: Work, Rest, And God's Purpose - Genesis 1:28 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 27, 2024

God created us with a purpose. He has woven work, rest, and stewardship into the fabric of our being. Our jobs, homes, and even the small, seemingly insignificant tasks in life are part of God’s grand design

Created to Flourish: Work, Rest, and God's Purpose - Genesis 1:28 Genesis 1:28 (NLT) – “Then God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:28, Isaiah 65:21-22, John 5:17, Genesis 2:15, Genesis 2:20, Exodus 31:1-5, Matthew 6:11, John 5:7, Colossians 3:23-24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Purpose Prevails - Proverbs 19:20-21 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 10, 2024

Proverbs offers wisdom that can guide us in every aspect of life, from daily decisions to our deepest longings and plans. Proverbs 19:20-21 speaks directly to the plans we make and the purpose that God has for each of our lives.

God's Purpose Prevails - Proverbs 19:20-21 Proverbs 19:20-21 (NLT) "Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail." Introduction: Today, we will explore two verses from Proverbs ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 19:20-21, Proverbs 12:15, Jeremiah 29:11, James 4:13-15, Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 8:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Martha Syndrome Series

Contributed by John Huyser on Nov 29, 2022

Entering into the first Sunday of Advent, hope outshines disappointment. At some point of all of have come down with Martha Syndrome. When our caring and compassion tanks are nearing empty - Watch Out!

It was Junior High in the mid 1980’s when the Wilder family opened up Tokens Video Arcade in my home town of Lansing, IL. Today, you can go to Google Play or the Apple Store to download a pinball game, but it is nothing like the original. The pull of the spring tensioned launch button, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:28-31

The Light Of The World Has Come

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 14, 2022

Before His coming, the world dwelt in darkness. Jesus is the True Light. Whoever lives in the truth comes into the light; others prefer darkness, because their deeds are evil. What about you; do you have any dark spots in your life?

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD HAS COME John 8:12 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Robert Baptista was attending his church’s program and noticed how many men were wearing full beards. Knowing his wife’s aversion to facial hair, he teasingly whispered to her, “How do you think I’d look with a beard and a ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12, John 3:19

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Choosing Faith Over Worry - Matthew 6:25-32 And Matthew 6:33-34 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 11, 2024

In Matthew 6, Jesus invites us to put our faith in God, reminding us that God is not only able to care for us but is willing to meet our needs as we seek Him first.

Choosing Faith Over Worry - Matthew 6:25-32 and Matthew 6:33-34 Introduction Today, we’re diving into a powerful teaching from Jesus about worry, a struggle that affects so many of us. We all face moments of anxiety—whether it’s about finances, health, relationships, or the future. But Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-32, Matthew 6:33-34, Isaiah 43:4, Philippians 4:19, Psalm 37:4, 1 Peter 5:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Peace

Contributed by Robert Webb on Dec 5, 2024

The principal reason people don’t have peace in their lives is because they don’t include God in solving their problems.

Some time back the Gallup organization polled Americans about their most important criteria for judging personal success. They apparently gave them a list of 20 or 30 different options, and these were the top 5 results: 1- Good health 2- an enjoyable job 3- a happy family 4- A good education ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9, Luke 2:14, John 14:27, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Reflecting, Rejoicing, Renewal

Contributed by Brian Williams on Jan 2, 2025

This Psalm was carefully constructed by the writer to tune their hearts back to God so that they could sing His praises once again

Reflecting, Rejoicing, Renewal Psalm 111:1-10 29 Dec 2024 Today, the last Sunday of 2024, we thought we could take time for reflection, rejoicing, and in prayer for the new year. As we reflect on God’s character and His hand in our lives it is a reason for rejoicing. But God doesn’t want us to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 111:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Baptism Is More Than Fire Insurance”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jan 8, 2025

100 mile and hour winds. Burning homes, business, thousands must flee the hot, endless flames. In baptism one commits their life to following Jesus, receiving forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit. (check out Martin Luther's definition to the 3rd article of the Apostle's Creed.

In Jesus Holy Name January 12, 2025 Luke 3:21-22 “Baptism is More Than Fire Insurance” 100 mile an hour winds …Burning homes. Burning business. Thousands of people fleeing Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, parts of Malibu… we are told that thousands of homes and buildings have been ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:15-22, Mark 1:9-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Praying In God's Will For God's Will To Be Done. Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jun 21, 2023

Do we pray with the right motivation, well we need to for our prayers to be answered.

Praying within God’s will. Tool of the faith is that in praying we hear God’s will, and as such, we long to live in his will and in doing so we check the motives for our prayers. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray he taught them this; Matthew 6:5-15. 5 “And when you pray, you must not be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:22, John 14:14, 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 John 3:22, 1 John 5:14-15, John 9:31, James 4:3, Acts 4:31, Matthew 6:5-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Ministry, Truth, Gospel, Treasure

Contributed by John Huyser on Feb 8, 2023

Feeling always seeks something in itself; but faith keeps itself occupied with what Jesus is.… When feeling says, In myself, I am sinful; I am dark; I am weak; I am poor; I am sad, let faith say, In Christ, I am holy; I am light; I am strong; I am rich; I am joyful.

It was 1848 when Andrew Murray was ordained into the Dutch Reformed Church. With a remarkable 60-year ministry, he was one of the first Dutch Reformed pastors in South Africa following France’s colonial exit. He pastored four churches, wrote over 250 books, and established what is now today ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

God's Peace

Contributed by Reggie Corfield on May 23, 2025

Christians will always find themselves in continuous conflict with demonic powers that seek to steal, kill and destroy. Destroying our peace is paramount and while the world cannot restore our peace, our God can.

This morning I want to focus on just three verses of our gospel reading for today (John 14:23-29). Jesus was about to leave this world and that meant lots of trouble lay ahead for his disciples. He spoke these words to his disciples to comfort them and assure them that they would not have to fight ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33, John 14:23-29

Denomination: Anglican

Renewing Our Minds (A Journey Of Transformation)

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Nov 18, 2025

Your mind battles daily between world patterns and God's truth. Romans 12:1-2 offers the path to transformation through intentional renewal, eternal focus, and vigilant thought protection.

Renewing Our Minds: A Journey of Transformation You know that feeling when you've been scrolling through your phone for an hour and suddenly realize your mind feels cluttered, heavy, almost... polluted? I remember one morning waking up and immediately reaching for my device—before prayer, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:2, Philippians 4:8, John 15:3, Hebrews 4:12, Joshua 1:8, Philippians 3:20, Colossians 3:1, Matthew 6:21, Proverbs 4:23, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 8:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Advent Week 3 - Joy - Luke 2:8-14 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Dec 14, 2025

True joy is found in the presence of JESUS - a joy the world cannot give, and the world cannot take away.

2025.12.14.Sermon Notes. ADVENT WEEK 3 - JOY - Luke 2:8-14 William Akehurst, HSWC (The Shepherd’s Candle) Forward- My Jewish Learning: Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah beginning at sundown and lasts until sundown on Monday, December 22, 2025. Celebration Activities • Lighting the Menorah ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20, Isaiah 9:2-3, Isaiah 9:6-7, John 15:11, Philippians 4:4-7, Nehemiah 8:10, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Peter 1:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Benefits Of Prayer PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

Emphasize the transformative power of prayer in our lives, leading to joy, strength, and a deeper relationship with God and others.

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive into a passage in the Book of Philippians, where the Apostle Paul discusses the joy, strength, and power that come from a life of prayer. In the words of Richard Foster, "Prayer catapults us onto the frontier of the spiritual life. Of all the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-10

Topics: Prayer, Christians

What A Ship This Is PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

God is with us in our storms, ready to show His power, as demonstrated through the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:35-41.

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to embark on a journey through Mark 4:35-41, a passage that speaks to us about the ship that saved—the ship that carried Jesus and His disciples through a storm. We'll be looking at the making of the ship, its construction and design, as well as the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Topics: Saved, Ship