Sermons on Anxious Bench:

Harvest Thanksgiving, Even In Suffering

Contributed by Matthew Oliver on Mar 18, 2016

A reflection on the appropriateness of thanksgiving and glorifying God, even in the midst of intense personal suffering. Contrasted with the First World expectation of self-actualization.

Genesis 2:4-25, Ps 126, Matthew 6:25-33 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O men of little faith? 6:31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, —What shall we eat?’ or —What ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-33

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Worry

Contributed by Gerry Pratt on Apr 19, 2002

Christians should be able to cast ALL of their cares on God.

Let us start off by defining what I mean by worry. A. The bible doesn’t even use the word, “worry”...it uses the words, “careful”, or “cares”. 1. The Greek word that is used is the word merimnao - merimnaw. a. The definition for this word is: to be anxious about. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Worry, Be Happy Series

Contributed by Nate Barbour on Jan 28, 2003

In a world where worry is a daily task, learn why life is better without it.

“No Fear” Series Don’t Worry, Be Happy! Life is Better Without Worry 10/16/02 I. Fear is… a. Anxiety caused by real or possible danger, pain, etc.; fright b. Awe; reverence c. Apprehension; concern d. Synonyms: (noun) fright, terror, horror, panic, dread, dismay, awe, scare, revulsion, aversion, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Advent 1 - (Hope) 2007 [p.a.v.e. The Way] Series

Contributed by Spencer Homan on Dec 7, 2007

This is the first of the Advent sermon series focusing on Paving the way for our coming Lord. It is for the first Sunday in Advent.

[This sermon also had bookmark handouts "P.A.V.E the Way" If you would like to have access to the bookmarks we created for this Advent season, please e-mail me at spencerhoman@msn.com] Matthew 24:36-44 No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Said Pt4 Don't Worry. Drop The Donkey Series

Contributed by Joe Hayes on May 10, 2009

Dealing with the Donkeys that worry us. You can also listen to this sermon at www.preaching.co.nr

Forget your Donkeys, God can take Care your Donkeys. Some times we are so worried about the Donkeys we can’t hear or see the Divine hand of God ordering the events of our life. Read/Tell story Saul being set apart and anointed to lead, yet he had to be told stop worrying about the Donkeys. 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 9:1-28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Fruit Of The Spirit: Peace Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Oct 13, 2009

The Spirit gives us peace.

Fruit of the Spirit October 11, 2009 Peace Galatians 5:22-23 Peace – definition First thing we think of is lack of war, lack of strife – yes Paul would have had Shalom in mind – beyond lack of strife - general well being, even prosperity Good relationships between people, families, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: *other

To The Uptight: Son Of Man Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 8, 2009

Jesus challenged Nicodemus and us because He challenges our pride and status, or because we think that all we have done is now useless. The human Jesus shows us how to live without being uptight.

Two men standing in a garden to talk; so much alike and yet so different. Two men, with much on their minds, with eternal issues at stake, and yet with very human concerns too. Two men, very different and yet brothers, much the same. Two men standing in a garden to take one another’s measure. ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Blood, Oil, Ear Lobes, Thumbs And Toes! What Do They Have In Common?

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 5, 2016

I have heard many sermons on the Ten Lepers but none on the ceremony of cleansing defined in the Law of Moses! What an amazing ceremony it is and this sermon only touches on a few of the points. What a well of truth is in the OT as it points to Jesus!

Luke 17:11-19 NIV (Have congregation read from their Bibles with you) “And it happened that while traveling toward Jerusalem, [Jesus] was passing through the region between Samaria and Galilee. And as He was entering into a certain village, ten men met Him - lepers, who stood at a distance. ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 14:1-20

Denomination: Nazarene

Jonah's Descent

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Nov 10, 2015

JONAH'S DESCENT

JONAH 1:17-2:10 I. JONAH'S DESCENT 17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Ephesians 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

Sermon On Providence

Contributed by William Meakin on Apr 23, 2022

Providence is defined as the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power.

Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield, an American professor of theology once remarked: "A firm faith in the universal providence of God is the solution of all earthly problems. It is almost equally true that a clear and full apprehension of the universal providence of God is the solution of most ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 14:24, Genesis 45:7-8

Sermon On Tranquillity

Contributed by William Meakin on May 16, 2022

Tranquillity is defined as the quality or state of being calm.

Sri Swami Satchidananda, an Indian yoga guru and religious teacher once remarked: “We are not going to change the whole world, but we can change ourselves and feel free as birds. We can be serene even in the midst of calamities and, by our serenity, make others more tranquil. Serenity is ...read more

Scripture: John 14:27, Philippians 4:6, Galatians 5:22, Isaiah 26:3

Terrified Or Trusting? Psalm 112:7

Contributed by John Newbaker on Sep 6, 2021

Who likes to receive good news? We all like receiving good news. When we receive good news we are joyful, happy, excited, but what about when you receive bad news?

Who likes to receive good news? We all like receiving good news. When we receive good news we are joyful, happy, excited, but what about when you receive bad news? Who likes to receive bad news? None of us. When you do how do you respond? Some of the ways we respond when we receive bad news ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 112:7

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Contributed by David Carter on Aug 19, 2002

Don’t worry, Be happy

DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY Phil. 4: 4-7 V.4 - Rejoice in the Lord Alway and again I say Rejoice. --- God’s People should be Happy! -Psalm 85:6 - Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy people may Rejoice in thee. – Neh. 8:10 - The joy of the Lord is your strength. – John 15:11 - These things have I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Birds And The Bees

Contributed by Keith Tankersley on Jul 3, 2009

A sermon teaching from nature how to bee stress free!

“Let’s Talk About the Birds & the Bees” Matthew 6:25-34 Theme; a picture of a Christian life in this world in the presence of God, actively submissive, and entirely dependent upon Him. Simply put, a picture of children in relationship to their father as they travel on this pilgrimage called ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Problems Of Counterfeit Goodness

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Many people practice counterfeiting without actually realizing what they are doing. A counterfeiter tries to make an imitation of something genuine to deceive, defraud or pretend something to be what it is not in reality. Ananias’s lie to the Holy Spirit

1. Many people practice counterfeiting without actually realizing what they are doing. A counterfeiter tries to make an imitation of something genuine to deceive, defraud or pretend something to be what it is not in reality. Ananias’s lie to the Holy Spirit was probably the crowning act of a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational