Sermons on Approve:

The Xmas Factor

Contributed by Paul Green on May 9, 2017

If the X-factor is about uniqueness then remember that the birth of Jesus was unlike any other birth and Jesus was unlike any other baby who came into the world.

Its finally almost here – after weeks and weeks of waiting, after weeks and weeks of eager anticipation, after weeks and weeks where the excitement has grown and grown, after weeks of hype - It’s finally so close you can almost taste the excitement in the air. Of course you all know what I’m ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Man's Wisdom Or God's Power?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 3, 2015

Where does your faith stand and where does the faith of those you witness to stand after you leave them?

1Co 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel: God’s Only Way Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Aug 29, 2015

In the book of Galatians Paul does everything he can to establish that any other Gospel other than faith in Christ is no gospel at all. In so many areas of life we have many good options. When it comes to the gospel there is only one way.

When you take a flight the airline’s final announcement is usually something like this; thank you for choosing our airline, we know you have a choice when you fly and we hope you decide to choose us again. In so many areas of life we have many good options. When it comes to the gospel can we ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Upside Down Is Right Side Up, Pt. 2 Series

Contributed by James Lee on Dec 4, 2015

I would like to thank Pastor Jerry Shirley for sharing this series on Acts. It has been a blessing as well as a great help. I have used these for our church, as I spend my days caring for my dying father.

Upside Down is Right Side Up, pt. 2 Acts 17:1-6 Last week we saw the first thing necessary for turning our world right-side up. We must be as willing as Paul to live a life that demonstrates our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, both in our dedication to gathering for worship and how we live outside ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

An Unfair Trade

Contributed by David Roth on Mar 9, 2015

Lent 3 (B) Christ made an unfair trade, exchanging His life for our sin and guilt. Therefore, we live not in what we deserve but in His free grace and mercy.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “An unfair trade” “It’s not fair!” It’s a cry heard throughout schools, home, and playgrounds across the country. ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Speaking In Tongues Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Apr 2, 2015

What is the miracle of Pentecost all about?

Speaking in Tongues Acts 2:2-11 When the topic of speaking in tongues is brought up in churches, a storm of questions are asked. Were these tongues at Pentecost known languages or unknown tongues? Is speaking in tongues the initial evidence and proof of Spirit baptism? Does one need to speak in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:2-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Revelation Of Palm Sunday

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 13, 2014

One thing is certain: nothing can escape the eyes of our Lord. We will either be harvested by the Lord of all creation (Jesus), or, by the lord of this Earth (Satan). The choice of who you will be reaped by is yours completely!

The Revelation of Palm Sunday Revelation, Part 22, Revelation 14:6-16 Introduction - Last time we saw Jesus offering the 144,000 to God as the first-fruit - Would you be willing to be honored and be offered as a first-fruit? -- Imagine for a moment, that Jesus is so proud of your life ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 14:6-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Can I Be Happy When Life Is So Hard? Series

Contributed by C Jordan on May 16, 2014

How can we be happy when life is hard? When we remember that God is good, and that every trial can cause us to grow and become more like Jesus.

JOURNEY THROUGH JAMES #2: HOW CAN I BE HAPPY WHEN LIFE IS HARD? INTRO TO TOPIC: Discuss the song “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. • Happy reached the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending March 1, 2014. • The song has remained at the No. 1 position longer than ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-17

Denomination: *other

Self Deception Series

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 11, 2013

Is it possible for us to deceive ourselves into believing what is false? God says it is...

People can delude themselves into believing whatever they want. For example, before I became a Christian (when I was 21), I was out driving my truck when I needed to turn around and go back to where I left. When I did so, I backed into a street sign and scraped up and dented my truck. Of course, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Answer To Man's Great Hunger

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 18, 2012

When we analyze our deepest needs, I think we can agree that man has a gnawing hunger for both the physical and the spiritual. A person hungers for both food and material things AND for God and spiritual things, things like love, and peace within, and jo

When we analyze our deepest needs, I think we can agree that man has a gnawing hunger for both the physical and the spiritual. A person hungers for both food and material things AND for God and spiritual things, things like love, and peace within, and joy. So most of man’s time and energy ...read more

Scripture: John 6:22-29

Denomination: Baptist

Living In A Very Serious Way -- Holiness Before God

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Jul 3, 2011

We have been redeemed in a very serious way -- through the Blood of Jesus -- and thus, out of love for Him, we need to live in a very serious way before Him -- in holiness before God.

Given on 7/3/11 Opening Scriptures Luke 4:18-19 John 8:36 2 Corinthians 3:17 Galatians 5:1 Prayer for the Nation & Leaders 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Cross Allegiance Report Prayer Requests from Online (Handout) Library Announcement Message: 1 Peter 1:13-21 1 Peter 1:13-21 13 Therefore gird up the loins ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

His Law Cannot Make Him Righteous Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 15, 2018

The Jew trusted his law to be all that he needed and the best education he could get. Thus he boasted in the God who gave that law. There is no doubt that many Jews felt they were immune from God’s judgment.

(8) HIS LAW CANNOT MAKE HIM RIGHTEOUS Romans 2:17-24 17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law. Israelites who remained in Palestine, or who returned to it after the Babylonian captivity, were designated as ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Dawn Of Conscience Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 24, 2021

The conscience was a faculty, which God had built into man from the beginning, but as long as men were in perfect fellowship with Him they had no awareness of it.

A ten-year-old boy came home from Sunday School and his mother asked him what he had learned. "Well," he began, "Our teacher told us about when God sent Moses behind the enemy lines to rescue the Israelites from the Egyptians. When they came to the Red Sea, Moses called for the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:7

The Transfiguration: An Exposition Of Matthew 17:1-9

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 15, 2020

We all need a glimpse of Jesus' glory shining out in the mundaneness of life.

The Transfiguration: An Exposition of Matthew 17:1-9 We have come to Transfiguration Sunday, which is observed the Sunday before the season of Lent. It serves as a transition from the season of Epiphany which precedes it. Epiphany is a season in which we celebrate the manifestation of Jesus to the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-9, Matthew 17:1-9, Luke 9:28-36

Denomination: Independent/Bible

In Christ, I Am...made New Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 17, 2018

In Christ, we have new passions, a new attitude, and a new source of righteousness. Includes specific actions to live in new ways.

IN CHRIST, I AM…MADE NEW—Ephesians 4:17-5:2 (Series on Ephesians: In Christ, I Am…) When our son Andy went off to college, he decided to become Andrew—again. If we called his roommate to ask where Andy was, his roommate did not recognize the name. Andrew’s name change was symbolic of a new start ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed