Sermons on Ask First:

"Expect The Unexpected This Christmas”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 2, 2023

As some of said, “If we expect to hear the Christmas gospel without the Advent call to repentance, we will find ourselves surprised by John and unprepared for Jesus.” So, we ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to the message and ministry of both John and Jesus.

“It wasn’t what I expected.” Whether you are young or old, a man or woman, a girl or a boy, you have probably experienced something that caused you to have that reaction. Perhaps it was connected to some food that you tried. You were feeling a little adventurous and you ordered something at a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Adopted From Loneliness Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Dec 27, 2006

One of the feelings you may not associate with the coming of Christmas is loneliness. For Israel, not being spoken to by God for 400 years can cause such feelings. But along with that first Christmas’ feelings of loneliness also came the message "Immanuel

[Illustration]**The Horse Whisperer was a movie based upon the work of Monty Roberts. Monty Roberts’ secret of his horse whispering involves his getting into the corral with an untamed mustang and...When asked his secret, he says, The animals need to be with others so much, they would rather ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:20-23

Denomination: Methodist

The Foundation Of Failure Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Jan 28, 2005

Abram’s first failure was not decision to lie, nor was his primary failure the decision to go to Egypt; Abraham’s failure started when he failed to take God’s revealed word into account.

Passage: Gen..12:6-13:1 Abraham, when his name was only Abram was told to leave Haran when he was 75 years old (Gen... 12:5) So Abram packs up his stuff, picks up his family in the caravan and heads East Southeast. He proceeds down to Canaan, Where he worshipped God a time or two, and God himself ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Long Will You Waver?

Contributed by Tony Skaff on Jul 13, 2006

As Christian believers, many times we ask this same question when we are tired from the unbelief state, ignorance and confusion of most people around us. From this story, it seems that sometimes we ourselves can decide for how long this may continue.

1stBBC How long will you waver? 1Ki 18:16-24 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him. And Ahab went to meet Elijah. When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, "Is it you, you troubler of Israel?" And he answered, "I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:16-24

Denomination: Baptist

Teach Us To Pray Series

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Aug 11, 2024

The Lord's Prayer is an integral part of our prayer life and its so easy to take it for granted - to say it without thinking what we are saying or thinking. The Lord's Prayer was the result of the disciples asking Jesus to teach them to prayer.

Sometimes we have unpleasant things we have to do. Awkward situations we would rather avoid. People we would rather not meet. Tasks we put aside and hope that they will go away. One such task is writing a difficult letter – to a friend or relative who has recently been bereaved. Where do you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-4, Matthew 6:7-13

Setting My Priorities

Contributed by John Colbert on Jun 27, 2015

If we put God first, and do His will, and obey His Word, God says He will take care of us by providing us with our needs, food, clothing ,and other temporal blessing.

The sermons that I have listed are 30 to 40 minute sermons. I have only listed the points and a couple of comments under each point of each sermon to give the preacher a remembrance which the Holy Spirit can lead on and speak through the man of God. Setting My Priorities Matthew 6:33 But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Baptist

Breakthrough In Relationships Pt 4 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 8, 2020

Breakthrough is possible in most relationships if we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us key relationship skills. God designed us all to be in relationship with Him and with each other and he will help us get breakthroughs in our relationships if we ask Him for help.

Transition Song: Hurricane by Natalie Grant Our Theme this year - Breakthrough 2020 Thesis: In 2020 we are looking for spiritual breakthroughs in our lives, our relationships, our souls, our families, our church, our school, and our community. This is our vision and prayer! But to get the desired ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:30, 1 Corinthians 3:3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Parenting - A Calling That Is Not For Cowards Series

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on Dec 18, 2006

Be a great Parent! It does not require that you spend $thousands, go exotic places, or do wild things. But it demands lots of wisdom (which God freely provides to those who ask Him for it), great courage, and tons of stamina. Take these three w

Parenting - a calling that is not for cowards Parents - I want to talk to you this morning. I feel a little like the man who reportedly said, “Before I was married I had three theories about raising children. Now I have three children and no theories.” Ever feel that way? More times than I want ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Not What You Expected

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Dec 7, 2015

Have you ever gotten something for Christmas that was totally unexpected? It could’ve been a special gift or a visit from someone. There were some things that happened on that first Christmas that were quite unexpected.

NOT WHAT YOU EXPECTED Have you ever gotten something for Christmas that was totally unexpected? It could’ve been a special gift or a visit from someone. On the flip side have you ever expected a certain gift or visit from someone and ended up being disappointed? I was looking at this online ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Blessed Ones

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Sep 26, 2013

The first set of four beatitudes focus on our vertical relationship to God, the second set of four on our horizontal relationship to people. Each of the eight builds upon the other so that there is an amazingly beautiful and compelling progression.

Opening illustration: How good are you at making enemies? No, I didn’t ask how good you are at making friends. That’s easy. Just be a good Joe, an easy spender, a tolerant sort of fellow who never offends anybody. But how good are you at making enemies? If you are a child of God and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Light In The Land Of Darkness - Eulogy For The World Trade Center

Contributed by Benjamin Doolittle on Mar 29, 2002

First, there is disbelief. Driving to the hospital. Getting bits and pieces working in the Emergency Room. A snatch of words from a reporter on the radio. A quick blurb on CNN. The disbelief increases. What happened? The World Trade Center? Did

Light in the Land of Darkness - Eulogy for the World Trade Center I Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10 The Rev. Dr. Benjamin R. Doolittle East Pearl Street Methodist Church September 16th - 2001 - The Sunday after the Bombing of the World Trade Center Holy, Powerful God, Our nation is at war with an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

Super-Dads: Father's Day 2013

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Sep 6, 2013

He might not have super strength or be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but dads are their kids first superheroes! This Father's Day sermon explores three characteristics of Super-Dads! PowerPoint is available.

FATHER’S DAY: SUPER DADS Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 6/16/2013 Well, let me start out today by saying “Happy Father’s Day” to all of our Dads. One little boy, when asked to explain about Father’s Day, said, “It’s just like ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12

Denomination: Christian Church

Hanging In There Before Feelings Of Inferiority Series

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Oct 9, 2007

When we are called by God to any task, we often look at our resources and abilities and we discount God’s resources and abilities. Whenever God calls we must look to Him for the resources and abilities to accomplish what He has asked.

Do you ever feel inadequate? Do you ever feel that maybe you are inferior? A man paid a visit to his local psychologist. When the doctor asked him what had prompted the visit, the man said, “I’m suffering from an inferiority complex.” Over the next few weeks, the psychologist put his new patient ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Breakthrough In Relationships Pt 3 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 25, 2020

Breakthrough is possible in most relationships if we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us key relationship skills. God designed us all to be in relationship with Him and with each other and he will help us get breakthroughs in our relationships if we ask Him for help.

Transition Video: You’re Not Listening – Skit Guys! Our Theme this year - Breakthrough 2020 Thesis: In 2020 we are looking for spiritual breakthroughs in our lives, our relationships, our souls, our families, our church, our school, and our community. This is our vision and prayer! But to get the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 3:16, 1 Peter 1:22, Galatians 6:9-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

4 Reasons Why You Should Not Quit The Race Of Faith Series

Contributed by Ronald Amaya on Dec 6, 2018

You will not be remembered for the things you start but rather, for the things you finish. And the best part is, in the Christian race, you are not rewarded because you finished first – you are rewarded because you finished strong.

When you think of long-distance races, you most probably think Kenyan or Ethiopian athletes. But long before these athletes began shining, a young man from Tanzania embedded his name in the annals of history. The year was 1968 and John Stephen Akhwari was in Mexico in a bid to clinch Tanzania’s ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13, Ecclesiastes 9:4, Colossians 1:27, Hebrews 13:5, Proverbs 13:12, Romans 4:4, Psalm 30:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational