Sermons on Autonomy:

God On Trial

Contributed by Jason Jones on Apr 24, 2007

Response to the Virginia Tech Massacre dealing with the Christian response to things like this

Text: Romans 9:14-21, Title: God on Trial, Subject: Theodicy, Date/Place: NRBC, 4/22/07, AM A. Opening illustration: “Our God who is omnipotent is also weak in that God has imposed limitations on God’s omnipotence to give us the space to have a real autonomy” – Bishop Tutu, “The only answer ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

The True Solomon

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Apr 1, 2012

On Palm Sunday, the people hailed Christ's entry into Jerusalem. But they were looking for a king and a prophet, and not also a priestly Christ, leading to dissapointment when Christ suffered and died.

On a spring afternoon, two thousand years ago, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. “Hosanna!” Amid shouts of praise to God and acclamation of His own dominion, he rode on. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Unswervingly, he proceeded the two miles from ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

Weep With Those Who Weep

Contributed by Jason Jones on Mar 27, 2018

This is our foundation for handling tragedy biblically

A. Opening illustration: “Our God who is omnipotent is also weak in that God has imposed limitations on God’s omnipotence to give us the space to have a real autonomy” – Bishop Tutu, “The only answer Christianity has is that God is a sadist” –Blogger, “God had nothing to do with the shootings.” Why ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

In My Father's House

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Dec 13, 2018

The call of God is the greatest privilege granted us.

In My Father’s House Luke 2:41-52 I am sure many of us have wondered about Jesus’ early life and upbringing. Matthew leaves the child Jesus after his parents returned to Nazareth and picks Him back up more than 25 years later. Mark doesn’t pick up the story until Jesus came to John for Baptism. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52, John 2:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Childlike Faith

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Oct 7, 2018

Jesus calls us to become like a little child if we ever hope to enter the kingdom of God. We must have faith like a little child, become dependent like a little child, and receive the kingdom as a gift of God.

Childlike Faith Mark 10:13-16 Have you ever known someone who refused to grow up? Kind of like when Tom Hanks played a kid in the 1988 movie, “Big”? Except sometimes, it’s not so cute, when adults act childish. Sometimes adults forget those key lessons from kindergarten, like learning how to share ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

People Of Distinction Pt 1 Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jun 20, 2018

Message 16 in our exposition of Nehemiah. Nehemiah describes the elements of the covenant the people signed. This message explores the commitment to be people of distinction.

Chico Alliance Church "People of Distinction" Pt 1 REVIEW We have all talked about revival. It is a word frequently used in Christian circles. We readily use the label "Revival Meeting" or a "Renewal Conference". Yet few of us have ever experienced renewal in the sense that many of us would ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Famine In A Time Of Plenty

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 16, 2020

The worst famines are artificially made ones.

Famine in a Time of Plenty Amos 8:11: “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.” Times were relatively good in both Israel and Judah in the time of the Prophet Amos, at ...read more

Scripture: Amos 8:11, Amos 8:4-6, Isaiah 1:21-23, Amos 2:11, Amos 5:18-20, Haggai 2:21, Hebrews 12:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"who Is The Real Prodigal: The Self-Righteousness And Self-Dependency Son"

Contributed by Don Aldrich Tamayo on Sep 12, 2023

"This story has resonated with countless hearts across generations, and it continues to do so because it speaks to the very essence of the human experience – our capacity for both rebellion and redemption, for wandering away and finding our way back."

Introduction: Dear brothers and sisters, today we will study on a profound journey through the pages of Scripture—a journey that unveils the depth of God's forgiveness and exposes two critical aspects of human nature: the sin of self-dependency, as embodied by the younger son, and the sin of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-16, John 3:16, Luke 15:25-32, Luke 15:31-32

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Sermon On A Gilded Cage

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 25, 2025

A gilded cage is defined as an enclosure, often with gold leaf or other exterior glamorous material intimating luxury.

Lynette Noni, a female Australian author once remarked: “Sometimes the people who act like they don’t care are really the ones who care the most. They feel so much that it overwhelms them, and to keep from falling apart, they hide behind easy smiles and quick laughter, acting like nothing matters. ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-3, 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 16:26

What Is Sin? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 15, 2024

This sermon explores the gravity of sin as rebellion against God, while highlighting God's relentless pursuit and provision of salvation for humanity.

Welcome, dear friends. It's always a joy to gather with you, in this sacred space where we connect with our Creator, and delve into the wisdom of His Word. We are here to seek understanding, to find comfort, and to be challenged. We are here to grow, to be transformed, and to be equipped for the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:3-9

Topics: Origin, Sin

Engaging Today's Spirituality Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jun 11, 2009

How to engage the "New Spirituality" that is prevalent in our culture.

1 Engaging Today’s “New Spirituality” (The following was shared in part on April 27, 2008 by Brad Bailey as part of the series entitled: Holy Conversation. The extent of material could not be shared in full so one will find more here than was communicated in that message. A more developed ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:21-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Engaging Today's "New Spirituality" Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on May 22, 2008

What initially appeared as simply a temporary "New Age Movement" trend has become a more dominant cultural shift that I would refer to as simply the ‘new spirituality.’

Introduction Over the past few weeks we’ve been considering how to engage in Holy Conversation… that is.. how to talk about God in everyday life. One aspect that deserves some consideration…is that of engaging some of the increasingly popular ideas regarding spirituality. Several years ago… these ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Restoring The Blessing Of Life Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Oct 8, 2010

The Blessing we are referring to is not that of some outward sign of health and wealth that we need to claim, but the blessing of God as Father.

Today we’re beginning a new series. We’ve entitled this series “Living in the Blessing.” The Blessing we are referring to is not that of some outward sign of health and wealth that we need to claim…. but rather something more foundational to life. It is the blessing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Consulting The Brothers Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 5, 2011

Despite the independence to which Baptists hold, we seek to co-operate with fellow believers to the extend permitted by the Word.

“Some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-29

Denomination: Baptist

Changing The Church Name

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jan 23, 2006

Why should we change our church name?

Changing the Church Name January 22, 2006 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Last week I let you know that we are going to enter a process of changing the church name. Today I’m going to speak about why change the church name, and today after the pot-luck we will have a time for question and answer and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Denomination: *other