Sermons on Backwater:

The Ordinary God

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 29, 2009

No one wants to be “average”, or “ordinary”. No one, except, strangely enough, God.

The Ordinary God Luke 2:41-51; Phil 2:1-8 Dec 28, 2008 Intro: What did Jesus do for the first 30 years of His life on earth? We’ve just come through the season of Advent, the waiting and preparing, and then celebrating the birth of Jesus, the arrival of God in human flesh, the “incarnation” (to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-51

Denomination: Baptist

The Leap Of Joy

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Jan 6, 2004

A sermon for the 4th Sunday of Advent

Fourth Sunday Advent Luke 1: 39-45 (46-55) "The Leap of Joy"  39 ¶ In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Lutheran

Absentminded Professor Spreads Falsehoods Regarding Science & Religion

Contributed by Frederick Meekins on Feb 24, 2014

Absentminded Professor Spreads Falsehoods Regarding Science & Religion

Throughout much of the modern era, one of the main slugfests with the draw of a Hulk Hogan and Rowdy Roddy Piper cage match of the 1980's has been the ongoing dispute between so-called science and religion Proponents of each side of the debate contend that their own viewpoint is the foundation ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Full Term Faith Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

Each of us has been given the seed of faith as well. When God first became real to you, you had from that point on the same privilege and responsibility to bring the miracle of Christ in you to full term fruition. Christ died and rose again not that you w

Myah Hope was given the news that she was pregnant. Like most mothers to be, she dreamed of what giving birth to a child and raising them would be like. But when she was 19 weeks pregnant, she was told that something was wrong with her baby's head. The doctor said that she had no brain. She was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Methodist

Escaping Your Prison Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 2, 2020

As Christians we're supposed to live a different life than those around us. But how can we do that when we're surrounded with so many temptations to do things we know we shouldn't do?

Back in the 14th century, in the region we now call Belgium, there was a duke by the name of Raynald III. Raynald had a nickname – Crassus. Crassus means fat, and he was fat because he really liked to eat. He liked to EAT … a lot! In the course of time, he had a violent quarrel with his younger ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ill-Gotten Gains

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Oct 29, 2023

Jezebel took shortcuts to gain power and wealth and wound up being famous, but not in the way she wanted.

How many women in this congregation are wearing makeup? How many of you actually feel rather undressed if you go out without your lipstick? My mother, who turned 104 in September, used to be so dependent on makeup she even wore lipstick and eye liner on hiking trips. I don’t often wear makeup ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 21:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fault Lines Series

Contributed by Stephen Colaw on Nov 9, 2021

If the church is going to transform the world, we must be united in our love for Christ and for each other. Anything short of that is defeat.

The Point: TO PREVENT FAULTLINES IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS WE MUST BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT BUILDING UNITY ME: GOOD MORNING, Gateway Church. It is great to have you with us today as we continue in our teaching series ONE. Through this series, we're looking at what it means to become a community of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Wesleyan

Jesus Cast A Vision Of A Better Kingdom Series

Contributed by Richard Pfeil on May 17, 2005

Part 7 of 8 of a Lenten series on Jesus with this message dealing with Jesus’ vision for the world and our lives, a better vision than we can imagine.

JESUS CAST A VISION OF A BETTER KINGDOM Sunday, April 14, 2002 TEXT: Matthew 4:23-5:12 We’ve have been doing a series during this Lenten season leading up to Easter which climaxed on Easter Sunday on celebrating Jesus. As I looked at the series, I realized we didn’t have enough time to ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

But Wait, There's More!

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Feb 3, 2008

The vision of Christ as the Word (at the Transfiguration) is what gives us the Power to understand the Will of Christ

The main event is only about eight hours away now – the spectacle that comes only once per year is almost upon us. Oh, sure, there will be a game and a half time show, but we all know that the high point of today is going to be the advertisements. Most of them will be funny, some of them may even ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Who Do You Say I Am? Series

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Mar 9, 2014

The most important question is: "Who do you say Jesus Christ is?" Our answer determines everything else about the rest of our lives and about our eternity.

Today we launch into a 7 week series that looks at 7 essential questions that answer the bigger question of what it means to be a follower of Christ Jesus and WHY a person would want to be a follower of Jesus. There are good reasons that people come to faith in Christ, and there are good reasons ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Repentance: It's Not Just Words; It's A Complete Change Of Heart

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Dec 5, 2010

How do we prepare our hearts for Christmas? Let's listen to the messenger God sent to prepare the way. Parts: A. A heart horrified at my sin. B. A heart rejoicing in Christ's kingdom. C. A heart producing real fruit in my life.

Text: It's a Complete Change of Heart Theme: Repentance: It's Not Just Words; A. A heart horrified at my sin B. A heart rejoicing in Christ's kingdom C. A heart producing real fruit in my life Season: Advent 2a Date: December 5, 2010 Web page: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Pride Series

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on May 2, 2018

A most common 'sin' often ignored or overlooked - PRIDE

Deadly Sins and Transforming Virtues Series - 3 PRIDE Sometimes fables teach us best. The story is told of two ducks and a frog who lived happily together in a farm pond. The best of friends, the three would amuse themselves and play together in their water hole. When the hot summer days came, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Outsiders Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 15, 2018

Jesus is not like a magician who uses smoke and mirrors or sleight of hand. He is the living God who creates out of nothing through the sheer power of His will. He is not a steroid induced athlete that is able to do things to open the eyes and amaze every

August 25, 2005 The Outsiders Matthew 8:1-8:17 Magicians and power-lifters sure are fun to watch. They can do some pretty cool stuff, like cutting people in two and ripping apart phone books. Neither of which can do much for you in the world, but they are still cool things to see. We watch ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Via Dolorosa – The Universality Of Suffering (5/12) Series

Contributed by Eduardo (Eddie) Fernandes on Jun 17, 2020

Suffering is universal. Everyone experiences it. None escape it. It is part and parcel of the human condition. Many Evangelicals love to focus on “health/wealth/blessings” forgetting to teach the other “side of the coin”. As such people are ill-equipped to deal with life’s many harsh blows.

Message by Pr. Eddie Fernandes Introduction Hold On Video (lights off…video begins…video ends…lights on…Eddie & Marta on stage) Hold on! How many of you need to take hold of God’s hand this morning because you are struggling? Life hasn’t been easy. Perhaps you’ve lost your job. Maybe the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:15-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Does Environment Matter?”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Dec 21, 2001

Year A. December 30, 2001 Matthew 2: 13-23 Title: “Does environment matter?”

Year A. December 23, 2001 Matthew 2: 13-23 Title: “Does environment matter?” Joseph flees to Egypt with Jesus and Mary because Herod is out to kill the child Jesus. When safe, they return and take up residence in Nazareth. If Joseph or Mary or both, had told Jesus stories of his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Lutheran