Sermons on Bad Fish:

Hungry – But Not For What's Really Important Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Feb 26, 2023

In John's gospel, after feeding 5,000 people with bread and fish, Jesus goes on to say what true bread is. Actually, true bread isn't a what, it's a who. It's Jesus. He is our sustenance.

PRE-TALK earlier in the service Three pictures / slides (1) Israelites collecting manna in the wilderness ~1450 or 1270 B.C. ‘Manna’ = ‘what is it?’ The people of Israel had fled slavery in Egypt. They travelled eastwards, crossed the Red Sea and entered the Sinai Peninsula. There isn’t a lot ...read more

Scripture: John 6:22-35

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon # 22 - Longing For God's Presence Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Oct 31, 2024

As Jonah languished in the belly of the fish, he cried out to God and sought His presence. As believers of the new covenant we have the promise of the presence of the Holy Spirit of God every moment of our lives. May we learn to value God’s presence and live in obedience to His word.

We read in Jonah 2:4,"Then I thought, 'I have been banished from your sight. Will I ever see your holy temple again?' (GW) After Jonah was swallowed by the big fish that God prepared, Jonah spent three turbulent days and nights in the belly of that fish. At the end of those three ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:4, Judges 16:28, Judges 16:20, 1 Samuel 10:1, 1 Samuel 10:10, 1 Samuel 16:14, Exodus 33:15-17, Psalm 51:11, Luke 23:34, Matthew 27:46, Hebrews 4:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Bread Of Life

Contributed by Justin Dietel on Aug 20, 2024

Imagine this: You've just experienced something miraculous. You were part of a crowd of thousands, all of whom were fed from just five barley loaves and two small fish. There’s a sense of awe and excitement, and you can’t help but wonder,

Imagine this: You've just experienced something miraculous. You were part of a crowd of thousands, all of whom were fed from just five barley loaves and two small fish. There’s a sense of awe and excitement, and you can’t help but wonder, "Who is this man who can perform such ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-35

Bearing With One Another In Love

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Sep 11, 2019

All of us have needed to have people be patient with us when we were slow to grow and learn, working through a deep wound in our heart or just having a bad day. One of the best ways to help our churches and all their members is to learn to be patient with them, bearing with them in love.

I don’t get to do it very often anymore, but I love fishing. I grew up near a muddy little lake where you could catch bullheads and bluegills almost any time you tried. But catching fish is only part of the joy. Two years ago we vacationed up in Minnesota. The first evening we went out to a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, 1 Thessalonians 5:14

The Stories Of The Kingdom: The Parable Of The Net Series

Contributed by Daniel Richter on Oct 10, 2006

A story of the way the Kingdom works.

The Stories of the Kingdom: The Parable of the Net Sunday, August 6th, 2006 Beartown Road Alliance Church Intro: How many of you like to fish? Now, I would assume, that every one of you that raised your hand has one thing in common besides liking to fish, you all have a good fishing story. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:47-52

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Sermon # 24 - God Gives Many Chances Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Nov 6, 2024

Though Jonah disobeyed and ran from God, the Lord gave him a second chance. No one is too bad or too far gone to return back to the loving Lord who alone can change and transform a sinner into a saint, and use such a one to fulfill His mighty purposes.

We read in Jonah 3:1, “Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,” (ESV) God had called Jonah to accomplish a huge task. Jonah chose to disobey, and undertook a voyage which the Lord disrupted by sending a mighty tempest. As the ship was tossed about in the midst of the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1, Exodus 2:11-12, Exodus 2:15, Exodus 3:6, Hebrews 4:15, Matthew 1:5, Hebrews 4:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

"The Harsh Task Master”

Contributed by Bruce Ferris on Sep 16, 2002

C.S. Lewis once said, “No man knows how bad he is until he has tried to be good.” This is the essence of Paul’s message in Romans 7:14-25:

“The Harsh Task Master” C.S. Lewis once said, “No man knows how bad he is until he has tried to be good.” This is the essence of Paul’s message in Romans 7:14-25: 14. For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. 15. For what I am doing, I do not ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Baptist

Spotting False Doctrine Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 20, 2005

Paul encourages Timothy to put an end to people who wanted to argue for argument’s sake. It gives us some information on how to spot bad teaching and stand up for what is right!

Isn’t it great when everything goes well? Especially in churches - it’s a great feeling. But there are times when things aren’t going well at all - and at those times it calls for leaders to step up and for special measures to be employed. That’s the situation faced by Timothy. Timothy was a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Treating People Right Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 20, 2005

What is the appropriate response to bad leadership, or people that you have to correct that are older or younger than you? Find out - along with how Paul told Timothy to treat widows on the church payroll.

Paul gives Timothy some pastoral advice on how to treat various groups in the body of Christ: older and younger men, older and younger women, widows - and then elders. Finally he gives Timothy some very personal advice. It’s possible that these two groups - widows and elders - were the focus of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:1-25

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Time Of Testing Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 2, 2007

Some scholars have said that Hezekiah started out good and then went bad. I think that’s a short sighted description of a man who was not that much different than we are.

OPEN: A man spoke of one of the most challenging courses he’d had at his college as being a business law class in which the professor gave difficult true/false tests. "During one of the more exasperating exams, I noticed another student flipping a coin. The professor approached him. ’Son are you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 32:24-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

To The Carwash Baby! Series

Contributed by Quinton Williamson on Oct 22, 2003

To let people know that no matter how much we mess up, or bad God is still able to clean you up,and use to carry his word and do his will.

TOPIC: TO THE CARWASH BABY! SUB-TOPIC: CLEAN UP WHAT I MESSED UP! SCRIPTURE: PSALMS 51: 1,5,7,10 HAVE MERCY ON ME! HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR GOD HAVING MERCY ON US WE WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT. IT WAS BECAUSE OF MERCY THAT THE ENEMIES TRAPS DID NOT PROSPER AGAINST US. IT WAS BECAUSE OF MERCY THAT I’M ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Tongue Tamers

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Mar 20, 2012

The tongue is a powerful tool. However, as someone once said, "When it is good there is nothing better but when it is bad there is nothing worse." It's that last part that moves us to understand the importance of taming the tongue.

TONGUE TAMERS James 3:1-12 INTRODUCTION: In northern New Mexico, at around 5 AM on July 16, 1945, the still dark early morning sky became as bright as the noonday sun. In that one blinding flash, the Atomic Age had begun. The atomic fireball shot upwards at 360 feet per second. The characteristic ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Iron Man = A Wolf In Iron Clothing Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 16, 2010

Paul told the Ephesian elders that wolves would arise from among the own number. How were they to be able to tell when someone (like an Elder) had become one of the bad guys?

OPEN: Last week I told you I loved superheroes. And I have done extensive research for this sermon series for years. I’ve read superhero comic books/ watched superhero TV shows/ went to superhero Movies. I’m what you might call an “expert” in superheroes. And one of the things about superheroes ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:28-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unjust Suffering Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 23, 2009

In our text, Peter spells out the good and the bad of unjust suffering. 1- Unjust suffering is conferred on all 2- Unjust suffering is commended by God 3- Unjust suffering is Christ-likeness

INTRO.- ILL.- An 84 year old man went to the doctor for a physical. A few days later the doctor saw him walking down the street with a gorgeous young woman on his arm. The next time the doctor saw him he asked how he was doing. "Great," said the old guy. "I did just what you told me. ’Get a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Recognizing What Time It Is

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 23, 2009

There is nothing so fulfilling as good timing, nothing so embarassing as bad timing. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was wonderful for some, judgment time for others. What time is it for us? (MLK assassination anniversary)

There is nothing quite so fulfilling as good timing. And nothing quite so embarrassing as bad timing. They say that the secret in being a comedian is good timing. Well, the secret in living is good timing. Quite a few years ago, a young lady in whom I was more than slightly interested had to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:36-44

Denomination: Baptist