Sermons on Bad Gifts:

Change Inevitable, Growth Optional

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 8, 2023

But our world seems bound to turn its back on God’s gift.

Fifteenth Sunday in Course (A) Originally 13 July 2008 edited 2023 “Farmers are the founders of human civilization,” said Daniel Webster. Farming and gardening are just the same the analogies chosen by the Lord to illustrate a profound truth about the loving mercy of our God. Moreover, if we pay ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23, Romans 8:18-23, Isaiah 55:10-11, Psalm 65:10-13

Denomination: Catholic

It Is Finished

Contributed by Richard Futrell on Oct 7, 2010

Jesus has done everything. And He gives it all to you as a gift.

Intro We know how satisfying it feels to do a job well done. At times, the harder the work, the greater the satisfaction. The more intense the toil, the greater the joy of completion. A doctor saves a life and restores health. A worker finishes a difficult and complicated project. A woman ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30

Denomination: Lutheran

After The Fire Goes Out

Contributed by James May on Sep 3, 2006

After a major fire at our church the aftermath is really bad. Here are some things that God revealed to me through it all.

After the Fire Goes Out By Pastor Jim May This past week has been very challenging. Since the wee hours of the morning on Tuesday, we have been dealing with the aftermath of the fire at our church. There is just so much to do it seems overwhelming. Dealing with insurance companies; trying to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Language Of The Kingdom! Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Oct 24, 2014

Follow up on the first in the series, Love is the Pursuit of Relationships. This is as a result of a Hui that we had two weeks ago. What is a Hui, Maori word for discussion, in depth discussion. We continue to address the perceptions arising from the Hui.

I’m continuing on with the theme today of how we respond to the Hui that was held here a couple of weeks back. The point that I talked on last week was that ‘love was the pursuit of relationships’. There’s an interesting question that we can address attached to this point ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-9, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Corinthians 16:13-16, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Corinthians 5:22, 2 Corinthians 9:11, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

The People Of God: Laymen Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 12, 2011

What are the implications of God calling we who make up the church “saints?” How do saints relate together?

The People of God: Laymen (2 Corinthians 1: 1b-2) 1. A friend was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands. He grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside. The Pastor said to him, "You need to join the Army of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-2

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Mystery Of God's Mercy Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Feb 27, 2020

Have you ever watched a movie that had an unexpected ending? The bad guy got away it. The villain was not punished. The hero dies.

Jonah – Chapter 4 The Mystery of God’s Mercy March 1, 2020 Have you ever watched a movie that had an unexpected ending? The bad guy got away it. The villain was not punished. The hero dies. Jonah 4:1-4 NIV But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the LORD, “Isn’t ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-4, Proverbs 10:12, Jonah 4:11, Luke 19:41-42, Exodus 34:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Christian Walk Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Dec 16, 2009

The Christian walk is God’s plan for edifying the Body of Christ as gifted Christian leaders equip the saints for their work of ministry and as converted Christians use their spiritual gifts.

Rev. Dr. Otis T. McMillan The Christian Walk Key Verses: Ephesians 4:1-32; 5:1-21; 6:10-19 Proposition: The Christian walk is God’s plan for edifying the Body of Christ as gifted Christian leaders equip the saints for their work of ministry and as converted Christians use their spiritual gifts. ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Leadership In The Church

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jan 16, 2010

Talents (Gifts) are not the root but the fruit of our salvation. God has given us gifts, so we can be useful in His kingdom. There are no excuses for not being fruitful.

Leadership In the Church Text: Matthew 25: 14-30 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Pentecostal

Celebrate Jesus' Powerful Pentecost Promises

Contributed by Timm Meyer on May 17, 2005

PENTECOST(B) - We celebrate Jesus powerful Pentectost promises which include the Holy Spirit, the gift of faith and God’s peace, the gift of the forgiveness of sins.

CELEBRATE JESUS’ POWERFUL PENTECOST PROMISES (Outline) JOHN 14:25-27 - May 15, 2005 - PENTECOST INTRO: Today is a festival day of celebration. We are reminded of the importance and value of the very first Pentecost and the many promises the Lord made concerning the outpouring of the Holy ...read more

Scripture: John 14:25-27

Denomination: Lutheran

The Power Behind The Program Series

Contributed by Steve Taylor on Aug 17, 2006

Understanding Spiritual Gifts and how we trust and need the giver of the gift,The Holy Spirit has given you something that you are to give to everyone else.

What is your Spiritual Gift? That is a question that I have been asked almost my entire life. It is a question that when I first got here I asked many of you. We want people to serve in the area of their “giftedness” and so we can spend a great deal of time, energy, and resources helping our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Re-Birthday Presents Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 7, 2011

Each one of us needs the gifts of the others in the body for our own wholeness, as well as for the health and optimal functioning of the whole church. And all of these gifts are to be used in love.

How many of you can remember building things when you were little? At my house we had Lincoln logs and tinker toys and cedar blocks, and I could spend all day building houses. I always envied the kids who had Meccano sets, you know, the metal strips with holes in them that you could put together ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Oh Christmas Three

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Dec 5, 2022

Gifts are an important part of Christmas. They demonstrate how we Love - Care For - And Value Others. In part, the tradition of giving Christmas gifts goes back to the Wise Men

(This is not an original sermon, ideas from I believe, Jason Dexter. I have expanded main points and updated for my particular style) TITLE: OH CHRISTMAS THREE SCRIPTURE: ST. MATTHEW 2:1-12 I am excited and ready to begin our Advent Journey together as we march toward Christmas Day, which is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Our Love For Christ

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Jul 28, 2025

There is a huge difference between enjoying a person who gives gifts and enjoying the gifts instead of the person. God is our all satisfying treasure and Father and Friend and Savior.

Our Love for Christ Grace to you peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Today I want to explain how we can deepen “Our Love for Christ.” A personal relationship with Christ is a transformative connection with Jesus Christ, characterized by faith, trust, intimacy, and a commitment to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Listen To God And Obey His Loving Direction

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 9, 2024

Listen to God in the first place, and maybe God won’t have to bail you out of bad situations that you create for yourself.

Saturday of the First Week in Course 2023 Today’s Gospel is one of the most gripping portrayals of Jesus’s ministry we have from St. Mark. Why is that? In just five verses, we see Jesus, in the area of Capernaum, teaching a large crowd in one of his favorite amphitheaters, a natural one by the Sea ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-17, 1 Samuel 9:1-19, 1 Samuel 10:1

Denomination: Catholic

What To Do When... Life Changes Series

Contributed by Brian Moon on Oct 17, 2002

Life is an ever changing mix of good times and bad ones. This series is aimed at keeping us focused on God through it all.

What to Do When¡K part 5 ¡§Life changes¡¨ Story ¡V Graduating from high school and not really sure what to do. Was then accepted into Ford school and found my way into a great paying job. During this time I was miserable because I felt like I was not in God¡¦s will for my life. So I left my great ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:20, Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed