Sermons on Battered Violin:

Ghost Town Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Mar 22, 2010

A study of chapter 35 verses 1 through 15

Ezekiel 35: 1 – 15 Ghost Town “1 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir and prophesy against it, 3 and say to it, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “ Behold, O Mount Seir, I am against you; I will stretch out My hand against you, and make you most ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 35:1-15

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Ripple Effect Series

Contributed by Greg Surratt on Nov 4, 2009

Sin short-circuits the work of the Spirit in your life, but the ripple effect of sin also short-circuits the work of the Holy Spirit in the church.

Video Clip: The ripple effect...the expanding series of effects or consequences that are the result of a single event or action. We’ve all done it. You’ve taken a stone and you’ve thrown it into a pond, and you see the concentric circles that are rippling outward from the center where you threw the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Multiethnic Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 19, 2013

God is no respecter of persons and He desires His House (His Church) to be a place for all nations – all people. A church is to be a place where there is no favoritism and all are treated fairly and equally.

Series: We are Here! Sermon 6: Multiethnic (or multicultural, or diversity) Introduction: Show pictures of our changing world in this area of South Chicago: The Orland Mosque, the Lemont Hindu Temple, and the Chicago Buddhist Temple all represent how diverse our community is becoming. Our society ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fight The Good Fight Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 24, 2014

Paul instructs the elder in broad strokes to exert himself to excel. In these instructions is a pattern for all who pursue the Master if they will honour Him.

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” [1] Six commands are issued in the final statements of this vital missive to a young theologue. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:12

Denomination: Baptist

The Prison Of God's Promotion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 25, 2020

Your restriction, though onerous, may be God's means of bringing glory to His Name through promoting you. This becomes obvious through a study of Joseph's trials and promotion as God worked in his life.

“Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

How Big Is Your God?

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 23, 2020

Is your God big enough to do whatever He wants? For many of us who follow the Lord, we are not certain that God is big enough to do what is needed for us to succeed.

“Then Job answered the LORD and said: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. “Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?” Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. “Hear, and I will ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

That's Why We Are Not Discouraged

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 29, 2020

Stress and Disappointment come into every life. Christians are provided a powerful response to such stressors, and this powerful response is revealed in Paul's review of his own life.

“We have this treasure in clay jars to show that its extraordinary power comes from God and not from us. In every way we’re troubled but not crushed, frustrated but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. We are always carrying around the death of Jesus in our ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Race

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 14, 2019

Each Christian is running in a marathon. Our Christian life is not a sprint, but a marathon which demands our best always.

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Unwise Remark

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jun 23, 2019

A study in the Gospel of Matthew 27: 1 – 26

Matthew 27: 1 – 26 Unwise remark 1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. 2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:25

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Friend Of God - James 2:20-24 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 6, 2021

We are often told to trust God. But this passage makes trust seem more desirable by casting it in the context of friendship. This message defines friendship and explores what it means to have that with God.

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical ...read more

Scripture: James 2:20-24

Matthew Part 3 Nasb

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Dec 19, 2025

notes from Biblegateway.com

Jesus Cleanses a Leper; The Centurion’s Faith 8 When [a]Jesus came down from the mountain, [b]large crowds followed Him. 2 And a leper (HAS A SKIN DISEASE) came to Him and [c]bowed down WORSHIPPED before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 3 Jesus stretched out His ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard

Day By Day - Time Management Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 4, 2026

Every day (Day by Day) spiritual seeds are being planted in us by the Holy Spirit but the key to spiritual growth is found in discerning what type of heart or soil those seeds are falling on to? Our hearts are either: hard, shallow, entangled or fertile for spiritual growth.

Theme: Day by Day - Time Management Opening Video: Sermoncentral.com “We need to run again!” Introduction to Theme: “Desire that your life count for something great! Long for your life to have eternal significance. Want this! Don’t coast through life without a passion.” ? John Piper, Don't ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20, Mark 4:30-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Called To Be Extra-Ordinary

Contributed by Rev. Dr. John Varughese on May 13, 2025

Rev. Dr. John Varughese Ministering ath Global Power Leadership Conference, NJ

Praise be to God! What a privilege it is to be in His house, surrounded by so many wonderful faces, all gathered here with hearts full of expectation for the great things God is about to do. Today, we stand on the leadership level—not the nursery level. We are called to lead, to grow, and to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Seeing God - Psalm 63:2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 7, 2025

Three kinds of worship: Joy in seeing God, longing for that joy, or repentance over indifference. But what does "seeing God" really mean?

Review Last time we took a brief look at v.2, where David spoke of his experience in the sanctuary. We found the focus was not on what he offered God, but what he received from God. 2 Therefore I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:2

"Lessons On Orderly Worship" 1 Cor Pt 14 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 9, 2008

Paul tells the Corinth church to eagerly desire the speaking gift of prophecy for it builds up the church and to not forbid speaking in tongues for it has its place in worship too. Both speaking gifts used properly build the believer up and encourages the

“Lesson’s on orderly worship!” 1 Corinthians 14 - pt 14 Opening Illustration: The 7 wonders of the world - clip Thesis: Paul tells the Corinth church to eagerly desire the speaking gift of prophecy for it builds up the church and to not forbid speaking in tongues for it has its place in worship ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational