Sermons on Battered Violin:

A Life Changing Discovery Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 16, 2011

The women discovered an empty tomb. The implications of their discovery changed their lives and ours forever.

Mathew 28: 1-10 “A Life Changing Discovery” INTRODUCTION What would your list consist of if I were to ask you to name some of the greatest discoveries of history? This would be a list of discoveries that changed our lives. My list would include: A sun centered solar ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Deceptive Looks

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 17, 2018

Jesus enters Jerusalem as the Messiah—King of the Jews. Kings hate other kings coming onto their turf. The king is crucified—a messenger of love and a victim of hate. In the process, what looks good turns out bad and what appears to be bad becomes good.

INTRODUCTION There is a Chinese story of a farmer who used an old horse to till his fields. One day, the horse escaped into the hills and when the farmer's neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?" A week later, the horse ...read more

Scripture: John 19

Denomination: Lutheran

Alas For The City.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 7, 2022

Is it nothing to you?

ALAS FOR THE CITY. Lamentations 1:1-6. LAMENTATIONS 1:1. The opening word could be rendered, “Alas!” The translation “How” introduces an exclamation, but also has an element of questioning in it. We might say, “How come?” The verb “she sits” introduces “the city” as feminine, so perhaps we ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Overlooked Question Of Jesus

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Nov 4, 2022

Belief in God is fading from all parts of society. The idea of faith is all but ignored. Jesus told us it would be this way before He returns. Is your faith in the Lord in the same shape as the world?

" Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8, NASB). This question should be a clear signal for anyone with "eyes to see" that any idea of some last minute "national revival", which many well-meaning brethren would like ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:8, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Romans 5:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Is The Victory

Contributed by Mike Hullah on Feb 12, 2005

A sermon on faith including eight principles of faith drawn from Jericho’s fall.

Faith Is the Victory 1 John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance (the basis) of things ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:4-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Is For Us

Contributed by Fred Sigle on May 1, 2006

No matter what difficulty we face in life, God is always there to pick us up. He is for us.

GOD IS FOR US A. Son Games ILLUSTRATION: In 490 B.C., a great battle between two WORLD EMPIRES, the PERSIANS and GREEKS (the Athenians), was fought in the ancient town of Marathon, some 22 miles from the city of Athens. The battle was FIERCE, but resulted in the DEFEAT of the PERSIANS. A ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus-The Ever-Present Lord Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Sep 22, 2006

WHERE IS JESUS NOW? WHERE IS HIS PRESENCE? AND WHERE IS HE IN RELATIONSHIP TO YOU?

Let me begin with a question which you can respond to in the privacy of your own heart. WHERE IS JESUS NOW? WHERE IS HIS PRESENCE? AND WHERE IS HE IN RELATIONSHIP TO YOU? - Close by… shaping your life in constant ways? - Perhaps not so close or constant but a central figure in your overall ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Available For Liberation

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 8, 2006

To be effective as peacemakers in a warlike time, we must have a healthy self-doubt, we must understand God’s concern for justice, and we must use what is available to us, no matter how small. Reworking for Montgomery Hills Baptist Church of a message do

There is an old saying here in Washington that nothing ever happens in August. Government people head off on vacation to the beaches, to the mountains, or to beautiful downtown Crawford, so there is nobody to make things happen. So, it is said, nothing ever happens in August. Of course that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Being Optimistic In A Pessimistic World

Contributed by Ray Scott on Aug 7, 2003

We live in a negative world. The Bible is full of positives. In the parable of the Prodigal Son & the Elder Brother, we see both optimism & pessimism.

“Being Optimistic In A Pessimistic World” INTRODUCTION: There are many books on POSITIVE THINKING. The book “The Power Of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale was required reading when I was a student at Trinity College. There are all kinds of “helps” out there to help us maintain a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Keep Your Eyes On The Prize Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Aug 4, 2008

As Stephen Covey states, "begin with the end in mind"...doing this will assist us in finding God’s will and way for our lives.

Keeping My Eyes on the Prize Romans 6:15-23 * Some of the most famous words that the Apostle Paul ever penned are found in his letter to the church at Philippi. In chapter 3:13-14 he writes, “ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:15-23

Denomination: Baptist

Sanding The Floors Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 5, 2009

Developing leaders is like sanding floors -- acknowledging that flaws will be removed only by abrasion. But such weaknesses become a channel for strength and for God’s grace to work.

We could all have such perfect houses if people didn’t use them. The most beautiful and perfect rooms you will ever see are the ones in furniture displays at the store or maybe in a museum someplace, and the reason they are so perfect is that nobody uses them. But in the real world houses are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Raw Honesty

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Sep 9, 2009

"I believe, help my unbelief" is a confession of sin and of faith that takes real courage to make. In the Cross we know what God’s response to us is and forever will be.

Mark 9:14-29 Today the Word of God that engages us is from Mark chapter 9. In the middle of these verses is one God-Inspired phrase that has been a real help to me on my own journey of faith. Words spoken first by a man who had the courage to be truly honest with himself, and honest with God. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Being Calm In Calamity

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jun 2, 2008

Christians may be calm when the world is in chaos.

Title: Being Calm in Calamity Text: Psalm 46 The Big Idea: Christians may be calm when the world is in chaos. Introduction Project Masada 1 Masada is the name of ancient fortifications in the Southern District of Israel on top of an isolated rock plateau. Masada is on the eastern edge of the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Critiquing The Critic Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Aug 8, 2012

Speaking in condemning, critical ways seems to be second nature to us. However, James gives us reason and instruction to prevent this sinful behavior.

1. “No New Taxes” Illustration Who said, “Read my lips. No new taxes”? "Read my lips: no new taxes" is the famous phrase spoken by then presidential candidate George H. W. Bush at the 1988 Republican National Convention as he accepted the nomination on August 18th. Written ...read more

Scripture: James 4:11-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Python Spirits

Contributed by Chika Ossai-Ugbah on Jun 23, 2011

It treats demonic avenues through which people are deceived and enslaved even with the supernatural. It calls on believers for discernment and confrontation through prayers

In Acts 16:16, Paul and Silas encountered a young woman who prophesied to them through what Luke calls a “spirit of divination.” However, the Greek word from which “divination” is translated is python. “Python” was a word associated with prophecy amongst the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-18

Denomination: Baptist