Sermons on Battered Violin:

Triumph At The Tomb

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Apr 2, 2018

What began as a day of doubt and fear became a day of victory, hope, and rejoicing. Jesus had been crucified, and the women came to anoint His body. They soon heard the words that have resonated for centuries: He is not here; He is risen!

Triumph at the Tomb Mark 16: 1-8 Today is a special day in the hearts of believers around the world. It is the day we celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord, the very foundation of the Christian faith. It was a glorious day when the angel proclaimed to the shepherds that the Messiah ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Journey Of Joy

Contributed by John Newton on Dec 17, 2023

Three perspectives on joy from Isaiah

As I was preparing to preach this week, I considered giving my sermon the title “Getting Serious About Joy”. Then I thought better of it and came up with “Joy Is No Laughing Matter”. All joking aside, were you aware that joy is currently the subject of a high-level academic examination? Nine years ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Episcopal

Fear God!

Contributed by Abimbola Salu on Jan 22, 2024

King Solomon, the wisest person that ever lived , after he had pondered on life and its meaning declared in the Book of Ecclesiastes 12:13-14: “ Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.

King Solomon, the wisest person that ever lived, after he had pondered on life and its meaning, declared in the Book of Ecclesiastes 12:13-14: “Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:17-18, Psalm 145:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

Sheba's Rebellion Against King David Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Oct 3, 2023

Mephibosheth comes to David having not washed his clothes, or shaved or cared for his appearance, basically to show David that he was waiting for his return.

At the end of 2nd Samuel chapter 19 we see Mephibosheth rejoining King David after he had fled Jerusalem. We also see Barzillai, a rich guy who was supporting David in Mahanaim, come to David, and David invites him to Jerusalem, but Barzillai prefers to return to his own home, because he’s in his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 20:1-5, 2 Samuel 19:40-43

Denomination: Salvation Army

Build The Boat Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Sep 1, 2022

We might automatically begin to associate recovery with alcohol or drug abuse, but there are many things in life from which we recover - and I think we are probably all recovering from something.

Recovery Month BUILD THE BOAT Genesis 6-9 Introduction This month we begin a series of lessons about recovery - and by recovery we mean healing from the struggles, failures, and addictions that have caused us and those we love pain. In that healing, we we grow and become able to help ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"the Crown Of Life" Series

Contributed by John Huyser on Jul 18, 2023

This city’s unique relationship with Rome made Smyrna a primary target for persecution. Assuring them he knows what they are about to go through, Christ promises them (and us) the crown of life.

To best understand the letter to Smyrna, we need to understand this city’s close relationship to Rome and the Empire. Compared to the others, Smyrna and Rome are the most closely aligned for good reason. Two hundred years before Christ, Rome was at war with Hannibal and the Carthaginians. That ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:7-12

When The Waves Are Winning (Matthew 8) Series

Contributed by Bob Marcaurelle on Jun 7, 2022

When Life's troubles are beating us down we need to pray until God reaches out an lifts us up.

WHEN THE WAVES ARE WINNING (Matthew 4:22) Bob Marcaurelle Peter’s walk has little to do with walking on water. It has to do with facing the storms of life, like the disciples who were delivered at the last minute. . It has to do with Simon, trying to obey Jesus, and failing. The Psalms use ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:22, Genesis 45:7-8

Denomination: Baptist

Sticks And Stones May Break My Bones, But God Will Always Heal Me.

Contributed by Rick Chapman on Dec 22, 2022

Here in these verses Stephen was stoned to death. He was the first apostle that was killed because of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK MY BONES, BUT GOD WILL ALWAYS HEAL ME. Acts- chapter 7 verse 54-60 Here in these verses Stephen was stoned to death. He was the first apostle that was killed because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Stephen in the first part of this chapter was on trial for preaching the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:54-60

Denomination: Baptist

Burdens Are Lifted

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 22, 2025

Seven messages from Calvary reveal Christ’s heart — forgiveness, compassion, hope, trust, longing, victory, and surrender — still calling us today.

(7 Words of Grace from Calvary) Introduction — The Silence That Spoke There are sermons that persuade, and then there are moments that transform. Calvary was both. No cathedral organ announced it. No polished preacher delivered it. Only a battered, bleeding Savior—lifted between earth and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:34, John 19:26-27, Luke 23:43, Matthew 27:46, John 19:28, Luke 23:46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Book Of Lamentations – Part 14 – Dwelling In Darkness, Walled In With A Heavy Chain – Prayers Bounce And Ways Blocked And Crooked - Chapter 3:6-9 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Apr 24, 2025

The people felt banished into darkness; walled in with a heavy chain. Their prayers did nothing as they believed God blocked their ways and made then crooked. How miserable can these survivors get, with all prospects gone?

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 14 – DWELLING IN DARKNESS, WALLED IN WITH A HEAVY CHAIN – PRAYERS BOUNCE AND WAYS BLOCKED AND CROOKED - CHAPTER 3:6-9 We are in the section where blame is attributed to God for the disasters that have overtaken the nation. Judah is in despair because of its ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:6, Lamentations 3:7, Psalm 107:10-15, Lamentations 3:8, Psalm 145:18, Isaiah 55:6-7, Lamentations 3:9, Deuteronomy 32:5, Ecclesiastes 1:15, Isaiah 54:2, Isaiah 40:4-5, Zechariah 12:9-10, Zechariah 14:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"My Good Shepherd”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Apr 17, 2024

In John 10 Jesus reaffirms that He is fulfilling Ezekiel 34. Psalm 23 is a Psalm that touches a deep place within our souls. Why would Jesus compare Himself to a “shepherd” if in His own culture the role of the “shepherd” was a profession that was rejected?

In Jesus Holy Name April 21, 2024 Text: Psalm 23:1-3, John 10:11 Redeemer “My Good Shepherd” Psalm 23, may be the most familiar and favorite of all the psalms. The affirmation of God as our good shepherd implies a truth that touches a deep place within our souls. “Even ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-17, Psalm 23:1-6, Hebrews 9:27

Denomination: Lutheran

"to Be A Winner, You Must Learn How To Lose."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Apr 22, 2024

To succeed in life, we must learn how to lose with dignity. Analyzing our setbacks and developing our skills helps us identify our weaknesses. Success isn't about winning but learning from our failures, which helps build character and achieve victory.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Philippians 3:7-8) [7] "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." [8] "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-8, Genesis 12:8, Psalm 133:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Why Do The Heathen Rage: An Exposition Of The Second Psalm

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Apr 24, 2024

The way to blessing is to realize the futility of raging against God and to embrace His Son instead.

Why Do the Heathen Rage? Psalm 2:1–12 NKJV Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What’s It All About Anyway? Series

Contributed by Jerald Scott on Nov 19, 2024

Taking our Christmas Celebration beyond the tree and presents

Advent # 1 What’s it all about anyway? Rumors not withstanding, I really do like the Christmas season! Bev started getting out the decorations this week. On Saturday, we’ll head out to get a tree. I’ve already got most of the gifts for which I am responsible. Three of our four kids will make ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Return For Revival

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jun 13, 2024

The invitation was to live in the ways of God. It was an invitation to come back to the ways that the people knew were right. When Hosea uses the words “let us”, he speaks in clear terms here to communicate that those who needed to return to the LORD were not alone.

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: Play the video “RESTORED.” Israel had wondered far away from its place of origin. As if a child lost in a store, she is drawn away by delights of the eye, sensual insights and an overwhelming urgency to seek her own way. She awakens; finding herself tossed into the gutter of ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 6:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational