Sermons on Batting Average:

Why "Doubting Thomas" Got A Bad Rap

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Jun 3, 2007

In our world today we face doubts all the time. Doubts in our ability to be salt and light. Doubts in God’s ability to use us for his great plan. Doubts about our worthiness to God. But Thomas let his doubts bring him closer to Jesus.

Sermon – 060423 (Set up: Time Hack request with music minister -- Check watch at start of sermon, tap it a few times then ask music minister the following:) “What time is it?" (No matter what answer is given say:) "Naw, that can’t be right. (walk over to her to look) Let me see your ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

A Life Birthing Church Series

Contributed by William Ellis on Nov 24, 2006

This is the fourth sermon in an 8 part sermon series on the vision of our church.

INTRO: How many of you know that there is a process that you go through in order to be used by God? · You can’t just get up and do whatever you want, however you want to do it and think God is going to jump through a hoop? · There is a price to be paid for power There is a relationship that has to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:14-15

Denomination: Church Of God

Making Space For God

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

The church too often has reduced following Jesus and growing in your faith to doing: pray, worship, get in a Bible study, give, serve and witness. But to follow Jesus is as much about being in a relationship with Jesus, as it is about doing the things of

Making Space for God
 1 Timothy 4:7 (Phillips Translation)

 To say that our nation is caught up in a fitness craze is an understatement and this time of year New Year’s Resolutions abound with losing weight and lifestyle changes. How many of you have made New Year’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7

Denomination: Methodist

Batman, The Dark Knight: Endure Series

Contributed by Ken Hubbard on Feb 11, 2010

A sermon about how the hero people need can be found in Jesus Christ, and we can endure in the face of evil and trials.

INTRO: Video * The Dark Knight is now the 2nd highest money maker grossing over 500 million * Just beating the previous record holder Spider Man 3 * Perhaps there is such a draw (in an uncertain time. * Because everyone really does want a hero * And perhaps all of them deal with their own ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Praying In The Spirit Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Dec 10, 2009

When we realize how fully present God is with us through His Holy Spirit, our prayers can take on a new dimension of power and effectiveness.

Praying in the Spirit Ephesians 6:13-18 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:13-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The New Year Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Dec 18, 2009

Here’s some good solid advice for making the new year better. 1- The new year - Be careful 2- The new year - Be thoughtful 3- The new year - Be thankful

INTRO.- ILL.- Pete, at a New Year’s party, turns to his friend, Ken, and asks for a cigarette. “I thought you made a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking," Ken responds. “I’m in the process of quitting,” replies Pete with a grin. “Right now, I am in the middle of phase one.” “Phase one?” ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When The Kingdom Seems Unimpressive Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 19, 2025

The parable of the mustard seed and the parable of the yeast point us to a truth that's uncomfortable at first: the Kingdom might not look that impressive the first time you look at it.

UNIMPRESSIVE: Jesus acknowledges that many will initially see the Kingdom as insignificantly small. - Luke 13:18-21. - Matthew 13:31-33; Mark 4:30-32. - I guess you could say that sometimes we hype up Jesus and His Kingdom too much. - “Who wouldn’t want this?” - “It’s so obviously true and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:18-21

Denomination: Baptist

Recognition In Heaven Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 9, 2021

We will not only know each other in heaven, but we will not really know each other until heaven. We know each other only in part in this life. In heaven all the problems that prevent complete intimacy will be gone.

F. W. Borham tells the story of the English cricket player who lost his sight in his old age. This was a cause for great grief, because he could not watch his own boy play the game in which he excelled. His son became the crack bat on his school team, but the father got small satisfaction from ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Immeasurably More Series

Contributed by Jonathan Busch on Jan 26, 2003

Ephesians Series #10 How do we reconcile the desparity between God’s ability and desire that is revealed in the Scriptures, and the reality of how we see God moving in our lives today.

A Walk that is Worthy Part 10 Immeasurably More Text Eph 3:20-21 Intro: This morning once again we are looking at the book of Ephesians, and “A Walk that is Worthy” Specifically as we come to the end of chapter three we are looking at a message entitled “Immeasurably More!” Last week we looked ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Tried 'n True Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Mar 25, 2014

Jesus began his ministry with at least 2 significant events -- his baptism and his temptation.

1. Greatness During Watergate Back in 1974, Richard Nixon's administration was falling apart due to the Watergate scandal so, to divert everyone's attention from that, he planned a trip to Russia and Italy and two of his closest aides came along... Alexander Haig and Ron Ziegler. Even though' ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Essential Instructions For Christian Life Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Nov 6, 2021

1. Don't make mountains out of molehills (vs. 1-3, 5-6). 2. Don't jump to judge others (vs. 3-4). 3. Remember that we are held in the Father's Hand (vs. 4). 4. Remember that as believers, we belong (vs. 7-9).

Essential Instructions for Christian Life The Book of Romans Romans 14:1-9 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared November 6, 2021) MESSAGE: *We all need guidance in life. King Duncan found a list of Kid's Instructions on life, and here are my two favorites: 9-year-old Rocky said, "Always ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Your Sweet Spot

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jun 4, 2001

A critical part of stewardship is to discover and use your spiritual gifts as well as "natural" talents for service.

FINDING YOUR SWEET SPOT What do a tennis racket, a baseball bat, and a golf club have in common? They all have a sweet spot. There is a place on them that allows you the opportunity to make the type of contact with the respective balls they are designed to hit that will allow ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-7, Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Church Of God

Forgiveness - A Way Of Life Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Oct 28, 2011

Do you ever contend for one who has fallen into sin? or in the wrong in a particular situation? What do we do with brothers and sisters who fall into sin? We should be there to pick them up, help dust them off and encourage them with the love of Christ th

SERMON BRIEF Date Written: October 29, 2011 Date Preached: October 30, 2011 Church: OPBC (AM) FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENTS Series: From the Pen of Paul Title: Forgiveness…a Way of Life! Text: Philemon 10-21 Introduction: What do YOU do when a friend is sinful and falls in their Christian ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:10-21

Denomination: Baptist

Warning! Straddling Can Be Hazardous To Your Health

Contributed by Jerry Flury on May 7, 2002

Keeping one foot in the world and one foot in heaven just does not work. There is a danger in being uncommitted to Christ.

WARNING! STRADDLING CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH! I KINGS 18:17-21 INTRODUCTION: A woman getting onto a sky lift was given instructions that the moment the lift’s chair touched her backside she was to sit down and lift her feet from off the ground. Instead when the chair came against her she ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Attitude Of Worship Series

Contributed by Kerry Bauman on Nov 25, 2005

David understood the priority of worship. This sermon looks at his devotion to worship and what we can learn from it.

The Attitude of Worship Text: Psalm 27:4 Introduction: As his parents watched from the patio, a little boy played baseball by himself in the back yard. Of course this amounted to tossing a ball into the air and attempting to hit it with his bat. As he did so he proclaimed to no one in particular, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:4, Psalm 27:1-4, Psalm 27:1-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible