Sermons on Be Direct:

10 Characteristics Of Healthy Churches

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jan 29, 2003

The characteristics of a healthy church compiled from nine of the most significant church health studies to date.

During the last 20 years there has been a tremendous focus on church growth. Unfortunately this has created a tendency to be more analytical than prescriptive, more quantitative than qualitative. Rick Warren writes in “The Purpose-Driven Church”; (Zondervan) "the key issue for churches in the ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:2, 3 John 1:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is The Catch

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Feb 27, 2004

Calling of the Disciples, Jesus as people for trivial things to be seen in the world.

In the past few Sabbath days we have tracked Jesus movements since John the Baptist. Last week he was run out of his home town because he expected people accept him for who he was He came home and he was no longer the carpenter’s son. He was God’s son. So either he was nuts or a sinner, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Congregational

The Mary Factor: Pondering Jesus

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 14, 2003

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19).

A. INTRODUCTION: LUKE 2:19, 51 1. Mary pondered after the Shepherd’s visit, outside influence. "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). 2. Mary pondered after twelve year old Jesus taught in the temple, inside influence. "His mother kept all these sayings in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:19-51

Denomination: Baptist

The Choice Is His

Contributed by Ed Wood on Jul 6, 2004

Who makes your choices for you? In God’s service, it should be God, not you!

THE CHOICE IS HIS Acts 16:6-10 INTRO: ILLUS: In the famous Rose Bowl football game of 1929, the two teams pitted against each other were GA Tech and SO Cal. The captain of the SO Cal football team was a young man named Roy Riegles. In the course of the game he made a long distance run down the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Biblical Nativity Scene

Contributed by Billy Kryger on May 21, 2007

Most nativity scenes, along with the shepherds, animals, and, of course Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus in the manger, have three regal figures standing there: the Magi, (they’re normally called wisemen). While that makes for a beautiful picture, it is Scrip

INTRODUCTION: * My wife likes nativity scenes. She has several. * Many churches display nativity scenes—some are live. * Hollywood has even gotten into the act—“The Nativity Story” * Most nativity scenes, along with the shepherds, animals, and, of course Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Four Yokes

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jul 9, 2017

God will break the yokes that are not from him.

14A A yoke is a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the cart or plow that they are to pull. There are four kinds of yokes-- (1).Unyoked means single. Many of you are unyoked (single). For some, it is a gift from God and your vocation. (2). Unequally ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30

Denomination: Catholic

The Long Way Around.

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Mar 13, 2021

The road may be rough but we have Jesus to look upon.

Sermon Title: A Long way around. Scripture Text: Numbers 21:4-9 Opening: The title of my sermon is “Long way around.”. A year ago we were ask to close most stores, which caused many to hog up a lot of supplies. Toilet paper was gone and cost a small fortune if you found it anywhere. Why ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Spread Your Cloak Over Me

Contributed by Samuel M on Jul 5, 2023

Boaz is compared to Jesus Christ. Ruth can be compared with you. We are asking Jesus to extend to us his love, protection, mercy and his kingdom and adopt the role of family head.

“I am Ruth, your slave,” she replied. “Spread your cloak over me, for you are a family redeemer.” Ruth 3:8 Spread your cloak over me means extend your protection, heritage, blessing, and love over me. Let me take refuge in your shelter. Make me part of your family and heritage. Take the ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:8, Ruth 3:9

Psalms 23 - Not Just For Funerals Anymore

Contributed by Michael Bates on Dec 31, 2023

Many people think that Psalms 23 is only read aloud at funeral services. No, that's not the case, Psalms 23 also applies to many other areas in our lives. This short sermon explains this perspective further.

Let's all read Psalms 23 together: The Good Shepherd 1 The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name's sake. 4 Even when I go through the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Paul's Model Of Pastoral Care (Acts 20:28-31)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 13, 2024

In the book of Acts, the apostle Paul leaves the city of Ephesus for the last time. In his farewell to the elders of the church, he summarized his work both as a fellow elder and fellow servant of the Lord Jesus Christ

In Acts 20, Paul was about to leave Ephesus and the church he helped to plant. For over three years, he and his fellow elders in the faith worked together to proclaim the message of salvation in Jesus Christ alone. He also spent considerable time teaching the Word of God and sound doctrine ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:18-32, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, John 10:28-30, 2 Timothy 4:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Digging The Wells Of Divine Encounter

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Sep 22, 2025

Wells in Scripture symbolise God’s provision, revelation, covenant, and encounter, calling believers to dig deeper for spiritual refreshing and destiny fulfilment.

DIGGING THE WELLS OF DIVINE ENCOUNTER By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 26:18-25 Key Verse: “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 26:18-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Godly Criteria For Selecting A Mate

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 7, 2001

God uses Godly criteria for selecting our companions

Unit 9 – Family Lesson 21 – A Wife for Isaac – Genesis 24 For The Teachers’ Preparation 1. Aim: To lead the people to understand how God uses godly characteristics as criteria for selecting those He will greatly use. 2. Explanation of the Aim: The Lord used Abraham’s servant, Eliezer, to help ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"God's Issachar Men”

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 13, 2006

Being the children of GOD that understand the times.

“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment” (1 Chronicles 12:32). The men mentioned in 1 Chronicles 12:32 were part of the gathering ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 12:32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Heart Is Fixed In 2006. Series

Contributed by Jerry Gatson on Jan 19, 2006

A believer is to be like a tree planted near a river of water. We must reach deep to draw from the water of God’s written word while also reaching up toward the Son to hold on to a spoken word from God.

My Heart is Fixed in 2006 My mission in 2006 is to assemble a body of believers. Believers walk by faith, not by sight. Believers trust in the Lord with all their heart and lean not to their own understanding. Believers believe! It sounds like a simple task but most people have been trained by ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 112:5-7

Denomination: Charismatic

Refining Our Faith

Contributed by Dewayne Bolton on Jun 14, 2012

Faith

MARK 9:14 -29 V. 23-24 REFINING YOUR FAITH INTRO: A. Everyone heard someone say I just don’t have any faith? a. If your one of those let me show you some areas in which your faith was exercised. 1. When you got into your automobile inserted the key in the ignition turned it, you had faith it ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Holiness