Sermons on Being Different:

What Does Spiritual Preparation Look Like?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Apr 7, 2025

Spiritual preparation is necessary in being a good servant, a good witness, and a good Christian.

What Does Spiritual Preparation Look Like? Matthew 14:22-23 Preparation is the process of making something ready to be used or for use. For instance, during my time in the service, we would need to prepare our gear before we went to the field for training. Not only did I have to prepare my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Move Spiritual Gifts From Stress To Strengths

Contributed by Richard Burkey on Jun 8, 2005

Every day offers an opportunity to serve and to make a difference for God when I move my spiritual gifts from stress to strengths.

Move Spiritual Gifts from Stress to Strengths 1 Peter 4:10-11 (New International Version) 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10-11

Denomination: Lutheran

"How To Handle Failure"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 6, 2003

How a person handles failure can mean the difference between living a life of victory or living a life filled with bitterness, hostility and anger.

The Apostle Paul -How to Handle Failure- 2 Cor. 4:7-9 2 Cor. 11:24-30 Introduction How a person handles failure can mean the difference between living a life of victory or living a life filled with bitterness, hostility and anger. In the first church I served as pastor in Kansas City I got ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 2 Corinthians 11:24-30

Denomination: Free Methodist

Knowing God: The Source Of Wisdom Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on May 5, 2009

The writer of Job explains to us the difference between human wisdom and the wisdom that comes from God. How do we find wisdom?

KNOWING GOD: THE SOURCE OF WISDOM Why do we need wisdom? Someone said that knowledge is the ability to take something apart; wisdom is needed to put it back together again. I am not sure where that saying came from but I think it makes partial sense. A young man in our congregation told me ...read more

Scripture: Job 28:1-28

Denomination: Mennonite

Change, Commitment, And Courage

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Aug 30, 2006

We are living in a season of change. God never changes but the way He does business here on earth can sometimes look different.

Change, Commitment and Courage I want to talk this morning about four principles … Change, Commitment, Courage, Service Change Def: transition, transformation, adjustment We are in a season of change … The World One of our prayers … Lord’s Prayer … Mtt 6:10 ’ Your kingdom come. Your will be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:10

Denomination: Charismatic

God Is In Control

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Feb 10, 2009

Many people seem to think that God is randomly confronted with different trials and than randomly transforms them into something good in our lives.

Matthew 4 God is in Control (4:1) 1. Jesus “was led up by the Spirit…” - God is in control here. - This was all apart of God’s plan. - God doesn’t transform trials into good. - Many people seem to think that God is randomly confronted with different trials and than randomly transforms them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Serving God During Dark Times Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 20, 2017

Elisha was in rough situations, but was still God’s man in the midst of it all. We, too, represent God during different but challenging times.

Serving God During Dark Times (2 Kings 6:24-7:20) 1. Today I am resuming the tradition of ethnic jokes I began a while ago. Many ethnicities make fun of their neighboring nations as not being too bright. 2. Two Belgians are driving a truck and arrive at a bridge with a warning sign: maximum ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Live A Life Of Impact Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 14, 2025

Living a life of impact means living beyond self. It means your existence makes a difference in the lives of others and reflects the glory of God.

HOW TO LIVE A LIFE OF IMPACT By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 5:14–16 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Powered By The Holy Spirit

Contributed by James May on Oct 2, 2005

If we are going to be all that God wants us to be, we must be powered by the Holy Spirit.

POWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT Pastor Jim May Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." On the home page of our church’s website ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Genesis Controversies And Contradictions Series

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Oct 26, 2000

The purpose of this study is to strengthen your faith by understanding these Genesis passages that are often accused of being contradictory.

Genesis Controversies and Contradictions Before we depart from the origin stories in Genesis, I believe it is necessary to address common questions and misunderstandings of this portion of the Bible. The book of Genesis is the most attacked book in the Old Testament if not the most attacked book ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7-20

Denomination: Baptist

Paralyzed By Life; Healed By Faith

Contributed by R. Joseph Owles on Jun 23, 2011

Four things we can learn from Mark's story of the paralytic being brought to Jesus

There was a man, who was a workaholic. He had a son, who was about seven years old, and like most seven-year-olds, he wanted to spend time with his father, playing catch or some other activity. The father kept promising to spend time with his son, but he was always breaking his promises because the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Catholic

The Theme Of Immigration, In The First Testament

Contributed by John Fruner on Aug 13, 2002

Look at SARAH, HAGAR, NAOMI and RUTH as being agents in bring salvation to God’s people.

THE THEME OF IMMIGRATION, IN THE FIRST TESTAMENT, AS ILLUSTRATED IN THE LIVES OF SARAH, HAGAR, NAOMI and RUTH SARAH (Genesis 12:1-9) Sarah is challenged by God to remove herself from her land and her home, all the places of security, and accompany her husband to a non-specific place. “Go ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:3-10, Genesis 12:13-19

Denomination: Catholic

Satan's Battle Tactics Part 2 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jan 21, 2018

This is part two of the series. In the message we examine how Mark translated the parable to the sower and the differences from Luke's translation in part one.

Satan’s Battle Tactics Part 2 Scriptures: John 10:10; Mark 4:14-20; Psalm 119:105, 130; James 1:12 Two weeks ago I shared with you the first tactic of Satan’s battle plan which is to steal the word from our hearts. We know that faith comes by hearing the word of God and if we are not hearing it ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:14-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cub Or Cardinal - Which Fan Are You?

Contributed by Steven Platt on Oct 11, 2002

A look at the differences between a St. Louis Cardinal Fan and a Chicago Cubs Fan. Yes it is biblical, yes it applies to our daily lives.

Editors Note: This sermon was preached in Western Illinois about halfway between St. Louis and Chicago. Because of our location, we have a split in each fan base. Teams may be substituted to fit your location. Title: Faith of our Fathers Text Hebrews 11:17-22 October, 06, 2002 Heb 11:17-22 ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:17-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are We Committed?

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jan 21, 2011

The Bible is clear on what a true Christian should look like. Are we committed to being that person?

If there is one thing I have found to be crucial to my Christian walk, it is the constant surrender of my will. When doubt is creeping into my faith - I surrender. When I am afraid, I surrender. When I want Scripture to say something other than what it says, I surrender. When I don’t ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-21