Sermons on Bench:

Overcoming The Bitter Root

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 3, 2022

Bitterness arises from failing to forgive someone who has wronged you. It comes from clinging to bad memories or hurtful experiences from the past and not letting them go. Many times bitterness will give rise to vengeance.

Our sermon this morning is entitled, “Overcoming the Bitter Root.” Bitterness can be defined as harboring resentment and unforgiveness in our heart toward another person. Bitterness is also defined as, “extreme enmity,” “a grudge,” or “hatred.”(1) The meaning of the word bitter itself is, “sharp ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Lie: I Am What I Am Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 22, 2022

This lie promotes the idea that we are destined to be who we are. You feel trapped in whatever sin you may be engaged in and you believe you'll never change. But God says, "No, that's not true. You may feel you were born that way, but God says you must be 'born again.'"

OPEN: A young boy was being punished, and one of the punishments wasthat he was forbidden to go swimming. One day he came home with his hair wet and his mother demanded an explanation. “I fell in the lake,” he said. “Really? (she said). Then why AREN’T your clothes wet?” He grinned and said: “Well… ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Do You Treat The "Jerks” In Your Life?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 28, 2022

It is not difficult to love people who love us…IS IT!

But everybody does not love us. There are people who hate us: ? If we do not think the way they think or ? Do things the way they do things In their warped way of thinking this is grounds for hating you!!! That is, you can do and say 99 things they would like you to do or say but that does not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom In Christ Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 28, 2025

What do you do when your past with its sins and failures just refuses to go away. What do you do when your guilt and shame stick to you like tar? The answer is here in Romans 7 and 8.

Back in the 1990s there was a scandal that rocked the political world. There was a 20-year-old intern who was discovered to have had a sexual relationship with the President of the United States. Her name was Monica Lewinsky… and when the scandal hit the news, she found herself being scorned, ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bad Calls From Religious Umpires

Contributed by Gary Washburn on Jul 11, 2002

When an umpire makes a bad call our sense of fairness has been violated. Sometimes we scream at God, "bad call" or "not fair God!" This attitude reveals some ugly things about us.

Bad calls from religious umpires Romans 2:1-4 Intro: Ever seen umpire make a bad call? Crowd boo’s and blood pressure and anger rises. Our sense of fairness has been violated and we are ready to fight when it comes to fairness. We hear of a serial killer getting caught, convicted, then life in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel In A Game Of Hockey

Contributed by John Foster on Apr 15, 2001

Takes three aspects of the game of ice-hockey and finds bible messages in them. This sermon was given to a mainly unbelieving group of ice-hockey supporters of The Sheffield Steelers Ice Hockey Club, United Kingdom.

This sermon was given to a mainly non-Christian group of ice hockey fans in 25th January 2001. It was very different to the sermons given in Church to seekers or believers. I found this sermon difficult to write and indeed the delivery went slightly away from this script as the Spirit lead ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:37

Denomination: Methodist

"You Can Handle Your Giants

Contributed by Leonard Hunt on Jun 28, 2005

How do you handle the giants in your life? This sermon will tell you how.

You Can Handle Your Giant 1 Sam. 17:32-37 Introduction: We need to know as believers that we can handle any and everything that comes in our life. We are living in a time where the people of God really don’t understand the power they process. It’s like walking around in your house at night in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Total Committment Series

Contributed by Jim Kelly on Feb 19, 2005

Fisrst in series on committment

TOTAL COMMITMENT Johnny Unitas Story: Born Pittsburg: HS-QB Broke ankle-Unitas throw ball: wanted to go to Notre Dame, “Too Small” University of Louisville, Fantastic Soph year. Jr and Sr year-BAD. Tried out for Steelers-got nothing but bus fare home. Worked in Steel mill-Wife and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The View From A Donkey Series

Contributed by Jonathan Busch on Apr 13, 2003

Ephesians Series #18. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey with the full understanding of what needed to be done. Man wanted a political uprising, God wanted to raise of a spiritual banner. We can know clearly know God’s will for our lives as well.

A Walk that Is Worthy Part 18 “The View From a Donkey” Text: Eph 5:15-17 Intro: This morning we want to continue on with our study in Ephesians entitled “A walk that is worthy” Specifically I would share a message entitled “The View From a Donkey!” This morning is what we call Palm Sunday. It is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-17, John 12:9-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Doing The Work Of God

Contributed by Jeff Simms on Jun 4, 2003

To stress the importance of showing the compassion and love of God to others

“Doing the Work of God” John 9:1-7 Primary Purpose: To stress the importance of demonstrating the compassion of Christ. God calls us to work alongside him to do the work of God that we might display that we know Him. In this passage, the disciples see a man born blind. They assume v.2 that ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Christianity Is Not A Spectator Sport

Contributed by Jim Parisi on Oct 5, 2002

America has become a land of professional Spectators We gain most of our daily pleasures from watching others live out their lives….. People don’t even know they are being watched Example web cams on the internet and satellite photos

Christianity is not a Spectator Sport Pastor Jim Parisi HHM Oct 6, 2002 America has become a land of professional Spectators We gain most of our daily pleasures from watching others live out their lives….. people don’t even know they are being watched Example web cams on the internet ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38, Romans 10:14-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Facing Down Opposition

Contributed by Mark Wood on Feb 18, 2006

Dr. Wood used this sermon to encourage the listeners that in the midst of opposition all Christian can draw from a higher power, and that power is from the Holy Spirit.

Some history must be covered before we can understand what took place and how we can apply this passage of Scripture to our lives today. First take note of verse 2 they, the apostles taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. In verse one if we were to do a literal ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:5-22

Denomination: Baptist

Approachable Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Nov 29, 2007

Some people are turned off from church but the Church Jesus instituted is attractive and approachable.

THE CHURCH JESUS BUILDS Part 5-Approachable Hebrews 12:14-29 Sunday, March 18, 2007 Pastor Brian Matherlee Introduction Read Scripture • Comment on history of Hebrews 12 (from Exodus 19) • Highlight the heart of God in being approachable o Adam & Eve in the garden & God was broken hearted when ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-29

Denomination: Wesleyan

Proclamations In Jerusalem

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Nov 29, 2007

Message is about the fulfillment of hope people saw coming down the streets of Jerusalem on the day of the Triumphal entry.

PROCLAMATIONS IN JERUSALEM Mark 11 Sunday, March 25, 2007 Pastor Brian Matherlee Introduction “Place Called Hope”, by the Gaither Vocal Band, tells the story of the Prodigal Son. His story illustrates the hope people long for…that maybe, just maybe, we can be accepted, delivered, rescued even ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-33

Denomination: Wesleyan

After The Fall Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on May 21, 2006

Part 4 in a 4 part series on the temptations we face and how to deal with them.

AN APPLE A DAY The Temptations We Face Part 4, “After the Fall” May 21, 2006 Pastor Brian Matherlee Do you ever wonder if you have sinned too much or too badly for God to forgive you? Tell the story of David and Bathsheba from 2 Samuel 11 At what point did David’s temptation become sin? Think ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan