Sermons on Bench:

The Arrest Of Jesus - Mark 14:41-52 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 12, 2024

What's with the strange story about the young man fleeing naked at Jesus' arrest? Mark leaves out so many big aspects of that event, but he includes this. Is it a meaningless, throwaway story? Or is it Mark at his best, crafting a profound message in a vivid picture?

Jesus leads the 12 into battle even though he knows they will fail. When the hour comes, you’ll have to face the battle, ready or not. Jesus fights this battle on four fronts. Front #1: Judas (Jesus fights dis-couragement by calling out to Abba, Father). Front #2: the rogue disciple who jeopardizes ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:41-52, Matthew 26:45-56, Luke 22:46-53, John 18:2-12

Are We Too Rich To Give? Series

Contributed by Tony Miano on Feb 9, 2001

This week, as we try to answer the question, “are we too rich to give,” we’ll consider our attitudes toward giving.

Are We Too Rich To Give? I Timothy 6:17 Preached By Pastor Tony Miano Pico Canyon Community Church February 11, 2001 Introduction: Now that we’ve finished chapter one of the Book of James, we’re going to take a break from our study of that great letter. For the next three weeks we’re going to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17

Denomination: *other

Prayer (Part 1)

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Apr 12, 2019

Would you like to pray more? Better? Deeper? Stronger? With more fire, faith, and fervency? In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray sincerely, secretly, simply and securely.

Prayer (1) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 2/22/2015 A young man stepped up to the checkout-counter in a small drugstore with three boxes of chocolate: small, medium, and large. The pharmacist asked him what his plans were for the three boxes, and the young man replied, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-8, Luke 11:1

Denomination: Christian Church

Won't You Be My Friend Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 9, 2018

God said it was not good for the man to be alone, and yet too many people are more isolated than ever. Using a clip from the popular TV series "This is Us" we address the question of "How can we witness to others?"

OPEN: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn9aSZ7uPXI – video clip from “This Is Us” of conversation between Katie and a woman she’s helped. See Footnote) APPLY: That clip came from a scene in a popular TV series called “THIS IS US”. Katie (one of the main characters in the show) is helping a girl ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Real Love (3) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Sep 23, 2013

Everyone loves love! We want to be loved and we want to give love. The problem is—our love is often lacking. This four-sermon series explores 1 John in order to discover a love that's truly worth having and giving: real love! PowerPoint available.

REAL LOVE (3) Scott Bayles Blooming Grove Christian Church: 6/2/2013 The Bible has a lot to say about love. Jesus said that the greatest commands ever given were to love the Lord with all you heart and to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:29). Paul wrote, “Three things will last ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-22

Denomination: Christian Church

Heart Of A Disciple

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 29, 2013

Today, we’re going to look at the heart of a disciple maker. It’s one thing to change a person’s behavior but quite another to change their heart.

The Heart of a Disciple Matthew 5:8 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 13 “Come, follow me.” When Jesus spoke those words to the Galilean fishermen, it changed the course of their lives. They dropped their nets and left everything and everyone behind. Over the course of the next three years, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

Palm Sunday - The Beginning Of The End Or The Start Of Something New? Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 15, 2013

Jesus wept as he rode into Jerusalem, wept for his beloved city, as it says in Luke’s gospel, for he knew the dreams of this day would turn into the reality of pain, death, and suffering.

Palm Sunday is when we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Can you imagine what it must have been like on that day almost 2000 years ago? Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, may have seemed to those who were there to be the high point of his ministry. All of those people ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:15-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Increasing Spiritual Muscle

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 7, 2013

We pay good money to go to the gym and work out. The purpose is to get stronger and be healthier. We have SPIRITUAL MUSCLES too – FAITH! Here notice the subject, the desire, and the means of the apostles.

INCREASING SPIRITUAL MUSCLE Luke 17:5 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Dog Applicant 1. A police dog responded to an ad for work with the FBI. "Well," says the personnel director, "you'll have to meet some strict requirements. 2. First, you must type at least 60 words per minute." Sitting down at the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus Announces His Mission, From Which We Can Announce Our Own.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 25, 2016

This is a subtle sermon to motivate and thank the congregation, based on why Jesus chose his own readings in the temple; and how the church can gain from that announcement?

This sermon was delivered to St Oswald’s in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 24th January 2016; St Oswalds is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a Luke 4:14-21 Psalm 19 “Please be seated, and join me ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-21

Denomination: Episcopal

The Little Giant

Contributed by David Nolte on May 15, 2016

David's faith in the livingx God defeated Goliath

“The Little Giant” 1 Samuel 17:32-51 David P. Nolte There they stood, eyeball to kneecap, two opponents, two giants. One young, ruddy, handsome; the other burly, brutish, and so ugly his mother had to close her eyes to kiss him goodnight. One was small, the other over 9 feet ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32-51

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Heart Of The Matter Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Jun 15, 2016

God looked at Saul and got right to the heart of the matter.

The last time we were together, I told the story of Ruth and Boaz. We learned of how Boaz was her redeemer and mirrored what Jesus would do for us one day. The nation of Israel had taken possession of the land promised to them but they disobeyed God by not driving out all the nations that were in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:14

Denomination: Foursquare

With Crippled Feet Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Jul 1, 2016

David's heart for God was extended to a man with crippled feet. A picture of the love of Jesus for us.

Last week we talked about David. We have learned that he is only 15 but has been chosen by God to become the next king of Israel. The reason being that he has a heart for God. That meant his very being, innermost person desired to please God above everything else. This same 15-year-old boy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:3-13

Denomination: Foursquare

The Two Minute Warning

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 5, 2017

Football's "Two Minute Warning" warns the game is almost over and the window to make a change is closing. It's an apt example of how God's warnings about our lives are serious and the time will come when reversal will be too late. (Msg good any time).

THE TWO MINUTE WARNING Daniel 5:1-31 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. ATLANTA JOKE The Atlanta Falcons had just finished their daily practice session when a large turkey came strutting onto the field and demanded to be given a chance to play at tight end. Everyone watched with wonder as the turkey caught ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:1-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Neww Age Of Worship

Contributed by Monty Newton on Feb 2, 2015

This is a good "time" to become intentional about living into a New Age of Praise.

Title: Living In the Cenozoic Age (Part I - A New Age for Worship) Text: Psalm 111 Thesis: This is a good time to live into a New Age of Praise. Introduction Geology, in its simplest form, is the study of the earth… its composition and history When it comes to discussing Geological Eons ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 111:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In God We Trust

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Jul 24, 2016

A message to encourage people who may be having difficulty with the uncertainty of these times.

"In God We Trust" Proverbs 3:5-6 Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Introduction: I. The Attitude (...trust in the Lord...) When the good Lord led me to this text I was ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Baptist