Sermons on Better Substance:

Fruit That Is Never Out Of Season: Joy Series

Contributed by John Maxwell on Aug 10, 2006

I want to talk to you today about joy in spite of any circumstances. You know it’s going to be a bad day when you call your answering service and they tell you it’s none of your business. When you put your pants on backwards and they fit better. Been ther

FRUIT THAT IS NEVER OUT OF SEASON JOY Romans 5:1-11 John Maxwell INTRODUCTION: I want to talk to you today about joy in spite of any circumstances. You know it’s going to be a bad day when you call your answering service and they tell you it’s none of your business. When you put your pants on ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

When In Romans…

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Feb 2, 2011

Today I’d like to cover 2 main areas: 1) The setting of Romans so we can better understand what Paul was trying to accomplish when he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and 2) Paul’s opening words in Romans 1:1-7 as he greets the believers at

When in Romans… Romans 1:1-7 -Today marks the beginning of a new series through the book of Romans. Romans gives us one of the most complete, yet concise presentations of the good news about Jesus (aka “the gospel”) that there is. -There have been many great people who have ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Non-Decision Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Mar 29, 2016

Pilate declares Jesus innocent so Jesus should be set free. But Pilate also needs to compromise so he makes a “non-decision”. Pilate’s decision seems better than the decisive decision of the chief priests to call Caesar their king however a non-decision about Jesus is still a decision against Him.

Message John 19:1-16a The Non-Decision. Have you ever been in one of those situations where you don’t really make a decision – but by not making a decision you actually make a decision? It might happen to a person who gets asked to join in on a Fun Run. You have to run 10km. You are not sure if ...read more

Scripture: John 19:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom From The Oppression Of The Taskmasters

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Apr 13, 2016

Just like Pharaoh somehow had strange suspicion that he’d better do something to hold these people back. The enemy has that same inclination to want to hold you back from your promise, from your position, from your calling, from fulfilling what God has placed on your life

Freedom from the Oppression of the Taskmasters Study Text: Exodus 1: 8-14 Introduction: - There came a new king who had no covenant with Joseph. God brought him up out of the pit, put him right in second in command, right under Pharaoh. - Pharaoh said, “Take my kingdom,” and so forth. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Parable Of The Mustard Seed

Contributed by David Henderson on Dec 22, 2015

To get a better understanding of what this story teaches, I am going to take this apple, cut it open, and take out the seeds. There are five seeds in my apple. Now, imagine that we planted these seeds and each grew into an apple tree. How many apples do you think each tree might grow/produce?

Parable of the Mustard Seed Mark 4:30-32 Living Bible (TLB) 30 Jesus asked, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story shall I use to illustrate it? 31-32. It is like a tiny mustard seed! Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, yet it grows to become one of the largest of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:30-32

Denomination: Baptist

Where Do You Put Your Trust? Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on May 29, 2022

Keep yourself from idols because all of them will come to nothing. Don’t trust in something that’s going to fail you in the end. Remember that you have a better refuge, a kingdom that cannot be shaken. The LORD God alone is the shade in whom we may dwell, in whom we may put our trust.

Where do you put your trust? Without any exaggeration at all, that’s the most important question of our life: Who to trust? What do you seek for the security, confidence, the peace and rest that you need? And this is the only right answer: ‘I trust in God. I wait on him. My faith is in the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sleep In Heavenly Peace

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 15, 2021

I read an article where the writer posed a question: "what keeps you up at night?" It's too early to think about Christmas songs but I thought, 'what better sleep could there be than to sleep in heavenly peace?' Let's see how.

SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE There are times when it's hard to get to sleep. It can be because we had caffeine too late in the day or we had a snack too close to bedtime and now we're paying for it. Then there are other reasons-you have a deadline to meet and you're not ready. You have an ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 15:14, Psalm 3:1-6, Psalm 4:1-8, Psalm 121:1-4, 1 Kings 18:27-29, Matthew 8:23-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Youth With Christ In Action

Contributed by Minister Dachi on Oct 20, 2022

Solomon, who wasted much of his life in folly, perhaps thought better of the matter in his declining days. He contended: “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, I have no pleasure in them” (Eccl. 12:1).

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT YOUTH LIFE? ECCLESIASTES 11:9-10 Young People, enjoy your youth. Be happy while you are still young. Do what you want to do, and follow your heart’s desire. But remember that God is going to judge you for whatever you do. Youth is a time for fundamental decisions ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-17, Acts 6:1-7

Cain And Abel Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Mar 7, 2024

Even though Abel’s life was short, his faith still speaks. Abel’s blood calls out for justice from God. Our own sin demands justice from God, and it was our sin that put Jesus on the cross. Yet the blood of Jesus speaks a better message. A message of mercy, forgiveness, reconciliation and salvation.

As we continue in our Dust to Life series, we will be looking at Genesis chapter 4 today, the account of the first two brothers in human history: Cain and Abel. Genesis 4:1-16 1 Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have obtained a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gift Of God

Contributed by Timothy Shumer on Dec 8, 2001

Why do we give gifts? I give them to be a blessing to those I love. I know that I’ve succeeded when they use the gifts I give. Clearly, Jesus is the Gift of God. How and in what ways does God intend for us to "use" (or perhaps it’s better to say apply) Hi

Last week we dealt with the prophetic aspect of Christmas + And I hope we have a better appreciation for how amazing that is + For God to give so many specific prophecies about His coming Messiah + And for every single one which has already been fulfilled to be 100 % accurate And how wonderful and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-17

Denomination: Baptist

Writings In The Sand

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 4, 2007

All have sinned and God knows who we are and what we have done. But God forgives us and loves us anyway. And we do have something better to do than to stand around and point fingers. We can do what Jesus did. We can forgive and go out and share God’s

The noted Christian physician A. T. Schofield told a story about sitting with some friends in a hotel lobby that was lined with mirrors. As he glanced around the room he noticed a group of people some distance away seated around another table. Being very nearsighted, he couldn’t tell what they ...read more

Scripture: John 8:2-11

Denomination: Methodist

Controlling Your Power Plant - Working Your Tongue God's Way Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jul 13, 2023

If we would admit it, believers can have all kinds of problems with their tongues sometimes, but Christians, we can do better. By God's grace we can start new habits in our speech. Our tongue is like a power plant, believers should control their tongues to work God's way.

Sermon - Control Your Tongues to Work God's Way Scripture: Ephesians 4:29-32 “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29-32, James 1:26, James 3:2-7, Proverbs 18:21, Psalm 19:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Striving For Excellence Means Picking Godly Friends Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Aug 8, 2023

We often think that self-control comes from within, yet many of our actions depend just as much on our friends and family as ourselves. Those we surround ourselves with have the power to make us better or worse. Daniel knew how to pick godly friends. Do you, your success might depend it.

Sermon – Striving for Excellence Means Picking Godly Friends Scripture Lessons - Daniel 1:6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Daniel picked godly friends who were willing to stand with him. They stood with him in his decision not to eat the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:6, Daniel 1:17-21, Daniel 2:17-19, Galatians 6:1, 1 Kings 11:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Let It Be Known

Contributed by Mark Lindsey on Jun 19, 2023

When you receive good news, you want to let it be known to others. Every engaged girl shows off her engagement ring. Gender reveal parties announce a newborn is coming. What better news to share than the good news of God's love shown through Christ? Peter let it be known on Pentecost.

“Let It Be Known” Acts 2 In Acts 2, we see the birth of the Church on the Day of Pentecost. This small band of disciples of Jesus had endured Jesus crucified on the Cross. The one they believed to be the Messiah had been killed. They thought it was over, then they heard the news: Jesus is alive! ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

3 More Than Stuff Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Dec 11, 2025

Christmas tells us that more presents equal more joy… but is that really true? In this message, we explore the story of the shepherds in Luke 2:1–20 and see how they discovered a joy far better than anything the world could wrap. Real joy isn’t something you open — it’s Someone you meet.

INTRODUCTION It’s great to be able to share our Christmas series Beyond the Hype — looking at how God invites us into something so much deeper and longer-lasting than the pressure-filled version of Christmas the world often sells us. Today we’re looking at a theme we all know too well this time of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20