Sermons on Better Substance:

Faith Should Be Spelled R-I-S-K

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jul 29, 2015

For the Christian, Faith is not spelled "F-A-I-T-H" it is spelled "R-I-S-K." If something is not a risk, then it really does not require Faith. Updated March 2021.

A single traveler... had hiked for many miles ... across the desert ... His water supply was gone, ...and he knew .... if he did not find water soon... he would surely die. In the distance ... he saw what looked like... an abandoned cabin, ....and when he arrived......he discovered an old rusty ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:12, Hebrews 11:6, Hebrews 11:1, Acts 4:12, James 2:18, John 6:24-35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Six Things To Learn About The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jun 7, 2025

This is a talk for a family service on Pentecost Sunday, reminding us of some of the most important things about the Holy Spirit, with lots of visual aids.

THIS IS A FAMILY SERVICE SO THIS ‘TALK’ IS MEANT TO BE SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN AND QUITE INTERACTIVE. The scripture quotations are from the International Children’s Bible. Today’s an important day in the Christian calendar. It’s day for celebrating! It isn’t Christmas. It isn’t Easter. So, what ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Beginning Of… Boys And Girls Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 15, 2010

God requires that we value and appreciate his goodness in making us female and male.

Scripture Introduction Matthew Henry wrote of the first woman: “She was not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved.” That reminds me of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Essential Dress Wear Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Mar 15, 2016

Our verse gives the essential piece necessary to make all the other articles match.

Colossians 3:14 Essential Dress Wear 1/11/15 D. Marion Clark Introduction The school where I once served as a principal had not only a dress code but uniforms which all students must wear. And yet, though they all wore the same clothes, their clothes did not all look the same on the students. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Breaking Our Addictions Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 1, 2009

Because of grace, Jesus took our place.

Breaking Our Addictions Isaiah 53 Rev. Brian Bill 2/1/09 Steve Salvator Interview Is it really possible to be free from addictions? Steve’s story shows how Jesus became His bondage breaker. I submit to you this morning that the best way to break free is by putting your faith and trust in Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Three Parables, One Message

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Apr 26, 2025

This message is an examination of Luke 15, which contains three parables that communicate the same message.

Please turn with me to Luke 15. We're going to look at this chapter tonight, and I know it's a very familiar chapter, but I want to take a look at it and bring some things out that I pray will bless you and see this chapter in a different light. Most of the time when Luke 15 is taught, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Proving Jesus Arose From The Dead

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 20, 2021

Christianity is based and grounded in the Resurrection of Jesus, the promised Messiah of Israel. Every Born-Again Christian should be able to defend this foundational truth.

Christianity proclaims that Jesus rose from the dead and hangs its entire existence on that fact. Yet, there is no practical certainty of it because actual eyewitnesses cannot be questioned due to them being dead! However, a logical case can be made on the certainty of historical evidence. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:14, Galatians 2:21, John 1:1-5, John 1:9-14, Romans 10:17, John 8:36  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The River Of Life In The Blood

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Apr 5, 2019

An insightful look at the wonders of the blood running through our veins which will help to bring greater insight - and understanding - of why Jesus had to shed His blood to forgive sin.

When my wife’s kidneys failed, she had to go on dialysis in order to live. Dialysis cleanses the blood of impurities. If the blood isn’t cleansed daily, a person would quickly die. There have been times when my wife had to get a blood transfusion because her blood platelets or hemoglobin were too ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:7-8, Leviticus 17:11, Genesis 1:26, Genesis 2:7, Psalm 51:5, Exodus 34:7, Romans 3:22-23, Hebrews 1:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Positive Presence In The Face Of Persecution Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Feb 10, 2003

2nd in a series on the seven Churches in Revelation. Looking at characteristics that help us have a positive presence in our community and in our church.

POSITIVE PRESENCE IN THE FACE OF PERSECUTION A Study in the Churches of Revelation Revelation 2:8-11 INTRODUCTION: Last week we began our series “Everybody is Known for Something”, and explored what we should be known for based on Christ’s conversation with the church at Ephesus. We found out ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Mystery

Contributed by Riaan De Villiers on Apr 12, 2006

Everybody loves a good mystery. The Bible speaks of a mystery that will bring joy and excitement to your life. In fact if you grasp this mystery, your life will change from glory to glory/

The Mystery Ephesians 3:2 – 5 The word "MYSTERY" is used 27 times in the New Testament. It come from the Greek word "musterion" and means "a hidden secret". I do love a mystery story. It would seem that every mystery story that I have ever read has certain elements which are true of all of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:2-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Night Is Coming

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Sep 28, 2010

Jesus declares that He is the light of the world. As He approaches a blind man, the disciples want to know who has sinned, but Jesus is busy with the Father’s work knowing that the night of the cross is approaching.

Night is Coming John- major theme- Jesus Christ is the incarnate Word. He is God- He left heaven/took on- body of a man. He who was all God became all man-remained all God Jesus- made seven statements that speak of who He is- I AM the Bread of life I AM the Light of the world I AM the Door of the ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-5

Denomination: Charismatic

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

In It To Possess It

Contributed by Tunde Alli on Jan 2, 2012

There are two sets of people making their entry into the New Year 2012. There are those who are in it merely to pass through; and there are other who are in it to possess it. Everyone has to make a determination whether they want to pass through it or pos

You are not in 2012 just to pass through it, you are in it to possess it You are not here to fail, you are here to prevail God didn’t bring you all the way here to disappoint you; He brought you here to promote you If God didn’t want you to succeed in 2012, you would not have made it ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 33:50-56

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Michael Sawyer on Nov 13, 2013

A message concerning the command of the Sabbath and it's present day relevance.

The Commandment we will be looking at this chapter is the 4th. It is the final of the commandments that involve our relationship to God specifically. It is found in Exodus Chapter 20 and verse 8. 20:8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. So the command is to remember the Sabbath and keep ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Where's The Bread?

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jun 28, 2012

Do not look at what you CAN’T do, CAN do, or even WANT to do but rather, discover what you are SUPPOSED to do.

Where’s the Bread? Hebrews 11:1-40 There is a small Midwestern village with a little shop on the square that bears a sign which says “Bake Shop.” Inside you can find a cup of coffee, magazines, comic books, cigarettes, and pinball machines. No bread. There are churches like ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-40

Denomination: Nazarene