Sermons on Better Substance:

Owning My Relationship With God

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 4, 2025

I want to talk about how life goes better when you start your day with God.

Owning My Relationship with God “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:1-13 KJV Intro: I want to talk about how life goes better when you start your day with God. Your relationship with God ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gibeonite Justice (2 Samuel 21)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 18, 2025

Should we settle for Gibeonite justice or is there something better? Let's begin in 2 Samuel 21.

Did David do what the Lord really wanted to atone for the atrocity committed against the Gibeonites or did God bless the land despite David’s inadequacy? Let’s look at 2 Samuel 21. Why was there a famine? Had Saul violated a peace treaty with the Gibeonites that Joshua had made? Were others in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Back To The Basics - Fellowship Series

Contributed by Mark Engler on Sep 28, 2017

Without others around us to encourage us, teach us, and to interact with us how would we ever know to be better than we are? Why would we want to improve and be a better person? However, other people don’t always improve us.

Back to the Basics Fellowship ME Some of the best times I have had in my life have been when I was involved with playing fast pitch softball. It was a sport that I absolutely loved. To look at me now you would never think any sort of sport was part of my life, but it was for about 15 years. I ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:24-25, Romans 12:4-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Even Sinners Do That

Contributed by Wiley Hughes on Jul 8, 2022

We are all sinners and Christians are just sinners saved by God’s wonderful grace. As redeemed people we should try to live better and love better, not just live and love naturally because even sinners do that. Christians should live and love supernaturally.

Luke 6: 27-36 27 “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Marah Is Not The End Of Life's Journey. Series

Contributed by Peter Silway on Nov 5, 2014

At one time or the other we all come to a place of Marah (bitter).but then bitter or better, is really our choice. We cannot choose what comes to us, but we can choose how we respond to it, and that is what determines whether we become bitter or better.

MARAH IS NOT THE END OF LIFE’S JOURNEY. “And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they [were] bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the LORD; and the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sowing Discord

Contributed by James Dina on Aug 7, 2020

Sowing discord among brethren is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord. Considering yourself better than others fosters division but considering others better than yourself fosters unity. Watch out for those who cause divisions and avoid them. Love binds us, discord separates us.

SOWING DISCORD “A perverse man sows’ strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends” (Proverbs 16:28) Brethren are created by God to live in unity (How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:28, Ecclesiastes 4:12, Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Good And Evil

Contributed by David Leach on Jan 13, 2014

There are perhaps no two words that are more highly abused than these two. With multitudes of people calling evil good and good evil. We had better know the difference.

Good and Evil There are perhaps no two words that are more highly abused than these two. With multitudes of people calling evil good and good evil. We had better know the difference: Isa 5:20 Destruction is certain for those who call evil good and good evil... 1. What truly is Good? Here is a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Receive Gifts From Your Ascended Lord”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on May 22, 2006

According to these verses from Ephesians 4:7-16 Jesus ascended into heaven to be better able to provide for his followers.

Where should a coach stand while his team is engaged in an athletic contest? The rules for various sports often dictate where a coach can stand during a game, meet, or match. But it makes sense that the coach should stand where he or she can see what’s going on and also be able to offer advice ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Lutheran

The Golden Rule

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Aug 26, 2005

This sermon shows what the Golden Rule really means, and how we might be better examples of it in our daily lives.

I am sure that all of us have shopped at J.C. Penney at some time or other, but I want to tell you something that you probably did not know about Penney’s. It used to be known as “the Golden Rule store”. In fact, when Mr. Penney first started, his first several stores were called that. Mr. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:12

Denomination: *other

Clean Hands, Dirty Hearts Series

Contributed by David Asch on Nov 4, 2004

In this message we discover how to have a closer relationship with God, know God better, really get to know God.

CLEAN HANDS, DIRTY HEARTS Mark 7:1-23 INTRO: How do I have a closer relationship with God? How can I know God better? Really get to know God? Move from religion to relationship? You can’t drown if you don’t get wet; "Tradition is a fence around the law." But often our traditions become a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Difference

Contributed by Greg Smart on Oct 19, 2002

Many people think that being a "good" sinner is better than being a "bad" sinner. In God’s eyes there is no difference.

There Is No Difference Text: Romans 3:22-"For there is no difference" 1.NO DIFFERENCE IN THE DEPRAVITY OF THE HUMAN HEART The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? Jer 17:9. As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:22

Denomination: Baptist

Symbols Of The Holy Spirit (Part 1 Of 2))

Contributed by Larry Brincefield on Oct 30, 2002

The Bible uses various symbols to represent the Holy Spirit. Studying these symbols helps us to better understand the Holy Spirit.

Larry Brincefield, pastorlarry@pastorlarry.net Wednesday, October 23, 2002 Title: "Reading the Note" 1 (Symbols of the Holy Spirit) Text: Acts 2:2, Matthew 3:16 Introduction 1. We focus a lot of attention on God and Jesus. A. and rightfully so... B. but sometimes I wonder if we shortchange ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:2

Denomination: Nazarene

Sacrifice Of Love

Contributed by Dixon Olu. David on Feb 3, 2004

A call to Christians to render service to the Lord whenever they can, not waiting for a "better opportunity," nor seek men’s approval.

OUTLINE  Introduction  Supper at Bethany  Sacrifice of Mary  Slighting / Selfishness of Judas  Slave or Savior in Jesus  Support by Jesus  Setting for Jesus’ burial  Souvenir of Mary’s sacrifice  Savior’s call Introduction So ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8, Matthew 26:6-13

Denomination: Foursquare

Lord, Teach Us To Pray!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jun 10, 2004

Prayer is man’s activity that opens the door to God,through prayer we join with God to create a better world.

LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Did you hear about the grandmother that bought her grandson a book of prayers? The little boy read a prayer every night before he went to sleep. One night he got in bed and had forgotten to read his prayer. The lights were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:13, Luke 18:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Liberty Found In Christ

Contributed by Ely Lambert on Aug 19, 2002

This sermon addresses a common issue of legalism, trying to give those struggling with legalism a better understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Introduction: I. The Common Conversion story A. Rarerly, do we as a church here of an amazing conversion story, but those particular stories seem to overshadow most of our personal stories. 1. We have heard of people addicted to drugs and alcohol being converted by the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2. We ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:17-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ