Sermons on Better To Marry Than To Burn:

The Uncomfortable Christ

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Aug 11, 2025

What kind of fire is Jesus talking about? Is this the fire of judgment? The fire of hell? The fire of destruction? I don't believe so. This is the fire of purification, the fire of truth, the fire that burns away what is false so that what is true can shine forth.

OPENING Good morning, church family. I want to begin today with a story that might help us understand something profound about the nature of Christ's ministry. Last summer, I had the opportunity to speak with a forest ranger in Colorado. As we drove through a section of the national forest, I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Methodist

What Does The Ascension Mean?

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on May 18, 2014

The Ascension of Jesus is far more critical to the Christian than most people know.

What Does the Ascension Mean? Luke 24:50-53 Acts 1: 1-8 Introduction Today is Ascension Sunday on the church calendar. It used to be that the church calendar drove the events of the Western world. This is not so any more. For many who call themselves Christians, including those who are pastors, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Man Who Did Not Understand Grace

Contributed by Mark Beaird on Mar 24, 2003

There is certainly more to the story than can be gained by a casual reading. But one thing is for sure, Jonah was a man of contradictions.

THE MAN WHO DID NOT UNDERSTAND GRACE © 5/2001 Mark Beaird Text: Jonah What would you think if I said that the prophet Jonah was hard-hearted, unloving and maybe even a racist? Would that offend you? It really should not, given the facts. We have often overlooked the heart of Jonah and often ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Bad Things Happen

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Mar 19, 2006

Bad things happen to everyone...even christians. You can become synical and bitter or you can work at making things better.

Bad Things Happen Psalms 22:1-22:31 Where have you heard the first words of our scripture this morning? Jesus uses them doesn’t he? How about you, have you said similar words or thoughts when things are not going right in life….how about when Everything is wrong? When the baby dies, when a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:1-31

Denomination: Congregational

A Matter Of Timing Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 16, 2012

Moses shows us that sometimes following God is a matter of timing more than ability or training.

A preacher was invited to an area church to preach. When he began his sermon, there was enthusiasm. The more the congregation responded loud to his sermon, the longer he went on. Finally, he noticed that the host preacher had started responding to his sermon by saying "Amen, Pharaoh." After a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:17-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Things That Are Above

Contributed by Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Aug 2, 2012

Out of grace and mercy and great kindness, God gathers our burning, blazing life; he glorifies it for the sake of Jesus Christ; he builds it up new and good in that hidden world where the line of death that separates us from God has been taken away.

(Read Colossians 3:1-4.) Dear congregation, it is as if our whole life were carried, raised up, and protected in these words. Say what you will against this “Seek the things that are above.” You may suspect that those who are constantly seeking things above may lose contact with the ground under ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4

Denomination: Lutheran

Family Values - Week 1 Series

Contributed by Steve Greene on Dec 31, 2018

Thousands of year ago, God put in place 10 key values that can make a difference in the life of every family. The Ten Commandments have stood the test of time. Discover how these important values apply to every single person, every married couple, and every family regardless of size or makeup.

Many agree that we have been experiencing a values-vacuum in America. We've been living in a permissive society where basically anything goes - and now we're reaping the results. Crime, murder, escalating divorce rates, drug and alcohol abuse, and sexual immorality are just a few of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:26, Proverbs 27:19, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Proverbs 3:9, Proverbs 3:6, Ephesians 5:16-17, Deuteronomy 14:23, Psalm 50:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Immediate Obedience Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jun 21, 2009

What we do is more important than what we say.

Immediate Obedience Matthew 21:28-32 Rev. Brian Bill 6/21/09 A father wrote about what happened when his son David was about five-years-old. They attended a church where it was common for the preacher to invite children to the front for a special sermon. On one particular morning, he brought up ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Baptist

Godly Ambition Series

Contributed by Bob Myers on Sep 8, 2020

Ambition is a common human motivation. We see it played out in the lives of countless men and women throughout history. In our text today, we observe two kinds of burning ambition. While the passion to achieve desired ends is similar, the motivation sets them worlds apart.

Who Is This Man? Godly Ambition Mark 10:32-45 Ambition We often talk about people going through “phases.” That’s especially true for those who are growing through adolescence or some other dynamic season of life. “Oh, don’t worry about it,” we tell ourselves, “it’s just a phase.” Grown adults ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Denomination: Baptist

Praying With The Right Heart Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Sep 27, 2011

The Sermon on the Mount reveals that prayer is more about the heart than the words.

This week I read about two churches who had decided to hold a joint worship service. As part of that service they were going to recite the “Lord’s Prayer”. But when it came to the fourth petition in the prayer, they couldn’t agree whether to say “forgive us our debts ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Denomination: Baptist

What The Demons Know Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 21, 2012

The demons know more clearly than we who Jesus is.

Introduction Our action-movie director Mark is ready to show Jesus in action. Jesus has proclaimed the good news, called his disciples, and now we are going to see just what this man can do. The Teacher The scene begins tamely enough. 21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Shocking Truth Is Not All Who Call Jesus "Lord” Are Saved. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Feb 21, 2024

More people will walk the broad road to destruction than will find the narrow path to life.

This warning should stir us to examine our own hearts and lives, lest we be among those who cry, “Lord, Lord!” yet are met with the terrifying words, “I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Let us not be deceived by outward appearances or religious accomplishments. Judas, a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:25, Matthew 13:20-21

Going Deeper With Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Aug 9, 2015

This is a deeper study to go alongside of the Sermon on Learning How to Forgive. It can be used as a handout with a small group as you discuss how to learn better and exercise the grace of forgiveness.

Going Deeper "Caring For God's People" "FORGIVENESS" "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you." - Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” ― Lewis B. Smedes, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Nazarene

The Greatest Of These

Contributed by Greg Nance on Nov 21, 2002

Love is the very center of what it means to be a Christian. Nothing we do or have can replace it. Greater than faith, greater than hope, is love.

Notice the five things here that are empty without love: Tongues, prophecy, faith, generosity, sacrifice. Not just any kind of tongues, prophecy, faith, generosity and sacrifice, but the ultimate kind. Tongues of men and of angels. Prophecy that fathoms all mystery and knowledge. Faith that can ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Impossible Dream Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 30, 2012

Nothing is easier than entering the kingdom of God; nothing is more difficult. Nothing is simpler than receiving eternal life; nothing has greater obstacles to overcome.

Introduction Nothing is easier than entering the kingdom of God; nothing is more difficult. Nothing is simpler than receiving eternal life; nothing has greater obstacles to overcome. Entering the kingdom, receiving eternal life – both mean salvation. It is a salvation that requires ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed