Sermons on Better Tomorrow:

"In A Manner Of Speaking": 'the Prodigal Son' [part Six]

Contributed by Reverend Cooper Mcwhirter on Oct 1, 2016

Did Jesus resort to using allegory as a clever ruse so as to keep things hidden? On the contrary! Jesus resorted to using parables so that the listener could better understand “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” [Matthew 13:11].

Sermon Preached at Grace Community Church (EPC) Sun City Grand, Surprise, AZ Sunday, September 6, 2015 by the Reverend Cooper McWhirter In a Manner of Speaking: “The Prodigal Son” Luke 15:11-32 [NET] The scriptures tell us that on one occasion ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Judge Othniel Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 14, 2018

God had put a wall between Israel and her neighbors, not because Israel was better than any other nation, but because she was different. Instead of worshipping idols, the Jews worshipped the one true God, who made the heavens and the earth.

Chapter 12 The Judge Othniel [Judges 3.5-3.11] Scripture 5 And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites: 6 And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their ...read more

Scripture: Judges 3:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Sibling Rivalry Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 23, 2018

Sibling rivalry starts with one person feeling they've been slighted. They deserved to be treated better. And expect this kind of rivalry in children - it's when we become adults that this desire to "be the star" can destroy families, churches and relationships.

OPEN: Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVI2fX-1uPU That clip was from a popular TV series called “This Is Us” where a couple of the main actors (brothers Kevin and Randall) get into a fight. The scene is an excellent example of a common conflict most families experience called ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Forgiving The Unforgivable Series

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Feb 18, 2018

Jesus models forgiving the unforgivable as he prays for forgiveness from the cross. As we recognize that he is praying for us, and that we are no better off than those we need to forgive, we gain the power to draw on the Father's love to forgive others.

Forgiving the Unforgivable Luke 23:32-37 * Seven Last Words from the Cross - Part 1 Today we begin a new seven-week series entitled, “Seven Last Words from the Cross.” If you read the crucifixion account in each of the four gospels, you find exactly seven statements or questions Jesus made in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-37

Denomination: Baptist

Lord Of All: Lord Indeed Series

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Feb 18, 2012

Transfiguration Sunday: Who is Jesus? Maybe better asked, "Who is Jesus to you?" We fail to truly recognize Jesus when we don’t understand his full divinity and his willingness to suffer and die on the cross for our sake.

Who is Jesus? - All-around great guy? Great teacher? Prophet? Savior? God? If you wanted to take the easy way out – your answer would simply be, “Yes.” But I’m not going to let you get away with that. Truly knowing Jesus touches more than understanding. It touches more than knowing ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Discovering Radiant Faith

Contributed by David Scudder on May 8, 2011

Mother's Day is a good time to give honor to our mothers for all that they have done for us, but many of us look back at our parents with regret because they didn't leave us a better example of how a Christian should live.

Purpose: To challenge believers to learn from the good examples of believers who went before them. Aim: I want the listener to seek to have their faith deep enough so that it will affect those around them, especially their children. INTRODUCTION: Mother's Day is a good time to give honor to our ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Slave Auction

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on May 23, 2013

“We want to do more, but we do less. We want to reach higher, but we fall lower. We want to be better, but we turn out worse. We are a slave to sin. Freedom only found in Christ”

Video - (History Channel clip on American Slave Auction) “We want to do more, but we do less. We want to reach higher, but we fall lower. We want to be better, but we turn out worse.” We cry out – v. 24 “O wretched man am I…” 1. A Slave To Sin - A slave to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Baptist

Death Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Feb 16, 2022

We can follow the thoughts in Ecclesiastes 1-12 and we be fearful of death or unsettled by it and unnaturally hold onto this physical life or we can realize there is a better way… a wiser way… that takes into account fearing God and our relationship with Him.

WISE LIVING: DEATH Ecclesiastes 8:1-17 #wiseliving2022 READ ECCLESIASTES CHAPTER 8:1-17 [somone from the congregation] INTRODUCTION… Movie Quotes… moviequotes.eu/life/death Some people like movies and TV and can quote their favorite characters at the drop of a hat. I can do that sometimes. I do ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 8:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bloom Where You’re Planted

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 17, 2022

Life circumstances may not be ideal where we are. We may be struggling. Perhaps we feel that we could serve the Lord more effectively in a better situation or different location. But God wants us to bloom where we are planted!

James Oppenheim said, “The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet,”(1) and this is what the Lord wants every believer to understand. We’re supposed to find fulfillment and contentment right where God’s placed us, and to bloom where we’re planted. An ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Mount - Part 9 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Jun 26, 2019

This is Part 9 in a 14-part series of studies I call “The Christian Character” as described by Jesus in what is familiarly known as the “Sermon on the Mount.” In this part Jesus speaks of righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees; murder, divorce, and oaths - and a better way.

Part 9 - Righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees; divorce, oaths Sermon on the Mount The Christian Character Matthew 5:3 - 7:27 (Cf. Luke 6:20-49) This is Part 9 in a 14-part series of studies I call “The Christian Character” as described by Jesus to a crowd of people on a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:19-20, Matthew 5:21-48, Matthew 5:23-26, Matthew 5:27, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Deuteronomy 24:1-4, Matthew 5:33-37, Deuteronomy 23:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Winning The Prize!

Contributed by Tony Abram on Sep 29, 2017

"Why were the former days better than these?" You do not move ahead by constantly looking in a rear view mirror. The past is a rudder to guide you, not an anchor to drag you. We must learn from the past but not live in the past

WINNING THE PRIZE! Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-14

Divine Repositioning

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 16, 2025

Divine repositioning is God’s way of moving His children into their place of destiny. No matter where you are now, God can shift you into a better place spiritually, financially, and physically. Be ready to move in obedience, faith, and sensitivity to His leading.

DIVINE REPOSITIONING By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Deuteronomy 8:7-10 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 43:19, John 5:1-9, Genesis 12:1-4, 1 Samuel 16:1-13 INTRODUCTION: Divine repositioning is the supernatural act of God moving a person from one level, place, or situation to another for the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:7-10, Isaiah 43:19, John 5:1-9, Genesis 12:1-4, 1 Samuel 16:1-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"anger (Part 1): Side Effects Of Anger And What The Bible Says About It" Series

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Oct 13, 2021

Anger is a part of human emotions. Some anger is necessary for making things better, like what Jesus did. Anger becomes a problem when we have trouble controlling it, causing us to say or do things we regret.

Opening: A young mother and her little boy were driving down the street. The little boy asked, "Mommy, why do the idiots only come out when Daddy drives?" Do you get what the boy meant? His father liked to call other drivers' idiot' when he drove, but his mother never said that. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-13, John 2:17, Genesis 4:4-7, Proverbs 15:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Peter Cut Off Malchus’ Ear

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 24, 2021

Sometimes Christians offend us and this can be a stumbling block to our faith. This happened to Malchus when Peter, thinking he was defending Jesus, cut off his ear. Jesus showed us a better way by healing the one that a Christian offended.

WHEN PETER CUT OFF MALCHUS’ EAR Jn. 18:1-11; Lk. 22:50-51 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Pastor Ray Stedman told the story of some Americans who were stationed in Korea during the Korean War. They rented a home and hired a local man to cook and clean for them. 2. These Americans were a bunch of ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-11, Luke 22:50-51

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Test The Reality Of Your Religion Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 31, 2021

A Christianity that is not practical is not a real Christianity. If it does not control your conduct, and change your character, and make you more sensitive to the will of God and the world's need, then you better stop and ask some questions about the reality of your religion.

An anthropologist once visited a Bantu village in South Africa to study the customs of the very primitive people who lived there. When he returned to the U.S. he sent back a sun dial to those people to express his thanks for their cooperation. The natives were delighted with their gift, and they ...read more

Scripture: James 1:26-27