Sermons on breaking cycles: showing 1,291-1,305 of 50,120

A Word To The Wise On What God Hates Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 9, 2013

There’s an old saying "God hates the sin, but loves the sinner." But the Bible actually tells me God hates sinners. How can that be?

A man was driving down a country road, and - off to the side of the road - he saw an old tumbledown barn. On the side of the barn- a young man had apparently painted this message: "I love you, Kathy." The man smiled as he drove on and thought about the beauty of those few simple words. A few ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:16-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Avoiding The Worship Of Fools Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 26, 2015

Solomon warns us not to "offer the sacrifice of fools who do not know they do wrong? How and why would fools worship wrong to begin with? And how do I avoid that trap in my own life?

OPEN: A Missouri couple decided to build a luxury home in Florida. But they accidentally constructed a $650,000 house on the lot next door to the one they owned… on property land belonging to someone else. The initial survey of the property was wrong. In a similar story, a Rhode Island ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Cornerstone Of Worship Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 23, 2020

The cornerstone of Christian worship is The Lord's Supper. But sometimes this foundational part of church is buried by other stuff. What could bury Communion and how can we avoid that danger?

On Sunday July 4th, 1848 a cornerstone was laid for the Washington Monument. It was made of pure white marble weighing 24,500 pounds and had been dragged through the streets of Washington from the railroad station to the site. It was a dramatic event - attended by a crowd of about 20,000 people. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Do You Do With A Dead Jesus? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 20, 2021

When Jesus died, no one expected Him to rise from the dead. But if you don't believe Jesus is coming back from the dead, what do you do with a dead Jesus?

OPEN: Back when I was in High School, I had a poem by John Donne on a poster on my wall that looked like parchment paper. It was cool, and the words sounded impressive. The last few words of the poem read this way: “Each man's death diminishes me, for I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send ...read more

Scripture: John 19:31-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Re-Finding Your First Love Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 12, 2017

Ephesus had been a great church, but now it had lost it's first love for Jesus. If it happened to them, how can we make sure it doesn't happen to us?

OPEN: Someone once asked a bunch of elementary aged children what they thought about love. Glenn, age 7: If falling love is anything like learning how to spell, I don’t want to do it. It takes too long. Regina, age 10 agrees: I’m not rushing into love. I’m finding fourth grade ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Preparing For The Adventure Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 15, 2016

Within 3 years of its launch, the early church faced persecution and death. And yet the church not only continued to survive, but thrive. How did it manage to do that?

OPEN: April 11, 1970, 3 men set off on an adventure. They were the Apollo 13 crew, and their adventure was to be the 3rd manned moon-landing. Their spacecraft look like this artists drawing (We put a picture of the spacecraft on the screen). • The main module (the Odyssey) was designed to be ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Temptation Island Series

Contributed by Daniel Colvin on Jan 6, 2004

Learning to say no in the face of temptation and learning to keep Satan from getting a foot hold in our lives

Temptation Island James 1:12-15 Introduction (Hand out Hawaiian leis when people come in) Watching TV one night a commercial came on for a new type of game show while showing an exotic island the announcer says: “6 couples put true love to the ultimate test on Temptation Island.” I thought to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Frenemy Dysfunction

Contributed by Monty Newton on Aug 8, 2011

God's way it to transform "frenemy" relationships into friendship relationships.

Title: The Frenemy Dysfunction Text Genesis 37:1-4 and 12-28 Thesis: God’s way is to transform “frenemy” relationships into friendship relationships. Introduction Popular culture likes to portray a dysfunctional family as endearing. Three well worn examples might be the Connor ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The True Law Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Mar 19, 2014

Jesus came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. However, fulfillment of the law requires complete love for others (even our enemy); only then are we complete/perfect.

Just about a year ago, the movie 42 came out. It captures the story of Jackie Robinson, the first black baseball player to play in the major leagues. It’s a really great movie for all sorts of reasons, and if you haven’t seen it, then I recommend you do, if for no other reason than the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: United Methodist

Smokeless Tobacco Addicts Are Same As Smoking Cigarette Addicts. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 27, 2024

Smokeless tobacco is not significantly different from cigarette smoke in terms of harmful effects on the body.

Smokeless tobacco is not significantly different from cigarette smoke in terms of harmful effects on the body. Both contain harmful chemicals like nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, which can lead to: The pungent aroma of smokeless tobacco lingers in the air, a potent reminder of its harmful ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:16-20, Matthew 18:19-20, Isaiah 59:2

It's Time For A Breakthrough!

Contributed by Russ Witkowski on May 11, 2002

A message dealing with our need for the Lord to breakthrough our areas of resistance.

IT’S TIME FOR A BREAKTHROUGH! ISA 45:2-6 SUNPM 2/10/02 I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. 3 I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:2-6, Revelation 3:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sometimes He Hides

Contributed by Ian Johnson on May 30, 2003

Walking in faith knowing that weither we feel him near or not. He is at work in our life.

God’s will for us is to lead us into the Promised Land! And into our inheritance. We’ll only relax and enjoy the journey if we understand, his plan for getting us there. God doesn’t think the way we do: But we try to relate to Him according to the way we think. God would rather we understand ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 45:2-7, Isaiah 55:8-11, Isaiah 55:10-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Expect Temptation Series

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Feb 27, 2010

We can expect temptation from the world, from Satan and even from ourselves but victory comes from God!

Expect Temptation Faith Expectations Part 7 06/15/08 PM Text: Various [This lesson and this series are drawn from the writings of Tom Allen in his book “What to expect now that you believe.”] Faith Expectations This lesson is another in the series titled Faith Expectations. This series purpose is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Some People Never Learn

Contributed by Shawn Rose on May 19, 2009

The book of Judges describes a pattern of sin, servitude, supplication, salvation, and silence that worsens each time it appears.

SOME PEOPLE NEVER LEARN Text: Judges 2:11 – 19 Introduction: · Tim’s story Tim was a likeable guy in his 20’s. He had a good job at a business office, a lovely wife, and three adorable kids. Things went well for Tim for several years, but one night at an office party, a coworker talked Tim ...read more

Scripture: Judges 2:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

You Cast, You Come, You Follow

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on May 1, 2007

Jesus extends three invitations ¡V the disciples are drawn closer and closer to Him with each one ¡V and the intimacy and responsibility grow deeper each time.

The story of our text today has the familiar theme of Peter’s restoration. Peter had denied Christ three times outside Pilate’s house during Jesus’ trial. In this reunion by the sea Peter confesses his love for Jesus three times. It is heartwarming to think about the big fisherman being received ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: United Methodist