Sermons on Buried Talents:

What's This Evangelism All About? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 5, 2016

Did you realize most English Bibles never uses the word "evangelism?" The Greek word "euanggelion" is actually translated "Gospel"... but what does that mean? And how can that impact how we witness for Christ?

OPEN: There’s a true story about a church down south where the preacher had been preaching about the importance of witnessing to people about Christ. One particular person took this to heart – a mentally handicapped young man – and he began telling everyone who would listen about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The First Promise Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 20, 2014

What would you say to a man who was afraid of dying? A man who knew his death was just months away but couldn't handle that truth? Would you be able to turn his fear into hope?

OPEN: I recently listened to a man named Chris tell of visiting his relatives in Kokomo, Indiana. One night his family took him out to and treated him to a special meal at the Texas Roadhouse restaurant. Sometime during the evening, Chris got up and went into the bathroom, and while he was there ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:11-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tending Your Garden Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 16, 2012

God created man and planted a garden for him in Eden. What lessons can I learn about what God expects of me from what God did for Adam?

Someone once wrote a poem about their garden: "Our radishes are puny things; Our peas and beans are dying; And as for the potatoes, well, those things aren't even trying And that's the way our garden grows - I tell myself, "Who needs it?" But down inside, it hurts to have it bite the hand... ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Day Of Death Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 23, 2022

Would you baptize someone on Halloween? One preacher refused to do that because he saw Halloween as a focus on death... and he didn't want the young girl he was baptizing to become confused by the aura of death in the season, and having that connection ruin her walk with Christ.

Ordinarily I read a Scripture before each sermon because anything the Bible says is more important than what I have to say. But today I'm not going to do that. The text will still be there in the body of the sermon, but I'm not reading first because I don't want to spoil the surprise. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sold Out Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 12, 2014

Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell everything that he had, give it to the poor and follow Him. Do I have to give away everything to follow Christ? Do I have to sell all that I have in order to please Him?

Ravi Zacharias tells the story about a boy that loved collecting marbles. He lived next door to a little girl who had a lot of candy. She said to him: “If you’ll give me all of your marbles, I’ll give you all of my candy.” He said he’d think about it. The next ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:18-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 5, 2018

Acts 10 is a pivotal chapter in Scripture. From this point on the church exploded in growth. In this story there are 3 groups of people who were "surprised" by what they saw. Why were they surprised, and what difference does that mean to us?

(Before reading the Scripture I noted that Acts 10 is a pivotal chapter in Scripture. It was after this event at Cornelius’ house that the Church exploded with growth and numerous churches were set up throughout the known world). (After the Scripture reading and prayer, we showed the following ...read more

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

Getting Through Customs Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 23, 2014

The Bible tells me I can't get into Heaven if I have sin in my life. But how do get rid my sin? How can I make myself acceptable enough to God so that God will let my through Customs at the Pearly Gate?

How many of you have ever traveled to a foreign country? For those of you have not, there’s an arm of the government that you’ll encounter on the way back in to the states. Does anybody know what government agency we’re talking about? It’s called the U.S. Customs and ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Comfortable Cross Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 28, 2014

Many baptized believers attempt to avoid offending the world by not standing up for the cross because they feel they'd risk too much by doing so. But we've died supposedly died to this world and its attractions. How can we do that?

OPEN: Clarence Jordan, author of the "Cotton Patch" New Testament was getting a red-carpet tour of another preacher’s church. With pride the minister pointed to the rich, imported pews and luxurious decorations. As they stepped outside, darkness was falling, and a spotlight shone on a huge ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Sorry Is Sorry? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 25, 2015

The Bible never teaches us to say "I'm sorry". Why not? What is so wrong with saying that simply phrase when you've hurt someone?

OPEN: (We put a picture of a “Sorry” game board on the screen) How many of you recognize this game board? And how many of you have ever played it? Amazon.com says the game of Sorry is the #5 best-selling board game on their site. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Servant Of Freedom Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 3, 2015

Moses was sent by God to free His people from slavery and he is a model for us who are sent by God to free people from their slavery of sin. What can we learn from what God gave Moses for his task and how can we use those tools effectively?

There’s the story of the college professor who always began his first day of class at the University dramatically telling his students he could prove that God did not exist. Looking up toward the ceiling he would say, "God if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Defilement Of Bitterness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 5, 2022

Hebrews tells us that bitterness defiles. But what does that mean and why should I avoid this emotion?

Our Sermon Series this month is entitled: "Insomniacs: Things That Keep Us Up At Night." I read that some of the Polynesian natives spend a great deal of time fighting. When people offend them, they steal something that belonged to offender and hang it from the ceiling of their hut. Then ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:9-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hath, He Quickened You? Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Jan 15, 2022

To establish that God hath quickened us together with Christ, when dead in our trespasses and sins: having forgiven us, who being rich in mercy and love towards us: by grace, we were saved.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Hath, He Quickened You? Introductory Remarks. 1. In our lesson today, we will discuss the theme: Hath, He Quickened You? The word "quickened" means to be made alive. This quickening occurred when you were dead in your trespasses and sins with Christ. It was then ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10, Romans 6:1-7, Colossians 2:11-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Believers' Call By His Grace Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Dec 8, 2021

To establish that when it pleased God, He called us by His grace; to reveal His Son (Christ) to us, and in us; that we might preach and teach Him among the nations: that all might be saved by grace through the faith in Christ Jesus.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 3. Believers’ Call By His Grace Introductory Remarks. 1. This is part-three of a sermon-series entitled: “When it pleased God.” In this lesson, we will discuss Believers’ Call By His Grace. Paul wrote: How God calls all believers by His grace. This sermon is the most ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-24, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:11-12, Galatians 3:26-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Trying To Trap Jesus - The Easter Story - Day 3 Series

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Apr 3, 2023

Over the next few days, Jesus taught in the temple daily and lodged in Bethany. The religious leaders looked for an opportunity to kill Him and tried to trap Him with questions. Jesus rebuked them publicly. He spoke parables and talking to his disciples about the end times.

******************* Over the next few days, Jesus taught in the temple daily and lodged in Bethany. — Cursed the Fig Tree - Mark 11:12-14 — Temple Cleansed - Mark 11:15-19, Isaiah 56:7 — Children in the Temple - Matthew 21:12-17, Psalm 8:2 — Withered Fig Tree - Mark 11:20-26 The religious ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-26, Isaiah 56:7, Psalm 8:2, Matthew 21:12-17, Matthew 22:15-46, Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 24:26-43, Luke 21:8-13, Luke 21:18-28, Luke 21:34-36, Mark 13:3-23, Matthew 21:23-46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist