Sermons on Captives:

A Futile Effort Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 13, 2019

God spoke to Jonah, calling him to go and cry against Nineveh. Foolishly, Jonah thought he could flee the presence of God. However, God intended for Nineveh to hear a warning, and He intended Jonah to deliver that warning. It is futile to try and flee God's presence!

A Futile Effort Jonah 1: 1-10 Having considered the introduction for Jonah, I want to remind us of the major theme of the book. Most tend to focus solely on Jonah’s miraculous deliverance from the belly of the great fish, but that is just one scene from this account in Scripture. In fact, that ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Just Pluck It!

Contributed by Shane Prewitt on Jan 5, 2002

The purpose of this sermon is to encourage the believer to identify those areas of life that causes them to habitually sin, and then to put into action a plan in order to root out habitual sins.

JUST PLUCK IT!!! Matt 5:29-30 Introduction: “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished” (Proverbs 27:12). I’ve been thinking a lot about the message of verses’ like this in Scripture. A person who is wise, a person who is prudent hides himself from evil, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:29-30, Philippians 4:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Gracious King Series

Contributed by Bruce Ritter on May 20, 2002

There are 3 proofs of His right to royalty in Matthew 1: His Coming, His Claim, & His Character.

The Gracious King A Study of Matthew’s Gospel Matthew 1:1-17 A crown, a robe, or a scepter usually identifies kingly royalty. King James V of Scotland would on occasion lay aside the royal robe of king and put on the simple robe of a peasant. In such a disguise, he was able to move freely about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Asleep In The Light

Contributed by Thomas Dibble on May 16, 2003

This is the call to every believer - to awake out of sleep and shake the slumber off and reach out your hand to pull someone to safety. The world is lost in darkness but we the church must not be asleep in the light.

You deserve a break today is the familiar slogan of Macdonald’s. It has a certain ring to it, doesn’t it! It has a certain allure that catches our attention. I do deserve a break today. With the pressures of our school, work and family, with our hectic busy schedules sometimes we feel like “Yes ...read more

Scripture: Amos 6:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

"I Am Doing Something New"

Contributed by Don Schultz on Feb 19, 2003

What new thing did God do for Israel? What new thing does God do for us?

Isaiah 43:18-25: “I AM DOING A NEW THING” We like new things, don’t we? There’s always something new, something different, something better, than what we have right now. A new phone. A new computer. New clothes. There’s always new technology, new styles. Right now, one of the best places to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Harvest Time

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

With the Psalmist, we celebrate, but like the Psalmist we will not let the memory of the past slip into a slumbering nostalgia but allow the past to give an impetus to confidence for the future and present.

Opening illustration: When we arrived in Iowa in 2007, we had no idea what we were getting into. But one thing was clear, God had brought us here for His plan and purpose that He alone could fulfill through our lives. Maureena and I were on a God-given mission and were bent upon accomplishing it. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shutting The Lions' Mouths

Contributed by Darian Catron on Jul 25, 2025

How can we stand strong when others are against us, when others speak evil against us, when others tell on us to get us in trouble, or when others persecute us? Can I have faith when people are out to get me? Dare to be a Daniel!

INTRODUCTION: The Story of Tattletale Johnny- In Sunday School, little Johnny was told that they all needed to keep their eyes closed during the prayer. But when he discovered that a classmate wasn’t following the rules, he took it upon himself to inform the teacher. For a brief moment, Johnny ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hope When You Least Expect It

Contributed by John Dobbs on Nov 26, 2025

“Hope is called the anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:19), because it gives stability to the Christian life. But hope is not simply a ‘wish’ … rather, it is that which latches on to the certainty of the promises of the future that God has made.” -RC Sproul

Hope When You Least Expect It      Jeremiah 29:1-14 Introduction “Hope is called the anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:19), because it gives stability to the Christian life. But hope is not simply a ‘wish’ … rather, it is that which latches on to the certainty of the promises of the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Measure Upon Measure – Death – The Restoration Of God - Part 12 (Section 4) Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 5, 2025

Jesus is all about forgiveness and restoration. Through Adam, sin entered and all died. In Christ all can be made alive. What Adam lost, the Lord restored but in greater measure. There are three blessings of restoration and this message looks at the first of them.

MEASURE UPON MEASURE – DEATH – THE RESTORATION OF GOD - Part 12 (Section 4) We have been considering the consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin of disobedience. By one man sin entered into the world and death by sin. All have died because all are sinners. There are six results of that sin – guilt ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:3-5, Romans 8:23, Romans 15:7, 1 Corinthians 15:45-49, Revelation 5:9-14, Revelation 19:6-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Restoration Of Israel – Jeremiah – Part 11 – Chapters 33 And 46 And 50 – The Everlasting Covenant Of Security And Peace Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 7, 2025

Jesus/Messiah will reign on David’s throne in Jerusalem under a covenant that is everlasting, and which can NEVER be broken. Israel is restored and will live undisturbed and secure. The Jews return, weeping and seeking the LORD. It is so delightful.

THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL – JEREMIAH – PART 11 – Chapters 33 and 46 and 50 – THE EVERLASTING COVENANT OF SECURITY AND PEACE We have reached the final study in this examination of Jeremiah’s teaching on the Restoration of his earthly people in the latter days. The prophet wrote about things he ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:17-18, Zechariah 14:9, Zechariah 14:16-17, Matthew 1:16, Luke 3:31-32, Jeremiah 33:19-22, Jeremiah 33:23-26, Jeremiah 46:27-28, Jeremiah 50:4-5, Jeremiah 31:31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ezekiel - God Is Holy Series

Contributed by Rachael Morrison on Mar 12, 2025

This series is all about the prophet Ezekiel and our redeemed imagination. Can we use our imagination to see God's word in new ways? Can we use our imagination for good?

Ezekiel Chapters 1–3 present the call and commission of the prophet. Chapters 4–24 are prophetic messages concerning the judgment and fall of Judah, concluding with the announcement of the destruction of Jerusalem in chap. 24. Chapters 25–32 comprise an interlude of messages of judgment against ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 1:5-17

The Refiner's Fire

Contributed by Fred Mueller on Dec 18, 2000

God refining God’s people to perfection.

The Reformed Church of Locust Valley Advent II December 10, 2000 Malachi 3:1-4, Lk. 3:1-6 “The Refiner’s Fire” God has something in store for you. God is not content with us as we are. This is one of Christianity’s basic assumptions – things need to change, and they are going ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Balm In Gilead

Contributed by James May on Apr 18, 2001

There is a Healer in the midst of the Church. All we need to do is go to Jesus for our needs.

The Balm in Gilead Introduction: Israel, as a nation, suffered so greatly and paid a great price for its worship of idols and unfaithfulness to God. So many times, God had to bring judgment upon the nation. Time after time they had to be chastised to remind them of their failure to remain ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 8:19-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Kind Of Christian Are You?

Contributed by Dr. Ronnie Grizzle on Jun 27, 2002

Asks the Christian to examine their life to find out if they are truly walking with God.

WHAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN ARE YOU? HEBREWS 10:30-31 MAY 13, 2001 PARKERSBURG BAPTIST CHURCH WHERE DO YOU STAND WITH GOD? WHAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN ARE YOU? ROMANS 14:12-SO THEN EVERY ONE OF US SHALL GIVE ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF TO GOD. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU? I WANT TO TALK WITH YOU THIS MORNING ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:15-37, Hebrews 10:30-31

Denomination: Baptist

He’s Working It Out

Contributed by Dr. Jwt Spies on Jan 24, 2026

While we are trying to figure it out, God is working it out.

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:2-3

Denomination: Baptist