Sermons on Catacombs:

Dying For The Cause

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 2, 2009

The name Smyrna comes from the word for myrrh…which is known for releasing its wonderfully delightful fragrance…when crushed! This suffering church is symbolic of the 10 Great Persecutions from the 1st-3rd C. Link inc. to text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

READING SOMEONE ELSE’S MAIL Dying For the Cause of Christ Rev. 2:8-11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DyingForCause.html Many years ago, when communism still held the Soviet Union in its iron clench, a little group of Christians met behind closed doors in the underground. This was a secret ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Fire,fire,fire Series

Contributed by Allan Kircher on Nov 7, 2012

Perhaps you have strange temptations, you are placed in a position where you are constantly exposed to sin.

Fire! Fire! Fire "When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."—Isaiah 43:2. BEFORE I explain the metaphor of the text • Can we agree that we are not sufficiently grateful. • Not grateful for the preservation that God provides us in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Conflict Of The Kings Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 27, 2021

Every man, including Jesus has to face the universal experience of temptation.

Art Linkletter tells of how when he was 10 years old he was offered a job of tempting people to buy ice cream cones. The ice cream stand owner noticed the dramatic way in which he licked an ice cream cone, and so he offered him ten cents an afternoon if he would wonder through the nearby park ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-12

Jesus Vs Religion

Contributed by James H Boyd on Dec 21, 2023

Religion cannot save, only Jesus can!

A wealthy business man died.At his funeral, many people came to his widow and the rest of his family to express their sympathies. Suddenly, a young man approached the widow with an unusual request. He said “Ma’am, I know you don’t know me, but I was wondering if I could get in on your husband’s ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

The Suffering Church (The Church Of Smyrna 2 Of 7)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jul 15, 2025

You will notice that of the seven churches that John addressed, he gave the least amount of space to the church of Smyrna.

All he had to say about the church of Smyrna he was able to cover in just four verses. However, we must not think less of this church, or feel they were insignificant just because there are less verses given to them. Why? Because there were only two of the seven churches ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:11-12, Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Just Plain Crazy

Contributed by Richard Jones on Nov 1, 2000

Being authentic in describing the Gospel and it's impact on our lives.

"Just Plain Crazy" Matthew 16:21-28 Let me check the mike, because you know I need all the help I can get. It’s like the Lutheran pastor who always started each service with "The Lord be with you." The people would respond, "and also with you.” But, one Sunday the PA system wasn't working so the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

Are Latter Day Saints Really Saints? Series

Contributed by Mark Jackson on Jul 26, 2002

This sermon will help you to understand the distinctive doctrines that separate Mormons fron Christians and why Latter Day Saints are a cult.

Are Latter Day Saints Really Saints? Officially known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mormonism was founded by Joseph Smith Jr. in 1830. Their headquarters is in Salt Lake City, Utah – a state that is now 70% Mormon. They claim to now have over 11 million members worldwide, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Suffering Sovereign Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 27, 2009

If we want our lives to count for eternity, then we must recognize our sin, recognize the Son and repent. That is we must trust Christ with our lives and follow Him to a whole new way of living.

The Suffering Sovereign (Mark 1:1-20) Some time ago (1996), the staff at the Bridger Wilderness Area in the Teton National Forest in Wyoming received the following responses on comment cards from hikers on their trails. These are actual responses! Trails need to be wider so people can walk ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Jesus: The Name You Can Trust Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Aug 20, 2025

That’s the image Jesus chooses—God isn’t placing you down the street, He’s building you into His house. This isn’t an apartment, a tent, or a hotel, but a home – a permanent home. This is a place where you belong. God’s children live in God’s house.

Anxiety in our culture is pervasive. Anxiety is now the most common mental health disorder in the U.S. About one in five people you’ll see on any given day deal with anxiety.1 Find John 14 if you will. In a time where there are rising crime rates, rising costs of living, international crises, ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Crux Of The Matter

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Sep 28, 2009

The cross of Christ is the crux of our faith, the focal point of all we believe, and we cannot diminish its importance in our lives.

The Crux of the Matter TCF Sermon September 27, 2009 (open with examples of language funnies from Engrish.com) I�ve always been fascinated by words and language. Since I was a little boy, I was always a good speller � in fact I was almost 8th grade spelling champ. Guess what word I missed? ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Christ - Our Living Hope

Contributed by Rick Finitzer on Jun 10, 2008

Jesus promises hope if we put our faith and trust in Him.

Cornerstone Church November 12, 2006 “JESUS CHRIST – OUR LIVING HOPE!” “Too Blessed to be Distressed!” 1 Peter 1:3-9 DO ANY OF YOU EVER GET ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Turning The Tables

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 6, 2025

When pride roars loudest and evil seems unchallenged, God turns the tables—silencing injustice, restoring peace, and defending those who trust Him.

The Lion’s Pride When Nahum wrote his prophecy, Nineveh was still a considerable world dominating power. The city stood like a glittering jewel on the banks of the Tigris River — towering walls, wide streets, palaces carved with lions, kings who thought of themselves as gods. The Assyrian Empire ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:31, Colossians 2:15

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

"A Keen Sense Of Humor Is Not Just A Side Advantage Christians Receive At B

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Mar 1, 2002

March 10, 2002 -- FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Psalm 23 You have anointed my head with oil. (Ps. 23:5) Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41 Color: Purple John 9:1-41

March 10, 2002 -- FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Psalm 23 You have anointed my head with oil. (Ps. 23:5) Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41 Color: Purple John 9:1-41 Title: “A keen sense of humor is not just a side advantage Christians receive at Baptism.” Jesus gives sight to a man sightless ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Lutheran

Symbols Of The Holy Spirit Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 29, 2012

“The Holy Spirit is a person in and of God and a presence who dwells within a spirit filled believer and as a result there is tangible difference in that persons life. the symbols of the Holy Spirit reveal to us who he is and what he does in our lives.

Series: Holy Spirit Rises Joke: You Might Be Charismatic or Pentecostal If ... You think the fire safety slogan "Stop, Drop, & Roll" is the title of a new book on Holy Spirit etiquette. You stay home from church because you’re afraid some prophet will read your mail in public. Your closet ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pergamum: Satan's Throne Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jan 24, 2021

Are we clinging to our faith in Jesus and His word as firmly and as stubbornly as the Christians in Pergamum did or are we guilty of trying to live a compromised life with one foot in the world and one foot in the church?

There was once a king who ruled over a vast city. He was feared for his might and loved for his wisdom. Now, in the heart of the city was a well whose waters were pure and crystalline from which all the inhabitants drank … except the king. He lived in a castle on top of a hill overlooking the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17, 2 Peter 2:2-3, Philippians 2:15-16

Denomination: United Methodist