Sermons on Centrality Of The Cross:

Father Abraham Had Many Sons

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 26, 2025

Jesus used a familiar Jewish story to show who the true children of Abraham are. The only bridge across the chasm of sin is the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(Father Abraham and Lazarus) If you could overhear a live conversation between heaven and hell, would you lean in? Many people read Jesus’ story of the rich man and Lazarus as though He lowered a microphone into the afterlife to let us hear a dialogue across eternity. For centuries preachers ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31, Galatians 3:7, Hebrews 13:12, 2 Corinthians 6:2

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Joy Of Obedience

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Sep 28, 2025

The Bible has much to say about obedience. In fact, obedience is an essential part of the Christian faith. Jesus Himself was “obedient unto death, even death on a cross”

The Joy Of Obedience The Bible has much to say about obedience. In fact, obedience is an essential part of the Christian faith. Jesus Himself was “obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). For Christians, the act of taking up our cross and following Christ (Matthew 16:24) ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Go! And Live Out His Love - 1 John 3:16 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 3, 2025

John the Apostle tells us we know what real love is—not by looking to Hollywood, not by consulting philosophy, but by looking to Jesus Christ and His cross.

Go! And Live Out His Love - 1 John 3:16 1 John 3:16 (NLT): "We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters." Introduction If you asked the average person on the street, “What is love?” you would get a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Luke 23:34, Philippians 2:3-5, John 13:34-35, Galatians 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Master's Guide To Your Best Self

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 31, 2021

A unique, positive slant Jesus' challenge to deny self and take up one's cross. Specific stories about what that really means.

THE MASTER’S GUIDE TO YOUR BEST SELF—Mark 8:27-38 What is the one topic everybody in the world is interested in? It is not sports…not politics…not who will be the next Bachelor…not _____ (Pastor: Be creative and specific.) All you have to do to find out what people care most about is go on ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Sets High Standards For Discipleship

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Jesus set standards high for His disciples. "If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up cross and follow me."

Jesus set standards high for His disciples. "If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up cross and follow me." Illustration:I went into church and sat on the velvet pew. I watched as the sun came shining through the stained glass windows. The minister dressed in a velvet robe ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:26-27, 1 Corinthians 2:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Love That Will Not Let Go

Contributed by R. Darrel Davis on Feb 10, 2001

UPDATED 6/1/01 A salvation sermon. Main Idea The greatest act of love ever shown was the cross and the empty tomb; everything else pales by comparison.

A Love that Will Never Let Go Romans 5:8 Introduction: "Dearest Jimmy, No words could ever express the great unhappiness I’ve felt since breaking our engagement. Please say you’ll take me back. No one could ever take your place in my heart, so please forgive me. I love you, I love you, I love you! ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Denomination: Baptist

After Jesus, What's Next: 10 Guide Posts For Christian Living

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 23, 2021

So I've come to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. I've come to understand his atoning sacrifice on the cross.

So I've come to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and savior. I've come to understand his atoning sacrifice on the cross. I've come to believe that Jesus resurrected and is alive in heaven right now. I'm beginning to study my Bible and pray twice a day. I'm attending a good ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 12:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Denomination: Salvation Army

Love Is Relational

Contributed by Jim Keegan on May 8, 2021

Love is all about relationships. The cross itself speaks of the two dimensions of love, vertical and horizontal, divine and human love. And where they intersect most powerfully is in relationships.

Love is Relational John 21:15-17 (Read text.) I remember hearing missionaries to the Congo talking about the need for long-term missions, especially the importance of learning the language and the culture of the people. “Language and culture are important,” they said, “because they facilitate ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Memorial Stones

Contributed by Tony Searles on Jun 22, 2002

A lesson from the Israelites crossing the Jordan River, and its relation to us in our lives for giving our lives fully to God, trusting for miracles, and trusting for Salvation.

?Memorial Stones? Stand & Read: Joshua 4:20-24 ?And those twelve stones which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. [21] And he said to the sons of Israel, "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ’What are these stones?’ [22] then you shall inform your ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:20-24

Denomination: Other

How Now Shall We Live? Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Apr 5, 2004

Since Jesus died for our sins, what should be our response? Here are three: restoring our relationships, forsaking our sin, and carrying our cross.

Who really killed Jesus? What crime did Jesus commit? Just how badly did Jesus suffer? Why did Jesus die? Couldn’t there have been another way? How now shall we live? Good Friday: What did He say and when did He say it? How now shall we live? Series: The Passion of the Christ: True or false? Text: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23, John 11:51-52

Denomination: Baptist

Handling Your Failure

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Jul 21, 2003

One person has said: “Most of us never see God in failure but only in success, a strange attitude for people who have the cross as the center of their faith.”

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: Today, there is an overabundance of resources available to people that want to become a success. From bookstores to emails, we are enticed with success. In fact, I get emails quite frequently that tell me for the right price I can get a college and graduate degrees ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:24-28

Walk With Your Substitue Series

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Apr 13, 2003

Like Barabbas we are worhty of God’s death sentence; but we, the rebels, are released, and Jesus is suffers our hell on the cross in our place as our Substitute.

Walk with our Substitute Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God through which the Holy Spirit touches our hearts is record in Mark 15: Now, at every festival Pilate used to free a prisoner whom the people asked for. There was a man by the name of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:6-15

Denomination: Lutheran

"Merge Ahead: Don't Stop Now" Series

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Apr 14, 2003

Jesus succeeded in his mission because he merged ahead with God’s will. He didn’t turn back or stop along the way to the cross.

Iliff & Saltillo UM Churches Palm Sunday April 13, 2003 “Merge Ahead--Don’t Stop Now” John 12:12-20 INTRODUCTION: When the crowds came out shouting “Hosanna” and waving palm branches, they didn’t realize that prophecy was being fulfilled right before their eyes. Jesus came riding in on a donkey ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-20

Denomination: Methodist

A Mother, A Thief & A Pharisee

Contributed by Garry Warren on May 5, 2003

Jesus’ mother, a thief that was crucified with Jesus and the two pharisees who placed Him in the tomb all responded differently to Jesus’death on the cross. How will you respond?

A Mother, a Thief, and a Pharisee Read John 19: 16-42 Today we are looking at the actual crucifixion of Christ When I came to seriously consider and study for this message I soon realised there were many ways that I could approach the topic. I could do a verse by verse exposition and bring ...read more

Scripture: John 19:16-42

Denomination: Brethren

Living A Life Of Purpose Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 15, 2004

1. What does God want? -- My whole life. 2. What does it take? -- Discipline 3. Why should I do it? -- The Cross!

(The outline of this sermon and some of the content has been adapted from Rick Warren’s Forty Days of Purpose material). I recently read this scripture from Isaiah and was struck at how this passage contained the entire message of the Bible in just a few words. More than that, it is the whole ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-12

Denomination: Methodist