Sermons on Charles Dickens:

The Vanishing Father

Contributed by Charles Payne on Jun 12, 2025

There was a time—not so long ago—when the word “father” evoked strength, stability, and sacrificial love. When a man’s presence brought comfort, not confusion… direction, not detachment… blessing, not brokenness. But somewhere along the line, the father began to vanish.

THE VANISHING FATHER SCRIPTURE Malachi 4:6 “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” PROLOGUE TO THE SERIES: “The Vanishing Father” Four Reflections Toward the Restoration of Godly ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:6, Isaiah 3:12, Proverbs 20:7, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, 1 Corinthians 4:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Weaker Vessel

Contributed by Charles Payne on Jun 12, 2025

The husband must honor his wife as a fine, cherished, possibly more fragile vessel—like porcelain vs. iron—not because she is worth less, but because she is worth handling with more care.

WEAKER VESSEL: PROLOGUE – Blurred Lines, Broken Honor THE STRENGTH TO STEP BACK In 2022, University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, a biological male who identifies as female, won an NCAA women’s championship. The runner-up, Riley Gaines, a biological female and All-American athlete, publicly ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7, Proverbs 14:1, Proverbs 31:26, Genesis 2:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do We Want Jesus To Go Away?

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Jun 19, 2025

We must welcome the work of God into our lives to conform us into the image of Jesus. How are our actions and attitudes ways we are literally asking Jesus to go away?

IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH “THE ANDY GRIFFITH” SHOW, YOU MAY REMEMBER THE LOVEABLE CHARACTER NAMED OTIS. HE WAS WELL KNOWN AROUND TOWN AS BEING “THE TOWN DRUNK.” HE WAS HARMLESS AND SEEMED TO BE MORE OF A TOWN MASCOT. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE IN OUR STORY IN LUKE. INSTEAD OF A HARMLESS, TOWN MASCOT, WE ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39, 1 John 4:16-17, Philippians 2:14-15

Denomination: Free Methodist

Sin Of Discontent

Contributed by Charles Payne on Jul 4, 2025

We often consider discontentment and ingratitude as minor sins—mere moods, personality quirks, or temporary reactions to life's hard edges. But Heaven hears them differently.

“The Sin of Discontent and the Ingratitude That Follows” Introduction: The Quiet Sins That Roar in Heaven Brothers and sisters, we often consider discontentment and ingratitude as minor sins—mere moods, personality quirks, or temporary reactions to life's hard edges. But Heaven hears them ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 11:1, 1 Timothy 6:6, Philippians 2:14, Philippians 4:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Message For Those Troubled By America's Founding And The Issue Of Slavery

Contributed by Charles Payne on Jul 4, 2025

As we reflect on the birth of the United States this Independence Day, many feel a tension between celebrating liberty and grieving the stain of slavery that existed at the nation’s founding. That grief is valid.

INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE — JULY 4 INTRODUCTION Today, as we celebrate the birth of the United States of America, we remember not only the courageous acts of our Founding Fathers, but the deep convictions that stirred their hearts and shaped this nation's founding. This was not a mere revolt ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 3:17, Psalm 33:12, Isaiah 61:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sin Of Unhappiness

Contributed by Charles Payne on Jul 7, 2025

There are sins we readily confess: pride, lust, envy, greed. There are others we justify, excuse, or even cherish. But there is one sin we rarely recognize—the sin of unhappiness.

“The Sin of Unhappiness: When Joy Becomes Our Responsibility” “Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies…” — Deuteronomy 28:47–48 ________________________________________ Introduction: The ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:47-48, Philippians 4:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Polar Opposites

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Feb 14, 2025

We must keep our hearts focused on eternal life and pleasing God. We cannot afford to let the things of this world make us spiritually bankrupt.

ROBERT FROST HAS WRITTEN ONE OF THE MOST PROFOUND STATEMENTS WHICH SIMPLY SAYS, “TWO ROADS DIVERGED IN A WOOD, AND I—I TOOK THE ONE LESS TRAVELED BY, AND THAT HAS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.” THOSE WHO FOLLOW CHRIST MUST ALSO CHOOSE A SIMILAR PATH LESS TRAVELED THAT WILL MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26, 1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 16:26, Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Free Methodist

Rewiring The Heart: When Purity Becomes Pleasure Again

Contributed by Charles Payne on Oct 22, 2025

his sermon explores how God does more than forgive sexual sin—He retrains desire itself. It shows how repeated sin creates reflexive pathways in the heart and mind, and how grace restores intimacy by building a new spiritual “trail” toward purity.

Rewiring the Heart: When Purity Becomes Pleasure Again Text: Matthew 5:8 Tagline: A sermon about how God retrains desire, not just forgives failure. ________________________________________ PROLOGUE Some sins wound the conscience — but others rewire the heart. Some sins break fellowship — but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8, Romans 12:2, Titus 2:11-12, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Psalm 16:11, 2 Corinthians 10:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Loving The Unseen God

Contributed by Charles Payne on Oct 23, 2025

Everyone says they love God. But John asks the question that tests that claim: How can you love the God you cannot see if you do not love the brother you can see?

Loving the Unseen God Subtitle: Why loving people is the proof that we love the Lord. HOOK PARAGRAPH Everyone says they love God. But John asks the question that tests that claim: How can you love the God you cannot see if you do not love the brother you can see? God does not measure devotion by ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Having A Contrite Heart

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Oct 23, 2025

The parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector show us the importance of having a contrite heart that is aware of one's own sinfulness and lives in appreciation of God's mercy.

ONE OF THE CHURCH’S ANCIENT LITURGIES IS WHEN THE PRIEST STARTED MASS WITH THE PRAYER “LORD, YOU WERE SENT TO HEAL THE CONTRITE OF HEART.” THE RESPONSE OF THE PEOPLE WAS TO SAY, “LORD, HAVE MERCY.” WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A CONTRITE HEART AND TO SEEK GOD’S MERCY? TO HAVE A CONTRITE HEART MEANS ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, 1 Peter 5:5-6, Ezekiel 21:26, 1 Peter 1:16

Denomination: Free Methodist

What Angels Long To See Series

Contributed by Charles Payne on Oct 24, 2025

Heaven marvels not at angels, but at the miracle of grace — because the redeemed will one day stand in a glory the angels will only witness, never experience.

WHAT ANGELS LONG TO SEE Why Heaven Is Astonished by Our Salvation (1 Peter 1:12) ________________________________________ PROLOGUE — A MISCONCEPTION THAT DIMINISHES GLORY We have all heard the phrase at a funeral: “Heaven gained another angel.” It sounds gentle. Comforting. Poetic. But it is ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-2, 1 Peter 1:2, 2 Peter 2:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Running With Horses

Contributed by Charles Payne on Oct 28, 2025

When God asked Jeremiah the question, “If you can't run with men, how will you run with horses?” Is he defining purpose behind the trials of life are we in training for bigger things?

“RUNNING WITH HORSES” TEXT “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses?” (Jer. 12:5) PROLOGUE Question: when God asked Jeremiah the question, “If you can't run with men, how will you run with horses?” Is he defining purpose behind the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:5, 1 Peter 1:7, James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-4, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Hebrews 12:5-11, Luke 16:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Prayer Doesn’t Change God Series

Contributed by Charles Payne on Oct 31, 2025

We’ve all heard it — whispered in prayer circles, shouted in pulpits, written on plaques: “Prayer changes things.” And it does. But here’s the misconception that twists this truth: “Prayer changes God.”

MODERN CHRISTIAN MISCONCEPTIONS SERIES “When Prayer Doesn’t Change God” (It Changes You) PROLOGUE We’ve all heard it — whispered in prayer circles, shouted in pulpits, written on plaques: “Prayer changes things.” And it does. But here’s the misconception that twists this truth: “Prayer changes ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:14-15, Malachi 3:6, Numbers 23:19, Isaiah 38:1, Jonah 3:4, Luke 22:42, Philippians 4:6-7, James 5:16, Romans 12:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sinner's Prayer-Comforting Words That Never Saved A Soul Series

Contributed by Charles Payne on Oct 31, 2025

“Just pray and ask Jesus into your heart.” It sounds simple and heartfelt. But there’s one problem: the Bible never says it.

THE SINNER’S PRAYER — COMFORTING WORDS THAT NEVER SAVED A SOUL (A Study in What the Bible Actually Teaches About Salvation) MODERN CHRISTIAN MISCONCEPTIONS TEXT Acts 2:37-38 (KJV) Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:37-38, Acts 9:11-18, Acts 22:16, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, 1 Peter 3:21, James 2:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Opportunity To Testify

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Nov 13, 2025

We are to live out our faith and testimony despite persecution, rejection, hatefulness and all the world's troubles.

POPE JOHN XXIII, ONCE SAID, “EVERY CHRISTIAN MUST BE CONVINCED OF HIS FUNDAMENTAL AND VITAL DUTY OF BEARING WITNESS TO THE TRUTH IN WHICH HE BELIEVES AND THE GRACE THAT HAS TRANSFORMED HIM.” WE MUST BE A LIVING WITNESS FOR JESUS. THE EVER-GROWING DARKNESS OF THE WORLD TESTIFIES TO ITS NEED TO ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19, 1 Peter 3:15-16, 1 Timothy 3:1-5, Luke 8:39

Denomination: Free Methodist