Sermons on Chicago Tribune:

"We Must Pay Attention"

Contributed by Ron Newton on Oct 17, 2003

The danger of drifting away.

Introduction 1. Illus...Dr. Howard Hendricks Classroom tactics from “the Seven Laws of the Learner”, by Bruce Wilkinson. Wilkinson was his student and he set out to test his mentor & favorite prof. by looking out the window during class time. Dr. Hendricks would do whatever it took to keep the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-4

Denomination: Holiness

The Gospel According To Will Smith: I, Robot Series

Contributed by Charles Whitmire on Nov 4, 2008

This is a series of messages based on 4 Will Smith movies... This one looks at the movie: I, Robot.

Over the next few weeks, we are doing this series on called the Gospel according to Will Smith - in reality, what we are really doing is using a few of Will Smith’s movies to discuss some things. So why Will Smith? Who is Will Smith? Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. (born September 25, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

The New Self: God’s Love On Display Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 19, 2014

Our new selves are characterized by love, and therefore we should value and live-out the nuances of love.

The New Self: God’s Love On Display (Colossians 3:12-14) 1. WOODSTOCK, Ill., Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Customers at an Illinois Shell station received gas for just one cent per gallon due to a glitch in the system, an employee said. Rita Castillo, who has worked at the Shell station in Woodstock for ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How God Works

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Mar 28, 2012

Here is a very famous story, but we have to get passed the "wow!" response. It is a model of how God works, and how He uses His servants to accomplish His purposes.

Passage: Daniel 6:1-28 Intro: There are not a lot of songs written about people of the Bible other than Jesus. 1. can’t think of one about Paul, or Peter, or John. 2. but I grew up singing one about Daniel. “Standing on a purpose firm, heeding God’s command. Honor them the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-28

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Grace Killers- Assumptions

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Feb 10, 2013

Zacchaeus, the tree-climbing tax collector, met Jesus and was changed. He vowed to repay four times the amount of money he had dishonestly taken form others. This is the first of a series of messages on grace.

Grace Killers- Assumptions Text: Luke 19:8 What is the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector? The taxidermist takes only your skin. (Mark Twain) One person said, “Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors... and miss.” (Unknown) Zacchaeus, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Belief In The Resurrection Of The Dead

Contributed by Sajeev Painunkal, Sj on Nov 6, 2010

The Sadducees try to ridicule Jesus with a stupid question about what happens in heaven. The answer of Jesus is not about the how but they why. If we don't believe in a life after death, we will have no purpose for our life on earth.

People sometimes ask stupid questions. They know it is stupid; but they ask them anyway. When somebody asks a stupid question, we can assume that either they are too naïve, or they are sarcastic. And most of the time they are not naïve; they are trying to make us look foolish trying to answer ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-38

Denomination: Catholic

Palm Sunday: Jesus The Lion! Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 29, 2010

Jesus Christ is the multi-faceted center or our faith. Although we cannot take in all His glory, we must embrace what God has revealed to us about Him.

Jesus the Lion! (Revelation 5:2-10) 1. People love exciting events: A recent (March 2010) AFP article hit the presses this week: CHICAGO (AFP) – People fell onto a bag of cash like a pack of hungry piranhas after more than 100,000 dollars tumbled out the back of an armored truck onto an Ohio ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:2-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Greedy For Good Times

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 22, 2010

Why are we rarely as thankful as we should be? Perhaps it is because we are so wrapped up with God’s blessings that we forget their source; we are not willing to take the time or expend the patience it takes to say, "Thank You, Lord."

Greedy for Good Times (Deuteronomy 8:10-11, 17-18, Luke 17:11-19) 1. Many of us have families spread throughout the nation. It is hard to get together, even for the holidays. 2. The day before Thanksgiving an elderly man in Phoenix called his son in New York and said to him, "I hate to ruin ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:8-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Farewell Message To New Life."

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 6, 2008

There is more new life coming to New Life even after I leave as pastor because God is going to prosper this church.

“Farewell message to New Life” Opening Video Illustration: The three video movies from the 25th Anniversary Celebration (play). We also have the 4th edition of life at New Life covering the last two years. So let sit back and see what God has done here at New Life! So what have we done over the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is Your Greatest Ability? Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 15, 2011

Let the Creator of the universe work through you and always find you faithful and available. “And have a fervent love for one another."

In church lately we have devoted a lot of time talking and learning about David, the man after God’s own heart. We have discussed how David prepared for the many opportunities and challenges he would face. Throughout his entire life, David spent time in prayer, seeking God’s guidance ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8-11

Denomination: Christian Church

The Narrow And The Wide Gates

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jul 29, 2009

If we are on the narrow road by God’s grace, what is our responsbility to those on the broad road?

Passage: Matthew 7:13-14 Intro: It has become fashionable to view Jesus as a laughing, jolly figure joking his way thru his life and ministry on earth. 1. and certainly he was filled with a deep joy and contentment. 2. and yet this statement in Isaiah 53:3 has always bothered me in light of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: Evangelical Free

#5 Attraction, Not Promotion Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Apr 14, 2020

Christianity represents God’s truth and becomes most appealing when our words and deeds match.

Today we complete our study of the book of Colossians. Paul wrote this letter and three others (Ephesians, Philippians and Philemon) while in prison awaiting trial. Paul is the consummate leader. He is always trying to spread the gospel even while battling outside forces. In Paul’s writing of this ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hazards Ahead: Watch Out! Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 13, 2019

Life is like a journey on a winding mountain road; we need to be alert to the hazards!

Hazards Ahead: Watch Out! (Proverbs 27:4-7) 1. Moms come in all varieties. Rather than share a joke about moms, today I will share a couple of humorous true stories: My mother, a master of guilt trips, showed me a photo of herself waiting by a phone that never rings. “Mom, I call all the time,” ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 27:4-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Rubric For Rewards: What Is Jesus Looking For? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 30, 2018

The rubric that our Lord Jesus will use at His judgment seat to determine our rewards can be divided into three categories: positive, negative, and special.

The Rubric for Rewards: What Is Jesus Looking For? (Matthew 25:14-30) 1. What is a rubric? The word has quite a few different definitions, actually. You might look it up. Webster lists the definition I am using as the fourth: “a guide listing specific criteria for grading or scoring academic ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30, Matthew 6:3-18, Luke 6:35-36, 2 John 1:7-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Idolatry: Today’s Idols Are More In The Self Than On The Shelf.

Contributed by Mark Roper on Mar 25, 2018

Idolatry is not just a pagan issue. It is not just an Old Testament or Jewish issue. • It’s a human issue. • It’s a heart issue • It’s a relationship issue.

Idolatry Topic: Idolatry is not just a pagan issue. It is not just an Old Testament or Jewish issue. • It’s a human issue. • It’s a heart issue • It’s a relationship issue. • An idol of the mind is as offensive to God as an idol of the hand. IDOLATRY EXTENDS BEYOND THE WORSHIP OF IMAGES AND ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God