Sermons on chicago tribune:

Woe. Don't Do That! Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 21, 2018

Jesus stressed the need to help the poor and needy. It's a powerful commandment, but there are those who would warp it to meet their own agendas (rather than God's). But how would they do that?

OPEN: Chicago is just about to approve a new entitlement. They intend to give 1,000 unemployed families $500 per month with no strings attached (total of $6 million per year). The argument seems to be that automation is robbing people of jobs and so this is intended to put money in the pockets of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:20-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Word To The Wise On Righteousness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 26, 2013

God calls us to live righteous lives. But Romans tells us that no one is righteous. So, God wants to me to be righteous. I want to be righteous... but no one is righteous so I can’t be righteous. How can that possibly make sense?

OPEN: Back in 1929, Chicago had a problem. In fact, the tentacles of that problem infested much of the nation around Chicago. The problem had a name. And that name was Al Capone. Capone was a criminal. A wicked man who literally ran the city of Chicago. He owned most of the politicians and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:3-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This Is Us Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 2, 2018

We have 2 advantages over non-Christians. Because of God's blessings in our lives, we are better off than many in this world, but we must be careful not to see ourselves as being "better" than others.

For the next few weeks we’re going to be focusing on what can we learn from Scripture as it applies to a popular new TV series (now entering its 3rd season) called “This Is Us”. It’s been nominated for 8 Emmys because of the power of its writing and its acting, and it has literally brought many of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:19-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Gift Of The Sanctifying Savior Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 12, 2021

Jesus was sent to "sanctify" us. What does that mean and what difference can it make in your life?

In Luke we’re told that the Shepherds went to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus. But back in 1999, someone not only went to see the baby Jesus… they took him home. They took him from the Daly Plaza in Chicago, IL and though authorities found Him and returned Him to the nativity, someone stole him ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be A Brave Adventurer Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 9, 2014

God has called us to live our lives as Bold Adventurers. We are called to live a unique life, a bold life and life where we know who we are why we believe. How do we fulfill the adventure that God has set before us?

(We opened with a video by our children’s minister which integrated Stephen Curtis Chapman’s “The Great Adventure” with clips from the Indiana Jones movies - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag4MXV8yqb4 till time stamp: 2:58) As Christians, God saved us to go on a great ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Born To Be A King Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 23, 2018

Jesus was born in a stable, but He was born to be the King of Kings. Unfortunately there are many people who prefer He stay a baby in a manger and are upset when He is presented as a King.

OPEN: In New York City there is a 15,000 square foot mansion that you can rent for a mere $35,000 a month. (purchase price: $13.5 million). It sits on 2.3 acres of land in the Bronx and it’s a fit for a King. In fact, it was built for a King… the King of Kings. Back in 1928 a religious order ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Deadliest Fire In History Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 13, 2019

No one seems to be excited about the topic of Hell. Even God's not keen on it. But it's crucial to our message of hope for the lost. What is it about Hell we need to know and that we need to tell others?

Does anyone know what the worst fire in American History was? Most people would say it was the great Chicago Fire in 1871. That fire started on Sunday, October 8 and ended on Tuesday, October 10, 1871, killing up to 300 people and destroyed a little over 3 square miles of Chicago, leaving over ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 7, 2020

The first chapter of Ephesians is dedicated to telling the Christians there how pretty they are to God. Why would Paul spend all that ink and paper on this topic? And what can that mean to us?

I read once about a nursing home worker who would go from room to room taking care of the needs of the residents. On day she was in the room of one of the residents when the woman looked up at her and said “My but you’re pretty!” The attendant blushed. She was “plump” and “overweight and wasn’t ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14, John 3:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Awake For The Dawn Is About To Break!

Contributed by Johnny A. Palmer Jr. on Mar 20, 2019

A Study of Romans 13:11-14

Intro: 1. Martin Luther said he only had two days on his calendar— today and "that day." 2. I believe we should all live like that, looking for “that day” when the Lord snatches us out of here, to meet Him in the air. 3. That Day. Trans: Lord willing, this is where we are heading in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

When Jesus Comes, Peace

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jul 1, 2019

It is a bit audacious to talk about peace on earth in our world today, but Jesus, the Prince of Peace gives us hope.

It’s a bit audacious to talk about peace, even on Christmas day, here in the year 2005, or any year, for that matter. Internationally, we have 160,000 of our troops stationed in Iraq, in harm’s way and far away from home, for Christmas this year. And the protests by the Sunnis against the recent ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Go West Young Man

Contributed by Johnny Chase on Jan 20, 2006

This message looks at the expansion to the great American west and compares it to taking new territory for God.

“Go West Young Man, Go West” Intro: It was Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune who coined the phrase "Go West, young man, go West." For those brave individuals that weren’t afraid of new challenges and opportunities the advice was taken to heart and the expansion into the great ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Sign Of Wine Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 27, 2017

What was the purpose of "signs" in Jesus ministry? And what did this particular sign have to say to us?

OPEN: The Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn had a problem - motorists weren't coming to a complete stop at stop signs. So in 2007 the Mayor came up with a creative solution. He added a second, smaller octagonal sign the town's 50 or so stop signs that read: “STOP And smell the roses” "STOP No really, ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Broken Or Flexing Spirit? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 7, 2011

Serving the Lord is a privilege as we bring light to a dark world, but demoralizing as we are beaten down. Despite the challenges of being light in a dark world, we should not lose heart.

A Broken or Flexing Spirit? (2 Corinthians 4:1-6) 1. When Marylu and I lived in the Chicago area, we had the privilege of going to the top floor of both the Sears Tower (now called Willis Tower) and the Hancock Building. 2. As one rides up the high speed elevator to the hundred and something ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Battles To The Very End Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 14, 2016

Though believers in the Lord are engaged in battles to the end of earthly days, they are assured of victory in Christ.

“Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-18

Denomination: Baptist

What A View!

Contributed by Edward Frey on Sep 1, 2002

Since, we have a view of God’s rich mercy we are able to serve him with our lives.

I can still remember the first time I had the courage to take the elevator to the top floor of the Sears Tower. It’s over 1,400 ft. tall and rises up hundreds of stories. The elevator ride to the observation floor is even daunting. There are surveillance cameras everywhere, even before you get to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran