Sermons on Choosing Friends:

A Man Named John

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Dec 11, 2017

This Advent sermon looks at John the Baptist: The Man, The Mission, & The Message. God unexpectedly worked through John. He now chooses to work through us as witnesses. (Based loosely on "The Word Became Flesh" Advent series from Concordia Seminary, STL.)

Forensic scientists in England analyzed the venerated remains from a certain grave, a few years ago. The corpse of the individual being observed was male. He was no more than five feet tall, and he had a broken nose. He lived in the 4th Century AD. And, despite being dug up in Italy, he was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

When David Almost Became Saul

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 20, 2024

David allowed the same spirit of revenge that was on Saul to influence him into murdering all the men of Nabal’s house. God sent Abigail to save him from ruining his character. May God give us such friends! who'll save us from doing wrong!

WHEN DAVID ALMOST BECAME SAUL 1 Samuel 25:13-31 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A boy refused to take a bath. His mother insisted. He still objected. His mother asked, “Why do you think you shouldn’t?” 2. He replied, “My Sunday school teacher said we shouldn’t do anything in private we wouldn’t do ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:13-31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Living The Gospel: Black And White

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 21, 2010

We are prone to reduce tensions by choosing not to live in diversity. But the Gospel calls us to embrace diversity and yet to recognize that all sin, all are worthy, all need the Gospel. Our issue is our own insecurity, which Christ’s death can address.

Takoma Park Baptist Church February 21, 1988 All of us, it seems, have a tendency to choose comfort. All of us appear to prefer to choose a way to live that involves as little tension, as little discomfort as possible. I am not talking just about luxuries and material things; I ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Freak

Contributed by Bret Bone on May 22, 2012

Welcome to VP…it’s hard to believe that we are already in our third week of our Re-Discover Church “Open House” Month. I hope and pray that you have used this opportunity to share with your families, friends and neighbors the exciting things that have be

Video The Jesus Rant Slide #1 Welcome to VP…it’s hard to believe that we are already in our third week of our Re-Discover Church “Open House” Month. I hope and pray that you have used this opportunity to share with your families, friends and neighbors the exciting things ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27

Destroying Your Enemy

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 8, 2012

Obeying Jesus’ command to love our enemies doesn’t come naturally, however. Often our first response is to retaliate. The best way - the Christ-like way - to destroy an enemy is to make him your friend! To melt an enemy, try the warmth of love.

Opening illustration: There is a story told of two shopkeepers. Their stores were across the street from each other, and the two had a bitter rivalry. One day an angel came to one of the shopkeepers and said, “The Lord has sent me to tell you that you may have one wish. Whatever you ask for, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jul 8, 2022

God chooses weak and inexperienced individuals to confound the wise and accomplish great things on earth. If you feel you have a calling on your life, rejoice that God has chosen you for a particular purpose to showcase his strength and power through you to others.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (1 Corinthians 1:28-29) "God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." (1 Peter ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:1-31, John 15:16, Galatians 5:21, Daniel 5:10-12, Daniel 5:29, Philippians 3:14, Matthew 25:21, Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 1:28-29, 1 John 2:27, 2 Peter 1:10-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Coincidence, Or God At Work?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jun 28, 2023

God has worked behind the scenes many times that people say are "just coincidences." Someone has defined “coincidence” as “a miracle for which God chooses to remain anonymous.” I'm convinced that can be seen in the Book of Esther!

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK TEXT: The Book of Esther (I have taken advantage of a message about Esther written by Reg Watson, a minister ...read more

Scripture: Esther 1:4-18, Esther 2:17-23, Esther 4:12-16, Esther 5:14, Esther 6:3-6, Esther 7:2-5, Esther 3:2-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Importance Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Alan Tison on Sep 9, 2010

Prayer is one of God’s greatest gifts to his people yet it is often reduced to blessings at meals and praying for our health and the health of our family and friends. Someone has said, “Many people pray as if God were a big aspirin pill; they come only wh

Play Video “I Prayer from Blue Fish” How is your prayer Life? How often do you pray? Why do you pray? Questions like these force us to examine our prayer life. If you are like most people you wish you could be better at communicating with God. Prayer is one of God’s greatest ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Vine And The Branches Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 5, 2017

We’re called not as servants, but as friends of Christ to bear much fruit to the glory of God. To do that we’ll need to be firmly grafted into the life of Christ and the life of his Church; we’ll need to be committed to obeying him in everything we do.

Today is the first anniversary of the opening of St Thomas’. A lot’s happened in the last year hasn’t it? We’ve had a number of people join us. We’ve seen lots of new programs starting up, taking advantage of these great facilities. It makes you feel good to be part of ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-17

Denomination: Anglican

Planting Tomorrows Harvest

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jul 6, 2007

We see the principal of reaping and sowing played out in our lives every day. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are today eating from the harvest of the seeds we planted in the past. And while we can not change the past, we can choose to plant good

Planting Tomorrows Harvest, Galatians 6:7-10 Introduction I read a story recently about a little four year old girl named Deborah, who was helping her father in plant seeds in the garden one sunny afternoon. As the little girl worked alongside her father in the garden, he explained to her about ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-10

Denomination: Christian Church

Faith That Worships Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Jan 31, 2026

When life feels confusing and God’s ways seem hidden, faith learns to stop demanding answers and instead bows in reverent worship—trusting God’s sovereign power, choosing joy before deliverance, and resting in Him alone as its strength.

Living by Faith When Life Doesn’t Make Sense Faith that Worships Habakkuk 3:1-3:19 Last week we left the prophet Habakkuk standing watch upon the city wall—listening as the Lord answered his second complaint. God had already responded to Habakkuk’s first cry by revealing a difficult and ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Pierce My Ear

Contributed by Phil Morgan on Nov 19, 2001

God is looking for a people who serve Him freely; who worship Him voluntarily; who love Him as a reflex of the heart. NOT because they cannot choose anything else, but because they decide FOR Him. No other voice can truly tell how great and worthy God is

“Pierce My Ear” On the last two Sunday mornings I’ve been talking to you about our freedom in Christ. This week, on our television screens, most of us would have witnessed a striking picture of what freedom looks like. I’m talking about the liberation of Kabul in Afghanistan. For the past five ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 21:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Faith Under Fire Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Dillinger on Oct 28, 2024

This sermon begins a short series of the main stories people know from the book of Daniel. This set up "young Daniel and his 3 friends." It teaches how Nebuchadnezzar changed the minds of children and how Daniel helps us to stand our spiritual ground instead of conform.

Faith Under Fire (Daniel 1:3-7) Intro: A. The northern Kingdom of Israel fell to the power of Assyria around 722 BC after almost 20 years of a slow demise. The kingdom fell because of sin and God allowed them to be taken into captivity. The southern Kingdom should have taken a great warning ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 25:1-9, Daniel 1:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Bold Example Series

Contributed by James Parker on Mar 6, 2011

Sometimes we all need a little extra motivation whether it’s with our homework or our Spiritual lives. The Apostle Paul wrote the following passage of Scripture to his young friend Timothy to encourage him and motivate him to set a good example for the pe

A-Z of Boldness Bold in our EXAMPLE 1 Timothy 4:12 "12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" Like many children, Billy didn’t like to study, and would much rather go outside and play ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12

Denomination: Baptist

Why Did Jesus Die? Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Mar 24, 2004

Since we need to talk about the Passion film with our friends, we have to be prepared to answer their questions. It’s a mystery to non-believers: Why did Christ have to suffer so? Why did He have to die?

Sarcastic reviews. Late night jokes. Hateful criticism. Promises to ban him from work in Hollywood. Mel Gibson has faced all that and more over the last year. All because of the making of The Passion of the Christ. Why all the controversy? The brutality? R-rated slasher movies come out ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:21, Psalm 22:6-18

Denomination: Baptist