Sermons on Christian Encouragement:

Waiting For Full Joy

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 22, 2010

Delivered 1989, on the 25th anniversary of the reception of the church's first black member. We wait for full joy and unity, which come from embracing all people and from being the agents of redemption for all needs.

Exactly twenty-five years ago, two things happened which were destined to have a profound effect on my life, and I want to share them with you this morning. These two unrelated happenings took place without the people involved in either one being aware of the other one, but, as I have said, both ...read more

Scripture: John 17:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Came To Us, But Who Knew? Series

Contributed by John Murphy on Mar 27, 2010

So many prophecies, so many witnesses, and yet no one spread the news.

The shopping is over, the packages have been opened, the real trees are wilting and only those returning gifts are in the malls. Perhaps they are even re-wrapping them to re-gift any unwanted gifts to someone else next year. Soon everything Christmas will be stored away until next year. Is that ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Death Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Dec 25, 2012

Jesus died on the cross to redeem you; he has fought the battle and has won; he has offered the sacrifice on your behalf and it was accepted; he has purchased you with his blood.

Introduction Listen to Jesus: For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (10:45). He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-39

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Saved By Grace

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 3, 2013

At this moment, each of us is either saved or unsaved. That is a fact. Which category do we belong to? I hope that, by the witness of the Holy Spirit, all of us can say, “The Lord is my strength and my song; He has also become my salvation."

3-25-03 Saved By Grace Text: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Scandalized Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Jan 7, 2013

Who is responsible for Jesus' death? Consider the men who plotted and carried it out.

Introduction Who is responsible for Jesus’ death? Judas bears guilt. He is the disciple who betrayed Jesus into the hands of his enemies. Peter and the other disciples bear guilt. They did not defend their Lord. Judas represents those whose purpose in life is merely to get ahead, to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:57-68

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

We Matter

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jan 13, 2013

We matter because we are God's... God created, formed, ransomed and claimed us as his own.

Title: We Matter Text: Isaiah 43:1-7 Explain the parallelism in the lines of Hebrew Poetry… the first line makes an observation and the second line restates it in slightly different language. It serves as something of a double-whammy by making a point and then reinforcing that point. It ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You In Prison?

Contributed by Allan Kircher on Jan 16, 2013

God has you there for one reason: He is using that prison as a tool of preparation for a future promotion.

Have you been to prison? Pastor Allan Kircher Shell point Baptist Church 20 January • One of the striking things of the Law of the Lord • fact/God authorized no prisons among His people. • When a person committed a crime in Israel • their punishment ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Is The Church Keeping You From God? Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 17, 2013

to help my audience to recognize the Church realistically, change what can be changed, and to accept it as a group that will also always have flaws

Early in the morning of Sunday, August 13, 1961, the East German government began to block off East Berlin and the GDR from West Berlin with barbed wire and antitank obstacles. Most Berliners were asleep while it was done. Streets were torn up, and barricades of paving stones were erected. Tanks ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

All You Need Is Faith Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jan 21, 2013

I want to contend with you today that all you need is faith.

All You Need Is Faith Text: Gal. 3:6-14 Introduction 1. Last week I preached on Jimi Hendrix and asked the question "Are You Experienced. This morning I am going to continue that look into old Rock legends and talk about the Beatles. 2. The Beatles once said in a song "all you need is love." Now ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:6-14

Denomination: Methodist

Perfect… You’re Not Perfect… ~ God

Contributed by Philip Foster on Jan 26, 2013

God doesn't perfect us... then bring us into the church and into church leadership. He perfects us through change, challenge and allows His will to be done through imperfect people.

Have you ever felt like life never goes the way you plan it? In my life, I had plans to do different things. When I was young, before even being a teen I wanted to be a professional football player. I used to play backyard football with all my friends and with my favorite cousin, Tim. We would win ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 38:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Investing In Your G R A Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 28, 2013

Why should I seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness... and how can I know I’ve done so?

OPEN: There was once a rich man who was very, very miserable. He had all he could buy, but nothing seemed to please him and he didn’t know why. So, one day he visited an old friend and explained his misery to him. The old friend smiled and said “Fred, I know what your problem is, and I can show ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Love - The Greatest Thing"

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Feb 6, 2013

God's love and how to realize it for yourself

“Love – the Greatest of all” February 10, 2013 1 Corinthians 13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Holiness

A Three-Fold Response To Christmas

Contributed by Jaco Bester on Feb 13, 2013

A reflection on Christmas

THE THREE-FOLD RESPONSE TO CHRISTMAS LUKE 2:1-20 Introduction: When Pope Julius I, in the year 353, authorized December 25th to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus; who would have ever thought that it would become what it is today. When Professor Charles Follen, in 1832, lit candles on the first ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Word Power Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 20, 2013

If you and I want the influence of our lives to have a multiplying effect in this world, then we must hear the Word; believe it and do it!

A lawyer, a doctor and a preacher were hunting together when they came upon a big buck. All three of them shot at the same time, and the buck immediately dropped to the ground. The lawyer, the doctor and the preacher rushed in to examine their prey, but they could not determine whose shot had ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Chasing Donkeys

Contributed by James Lowe on Feb 22, 2013

A sermon to the church concerning seeking God's direction instead of our own.

Chasing Donkeys I Samuel 9: 1-10 I want to go back just a little to give you some history leading up to this scripture setting. Most of us have studied at least a little about Israel’s humble beginnings, beginning with Abraham and going through to the circumstances of this scripture ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 9:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God