Sermons on Christian Encouragement:

Approaching The Midnight Hour

Contributed by James May on Dec 20, 2005

At the midnight hour, when the darkness seems to overwhelm us, and the light seems so far away, it the time when cry will come from Heaven - and we shall see Lord in all His glory.

APPROACHING THE MIDNIGHT HOUR By Pastor Jim May On a lonely hillside outside of a little town of Judah by the name of Bethlehem there sat some shepherds, huddled around a campfire, burning to drive away the cold and the darkness of the night. That darkness was just a symbol of the true darkness ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Church, Do You Know God? Series

Contributed by Duane Smith on Nov 6, 2005

With so many problems within the church today we need to ask: Church, Do You Know God? This message is entended to open our minds and enlighten our hearts to the saving message of the gospel and see the church truly believe in Jesus Christ.

CHURCH, DO YOU KNOW GOD? Acts 3:11-21 INTRODUCTION: A. If you had to build a defense (in a court of law) for knowing God, what would you do? 1. Who would you call on as a character witness? 2. What fruit of the Spirit could you show evidence of? 3. What acts of selflessness and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:11-21

Denomination: Baptist

What Good Are You? Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Nov 15, 2005

Kings of Judah, Pt. 8: "Jotham"

WHAT GOOD ARE YOU? (2 CHRONICLES 27:1-9) Thomas J. Watson, Jr. had big shoes to fill. His father was the first president of IBM, building a worldwide industry during his 42 years at IBM. The senior Watson was named chairman of IBM in September 1949 and was presented with honorary degrees by 27 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 27:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Identity Crisis

Contributed by Derrick Bunnell on Nov 15, 2005

The speaker laid out a four part process to effective outreach programs. The first step in the process was to develop an identity. This got me thinking about the identity of the Adventist church and more specifically this church. Identity is much more t

I met with the pastor this week to discuss the mission and purpose of the church. We discussed many things to help the church grow and to make known to the world that Jesus is coming soon. We mulled over outreach ideas, mission statements, etc. One of the things that stood out in my mind was a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:5

Denomination: Adventist

Narnia: Opening The Door To Your Spiritual Journey Series

Contributed by Paul Newell on Nov 17, 2005

An introduction and first sermon in a three part Advent Series developed loosly from The Chronicles of Narnia. Additional Sermons: Turkish Delight, Trickes of the Evil One and Miracle at the Stone Table.

Narnia: Introduction & Explanation It may seem a little strange that we are building our Advent series around a “fairy tale” as C.S. Lewis called his novel, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Let me set your mind at ease, we’re going to do what Lewis himself hinted at concerning all of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Narnia: The Joys Of Turkish Delight Series

Contributed by David Selleck on Nov 17, 2005

Turkish Delight creates addiction and represents temptation and sin from which we need redemption.

Narnia II Dec 4, 2005 Template for worship planning David Selleck Lakeside United Methodist, Muskegon, Michign Felt Need: How is sin similar or different in Narnia, than what we deal with in our daily lives. Hoped for Results: Each person would receive the awareness that, anything that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

Isaiah's Vocation Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Nov 22, 2005

God may not be asking you to change your occupation, but he wants to be sure you understand your vocation.

Last Wednesday a man in his late 30s called to talk about changing his career. He is a devout Christian, strongly committed to his family, and very active in his church. A couple of years ago he spoke with his pastor about it, but he didn’t feel the urgency then that he feels now. He is ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-13

Denomination: Brethren

Narnia: The Witch's Spell Series

Contributed by Mike Parry on Nov 27, 2005

The White Witch’s spell curses creation, lures lust, hardens hearts, and fosters false-truths.

Introduction: Today we are continuing our sermon series, “Lessons from Narnia.” The land of Narnia is a magical land created by C. S. Lewis in the series, “The Chronicles of Narnia.” The first book, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” will soon be a major motion picture. The book and the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:11

Denomination: Baptist

Justification

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Nov 28, 2005

Four facts about justification

Romans 3:24 Justification Woodlawn Baptist Church November 27, 2005 Introduction (see footnote) As we get started, I want to read to you four verses from Paul’s letter to the Romans. First we’ll read Romans 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:24

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding God’s Will

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Dec 6, 2005

SEEK it, SURRENDER to it, and STAND in it. It’s REAL, can be REFUSED, but it’s always RIGHT! Link included to formatted text, audio/video, and PowerPoint.

Understanding God’s Will Romans 12:1-2 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/God’sWill.html We usually look at this passage and talk about surrender...but surrender to what? The will of God in the end of v. 2! Or we talk about separation...but separation unto what? The will of God! And that should be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Baptist

C. S. Lewis' The Great Divorce Series

Contributed by Jeff Cheadle on Dec 9, 2005

An examination of C. S. Lewis’ view of Heaven and Hell in The Great Divorce and The Problem of Pain.

The Life & Legacy of C. S. Lewis #5 “The Great Divorce” Matthew 7.7-13 This weekend we’re continuing our series on The Life and Legacy of C. S. Lewis by turning our attention to one of his most intriguing works of fiction, The Great Divorce. The title The Great Divorce is a twist on William Blake ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Reasons To Cling To Jesus Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Dec 12, 2005

# 9 in a series on Hebrews. Four reasons we should cling to Jesus.

A Study of the Book of Hebrews Jesus is Better Sermon # 9 “Reasons to Cling to Jesus” Hebrews 4:14-16 Mankind today has a problem. That problem is guilt. No one denies that it is a problem but differences abound ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

An Unwanted Gift: When God Messes Up Your Plans Series

Contributed by Steven Dow on Dec 15, 2005

Chrismtas Realities - Part 4. What happens when God interrupts your plans and your world gets turned upside down?

AN UNWANTED GIFT: WHEN GOD MESSES UP YOUR PLANS Christmas Realities – Part 4 Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2005 Luke 1:26-38 INTRODUCTION: As the Baby Boomers begin to move into retirement age starting next year we are no longer talking about a baby boom, but about a baby bust. In fact ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Narnia: Discover The Wonder Series

Contributed by Lin Smalec on Dec 16, 2005

Using the Narnia story to illuminate scripture, this sermon invites believers to discover the wonder of Christmas by discovering the wonder of God’s plans and purposes, the wonder of God’s love, and the wonder of the continuing story.

Rev. Lin Smalec Salem Church, Waynesboro, PA DISCOVER THE WONDER Fourth Sunday of Advent 18 December 2005 The other day while it was snowing, I watched my cat, Phantom, looking out the window. He sat there, barely moving, intently watching the big fluffy snowflakes. Occasionally ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

#12divine Possibilities: The Great Pretender Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 24, 2005

We have been studying there is more than what man can do. God has a plan. Pretending and playing church will hinder God’s Possibilities. Don’t be hypocritical!

SPEAK TO THE DIVINE POSSIBILITIES: #12--- DIVINE POSSIBILITIES: THE GREAT PRETENDER! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com We are studying Divine Possibilities: 1. Climb into God’s Envelope; 2. Accept the Mantle; 3. Starving at a feast; 4. Let God! 5. Dying in a Rut: When an ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:3-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God