Sermons on Christian Journey:

The Lord Who Leads Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 20, 2003

Since this psalm is so familiar, we’re in danger of missing the depth of its meaning. And, because it’s setting is in the world of sheep and shepherds, many of us city slickers can slide right past its richness.

The Lord Who Leads Most everyone has heard of Psalm 23. It’s a poem with no peer and has been called the sweetest song ever sung. Abraham Lincoln read it to cure his blues, and President Bush proclaimed it publicly to calm our nation’s fears after 9-11. I read these words out loud a week ago ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Longing For The Lord Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 20, 2003

I want us to take a look at Psalm 42 in order to better understand the kind of depression that can hit us in the spiritual solar plexus.

Longing for the Lord Last week we focused our attention on Psalm 32, and established the fact that our unconfessed sins can cause us physical problems. When we don’t confess we can experience distress. What we’ll learn this morning is that pain is not always a direct result of sin. Last Monday ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-11, Psalm 42:1

Denomination: Baptist

Zacchaeus: Out On A Limb For Jesus Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Mar 27, 2003

Like Zacchaeus, none of us really measures up but Jesus knows what you need—a relationship. He knows your name and sees you not who you are, but who you can become.

Zacchaeus: Out on a Limb for Jesus Luke 19:1-10 By Dr. David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION After the series on getting Plugged In, we’re back in the gospel according to Luke. Today, we’re going to look at one of the most wonderful stories in the Bible: Zacchaeus. Like many of you I was first exposed to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10, Luke 19:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Peril Of Proud Praying! Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Mar 31, 2003

The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is an interesting lesson about pride and humility, which raises three questions: (1) Why did you come to church? (2) What is your attitude in church? and (3) How will you go home?

The Peril of Proud Praying! Luke 18:9-14 by Dr. David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION A man with three sons inherited a little over $1 billion dollars. Since he now had all this money, he offered to buy his sons anything they wanted. He stressed money was no object. His first son said he had always wanted ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiving The Unforgivable Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 2, 2003

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” The Cross is the only place we can find forgiveness. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done, or how often we’ve done it, we can be forgiven - not because we deserve it, but because we don’t.

Forgiving the Unforgivable The last words of a dying person are normally never forgotten. A person’s closing comments often reveal their pain and agony. Some enter eternity without saying anything, while others utter sentiments that disclose their values, priorities, and innermost ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Word Of Triumph Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 2, 2003

“When He had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’” This cry from the Cross is a shout of victory! Jesus fully paid the price for our sins, stamping "paid in full" across the ledger sheet of our lives. Since Jesus paid it all, we don’t have to

The Word of Triumph Do you ever feel like your life is littered with half-completed projects? Even though I value being able to complete what I start, my days are often filled with unfinished business. From my childhood tree fort that had only one wall, to receiving an “Incomplete” in my college ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30

Denomination: Baptist

Building Bigger Hearts Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Apr 7, 2003

Contentment doesn’t come from our circumstances. It comes from the heart. And that’s where the root of the problem really lies. Not in our wallets, but in our hearts.

My son, Evan, plays for the 10year old North Royalton travel team. The other day, the players received their uniforms. They are beautiful – very nice. And the hats! They are purple with a gold NR embroidered on the front. And they are fitted. Evan even has his number embroidered on the back ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Is God Even There? Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Apr 23, 2003

50-DAY SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE (Week 2) Having our dreams fulfilled takes time, therefore we need to learn to find God’s activity in our lives through a daily "God Hunt."

As a two and three-year old I used to gather all my stuffed animals together and stand up on box and begin to “preach” to them. My Mom called me her “little preacher boy.” As a child God put within my imagination the dream of being a preacher. As a teenager I began to pursue my divine-daring ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-23, 1 Samuel 24:1-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Go For The Gulp Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on May 7, 2003

50-DAY SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE - MARY If we are going to see our dreams become a reality then we have to learn to STEP OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONES!

A nation that has suffered under Saddam Hussain’s oppressive hand is getting its first taste of freedom; people are beginning to dream again. Over the last few weeks we have been watching American and coalition forces strive to bring freedom to the Iraqi people. By air and land the Republican ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, John 19:25-27

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Teach Your Children Well

Contributed by Mike Hays on May 9, 2003

God has given us some incredibly insightful guidance for blessing our children.

"Teach Your Children Well" Ephesians 1-4 We hear so much about parents and their children today on the television and in newspaper articles. The tragedy is that most of the news we hear is not encouraging at all. This is not a new phenomenon either. For years now we’ve heard the sordid tales of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Tale Of Two Kings Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 13, 2003

Herod vs. Jesus. Which king will you follow?

Note: Sections of this sermon come from a sermon by Ray Pritchard and are used by permission A Tale of Two Kings I’ve always liked watching “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.” My favorite part is when he dresses up his little ugly dog like a reindeer. Maybe I like the movie so much because there’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-8, Matthew 2:1

Denomination: Baptist

Leading Others Upwards Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 13, 2003

Leaders have an obligation to instruct others and not cause people to stumble. This is only possible when we stand in awe of God’s name.

Leading Others Upward There are some things that only a mom can teach… My mother taught me about anticipation: “Just wait until your father gets home!” My mother taught me about medical science: “If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they’re going to stay that way.” My mother taught me about ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Taming The Tongue Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 16, 2003

our words have the same power -- they can bring joy or cause despair. Proverbs 18:21 puts it this way: “The tongue has the power of life and death...”

Taming the Tongue Several years ago, Beth and I went to someone’s house for a party. After we were done eating, a group of adults starting playing volleyball while the kids had a scavenger hunt. After their hunt, the kids divided into 3 different groups. Each group picked up a bed sheet and ...read more

Scripture: James 3:3-12

Denomination: Baptist

"Making A Difference For God”--Practical Steps For The Jabez Territory Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Mar 16, 2002

Understanding that God’s ways are higher than our ways will help us to apply God’s practical formula for traveling the Jabez territory--and to know when God has shown up in our lives.

(Powerpoint slides and audience outline available) Today I continue with part 5 of the challenges of the prayer of Jabez. Today I want to stimulate your thinking about how to make a difference for God, what are some practical steps for the Jabez territory. Much of this message today was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, Isaiah 55:8-9

Denomination: Methodist

The Perfect Gift For Christmas

Contributed by Mike Hays on Dec 20, 2001

Many are searching for the perfect gift for their loved ones this Christmas, but God has a gift for us that will wear out or lose it power -- His mercies are new every morning.

The Perfect Gift For Christmas Luke 1:39-56 Time is running out. You only have a few days left to shop. I know you want to get the perfect gift for your loved ones this Christmas. As your pastor, I feel a special responsibility to help so I have searched the catalogs, Christmas flyers, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-56

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ