Sermons on Closed Communion:

Rags-To-Riches, Or, Riches-To-Rags?

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Sep 24, 2019

A look at the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus with the theme of rags-to-riches. A big thanks goes to Dr. Mackenzie for spurring the application.

On November 25, 1835, little Andrew Carnegie was born into a poor family in Scotland. He grew up in extreme poverty, and often would sleep to “forget the misery of hunger.” To save themselves from starvation, his family came to the United States when was 13, hoping for a better future. While ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Lutheran

From Death To Life Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 28, 2018

There's a repetitive theme in Scripture: heroes and heroines of the Bible seemingly all go through the process of being given a vision by God, followed by the death of that vision, and ultimately the rebirth of that vision. How did that pattern apply to Jesus and how does it apply to us?

OPEN: (We showed the image of a fallen tree (https://imgur.com/iP32qff) I saw this picture on the internet about a month ago and it took me a while to realize what I was looking at. Obviously the tree has been uprooted and it’s lying on the ground with its dead limbs extending along the ground. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:33-51

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Secure Forever

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Aug 23, 2006

What is the basis of your security? money? job? religion?

Story about how insecure we Americans feel after 9/11 Office of Homeland Security 1. Introduce idea of Security. Freedom from risk or danger; safety. Freedom from doubt, anxiety, or fear; confidence. We also ought to understand security in terms of who trying to steal our security from us as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:23

Denomination: Baptist

Reaping And Sowing In The Ruins Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Jul 9, 2020

This sermon looks at the hope and promise of sowing God's Word. It deals with the failures, but also the joys that we can experience with this! It goes through Jesus' parable of the sower. A special thanks to Rev. Bob Holst for the inspiration and idea

Are you an optimist, or are you a pessimist? Are you a glass half-empty person, or are you a glass half-full person? Do you complain that rose bushes have thorns, or do you rejoice because thorns have roses? Do you see the storm clouds, or do you see the silver lining? There are various ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-13, Matthew 13:1-9, Matthew 13:18-23, Galatians 5:21-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Practising Witnessing Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 23, 2017

The Great Commission is given to all Christians. As we go, we are charged to fulfil this mandate to witness. The message explores some parameters of the commission to encourage believers to fulfil Christ's command.

“Jesus came and said to [the disciples], ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Greeting Fellow Believers Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 17, 2020

Our loyalty to Christ and other believers should supersede all other factors. We should receive and support every other Christian regardless of race, denomination, political party, or any other affiliation. This message expounds Philippians 4:10-23.

For the last two messages we have addressed Paul’s expression of gratitude for the gift the Philippians had sent him. That is found in Philippians 4:10-20. There we discovered a wealth of revelation that has filled our hearts with peace and confidence. Those two previous messages focused on three ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-13, 2 Corinthians 12:14, Luke 6:38, Revelation 3:14-22, Galatians 3:28, James 2:1, 2 Corinthians 6:14, 2 John 1:9-11, Matthew 9:38, Matthew 10:11-16, 2 Corinthians 9:6-11, Proverbs 11:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Thanks Be To God! Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 21, 2010

As I researched this sermon, I discovered a powerful message in Paul’s thanksgiving that was both simple and profound. What it taught me has changed my entire view of how to give thanks.

There’s a supposedly true story about a family was seated around their Thanksgiving table. As was their custom everyone shared what they were thankful for. From the oldest to the youngest, they each took their turn to express their praise. When they came to the 5 year old in the family, he ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Same Old Body With Lots Of New Choices

Contributed by Tom Lance on Jan 7, 2010

The Same Old Body with Lots of New Choices-New's Year's Resolution

The Same Old Body with Lots of New Choices Luke 10: 41-42, Mark 5:19, Mark 10:21 Well today my message is…The Same Old Body with Lots of New Choices. I don't know why that scale says 232 pounds. I don't know what Ian was trying to say there. But anyway… We have lots of new choices ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:41-42

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Overcome The World

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Dec 15, 2003

Abraham Lincoln wrote in his diary during the worst part of the civil war: "Without Christ I cannot succeed. With Christ I cannot fail." "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Wh

Overcome the World (I John 5:4,5) Abraham Lincoln wrote in his diary during the worst part of the civil war: "Without Christ I cannot succeed. With Christ I cannot fail." Quote: "The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:4-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Don’t Deserve - And So We Serve Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 26, 2010

Sunday Morning Church is only a pre-game warmup for "real worship". Find out what real worship is all about and why it’s important we not think about it the same way the world does.

OPEN: A Sunday School teacher was teaching her children the benefits of unselfishness. She concluded by saying’ "The reason you are in this world, children, is to help others." After a moment’s silence, a little girl piped up "Well, then, what are the OTHERS here for?" As I studied Romans 12 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Three Meals

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Apr 8, 2024

This sermon involves the setting up of three meals – the meal of poison , the meal of opened eyes and the meal of Grace and Salvation.

Scripture: Genesis 3:3-7; Luke 24:28-35; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Sermon: The Three Meals This sermon involves the setting up of three meals – you can place the three meals on a table that is in the front of the sanctuary – all three can fit on one table – use a nice tablecloth to accept the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:28-35, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Genesis 3:3-7

Denomination: Nazarene

How Will You Respond To The Riches Of God's Glory? Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Nov 24, 2019

1. We can see the riches of God's glory... [1] in His love (vs. 1-5). [2] in His knowledge (vs. 3-4; 11-14). [3] in His mission (7-15). 2. How should we respond to the riches of God's glory? [1] By believing in Jesus Christ (vs. 14-15). [2] By staying close to our Savior (vs. 16).

How Will You Respond to the Riches of God's Glory? The Gospel of John John 11:1-16 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - April 5, 2017 (Revised November 24, 2019) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to John 11 as we continue to study one of the Lord's great miracles. It's ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Rest In The Presence Of God Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 31, 2024

We can experience God’s presence outside of us, and within us. God isn’t far off. He’s so close we can hardly imagine it. Many feel God is far off. They wonder… Can you really experience God? Can you really sense God’s presence? Can you really know God deeply? The answer to those 3 questions is yes.

Does God seem far away? Many feel God is far off. They wonder… Can you really experience God? Can you really sense God’s presence? Can you really know God deeply? The answer to those 3 questions is yes. We we can experience God’s presence outside of us, and within us. God isn’t far off. He’s so ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:7-11, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Psalm 16:11, Exodus 33:12-14

Denomination: Salvation Army

Thanks Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 7, 2023

Why do the Gospels tell us the story of the 10 lepers. What does their gratitude (or lack thereof) teach us about them - and about us as Christians?

September 1923 - a devastating earthquake rocked the islands of Japan. And just in the city of Tokyo it destroyed nearly 75% of the buildings. The New York Tribune called the earthquake “Undoubtedly the greatest disaster in recorded time.” It was estimated that nearly 300,000 people died, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Easter - The Journey To The Cross Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 19, 2019

A journey back through time nearly 2000 years to what some people call Holy Week or Passion Week. The days between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, days packed with real historical events of meaning and power.

This morning I want to take us on a journey back through time nearly 2000 years to what some people call Holy Week or Passion Week. The days between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, days packed with real historical events of meaning and power. We are going to briefly consider what happened on ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:9, John 12:13, Matthew 21:12-14, Matthew 21:23-27, Matthew 26:14-16, Matthew 26:26-28, 1 John 3:16, Matthew 27:1-2, John 19:25-27, Matthew 27:57-61, Luke 23:56, Matthew 28:1-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal