Sermons on Collections:

Christmas Around The World

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 9, 2020

Here's a look at 10 colorful Christmas traditions in far-flung countries on different continents. Then we focus on the real meaning of Christmas as described in John 3:16 followed by an illustration that captures the sense of Christmas.

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD John 3:16 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Arjun: What do you call a snowman with a six pack? Alexander: I haven’t the foggiest. Arjun: An abdominal snowman. 2. John: What did the gingerbread man put on his bed? Zack: What? John: A cookie sheet. 3. Zoey: What do you get ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Owl #4 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Apr 14, 2021

God redeems language and people groups by sending scouts willing to take on the giants.

<The Tootsie roll owl commercial launches the message> Did you know that that commercial is almost 50 years old? It’s memorable. It points to a question, provides a practical experiment and even an answer. However, the wise old owl is only validating his own personal knowledge and experience ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 30:26, Proverbs 30:24-28, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, 2 Corinthians 4:7, Luke 10:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Before The Harvest

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jan 12, 2015

The wheat and the weeds, then, grow side by side – and will, until the harvest. Then, according to Jesus, there will be a separation.

This is a simple tale, isn’t it? Or, so it seems. But there’s actually more to Jesus’ story than meets the eye. If you and I were to look down the page just a few verses, what we would find is Jesus’ explanation of this parable and what it means. As he lays it out, he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Is In The House!

Contributed by James Lee on Nov 10, 2014

I believe that it’s good to have friends who will go the extra mile for you.

Way back in the 90s, I had to preach the funeral of a man I never met. The funeral home called and asked if I would perform the service since I was the pastor of the church, where he was to be buried. I found out something very interesting about the man, as I spoke with the family members. It seems ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Cavorting With Cowardice

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Apr 10, 2018

THIS IS THE THIRD OF A FOUR PART SERIES ON THE CHARACTERS OF EASTER. PILATE WAS PLACED IN THE SITUATION WHERE TO ACT COURAGEOUSLY AND RELEASE JESUS COULD COST HIM HIS POSITION. HE CHOSE THE COWARDLY WAY AND BOWED TO THE CROWD AND ALLOWED JESUS' DEATH.

CAVORTING WITH COWARDICE MARK 15:1-15 TODAY WE CONTINUE WITH OUR SERIES LEADING UP TO EASTER BY LOOKING AT THE CHARACTER OF PILATE. JESUS’ ILLEGAL TRIAL HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETED, AND JESUS WAS FOUND GUILTY OF BLASPHEMY. JESUS REMAINED SILENT DURING THIS TRIAL MOST LIKELY BECAUSE FOR MANY REASONS, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Cleansing Touch Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 27, 2014

We must not separate Jesus’ life or teachings from His miraculous works. They are intertwined together to give us the message Jesus was sent to bring. The miracles serve to validate Jesus as the Messiah of God & to authenticate His claims & teachings.

MATTHEW 8: 1-4 THE CLEANSING TOUCH OF JESUS [Job 5:17-27] We must not separate Jesus’ humble life, or His authoritative teachings from His miraculous works. They are intertwined together to give us the message Jesus was sent to bring. The miracles serve to validate Jesus as the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Smells Like Love

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 1, 2013

Mary's lovely act, Judas' lowly attack, Jesus lavish adoration. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Smells Like Love John 12:1-8 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/smellslikelove.html We're halfway through John, and the last half focuses on all the events of Passion Week, the days leading up to the cross. This is a gospel, and the good news is Jesus, and His cross! Lazarus is at this table in v. ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Is In The House

Contributed by James Lee on Nov 19, 2013

Jesus has come back to Capernaum and is in the house of Peter, where He is quickly surrounded by people desperate for His Word. One man had four friends who were desperate to get their friend to Jesus. How desperate are we?

Way back in the 90s, I had to preach the funeral of a man I never met. The funeral home called and asked if I would perform the service since I was the pastor of the church, where he was to be buried. I found out something very interesting about the man, as I spoke with the family members. It seems ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Hosanna To The Lamb!

Contributed by John Newton on Nov 22, 2021

A call to worship with the saints

It was a dark, stormy and very windy night when disaster struck the cemetery. As a cold rain hammered against the sodden earth, a howling gale overturned tombstones, blew down branches and sent cobwebs flying into the dank night air. Lying in bed, Paul Hopkins heard the savage roar outside and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17

Denomination: Episcopal

"what Should We Do Then?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 9, 2021

A call to radical repentance.

“What Should We Do Then?” Luke 3:7-18 John the Baptist has appeared on the scene in order to prepare the people for the coming of Christ, the Messiah, the Kingdom of God incarnate in human form. “He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18

Denomination: United Methodist

The Life Line (2018, Fifth Sunday Of Easter)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 28, 2021

Sin is perhaps the biggest of the obstacles because it is connected with all of the other obstacles in our lives that hinder God’s will. Sin has many forms and formats that make deadwood in our lives, but sin has one purpose and that is our destruction.

THE LIFE LINE Text: John 15:1- 8 Just recently my daughter Lilly looked at the bushes of the parsonage that had been trimmed back. She expressed her concern that the bushes might not grow back. I assured her that that the pruning that had taken place was good for the bushes because ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

The Predecessor From God

Contributed by Dr. Jeffrey Dukeman on Dec 3, 2018

John the Baptist was a predecessor from God at Jesus' Baptism. We today should reflect on all those who have preceded us and helped us to know God, and we should also strive to be predecessors from God for others.

Historian David Barton has an interesting discussion in an article entitled “Christmas—as Celebrated by the Presidents.” Barton writes, Even though Christmas did not become a national holiday until 1870, it has a centuries old history in America. Interestingly, in colonial America, the southern ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-20

Characters Of Christmas: The Shepherds Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Nov 20, 2017

A look at the shepherds around the manger.

History and pop culture have given a cast of characters to surround us at Christmas. The characters evoke smiles, joy, reverence, excitement, anticipation and happy memories. Some, like Santa Claus have sacred beginnings, but most are purely secular in nature. That’s okay, for they still bring joy ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Methodist

Snake Bit

Contributed by Clay Ledford on Oct 17, 2019

Don't let Satan paralyze or defeat you. God can use your storms to change you and the world around you.

Snake bit Acts 28:1 – 10. Have you ever felt like that once things started going south then the snowball picked up momentum and size, and before you know it you have been bowled over? Do you feel like the world is against you? Is Murphy’s Law your life verse? Most people pick Jeremiah 29: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Tradition! Tradition! Tradition!

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Aug 24, 2021

Does tradition have any role in the Christian life?

Tradition! Tradition! Tradition! Mark 7:1-23 I can remember many years ago seeing Fiddler on the Roof. My mind has gotten a little foggy concerning the details, but I remember a hit song which came from it called “Tradition, Tradition, Tradition. I was about an orthodox Jewish community facing the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23, Mark 7:1-8, Mark 7:14-15, Mark 7:21-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible