Sermons on columns of smoke:

How Christmas Complicates Things

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Dec 15, 2005

How you respond to Christmas depends on how you view Jesus as well as how you view yourself.

ILL. THE DANGERS OF CHRISTMAS Dr. Mateen Elass grew up in Saudia Arabia. In his youth he associated Christmas with reindeer, stars, colorful lights, sleigh bells, parties, and decorated trees. He remembers being told that the deeper meaning of Christmas was love and good will shown by giving and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It's About Time Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Feb 23, 2016

The sermon is based on 1 Peter 4.1-11. In addition to receiving the gifts of salvation and the Spirit, God has given us the gift of TIME. As all of His gifts, we are to be good stewards and correctly use the time we have been given.

1. The Gift of Time See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 David Jeremiah observed: Almost everything in life is "stoppable." Even gravity can be suspended temporarily. But one part of life cannot be stopped ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"The Problem With Being Good" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Aug 7, 2017

It has been said that there are really only three ways to live in life. One is the way of the rebellious. The second is the way of the religious and the third is the way of the redeemed.

“The Problem with Being Good” Philippians 3:1-11 It has been said that there are really only three ways to live in life. One is the way of the rebellious. The second is the way of the religious and the third is the way of the redeemed. We see all three of these being played out in the parable of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

A Life Of Hope And Praise Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jul 12, 2021

A sermon for Pentecost Year B, Lectionary 15

July 11, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Ephesians 1:3-14 A Life of Hope and Praise Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Our epistle readings for the next several weeks are taken from St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. I’d like to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Multiplication, Not Addition Series

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Jan 24, 2022

Based on 2 Timothy 2:2 - Helps hearers understand the NT basis for discipleship & the impact of generational multiplication

“MULTIPLICATION NOT ADDITION”. 2 Timothy 2:2 FBCF – 1/23/22 Jon Daniels INTRO - In a commencement speech at Univ of TX, Admiral William McRaven gave this challenge to graduates: “If every one of you changed the lives of just 10 people, and each one of those folks changed the lives of another 10 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:2

Denomination: Baptist

The Journey Of Life

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 19, 2002

Certain things either help or hinder our spiritual journey through life.

The Journey of Life Heb. 12:1-3 INTRO.- ILL.- Two preachers were having lunch at a farm during a certain anniversary celebration. The farmer’s wife had fried several chickens and told her family they could have what was left after everyone had gone home. But it was not to be. Those hungry ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Getting Your Feet Wet

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Aug 5, 2019

In healing the Syrian Army commander Namaan through the prophet Elijah, God shows us some surprising things about His grace and the importance of stepping out in faith and "getting our feet wet."

A GOOD SOLDIER, BUT LEPROUS Our story this morning is one of the most remarkable in the Old Testament, not least because it defies all of our expectations of how God deals with his people and their enemies. And make no mistake, that’s exactly who the central figure in this morning’s story is: ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

The Gospel- No More, No Less

Contributed by Neil Richardson on Mar 12, 2008

The gospel is God-made and God-revealed, is a gospel of grace, and should not be added to with works-righteousness.

Galatians 1:11-2:16 Intro- no other gospel 1. God-made object (1:11,12) • Truth about God can only be revealed not deduced or calculated • Jesus is God’s self-revelation (Hebrews 1:1-3) • Why should Paul want to reiterate this? 2. Gamekeeper turned fisher (1:13-24) • Paul’s previous ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Assets And Liabilities Series

Contributed by Stephen Todd on Apr 1, 2004

How do you tell which things in your life are assets and which are liabilities?

Philippians 3:4-11 Sunday, June 2, 2002 To get us thinking this morning, I want to ask you a question. What are your assets and what are your liabilities? You say "pastor, that’s easy. Here’s what I own - those are my assets. Here’s what I owe - those are my liabilities." That’s not what ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-11

Denomination: Baptist

Arduous Journey

Contributed by Bala Samson on Jun 28, 2017

You may have to sometimes boldly stand for God and be ready for tough journey for the glory of God!

Arduous journey Proverbs 3:6 “Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.” I was reading the newspaper today and while reading the entertainment column, I read how a choreography team traveled to a height of 12,000 feet to shoot a song in freezing cold temperature. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Blueprint For Blessing

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on May 26, 2016

How one's lifestyle affects his blessings. The contrast between the believer and the unbeliever

TITLE: God's Blueprint for Blessing TEXT: Psalm 1:1-6 INTRO: The first Psalm has been called the Psalm of Psalms because it summarizes all of them and focuses on the differences between the Righteous and the Wicked, or, as Adrian Rogers said, "the Saints and the Ain'ts." The first Psalm give us, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

A Well Without Water

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 14, 2022

The word of truth is the water of life. In which, it refreshes the souls that receive it. But those who deceive (false prophets/teachers) speak error because there is no truth in them.

The word of truth is the water of life. In which, it refreshes the souls that receive it. But those who deceive (false prophets/teachers) speak error because there is no truth in them. As clouds hinder the light of the sun, so do the false prophets darken counsel with words that have no truth. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Bad Worship Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 30, 2012

What is the difference between good worship and bad worship?

Introduction What is the difference between good worship and bad worship? In our previous text we considered the elements of good worship that the people, knowingly or unknowingly offered to Jesus. It was good worship from the heart and the head. It was given out of sincere joy and desire to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:11-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Birth Pains To Come Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 31, 2012

I will be today and next week presenting the four or five views of what the end time entails.

Introduction I cannot think of more exciting time in my life than the summer of 1972 as a rising high school senior. I had attended Explo ’72, a nationwide week-long conference of high school and college students. About 80,000 attended. I came back fired up for the Lord. Another friend ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Overcoming Loneliness Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 25, 2016

We struggle with loneliness in silence. And yet you and I were made for relationship. How can you overcome your loneliness?

Overcoming Loneliness Matthew 26:26-44 Columnist Marla Paul reluctantly admitted in an article she wrote that she was lonely. “The loneliness saddens me. How did it happen that I could be 42 years old and not have enough friends?” She ended her column with these words: “I think ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:26-44

Denomination: Methodist