Sermons on Comebacks:

Realationship Series

Contributed by Paul Newell on Dec 4, 2006

Discovering the REAL Christmas begins with REALationship. Though Simon Peter does not meet the Christ Child until thirty years after his birth, Peter is still a powerful illustration of REALationship.

Pretend Santas, imitation smells, counterfeit presents, simulated smiles, artificial trees, fake snow...how is it that we’ve turned the Christmas season into everything but something real? It appears to me that most of what is foisted upon us during the holiday’s is anything but real. As we prepare ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Turns Away Temptation

Contributed by Jeffrey Samelson on Mar 2, 2004

A look at the devil’s temptation of Christ and what it gives us for dealing with temptation in our own lives.

February 29, 2004 — First Sunday in Lent Christ Lutheran Church, Columbia, MD Pastor Jeff Samelson Luke 4:1-13 Jesus TURNS Away Temptation Trust Use God’s Word Recognize Temptation Never Surrender (note: An outline for the congregation should be printed in the bulletin, put on screen, etc., with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Your Life's New Ambitions

Contributed by Jeffrey Samelson on Apr 5, 2004

Paul shows us godly ambition, which is focused on Christ

Fifth Sunday in Lent — March 28, 2004 Christ Lutheran Church, Columbia, MD Pastor Jeff Samelson Philippians 3:8-14 Your Life’s New Ambitions I. Know Christ II. Pursue the Prize III. Keep Your Eyes on the Finish Line Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Betrayal, Forgiveness & Restoration - Peter Denies The Christ

Contributed by Ken Kersten on Apr 8, 2004

A look at Peter’s betrayal of Jesus and how Jesus brought forgiveness and restoration to Peter.

Mar. 28 – Jesus: The Betrayed READ John 13:21-38 18:15-18; 25-27 The year was 1779. He was a loyal patriot, a prosperous businessman, a natural leader and an obvious choice to be captain of the Connecticut State Militia. He proved to be a good military leader. He joined Montgomery ...read more

Scripture: John 13:21-38, John 18:15-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Countdown To War Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 25, 2011

The four horsemen - war, slaughter, famine, death and pestilence - have accompanied humanity since the dawn of time; they remind us of our sin, and God's judgment, and his ultimate control over all of history.

When I mapped out this year’s preaching schedule I did not - repeat NOT - know that war with Iraq would begin the week the seals on the scroll detailing the fate of the world would be opened and the four horsemen let loose. And I’m not egotistical enough to think that God arranged the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sanctifying The Secular On Halloween Series

Contributed by Tim White on Nov 3, 2011

While some teach us to avoid the Halloween season, Paul’s visit to Mars Hill may have left us a clue as to sanctifying the secular for God.

Sanctifying the Secular Acts 17:15-34 (ESV) My emails filled up this week from my pastor’s newsletters about Halloween. I get the same emails about the Christmas tree and the Easter bunny. About half of them warned pastors about allowing their churches to do anything around the Halloween ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:15-35

Denomination: Baptist

Cry Out In Your Time Of Trouble

Contributed by Jeremy Poling on Apr 21, 2012

Cry out to God in your time of trouble.

Cry Out in Your Time of Trouble 2 Chronicles 20:3-9 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD. And ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:3-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus' Bad Company Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 23, 2012

The messy business of Jesus and the church is the invitation and welcome to sinners such as us.

Introduction When Jesus begins his ministry, people are filled with wonder at what he can do – cast out demons and heal the sick. “Wow! I saw Jesus command a demon to come out of a man!” “That’s nothing, I saw him heal a man born blind.” “Well, I saw ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The "American Picker" Jesus

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jul 25, 2011

There is joy in discovering the extraordinary gift of grace in the most ordinary of places.

Title: The “American Picker” Jesus Text: Matthew 13:44-46 Thesis: There is joy in discovering the extraordinary gift of grace in the most ordinary of places. Introduction American Pickers is a reality television series that premiered on January 18, 2010 on the History Channel. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ba Christian Vs Cultural Christian

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 8, 2012

Cultural Christianity means to pursue the God we want instead of the God who is. It is the tendency to be shallow in our understanding of God, wanting Him to be more of a gentle grandfather type who pampers us and lets us have our own way. It is sensing a

Opening illustration: Throughout our life, Maureena and I have been exposed to a number of cultures but we have yielded to none, not even the one that we were born in. The weaning process takes a longer time for some than others. The impact that the culture has in the church in America is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:11-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Samson: Deliverer In Need Of Deliverance Pt. 2 Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 28, 2009

IN GOD’S DELIVERANCE STORY, OUR HERITAGE AND OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS NEVER EXCUSE PERSONAL COMPROMISE.

Samson -- Deliverer in Need of Deliverance Part Two Judges 14-16 9/6/09 INTRODUCTION Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson (born June 30, 1966) was the undisputed heavyweight champion and remains the youngest man ever to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles. He won the WBC title at just 20 ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

And The Greatest Of These Is Love

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Feb 15, 2009

A 5-point sermon dealing with different types of love, including the love God has for us and the love we are to have for His church.

As humans, our emotions can vary widely throughout a whole range of subjects. And while this is certainly true, since Valentines day was yesterday, I want to focus on love. We are capable of feelings several types of love, too, and each type has its own focus of intensity. There is an old ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:18

Denomination: *other

The Purpose Of The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 17, 2008

The Holy Spirit is such a powerful force that He changes us. But how does He do that, and how do we avoid being distracted by substitutes?

OPEN: During the Middle ages, in Florence Italy, there was a wealthy citizen by the name of Lorenzo de’Medici. He was a patron of the arts and very proud of the grand plays and pageants he staged for the citizens of the area. Among his productions were several amazingly realistic religious pageants ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A World Crying From The Quicksand

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 26, 2008

We get bogged down by responsbilities. The way out is first to act responsibly, second to tell others what God is doing in you, and ultimately to yield to our Savior.

One afternoon I came by the church to pick up a few things. I parked around the back, and there discovered two of our members, plus our sexton, in major trouble. These men had purchased a heavy-duty safe for the church office, and were intent on moving it inside. The safe had been hauled here on a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Why The Church Series

Contributed by John Sears on Jun 12, 2014

In our culture where the influence of the church is diminishing, why should we BE the church? The answer is found in the identity of Jesus and the promises he makes about the Kingdom he is establishing (the church).

Why the Church I want to share some staggering statistics about church. Since the year 2000, more than 4000 churches in America have closed the doors to their buildings each year. That's more than 40,000 churches. At the turn of the 1900’s there were 27 churches to every 10,000 people. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:1-19

Denomination: Christian Church