Sermons on Compete:

Commitment Series

Contributed by Dana Chau on Mar 9, 2004

Discover how commitment restores hope for marriage.

We continue with the 5th message in our series, Restoring Hope for Marriage. This morning, we will look at commitment to our spouse in marriage. Cultural values, our job, the children, our hobbies, negative peer pressure and certainly our own selfishness, all compete with our commitment to our ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:10-16

Denomination: *other

What's The Difference?

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Mar 19, 2004

So what’s the difference between the church and the world? And what’s the source of that difference. Would it surprise those of us in the church to realize that we’re the reason things are so different?

What’s the difference? By itself the question doesn’t make sense. What’s the difference between what? Some differences are pretty easy to see, night and day; automobiles and elephants. But others are a bit subtler such as between democracy and a representative republic. Still others are live ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Happiness Is An Oily Beard" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 5, 2002

Unity among Christians does not require uniformity Community is rooted in relationship

“Happiness is an Oily Beard” Psalm 133 -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Here’s an interesting observation—there is a Commandment about honoring our mothers and fathers, so why isn’t there one about brothers and sisters? There is: “Thou shalt not kill.” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 133:1-3

Denomination: Congregational

"Listen Up"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 9, 2002

To respond actively and concretely is to be within the pupose and plan of God.

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 “Listen up” By: Rev. Kenneth E. Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA Corporations spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year producing t-v commercials with the hope that people will watch and listen to their commercials and be persuaded ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: United Methodist

Grace Under Fire

Contributed by Eric Ledermann on Jul 23, 2002

In conversations with people there is one thing I hear too often, and that is: “Boy, the Church sure is in a sad state these days.” When I read the scriptures I sense that I am truly reading about God’s grace. Grace is God’s gift to us. Grace is, then,

Rom. 11.1-2a, 29-32; Matt. 15:21-28 I. Opening A. In conversations with people there is one thing I hear too often, and that is: “Boy, the Church sure is in a sad state these days.” B. Saddens me because the church has had such an incredible affect on me. C. Why? 1. Jesus shows grace and mercy to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:29-32, Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Minimalism

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on May 14, 2003

We often try to get away with putting forth the least effort possible in order to achieve the greatest results. But this is far from a Biblical concept. God has a better idea in mind, as he has already shown in Christ.

Passage: 1 Peter 1:13-21 Intro: One of the most prevalent tendencies among human beings is our desire expend as little effort as possible to achieve our goals. 1. weight loss without diet or exercise, pill. 2. destroy Iraqi regime in a week. 3. “what do I need to do to pass this course” 4. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Fix Your Foundation Series

Contributed by David Salisbury on Jun 6, 2003

Lesson 18 on the Sermon on the Mount. Will you be the wise man or the foolish man?

Fix Your Foundation Matthew 7:24-29 Intro. Gregory Elder tells about growing up on the Atlantic Coast. As a child, he loved to make elaborate sand castles. He made entire sand cities some times. But one year, for several days in a row, a group of bullies would come through and smash ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Marvelous Amazing Grace

Contributed by John Beehler on Jun 19, 2002

God’s grace is not for sale, we can’t earn it. All we have to do is ask for it and He will give it to us and it will be sufficient.

Marvelous Amazing Grace I think most of the trouble in the world can be blamed directly or indirectly to sin. Sin is costly. Think of the cost of crime. The cost of maintaining a police force. The cost of operating a court. Jails and prisons. Problems caused by alcohol, ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Moving On" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 5, 2002

The faith-life is a pilgrimage

Psalm Steps>“Moving On” (Repentance), Psalm 120 Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Have you ever lived somewhere you hated? In my Army days, soldiers often said their favorite assignment was “the last one and the next one.” A lot of people grow ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 120:1-7

Denomination: Congregational

Growth Through Suffering

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 9, 2001

God often teaches us through suffering. Why? Because in good times, we have a tendency to forget God. But adversity helps focus us on what is most important.

You may be familiar with a story that’s been in the news recently [Bobby Knight allegedly choking one of his players]. My purpose this morning is not to take a position on whether or not he should be fired. What interests me is how some of the very people that this man supposedly abused are ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

God Our Provider

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 9, 2001

Only God can (and does) meet our needs. He does this for the purpose of displaying the gospel in our lives.

32Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way." 33His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote ...read more

Scripture: John 6:26-35

Denomination: Baptist

Agreeing With God Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on May 6, 2001

What is my response to sin to be if I want to walk in the light.

Agreeing With God - 1 John 1:8-10 INTRODUCTION: In chapter 1 we have the elder statesman of the church, the last living apostle, writing to a church that, since the death of Paul 30 yrs earlier, has fallen into various forms of heresy. John the mender of nets writes at the age of 90 to fix what ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:8-10

Passing The Torch Of Spiritual Leadership

Contributed by Rick Bartosik on May 23, 2001

Joshua’s words to a new generation apply to each one of us who desires to be the kind of leader God wants us to be.

"Passing the Torch of Spiritual Leadership" Joshua 23:1-11 Commencement Address Dr. Rick Bartosik International College and Graduate School May 15, 1999 INTRODUCTION: President Harvey Ching, members of the board, fellow faculty members and staff, alumni, families, friends and graduates of the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 23:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Counting The Cost

Contributed by Giles Mullen on Feb 8, 2002

Trust in Jesus; how far will your trust in Jesus Christ carry you in todays society? Will you be seen as a commited to discipleship, or like Judas--an uncommitted pretender?

COUNTING THE COST Luke 14:25-35 Counting the cost of discipleship. That is something that we don’t like to think about too often. But, everything comes at a cost. For an athlete, they must decide early in life just how serious he/she wants to become in their sport and train accordingly. I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living The Great Adventure

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Mar 4, 2002

Are you just living or are you living the Great Adventure God destined you for. Three keys to sowing which can help you saddle up.

(show video from Steven Curtis Chapman "The Great Adventure) Are you content in your Christian life? Let me ask it another way, are you content with life? Life is a great adventure as Steven Curtis Chapman sang in the video clip we just watched. Today, I want to help you saddle up and get into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:22-23

Denomination: Pentecostal