Sermons on Competing:

The Spirit Of Sports

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 5, 2021

The spirit of sports plays a greater role in the Bible than most of us see. We will study how Paul uses sport terms to teach Christian lessons.

Back in the days of depression the mighty Babe Ruth was asked to take a salary cut for the first time in his career. He didn't go for it, but insisted on his customary $80,000 contract. "But Babe," protested an official of the Yankee Ball Club, "These are trying times. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Wisdom's Path To Life (Prt 1)

Contributed by Brian Williams on Apr 20, 2023

Do you really want to find life and fulfillment? Be around people of wisdom who lead you to the path of wisdom and point you to the person of Wisdom - Jesus.

What is godliness? Who even uses this term “godly” today to describe fellow Christians in the church? Is this something that we personally aspire to? Yet this is what we read throughout the book of Proverbs as how we should live - to know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction; to discern and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can God Use Me?

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 23, 2025

God’s work does not depend on perfect people or ideal conditions, but on ordinary men and women who listen and respond faithfully when He speaks, even in uncertain times.

There is a question that lives quietly beneath a great deal of spiritual activity. It rarely gets announced. It doesn’t usually show up in public prayer. It hides behind busyness, behind service, behind long familiarity with faith. Can God use me? Not “Does God exist?” Not “Is the Bible ...read more

Scripture: Judges 4:4-9, Judges 5:20, 1 Samuel 15:22, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 6:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Let Us Throw Off Everything That Hinders Series

Contributed by Dennis Marquardt on Oct 18, 2000

#1 in "Let Us" Series

#1 "LET US THROW OFF EVERYTHING THAT HINDERS" TEXT: Hebrews 12:1-13 INTRO: (Having just concluded a series on God’s promises to us, we are going to look at a series now calling us to respond to God’s love for us, it is the "LET US" series...each message comes from a passage that is a call to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How Do You React To Pressure And Adversity?

Contributed by Gary Regazzoli on Sep 2, 2004

What happens when you subject the following items to Hot Water? Carrot, Egg and Coffee. The carrot turns to mush, the egg turns hard and the Coffee’s flavour is released. Which one do we imitate when under pressure?

Youth Service - Reaction to Hardship – Carrot, Egg, Coffee (Start by boiling carrots, an egg and coffee in three separate pots) Who’s been watching the Olympics? • Any special Olympic moments that stuck out for you? • What is fascinating about the Olympics is that we see individuals and teams under ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-29

Denomination: Christian Church

The Fear Of Failure

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Feb 13, 2006

Purpose: to share how we can overcome the fear of failure in our lives.

The Fear of Failure Scripture: Matthew 25:25-27 Purpose: to share how we can overcome the fear of failure in our lives. INTRODUCTION: Have you ever felt like Charlie Brown? I sure have. In fact, I’m standing here today as an absolute failure. I came across a list of things this week that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:25-27

Denomination: Other

What Could Be More Important Than My Rights? Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jun 24, 2008

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul defends his rights, gives up his rights, and shows how he lives without his rights. In doing so he becomes a great example for us in our dealings with the church and the world.

Introduction: A. Several years ago the Public Library in a certain town had a service called "Dial-A-Tale." 1. Anytime a young child wanted to hear a fairy tale, he or she could call the number and listen to a pre-recorded reading of a short fairy tale. 2. Unfortunately, however, the telephone ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:1-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Letters To The 7 Churches 5 - Laodicea Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 22, 2007

we need to resist the pressures of our culture to conform unthinkingly to the status quo and to compromise on the major principles of our faith. We need to recover the radical edge of Jesus’ teaching, that turns the values of the world upside down.

It’s interesting how we can go from the two letters we saw last week where one church thought they were alive and were actually dead and another thought they were as good as dead but actually had plenty of life in them, to the final letter of the seven where the church is neither one thing nor the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Anglican

Prayer Keys - Fasting Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Oct 22, 2011

Legalistic fasting is not a prayer key. It is just going hungry. Spiritual awareness that prompts us to pray may also prompt us to fast. May God make us more spiritually aware. May his spirit prompt us to pray, even to the point of forgetting to eat.

Prayer Keys - Fasting by Mark Stepherson “But when you fast, put oil on you head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:17-18 Did you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

For Jesus' Love 18 Leadership Traits

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Nov 25, 2017

Competition is as much a vice in the lives of believers with no redeeming virtues as it is a virtue in the lives of believers.

FOR JESUS’ LOVE 18 Leadership Traits By Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (November 25, 2017) “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Denomination: Friends

The Winner's Code Series

Contributed by David Diyanni on Nov 4, 2017

People who win a lot, teams that win a lot and people who succeed in life all have a lot in common. There are certain things they do and certain things they don’t do that somehow they all figure out. This is called the Winner’s code.

Introduction A. People who win a lot, teams that win a lot and people who succeed in life all have a lot in common. There are certain things they do and certain things they don’t do that somehow they all figure out. This is called the Winner’s code. What does it take to be a champion? B. A few ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-13

Denomination: Vineyard

Run To Win

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Jul 6, 2025

We are not in the Olympics or the Isthmian games. Still, we’re all running and we’re all busy. But are we running toward the right thing? What race are you running right now? Are you running the rat race of a hectic life, or are you running the race for heaven?

Alba 7-6-2025 RUN TO WIN I Corinthians 9:24-27 Herm Edwards, former coach of the New York Jets, was best known for his leadership and motivational abilities, which helped shape not just the teams he coached, but also the players who respected him. His most memorable moment with the Jets came in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Emerging Leader (Part 1 - 3) Series

Contributed by Dana Visneskie on Jun 10, 2004

These are three news paper articles I wrote for the local newspaper, stressing our need for leadership in Government. These articles, talk about what a leader looks like, how are country was formed, and the moral issues of our day, enjoy!

Part 1 From A Pastoral Perspective...... Title: The Next Emerging Leader At any moment now we are all going to hear what we have been waiting for, the election of Prime Minister. I have been waiting for this announcement with excitement for the sole reason that we need leadership and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Comeback Kid

Contributed by John Beehler on Apr 16, 2003

Life is not a game and the only true "comeback" happened 2000+ years ago.

The Comeback Kid The 49ers trailed 38-14 with 4 minutes left in the third quarter, but they scored 25 straight points on two TD passes and a scoring run. The Bills scored a 41-38 victory over the Houston Oilers on Jan. 3, 1993, a game they had trailed 35-3 in the third ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Caller Id"

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Feb 16, 2006

2nd Sunday After Epiphany, Series B

2nd Sunday after Epiphany, January 15, 2006 Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Lord, in each generation you call forth those to follow you. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, open our hearts and minds to your ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Denomination: Lutheran