Sermons on Contenders:

Baa Baa Black Sheep Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 29, 2011

Psychologists refer to the trait of not wanting someone to be part of their "flock" the "Black Sheep Effect". Jesus could have told His parable using a black sheep (because the sinners He worked with were that), but He didn’t. Were there reasons why He di

OPEN: (This is a video of a 3 yr old girl “reading” the story of the lost sheep. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QIhNBzK6dQ Begin at 31 sec mark. Quit at 3 minutes) In keeping with this idea of children’s stories, I want to share with you a children’s song about sheep. Sing along is you know the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Paul's Ministry & Motivations (1:23-2:5) Series

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Jul 6, 2022

This sermon finishes up Paul's introduction to his letter to the Colossians with him telling them what he is doing for them.

Paul's Ministry & Motivations So far, as we have studied Paul's introduction to his letter to the Colossians we have looked at what Paul says that he, and how he prays for them. This evening we will look at what Paul says that he does for them. In Colossians 1:24-2:5 Paul describes his ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

God Knows How To Deliver The Saints And Sinners

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 7, 2025

Many ministers do not like to prepare sermons that deal with only one verse of scripture.

Why? There are several reasons. (1) Often when preachers select one verse it is easy to take it out of context. Did you know you can twist the scriptures to make it sound like anything you want it to sound? Let me give you an example… You can quote from scripture the Bible says, THERE IS NO ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:9

Denomination: Baptist

Knowing God's Heartbeat

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 23, 2024

David knew God’s heartbeat at its best. He was a worshiper, gifted songwriter, and musician, creating many worshipful moments in the presence of God. He was called a man after God’s own heart.

Opening illustration: While ministering in the Middle East, my wife, Maureena, and I experienced the heartbeat of God almost every day. We were so blessed to have heard Him speak and guide us along life’s path. As we followed after His heart and heeded His voice, He would bring about many blessings ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jude: Defending The Faith

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Aug 18, 2025

Big idea: From the 1st century on, the church has been threatened by heresy and false teaching. We also must be on our guard.

INTRODUCTION There was a man who walked into a gas station with a $20 bill. Just a regular Tuesday. He handed over the cash to the cashier, who paused, held it up to the light, scribbled on it with one of those little pens—and then called the police. It was a counterfeit. The man was stunned—he ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:3-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Need For Faithfulness In Prayer Series

Contributed by Bo Dunford on Mar 14, 2002

God wants His people to be faithful in their prayer life.

COL.1:7; 4:12 "THE NEED FOR FAITHFULNESS IN PRAYER" * Some of God’s choicest servants are unknown to us. * There are many unsung heroes of the faith. * Tonight I want us to look at the example of such a man. * His name? Epaphras * As we think about the need for faithfulness, I hope that we’ll ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:7, Colossians 4:12

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Mount Lesson 8

Contributed by Bill Prater on Jan 1, 2001

Lesson 8

With His statement "Blessed are the peacemakers" the Lord surely must have shocked those around Him. How could the Jews ever hope to overthrow the Roman government and restore themselves to a place of prominence if they were going to be a bunch of "peacemakers?" The Romans were not going to just ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Baptist

How The Lord Uses Pain For Our Good

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. God used pain in Job's life to correct many mistaken beliefs about his own rights, expectations, assumptions, relationships, health, prosperity, controls, family, friends, faults, & securities.

1. God used pain in Job's life to correct many mistaken beliefs about his own rights, expectations, assumptions, relationships, health, prosperity, controls, family, friends, faults, & securities. The Lord wonderfully used pain in Job's life to purify him of anything that would keep him from ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why You Need The Spirit's Power To Overcome Hidden Faults

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Without the leading, help and encouragement from the Holy Spirit no one can overcome their hidden faults.

1. Without the leading, help and encouragement from the Holy Spirit no one can overcome their hidden faults. David prayed, " Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me." (Psalm 19:12,13) Every believer needs the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:12-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Holy Spirit Does A Better Job Than People Do

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. The Holy Spirit seeks to bring greater glory to the Lord through every believer.

1. The Holy Spirit seeks to bring greater glory to the Lord through every believer. Jesus said, "He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you." (John 16:14) Ask the Lord to help you give God greater glory through the Holy Spirit working to illuminate, manifest ...read more

Scripture: John 16:8-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Holy Spirit Functions For Believers

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. The Holy Spirit seeks to bring greater glory to the Lord through every believer.

1. The Holy Spirit seeks to bring greater glory to the Lord through every believer. Jesus said, "He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you." (John 16:14) Ask the Lord to help you give God greater glory through the Holy Spirit working to illuminate, manifest ...read more

Scripture: John 16:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lessons Of Conflict Resolution

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Resolving Conflicts Between People

Resolving Conflicts Illustration:Anger is a divinely implanted emotion. Closely allied to our instinct for right, it is designed to be used for constructive spiritual purposes. The person who cannot feel anger at evil is a person who lacks enthusiasm for good. If you cannot hate wrong, it’s very ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:36-41

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What To Do When You Are Placed In A Position Of Contention 

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Occasionally we all find ourselves in a position where we face a prickly difference of opinions with our peers. When Peter returned from visiting the house of the Gentile Cornelius, his Jewish friends cried out in anger, "You went to the uncircumcised men

Illustration:No great advance has been made in science, politics or religion without controversy. Lyman Beecher 1. Occasionally we all find ourselves in a position where we face a prickly difference of opinions with our peers. When Peter returned from visiting the house of the Gentile ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Jesus Knew That No One Could Ruin God's Plan

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

How to find certainty in God’s will for your life

Terrible discouragement can be avoided if people realize nothing can ruin God’s plan for their life. God told Jeremiah, "I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jer. 29:11) Illustration:J. Dennis Miller, president of ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

This Is Just A Test

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Mar 10, 2005

Pressure (tests are part of life) how we handle our tests determine whether we are promoted to the next level or not.

Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: 23 The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: 24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 49:22-26

Denomination: Pentecostal