Sermons on Controversy:

The Joy And Privilege Of Serving Jesus (John 3:22-36; 4:1-3) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 15, 2022

Whatever ministry we "have," is God's gift to us. If I decrease, it's okay. I point people to Jesus. Also, bonus discussion: part of "faith" is obedience (John 3:36)

Today's passage is a little tricky. I'll try to talk slowly. I'll try to not lose you. But if you get lost about parts, I'd be happy to give you my manuscript, or answer any questions afterward. Let's start this morning by rereading John 3:1-5 (NRSV, lightly modified): 3 ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-36, John 4:1-3

Breaking Down Barriers Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 24, 2020

Peter’s response to these religious rule-keepers is a model for us as we face criticism or complaints. We’ll see that Peter’s answer is more pastoral than argumentative. I see seven correctives to help us handle criticism.

This week I shared something positive on Facebook and got pulverized. The criticism came quickly and repeatedly. Normally I’m more careful about posting about controversial matters so I wasn’t prepared for all the venomous vitriol and overwhelming opposition. One person simply replied, “Oh ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Foolhardy Faith Of Jephthah - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Thomas Fortini on Nov 2, 2020

God honor’s faith, even though at times it is exercised in a somewhat short-sighted, impulsive, rash, and venturesome way. But if we do so, it is never without consequences! The story of Jephthah reminds us of that.

Title: Foolhardy Faith of Jephthah (Part 2) VI. The Proof of the foolhardiness of the vow! Judges 11:30b “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, 31 whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-34

Bargaining With God Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Just as Abraham was an instrument of blessing to the world, you are to be instruments of blessing to the world. Just as Abraham taught His children God’s righteous ways, you are to teach our children God’s righteous ways.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! As believers in Christ, we need not wait until the end of November to be thankful. You and I need to be grateful for God’s righteous goodness all the time. And as we will see over the next few minutes, you and I need to be grateful for God’s justice all the time. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:16-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Covenant Remains!

Contributed by Jeff Taylor on Sep 15, 2023

Ever notice how when a man and a woman want to get married, they go to God and have a church wedding? But when they want a divorce, they go to man? They go to church to say, "I do", but they go to court to say, "I quit!" Does God accept that?

Ever notice how when a man and a woman want to get married, they go to God and have a church wedding? But when they want a divorce, they go to man? They go to church to say, "I do", but they go to court to say, "I quit!". They go to a judge, who is a man or a woman, whatever the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:6, Matthew 19:1-10, 1 Corinthians 7:12-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Introduction To Ephesians Series

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Nov 8, 2022

A detailed introduction to the book of Ephesians.

INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS—THE SUPREME LETTER By common consent the Letter to the Ephesians ranks very high in the devotional and theological literature of the Christian Church. It has been called The Queen of the Epistles" and rightly so. Many would hold that it is indeed the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1, Ephesians 1:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

New Year's Sermon: With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 7, 2024

Jesus doesn’t tell us to pack a bag to be prepared. Instead, He tells us we are the bag. YOU ARE THE GO BAG. We are to be prepared.

Happy New Year to your family and you! We begin a new series for a new year, the 40-Day Challenge. I want to invite each of you to take the 40-Day Challenge with me. As you begin a new year, I challenge you to devote 40 days to grow spiritually. I want you to take a 40-day challenge with me. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:38-45

Denomination: Baptist

Five Things I Know About The Fundamentals Of Christianity

Contributed by Jerry Falwell on Jan 11, 2002

Five things you must do to be right with God.

FIVE THINGS I KNOW ABOUT THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CHRISTIANITY By Jerry Falwell I. FIVE THINGS YOU MUST DO TO BE RIGHT WITH GOD For the past two years I have been reading the standards of SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) and the academic people have been talking to me about “must” ...read more

Scripture: John 3:7

Denomination: Baptist

How Will You Light Your Christmas?

Contributed by Joe Jones on Jan 21, 2002

Today is the first Sunday in Advent….a time for us to begin our preparations for the celebration of THE ONE that would change the face of the earth with his life. It’s the season when you and I participate in an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

How Will You Light Your Christmas? Dec 2, 2001 Today is the first Sunday in Advent….a time for us to begin our preparations for the celebration of THE ONE that would change the face of the earth with his life. It’s the season when you and I participate in an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Promised Healer Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on Feb 10, 2002

Jesus of Nazareth, the promised Messiah comes as promised, and he comes healing. Physical healing is an important part of Messiah’s work in rolling back the curse of the fall.

The Promised Healer Text: Matthew 8:1-17 Introduction You all know I like to check out sermoncentral.com as I prepare my sermons. Sometimes it is more revealing for what is not there than what is there. This week for instance I was fascinated to read through sermon after sermon on this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Liberty, License, And Legalism

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jul 9, 2003

Today there are two extreme positions being expounded. Not new, they have existed since apostolic times. Each critical of the other. Neither is biblically correct. On the extreme right is legalism; on the left - license. The biblical position is liberty!

LIBERTY, LICENSE, AND LEGALISM GALATIANS 5:1-13 INTRODUCTION: Today in Christianity there are two extreme positions. These positions are not new they have existed since apostolic times. Each is critical of the other. Neither is biblically correct. Both are devastating to the cause of Christ. On ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Truth About The Church Series

Contributed by Lynn Floyd on Jul 29, 2003

Using Matthew 16:15-18 I share some lessons about what Jesus mean’t by "the church."

Intro: A family was sitting in church on Sunday morning. The little brother was fidgety and whiney. Big sister looked at little brother and said, “why don’t you be still?” “Because church is boring”, he said. The big sister looked and at him and said, “church is supposed to be boring.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 16:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Sign - God Is With Us

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Dec 17, 2002

what this sign of emmanuel means for us

GOD IS WITH US… 18Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19Joseph, her fiance, being a just man, decided to break the engagement quietly, so as not to disgrace her ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Purpose #1: Worship Series

Contributed by Dan Borchert on May 9, 2003

Worship. A Word that cause more arguments then you could think of. A Word that should never cause arguments. This sermon attempts to answear the purpose of worship

I Corinthians 11:17-34 Purpose #1: Worship - Our Expression of Love For God Introduction A. You know what is really sad? B. When you think of the word Worship and instantly associate it with “Argument” C. What a shame. D. I have thought a lot about worship lately E. I have come to this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

His Powerful Word -- Hammer And Fire

Contributed by Edward Frey on Sep 3, 2001

God’s Word has to the power to expose and crush all falsehood and to buildup and refine in its truth.

Sermon Text: Jeremiah 23:23-29 September 2, 2001 -- Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost GOD’S POWERFUL WORD – A HAMMER AND FIRE! It’s been said that the pen is mightier than the sword. What that means is that words can be powerful. Words can be weapons. A careless, harsh word can cut a ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:23-29

Denomination: Lutheran