Sermons on Criticizing:

What Changed Zaccheus?

Contributed by Sajeev Painunkal, Sj on Oct 30, 2010

Jesus doesn't preach to Zaccheus. No moralising, no ridiculing. Just unconditional acceptance. That's all it took change him radically.

A popular story recounts a meeting that may have taken place at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago in 1923. There is debate whether the meeting in fact occurred, but what is not in question is the actual rise and fall of the men featured in the story, who were nine of the richest men in the world ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Catholic

Celebrate Reason?

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Dec 8, 2010

When atheist and others attack Christmas, should Christians be intimidated? Is believing in God a crutch for weak minded people? (part of this sermon was adapted from a sermon by Craig Groeschel entitled What Child is This)

Albert Schweitzer, accepting the Nobel Pease Prize- Humanism, in all its simplicity, is the only genuine spirituality. Christmas is a time of celebration for many, but it has increasingly become a source of controversy. David Silverman, president, American Humanist, said- The invisible man in the ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 23:19

Denomination: Charismatic

A Prodigal People And A Pleading God Series

Contributed by Donald Mcculley on Dec 21, 2010

Prodigal people are prodigal because of a broken commitment which leads to a brazen contempt and a blinding confusion.

A PRODIGAL PEOPLE AND A PLEADING GOD JEREMIAH 11-13 INTRODUCTION: Jeremiah has gone from his own shelter to the square; from the square to the sanctuary; from the sanctuary now to the streets (11:16). He lived in a day where there was no love for God, no loyalty to God and, therefore, no light ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Accusation Or Conviction Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 31, 2010

TO DEAL WITH THE NASTY THREE LETTER WORD IN OUR LIVES WE MUST DECIDE IF WE WILL EMBRACE ACCUSATION OR CONVICTION

Sin: That Nasty Three Letter Word Accusation or Conviction INTRODUCTION Construction worker Patrick Lawler thought he had a toothache. For almost a week, he tried painkillers and ice packs to reduce the swelling. When nothing he did brought relief, he finally went to the dental office where his ...read more

Scripture: John 16:7-8

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Upward Call Of God Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Jan 7, 2011

2011 is the beginning of a new day, a new year, and a new season. A look at our mission as believers and as a church? How do we live our lives with a sense of God’s eternal purpose in everything that we do?

The Upward Call of God Pt 1 Introduction To Know, To Live, To Give Pt 1 Mat 16:13-14 If- asked- man on the street who Jesus was- you would get a variety of answers as we see in this verse. They had heard about Jesus, knew something about Him, but they did not personally know Him. Mat ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-14

Denomination: Charismatic

Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind?

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 12, 2011

Message for the International Day for the Persecuted Church. This was delivered a week after the actual Day of Prayer, since I was out of town on November 14.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind? Hebrews 13:3 November 21, 2010 Me: This is probably going to be a shorter message today, because I want us to spend a bit of time actually praying today. Last week was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. I delayed our participation in it until ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:3

Denomination: Wesleyan

The End Of The World As We Know It Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Jan 23, 2011

New life in Christ means the end of conforming to the patterns of this world.

Dakota Community Church January 23, 2011 The End of the World Ephesians 2:1-10 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Mennonite

Be Authentic / You Are The Salt Of The Earth

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 12, 2011

When Jesus says:"You are the salt of the earth." Jesus is saying "Be Authentic." Be the Real Deal! Beloved, an inconsistent lifestyle repels people from the church. So, how authentic is your walk? We may be the only Bible that our neighbor may ever see.

Our Gospel reading this morning from Matthew is near the beginning of Jesus most famous sermon, The Sermon on the Mount. In this message, Jesus called his followers to the highest standards of conduct. (Pause) He challenged us to "turn the other cheek." He commanded us to love our enemy, to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-28, Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Anglican

Romans, Part 42 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on May 27, 2011

Christians are called to live for others, to come alongside and help them up and be a constant encourager. Division is never the way to bring unity to the Kingdom.

Romans, Part 42 Romans 15:1-13 Introduction - Last weekend Paul clearly demonstrated living for Christ in everything that we do - It is imperative that we live daily for Jesus; clinging tightly to the cross - We also discussed the spiritual act of placing stumbling blocks -- In this, what ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Craziest Kid Ever Series

Contributed by Dave Bentley on Jun 7, 2011

I think at some point after we become followers of Christ we become Christianized in a way that insulates us and makes us forget just how “crazy” the claims of Christianity are. This month I want us to revisit some of the stories the in Scripture that be

“That’s Just Crazy!” The Craziest Kid Ever! • Who Get’s Your Vote? • My Vote Goes to David – The Shepherd-King • 1 Samuel 17:1-17:58 LOOK AT THIS CRAZY CONTRAST • Goliath is 9’ 9” tall – A Giant • David was too small ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-58

Denomination: Baptist

Misplaced Zeal

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jun 16, 2011

We are impressed with zeal. Certainly the Jews of Jesus day had tremendous zeal; passion for what they believed. But zeal and passion can easily be focused on the wrong thing.

Passage: Matthew 23:1-39 Intro: We are impressed by zeal, passion 1. see our Mormon friends riding their bike es 2. on way to seminary, remember seeing a Moonie selling candy bars in the freezing rain. 3. we even have a grudging admiration for zeal that causes a radical Muslim to kill ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39

Denomination: Evangelical Free

And So It Begins

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jun 16, 2011

The greatest drama in human history begins with love on one hand and betrayal on the other.

Passage: Matthew 26:1-16 Intro: The play will begin in a few minutes. 1. we are in the next several weeks going to see the greatest drama ever performed 2. it took place in a dusty city in the Middle East, but changed the entire universe, both the spiritual and physical realms. 3. we have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Difference Baptism Makes Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 29, 2011

Baptism was never meant to be an empty ritual. It has implications for our everyday lives

Romans 6:12-23 “The Difference Baptism Makes” INTRODUCTION In 1517 Martin Luther had a problem. A monk by the name of Tetzel was selling indulgences. An indulgence is a certificate guaranteeing the forgiveness of all sins—for a small price. Not only did Luther have a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:12-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Sticking With God's Plan And Purpose

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Apr 26, 2011

Here we find a troubling passage in which Jesus is driving the money-changers and their customers out of the Temple. What was the problem, and do we still do it today?

Passage: Matthew 21:12-17 Intro: This is a story that we are a little uncomfortable with. 1. because we are a little bit taken aback by the strength of Jesus’ behavior. 2. He is knocking over tables and chairs, hitting people with a whip. 3. if we would be honest, we would almost ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Make A Difference

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Apr 27, 2017

have the right attitude about work - share the effort

Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Denomination: Episcopal