Sermons on Crushing Experiences:

Jesus Was Tempted!

Contributed by David Smith on Feb 20, 2008

For Jesus, as for us, overcoming temptation was not a one-off fight. The temptation experience that we read of today was, if I might extend the boxing analogy, more like one...

It’s the first Sunday in Lent and we’re back in the wilderness with Jesus.Every year we make this journey - 40 days and 40 nights it lasts! - and every year it continues to be a painful trek (as I think it‘s expected to be). And I’m conscious of the fact that a lot of ink (real and virtual) has ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

A Room With A View: Perspectives On Prayer -- Distracted By Success

Contributed by Jonathan Falwell on Feb 25, 2008

Today, we begin a brand new series entitled “Room with a View: Perspectives on Prayer” in which we will focus on how to experience God’s presence in everyday life.

“A Room with a View: Perspectives on Prayer” Distracted by Success Today, we begin a brand new series entitled “Room with a View: Perspectives on Prayer.” Throughout the past nine months, we have looked at various ideas and concepts that build upon one simple truth…Not I, But Christ! Today, we ...read more

Scripture: James 4:8

Denomination: Baptist

How The Holy Spirit Gifts Us Series

Contributed by Randy Hamel on Mar 3, 2008

Sermon looks at the unique way the Holy Spirit SHAPES us for ministry - through our gifts, heart, abilities, personality, experiences. (Acknowledgement - work of Rick Warren in this area)

o In his autobiography Billy Martin, a former New York Yankees baseball team coach, tells the story when he and his friend Mickey Mantle were going hunting o They stopped at a farm where Mickey Mantle happened to know the farmer, asking permission to hunt on his land o The farmer no problem, you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-7

Nearer, My God, To Thee Series

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

When we are most in need of a "Close Encounter with the Divine," is when we should look for God to build a ladder to us, that we might experience His grace and guidance.

Texts: Genesis 28:10-22 Date: Sunday, July 21, 2002 Author: Rev. Jonathan K. Twitchell Last week, we watched Esau trade in his birthright for a simple bowl of red stew. Overcome by hunger, he gave into his selfish, deceitful younger brother Jacob and traded the double portion of his father’s ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22

Denomination: Nazarene

Looking For A City

Contributed by James May on Jan 9, 2007

I’m looking for a city while I travel this life through wilderness experiences. There’s no place that I can call home but Heaven and that New Jerusalem.

Looking for a City Hebrews 11:8-10, "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Available To Serve - Must Be Present To Win

Contributed by Dj Castilleja on Jan 21, 2008

We learn through the experience of Moses that availability is sometimes more useful than ability. God choses to use us in his plan for meeting the needs of a hurting world.

Available – “Must Be Present To Win” By D.J. Castilleja The last few weeks we have been talking about the Church Family. It is our hopes that you will really grasp and take hold of this concept of church being more than a building, more than a place to go on a Sunday morning, but a loving, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Kingdom Picture

Contributed by Don Baggett on Jan 31, 2008

I used to think the phrase, Kingdom of God, meant only some future time, but I have come to understand that it means the Christian experience under the Lordship of Christ.

I wonder what you think of when you read or hear the phrase, “Kingdom Of God?” Perhaps you think of some future time, when there will be perfect peace and no problems, when the ferocious beasts of the forest can be led around by little children. That’s what I used to think it meant, but I have ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

Abiding In Perfect Love

Contributed by Glenn Bleakney on Jun 14, 2008

It is the desire of the heavenly Father for His people always to experience the full inheritance of His covenant love and mercy. The Apostle John calls such a place of attainment in God “perfect love”.

It is truly amazing to think of the mercy and forbearance that God bestows upon sinners. Undoubtedly, the Lord has the power to cut off our very existence. The Scripture affirms, “Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust” (Psalm ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 10:12-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Trusting Moment Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Aug 13, 2009

It is not until we can come to a place in our life like that Samaritan woman at the well when we fully trust Christ, that we will ever experience his grace.

Moments with the Master Series A TRUSTING MOMENT John 4:1-30 Intro Did you know that people will pretty much believe anything? For instance, the percentage of Americans who believe: That Elvis Presley is still alive: 10%; In reincarnation: 30%; In ghosts: 39%; That aliens have visited earth in the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

Born Old

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 29, 2010

To experience new life, even in the senior years, means using old knowledge to gain new knowledge; to set aside pride in order to learn; and to be fully open to Christ.

We had been talking about a mutual friend. We had laughed a little at how rigid he was, how staid. We had commented that he didn’t like change; he could easily be "all shook up" when something didn’t go his way. I asked the other person in this conversation, "How long have you known John? Has he ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Live Coal

Contributed by Herman E. Wesley Iii on Nov 29, 2008

Isaiah was humbled when he found himself in the presence of God. The seraphim touched his lips with LIVE COAL, and the experience exposed him, purified him and prepared him.

Evangelist Herman E. Wesley III LIVE COAL Isaiah 6:1-8 (emphasis 6) Prepared for Delivery at the Southwestern Christian College Annual Lectureship, Terrell, Texas Wednesday Evening at 7:15, November 26, 2008 Graham-Kennedy-Farmer Auditorium PRELIMINARIES President Evans, Vice Presidents Maxwell, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Wise Men Still Seek The King Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Dec 21, 2008

The wise men from the east teach us two valuable lessons. If we want to experience the joy of Christmas, then we must seek the King, and worship Him today.

WISE MEN STILL SEEK THE KING INTRO: (From Sermon Central dot com). Retailers of all sorts are frantically slashing prices on their merchandise to entice consumers to buy more stuff, to get more goodies. Here are some 2008 sample ads collected in one week: • Wal-Mart wants us to buy more so we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-11

Denomination: *other

Hearing And Recognising God When He Speaks To Us

Contributed by Chris Blackshaw on Sep 28, 2009

We all hear and experience God in different ways with some it is through thoughts, feelings, inner voices we have to recognise God’s voice and respond to it.

Christianity is unique among religions, for it alone offers a personal relationship with the Creator beginning here and now, and lasting throughout eternity. Jesus declared, “This is eternal life – that they may know God” (Jn. 17:2). Unfortunately, many in the Church miss the great blessing of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-19, 1 Samuel 3:1-18

Denomination: Methodist

Candle And Cradle, Curse And Cross

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 6, 2009

Every positive experience has its negative side. Jesus’ coming was threatening to many, and His birth foreshadows a cross. The light of Christ, however, will never be put out.

Dr. Seuss knew that every Christmas has a Grinch. Every positive experience, it would seem, has a dark side, a negative side. Every Christmas has a Grinch to steal away its joy. Maybe you are one of those people, and there are quite a few of them, who just get tired of the whole murky business ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Danger Close: Is The Christian Life Safe? Series

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Jan 22, 2009

If we are going to experience what the NT church experienced, to see the lost saved and lives changed, we cannnot life a "safe" life. We have to be close to the "danger."

Danger Close: Is the Christian Life Safe? January 21, 2009 What is the scariest thing that has happened to you? What did you do? If we are going to experience what the NT church experienced, to see the lost saved and lives changed, we cannnot life a "safe" life. We have to be close to the ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal