Sermons on Dark Moments:

The Difference

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Feb 22, 2005

Peter and Judas are very much alike! Both are apostles. Both rise up the ladder of success -- Peter the spokesman of apostles and Judas the treasurer. And both deny and betray Christ. The difference is -- to whom to they turn in their darkest moments?

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is full of meaning. It is a spiritual food that nourishes our souls. It is a part of worship Christ commands of us. It is an experiencing of the presence of Christ in a real and tangible way. It is something we do as a community – we never ...read more

Scripture: John 6:51-71

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Here's Your Sign Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Apr 9, 2012

Jesus is confronted by a group of unbelieving Pharisees and Scribes. They came at a moment when the crowds were showing overwhelming praise toward Jesus. They came demanding what many in our day are likewise demanding.

We are going to look this morning at a passage where Jesus is confronted by a group of unbelieving Pharisees and Scribes. They came at a moment when the crowds were showing overwhelming praise toward Jesus. They came demanding what many in our day are likewise demanding. Then some of the scribes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:37-42

Embracing Solitude: Finding Strength In Isolation By Pastor Joseph Ondu

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Mar 4, 2024

In the midst of the noise and busyness of life, solitude provides clarity of purpose. It is in these moments of isolation that we can discern God's will for our lives more clearly, aligning our actions with His divine plan.

Embracing Solitude: Finding Strength in Isolation Introduction: Dear friends, today we delve into the profound topic of solitude and its significance in the life of a Christian. In a world filled with constant noise and distractions, it's essential to understand the transformative power of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35

Denomination: Pentecostal

Angels Among Us

Contributed by Rick Kallstrom on Jan 27, 2003

I believe with all my heart that millions of angels are at God’s command and at our service. The hosts of Heaven stand at attention ready to do God’s will at any moment of any hour of any day.

Don, Tim and Jim were college students from the Midwestern United States and they all attended the same university in Connecticut. It was Christmas break time, 1983, and they were all looking forward to going home for the holidays. One came from Fort Wayne, Indiana while the other two were from ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:14, Hebrews 1:1, Colossians 1:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Independence - There Ain't No Such Thing

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jul 3, 2021

We Americans like to think of ourselves as independent people but we never can truly be totally independent. In the spiritual world we are slaves in the kingdom of darkness or the kingdom of light but the motivation is entirely different!

Independence? - There Ain’t No Such Thing Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:6-8 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:15-23, John 8:44, John 8:34, John 3:16-18, Titus 3:3-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

A Christmas Peace Worth Waiting For Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 8, 2021

There are “Bethlehems” in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Georgia, and even Texas. In fact, I located twenty-eight towns named Bethlehem around the globe and in the United States. They have streets named Manger Avenue and Shepherd Street. But Bethlehem hasn’t always been so prominent.

Merry Christmas to you all. I look forward to seeing a lot of our church family during tonight’s three Christmas Eve services. Take a Bible and find Micah 5 (page 989 in pew Bible) and Matthew 2. You could call our series Christmas in the Old Testament. Centuries before Mary and Joseph, the Wise ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-6, Micah 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Is Literally Alive Right Now

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 27, 2021

The disciples were terrified. They hid together in their dwelling in Jerusalem, trembling with fear. They didn’t know if roman soldiers or temple guards might burst through the doors at any moment and arrest them all.

The disciples were terrified. They hid together in their dwelling in Jerusalem, trembling with fear. They didn’t know if roman soldiers or temple guards might burst through the doors at any moment and arrest them all. They might all die, just like Jesus died, scourged with whips, and nailed to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-48

Denomination: Salvation Army

"When ‘bad Luck’ Knocks Us Down” Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 4, 2023

The story of Joseph being sold into slavery provides a compelling example of moments when it seems like "bad luck" has come our way when God may be up to something else.

WHY DID THAT HAPPEN? There are moments when we feel like bad luck knocked us down. - We will get into the specifics that this passage details as we go through the sermon, but this is obviously a passage with some “just-so-happened” moments. - To use the common vernacular, someone might say, “Oh, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:12-36

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Beyond The Manger - Why The Birth Of Jesus Was A Divine Invasion, Not A Holiday Tradition

Contributed by Joseph Ondu on Dec 14, 2025

Christmas is far more than a tradition. It is the declaration that God has not abandoned humanity. It is the announcement that darkness does not have the final word. It is the proof that love is stronger than sin and life is stronger than death.

CHRISTMAS BEYOND THE MANGER Why the Birth of Jesus Was a Divine Invasion, Not a Holiday Tradition Introduction For many people, Christmas has become a familiar scene. A manger, soft music, decorations, gifts, and warm family moments. While these are not wrong, they can easily reduce one of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Go! And Sing In The Night – Trusting God’s Love In The Darkest Hours Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 21, 2025

Have you ever been awake in the middle of the night, unable to sleep, burdened by the weight of worry, grief, or fear? The silence of night often magnifies our struggles. It is in those moments we ask, “God, where are You?”

Go! And Sing in the Night – Trusting God’s Love in the Darkest Hours Psalm 42:8 – Go! And… Series Introduction: Singing When the Night is Long Have you ever been awake in the middle of the night, unable to sleep, burdened by the weight of worry, grief, or fear? The silence of night often ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:8, Lamentations 3:22-23, Acts 16:25-26, Philippians 4:6-7, Romans 5:8, John 11:25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Command To "Cheer Up!"

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 4, 2015

In one of Paul's most discouraged moments, the Lord Jesus appeared to him and told him to cheer up, giving him several reasons why. We too should be buoyed by the same command and encouragements.

THE COMMAND TO CHEER UP Acts 23:6-11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Dear Abby: One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good minister. A member of an official board had watched the pastor search committee reject applicant after applicant for some fault, alleged or otherwise. It was time ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:6-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Temptations Americans Face

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 20, 2001

May I dare to be a prophet today? There is so much that is right in our land, but allow me for a moment to look at the other side - at 3 temptations that I think Americans are facing.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2021) TEXT: Acts 7:51-52; Luke 13:34 Feelings of patriotism tend to flow rather freely at this time of the year. When we sing the "Star Spangled Banner," or hear a choir sing about America & the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:34, Acts 7:51-52

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Response To Crisis

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on May 18, 2004

The Garden of Gethsemane was in many ways the deepst crisis of the Passion of Jesus Christ. What can we learn from observation our great High Priest at this moment of tremendous decision?

Passage: Matthew 26:36-46 Intro: It’s fitting that we should look this morning at the greatest example of the application of Philippians 4:6-7 that anyone will ever see. PP Phil 4:6-7 1. if anyone ever had a reason to be anxious, troubled, worried, it was Jesus Christ just minutes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What's Missing?

Contributed by Donna Kazenske on Dec 3, 2002

There is a key word in the above verse that I would like to center in on for a moment. This word is “fellowship.” The Greek is “koinonia.” Koinonia means association, community, communion, joint participation, intimacy, contribution.

By: Donna J. Kazenske The Early Church was birthed in power on the day of Pentecost. Those who had waited for the promise of the Holy Spirit were blessed by a powerful visitation from the Lord. All who were present in the Upper Room were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues as the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:40-47

Denomination: *other

The Start Of Something Beautiful

Contributed by Charles Banks on Feb 1, 2005

This sermon serves as an analysis into the events surrounding the last few moments of JESUS on the cross and how He resisted His struggle to make sure someone else was taken care of!

“The Start Of Something Beautiful!!!” John 19:25-26 25. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, ...read more

Scripture: John 19:25-26

Denomination: Christian Church