Sermons on Dark Nights:

Sermon 2: Gethsemane Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jan 5, 2020

We will never be able to comprehend the cosmic struggle Jesus experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion. The sermon helps us to see the emotional struggle between Jesus’ human and divine sides, and what that teaches us.

Sermon 2: Gethsemane Series: 82 Hours: Countdown to the Resurrection Chuck Sligh Preaching March 31, 2019 NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Please mention the title of the sermon and the Bible text to help me find the sermon in my ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-42

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus, Light Of The World Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 9, 2022

Light without the heavenly Source of Light is inadequate to illumine eternally. Only Jesus brings us the limitless light of God.

Jesus, Light of the World (John 8:12-26) 1. We would like to wish our mom’s a Happy Mother’s Day. CNN, "The typical [stay at home] mother puts in a 92-hour work week… and works at least 10 jobs. In order of hours spent on them per week, these are: housekeeper, day-care center teacher, cook, ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

James 6 Right Attitudes Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 28, 2018

We put faith in action when we approach life with a right attitude about God’s will, life and work. The other truth I see in our texts today is where we live matters to God too and all this seems rooted in our attitude with God.

Series: James – Let’s do it! Thesis of Book: The message of the book is “Let’s do it – live the faith – put it into action! The half-brother of Jesus is speaking to the scattered Jewish Christians across the nations – they were scattered right after Stephen was killed. James tells these ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17, James 5:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Running On Empty Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Feb 4, 2013

Naomi returns to Bethlehem despondent and embittered by sorrow and loss. What she fails to see, is what we often miss as well – that God is already at work behind the scenes!

Running On Empty - Ruth 1:19-22 - February 3, 2013 Series: From Heartache to Hope – The Redemption of Ruth - #3 As some of you will know, I have a sister. She lives in Calgary, and has a growing family of her own, so we don’t see each other very often – certainly not as ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:19-22

Denomination: *other

Jesus Our Midnight Friend

Contributed by Samuel M on Jul 10, 2023

In this chapter, Jesus talks about a midnight friend who shares his three loaves. Jesus is our midnight friend. We can go to our Jesus even at late night. Most of the time, when our friends visit us, we have nothing to offer them.

And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:5-7

Hope At Christmas Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Dec 6, 2025

This sermon proclaims that the heart of Christmas is God’s promised hope fulfilled in Jesus—the Light who breaks our darkness, conquers sin, and invites us to live in the peace and confidence of His eternal reign.

The Heart of Christmas: Hope Isaiah 9:2-7; Matthew 1:18-25; Romans 15:4 Christmas is almost here! It truly is a special time of year. Before we open God’s Word together, I’d like to invite you on a short journey into the past—to remember what Christmas has meant to you through the years. Many of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7, Matthew 1:18-25, Romans 15:4

Denomination: Baptist

#1 Light The Lamp Of Hope! Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jun 22, 2007

I HAVE A KEROSENE LAMP, I PRETEND THE ELECTRICITY IS OFF, I NEED LIGHT. I HAVE A KEROSENE LAMP FULL OF KEROSENE --- BUT I NEED A MATCH TO LIGHT THE WICK. I STRIKE THE MATCH, LIGHT THE LAMP, AND SEE WE HAVE LIGHT. THE DARKER THE NIGHT --- THE GREATER THE

#1 LIGHT THE LAMP OF HOPE! Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com This is part one of two parts. Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I. I HAVE A KEROSENE LAMP, I PRETEND THE ELECTRICITY IS OFF, I NEED LIGHT. I HAVE A KEROSENE LAMP FULL OF KEROSENE --- BUT ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:105

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"No Star Tonight"

Contributed by Donald Smith on Apr 24, 2003

Tonight, all is not calm and bright in the city of Bethlehem. We may not be able to actually be there, but we know what it is like to live in darkness. Receive this, therefore, as a message of hope - - for 2000 years ago and for today....

"No Star Tonight" (Christmas Eve) Luke 2:1-20 "No Star Tonight" a Gatlin Brothers song... is sung here A mother wakes up her son one morning and says, “Honey, it’s time to get ready for church.” The son replies, “But mom, I don’t want to go to church today!” The mother persisted, “But you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, John 1:4-5

Denomination: Methodist

From Tragedy To Triumph

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

Even so, when tragedy strikes and your emotions are strongly felt, you especially need direction from the Lord. You need to know what to do in such a dark hour. You need direction.

Opening illustration: It was 1818 in France, and Louis, a boy of 9, was sitting in his father's workshop. The father was a harness-maker and the boy loved to watch his father work the leather. "Someday Father," said Louis, "I want to be a harness-maker, just like you." ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I'm Going Fishing (Revised)

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jun 4, 2023

Understand no child of God is exempt from the dark clouds entering into their lives from time to time. The way we view and respond to times of disappointments and discouragements will determine how we press on and are able to persevere with joy.

I’m going fishing! By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - Let me open with the understatement of the year and say, “Life is hard sometimes”. We are constantly reminded of struggles, hard times, disasters, tragedies, heartaches, the failing economy, the decline of moral principles, ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-7

Denomination: Apostolic

The Voice Of Love Is Still Calling, Part Iiii, "a Two-Spirited 'be The Church, Be The Church!" Series

Contributed by K. Heath Mcdougal-Deans on May 30, 2021

Trinity Sunday, Shepherds becoming 'One' with the Triune God. The Light is Shown in dark places! An ecumenical CALL is made to ALL CHURCHES, "That they may ALL BE ONE."

The Voice of Love is Calling! Part IIII A Two-Spirited “Be the Church! Be the Church!” The Shepherds were now becoming ‘One’ with the Triune God, quite the Two-Spirited, ‘New Wave’- ‘Rock Star’ flock. Their movement introduced new and unconventional ideas yet was rooted in ancestral tradition. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8, John 3:1-17, Deuteronomy 28:1-14

Denomination: Other

2011 Decembers Ago Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 5, 2012

The greatest even in history happened 2011 Decembers ago with the birth of Jesus Christ. Have you wondered about that exceptional night in Bethlehem? When Heaven and nature sang out, when God showed up in the flesh, when the temporal and eternal came toge

Sermon: 2011 Decembers Ago Thesis: The greatest even in history happened 2011 Decembers ago with the birth of Jesus Christ. Have you wondered about that exceptional night in Bethlehem? When Heaven and nature sang out, when God showed up in the flesh, when the temporal and eternal came together, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Meaningful Presence

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Aug 18, 2008

Communion is about encountering the life-changing presence of Jesus. It is about experiencing grace. It is then about being inspired to be a meaninful presence to others.

Meaningful Presence Psalm 23:5 August 17, 2008 One communion Sunday, the communion was prepared with a twist. The grape juice looked darker than usual. The pastor thought nothing of it and began to serve the communion. Promptly upon receiving the cup, each recipient’s face had a peculiar, stunned ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:5

Denomination: Church Of God

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

Halloween: Is Evil A Red Herring?

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 19, 2021

The roots of Halloween have to do with pagan rituals but today, it’s more a night to celebrate. Not everything connected with the modern celebration is all fun and games. Any believer who is sensitive to the Holy Spirit will pull back on a number of elements associated with this celebration.

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend a projected $8.8 billion dollars on the holiday called Halloween in 2019. Almost 30 million will dress up and the average person will spend over $86 to celebrate. In fact, I have a neighbor who decorates more for Halloween than any ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Baptist