Sermons on Debtors Prison:

Just When I Need Him Most Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 17, 2006

The powerful, inspired writings of the Apostle Paul from his prison cell, and how they can help us to be free! Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

Just When I Need Him Most Acts 23:10-11 Can you imagine being jailed for the cause of Christ? What would you be thinking as you sat there? What would be your attitude? We don’t have to wonder how it was for Paul. For the majority of the rest of the book of Acts he was a prisoner, and during ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

Commitment Or Compromise?

Contributed by Greg Nance on Nov 23, 2008

Are we living Christian lives or just fooling ourselves? Is there a comfortable cross for us? Let’s consider the Lord’s own life and calling as we reflect on the prisoner Paul.

Paul took prison ministry seriously. In fact, the last 8 chapters (21-28) of Acts record Paul’s imprisonment and mission work as a prisoner. While the messenger is a prisoner, the message continues to go forth and impact the world! This is another confirmation that the cause of Christ is of God ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Fear Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Sep 12, 2022

Fear doesn’t mean cowering in the corner like God is some North Vietnamese dictator and you are a prisoner of war. Fearing the Lord means taking God seriously and not casually.

Too many people take God casually. Too few people take God seriously in our day. Too many people’s passion for Christ is like the helium balloons from my son’s graduation party. A few balloons had slipped up to the second floor of our home, some twenty feet up in the air. If you wonder how they ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:13-18, Matthew 12:36-37, Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 16:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

This Way Out

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 28, 2023

We are imprisoned by sin in exactly the same way that we are imprisoned by gravity. We are prisoners of our own humanity, and it’s a life sentence with no time off for good behavior.

When I was 12, I went on vacation with my family to a place called Iguazu Falls. Not many people in this country have ever heard of it. It’s only the second biggest waterfall in the world, after Niagara. It’s only the second highest waterfall in the world, after Victoria Falls. It’s at the top NE ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-36, Romans 4:18-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Third Sunday Of Advent, Year A: Gaudete Sunday--John The Baptist: Danger And Beauty Of The Barren Places

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 2, 2022

It is just these types of lonely, painful moments that Jesus wants to redeem. John the Baptist got ministered to in prison by Jesus. He answered John’s question and complimented him to others.

A bedraggled little man once walked the streets of an Italian town 100 years ago. Many of the townspeople saw his pallid face, often tearful, as he stumbled along the cobblestone streets and narrow alleys. One day a kind soul, witnessing the man’s misery, came up to him, hoping to lift his sad ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1, Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Catholic

Advice To Graduates And Other Folk

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Feb 10, 2005

A motivational sermon to preach at the graduation of Seniors.

Advice to Graduates and Other Folk Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

It's Time To Rebuild

Contributed by Mike Hays on Nov 16, 2000

Independence Day Sermon.

"It's Time To Rebuild" 2 Chronicles 7:11-22 On this Sunday before our nation celebrates "Independence Day" we come before Almighty God to thank Him for His divine protection, guidance, and grace that He has showered upon us in the United States of America. When you stop to consider our track ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 7:11-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"If The Church Would Just Pray"

Contributed by Bishop William Bryant Wilmore, Jr. on Aug 17, 2003

When Peter was in prison, awaiting what appeared to be a sure execution, the church prayed without ceasing for him and Peter was set free by an angel of the Lord. Powerful things happen the church prays.

In the text, we find something taking place that seems to be missing in many churches today – that is church folk praying for church folk. In this particular case, a church member in trouble. The Apostle Peter is on death roll and all petitions to commute his sentence have been exhausted. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:5, Acts 12:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

God Still Has Purpose For You! Pt. 2

Contributed by Rev. M Edmunds on Jun 25, 2005

I believe many today are experiencing the anxiety, the pain, and the excessive burden of a bad decision. You feel like your locked in an invisible prison…recriminating about the mistakes you made.

Elder M. Edmunds Co-Pastor of United Ordained Church June 2002 My foundational scripture will come from verse eight, which says, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” This is a companion of Psalm 51:8, which reads, “Then will I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When The Son Sets You Free

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jun 18, 2001

The Gospel is a message of freedom... It is a message of good news for the poor; freedom for the prisoners; sight for the blind and of release for the oppressed. And it is a message that is still needed today...because far too many are still not free

"When The Son Sets You Free" INTRODUCTION In the movie Brave Heart Mel Gibson plays the role of a man from Scotland whose name was Wallace. It was a great movie - very graphic in the battle scenes but it really gave you a feel of what battles were like back in those days. Wallace was ...read more

Scripture: John 8:36, John 8:30-38, John 8:31-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Believers Are Heirs According To God's Promise

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Jul 21, 2006

Pentecost 6(C) - Believers are heirs according to God’s promise. We learn that God’s law makes sinners prisoners but it is our Lord that makes sinners his children.

BELIEVERS ARE HEIRS ACCORDING TO GOD’S PROMISE July 16, 2006 - PENTECOST 6 - Galatians 3:22-29 * * * * * * * * * * Dearest Fellow-Redeemed and Friends in Christ: Sometime during our lifetime we probably have received an inheritance. Maybe at this time in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:22-29

Denomination: Lutheran

Freedom To Serve Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 24, 2008

Peter gets throne into prison but God gets him out. It’s in part thanks to earnest prayers of the saints. Just how does prayer work into the will of God in our lives?

Don’t you hate getting blamed for doing a good thing? I’ve shared this story a few times but I remember once when a group of us in ministry used to meet for breakfast on a particular day of the week. One time one of us didn’t show up. The other guys just ignored it but I was troubled. I sought out ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Receive And Give Forgiveness

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 18, 2006

During the war in Kosovo in 1999, three Americans were captured and held hostage for more than a month. After intense negotiations, a breakthrough occurred and the prisoners were allowed to go free.

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Receive and Give Forgiveness Ephesians 1:7-1:18 (NIV, NIRV, TNIV, KJV) Let the Holy Spirit Help You Give and Receive Forgiveness (Eph. 1:7-18) Illustration: Forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. . --Ephesians 4:32 During the war in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sanctity Of Life

Contributed by Jim Mccutchen on May 8, 2010

The penalty for killing an unborn eagle in this country is a fine of up to $5000 and up to five years in prison But,the killing of an unborn baby is not considered a crime at all, as long as the mother approves.

THE SANCTITY OF LIFE INTRO: A.Vince Lombardi was one of the most outstanding coaches of the Green bay Packers. Due to his success each year the winner of the Super Bowl receives a trophy called the Lombardi Trophy. Each year Vince would start each summer camp the same way. He would get h is ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:5

Denomination: Christian Church

Choosing The Best Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Apr 27, 2013

Paul penned this letter to the Philippians from a prison. Yet he was overjoyed at how God was his adverse circumstances to advance the Gospel. Paul's joy was completely centered in His realtionship with Jesus.

Intro: An old dog was watching a young dog chase his tail. The young dog stopped to rest, and told the older dog, “I believe happiness is in my tail, and if I catch it, then I will have happiness!” The older, wiser dog said, “I caught mine once. . . and I found out that happiness ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist