Sermons on Debtors Prison:

Remember My Chains Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 24, 2008

Like some of Paul’s companions in prison, we may be held back by tasks too small, by shame, or even by our own prejudices. But once we accept our limitations as part of God’s will, they become ways to help others and fulfill our life callings.

If you suffer severe limitations, what do you wish for? What is your prayer, if you are bound by something that keeps you from doing what you really want to do? Do you wish you could be free from it? Likely you do. Do you even pray that you might have that limitation removed? I expect that I ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-18

Denomination: Baptist

When God Says Wait Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 14, 2013

Waiting is difficult but it teaches us lessons that we cannot learn any other way. After he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's officials, Joseph thought that his time in prison would soon end. But God had more to teach him as he waits another two years

Three weeks ago I suffered a ruptured biceps tendon. It did not hurt much at the time, but it required surgery and now a six week recovery. I have learned much during this time. I learned the importance of receiving. I am usually the one to take care of others in my family and even in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 40:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dimensions Of God's Love (July 29, 2012).

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 14, 2020

Everything we know about God and His workings in our inner persons, we are able to know because of our faith. Even though Paul was a prisoner when he wrote this letter, he remained positive and persevered because he was “rooted and grounded in God’s love”.

DIMENSIONS OF GOD'S LOVE Text: Ephesians 3:14 -21 Can we really comprehend God’s love? Can we really understand the dimensions of God’s love? How many times have you been to the movies where the movie was in 3 D? Can you imagine what it would look like to us if there were glasses ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: United Methodist

Mystery Unravelled Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 3, 2015

The 1) Prisoner (Eph. 3:1–4), 2) Plan (Eph. 3:5–6), 3) Preaching (Eph. 3:7–9), 4) Purpose (Eph. 3:10–11), and 5) Privileges (Eph. 3:12) of divine mystery

A fighter I know made a comment this week. He said:" This is just a matter of personal opinion but I don't think almighty God meant his blessings to be paid for. However you chose to worship is your business, I suppose. I like working towards my goal of being able to give back to my community and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13

Denomination: Other

Christ The King, Year A- The Last Judgment "and In What I Have Failed To Do."

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 29, 2023

Missed opportunities. The King dismisses those on his left into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels because they did not do the six actions that those on the right had done.

The story is told of a farmer who received a visit from one of his city relatives. Before dinner the farmer bowed his head and said grace. His relative jeered, "This is old-fashioned; nobody with an education prays at the table anymore. The farmer admitted the practice was old and even ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:11-17, Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Catholic

Passing The Torch Of Faith

Contributed by Vernon L Caruthers on May 7, 2005

Our text comes from the last letter Paul wrote from a Roman prison cell before his death. Paul realized that when his beloved Timothy recived word of his death --- Satan would use this to try to discourage this young minister. Paul writes to him and remin

PASSING THE TORCH OF FAITH II TIMOTHY 1:1-7 INTRODUCTION: The book of II Timothy was the last known letter that the apostle Paul wrote from a Roman prison cell --- just before Nero had him beheaded for his belief in Jesus Christ and for the preaching of Jesus Christ and Jesus’ ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-7

Have Faith In What You See And Hear (A Sermon On Matthew 11:2-6)

Contributed by David Smith on Feb 20, 2008

Now when John in prison heard about the activities of Christ, he sent a message by his disciples and asked him, "Are you the Coming One, or should we wait for someone else?" Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and observe: the blind see,

We’re in Matthew Chapter 11 this morning - a scene taken from the final days of the life of John the Baptist, and a bizarre scene it is! John has been sent to prison, though he probably did not realise at this stage that he was not going to be released - indeed, that he was about to be put to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-6

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Introducing The World-Changing Servant Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Sep 4, 2022

God sends his Servant, and what does He do? In short, Christ rebuilds the covenant. He reconciles enemies. He restores the earth. He sets the prisoners free. He shepherds his flock in peace and goodness. And He does one more thing: He builds roads!

Time and again Isaiah brings Genesis to our minds—Genesis, that amazing book of beginnings. Like in Isaiah 44, where God calls himself, ‘The First and the Last,’ for God is the one who existed before all things and who called everything into being. Or chapter 40, where God recalls the story of how ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Get Out Of Jail Free

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 21, 2023

In the game of Monopoly there's a card called the "Get Out of Jail Free" card. In the game of Life there are many jails & prisons, often inside us. The good news is that Jesus is the "Get Out of Jail Free" card! You can be free!

GET OUT OF JAIL FREE Psalm 50:15 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Kids often have an interesting perspective. A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer he said, “Now boys, if I stood on my head, my blood, as you know, would run down into it and my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Holds When You’re Tested

Contributed by Lewis Martin on Jun 28, 2025

In Philippians 1:12–26, Paul writes from prison—but his faith isn’t shaken. This message invites us to consider what truly holds when life tests us. Is Jesus our comfort… or our everything? Let’s explore the difference surrender makes.

Sermon Introduction: “What Holds When You’re Tested” Philippians 1:12–26 Let me tell you about two people. Both go to church. Both say they follow Jesus. But one wants just enough Jesus to feel better— to ease the guilt, to call for help when things go wrong. The other? They’ve given Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-26

Denomination: Nazarene

Let's Be A Philemon Series

Contributed by Kevin Broyhill on Oct 3, 2024

In the brief yet impactful letter of Philemon 1-7, Paul writes from prison, transforming his personal trials into a powerful act of grace and encouragement for others. Just like Paul, we are called to embody God’s lasting treasures of grace and peace in our own lives and relationships.

PHILEMON: A STORY OF GRACE SUN AM AUGUST 11, 2024 CBCKING Let’s Be a Philemon! Philemon 3-7 Introduction: Philemon = 25 verses, 430 words and takes up about a page in our NT – more of a postcard than it is a letter. Philemon = name – affectionate or beloved… lived up to his name. ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

As Good As God Promised Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Dec 30, 2019

As John the Baptist sat in prison, staring at the end of his life, he started to wonder if Jesus was everything that he expected Jesus to be. See how Jesus answers that question and continues to answer our questions when we might doubt if God is really all that we hoped him to be.

Was it everything that you had expected? You ripped open the rapping paper on Christmas morning to unveil the toy that you had seen advertised so many times on TV. You had been sure to put it at the top of your Christmas list in great detail taking away any of the possible guess work as to which ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

The Reason For Joseph’s Greatness.

Contributed by William Tan Yh on Jul 5, 2020

Joseph was a great man not only when he finally became second in command in Egypt. It was also not because he overcome all odds to become a powerful man. But because he is the same person throughout his life whether he was a slave, a prisoner or a governor. He was a man who trust in the Lord.

Many people find the story of Joseph in Genesis to be very inspiring. Why is that so? There are many who are inspired by his faith to believe and trust God. Most probably, many people have experienced similar treatments, hurts, betrayal, injustice which he had gone through. When Joseph was in ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

Go! And Sing In The Storm - Acts 16:25-26 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 30, 2025

Have you ever been in a midnight moment? Paul and Silas were in such a moment—but what did they do? They didn’t complain. They didn’t curse. They didn’t quit. They sang. Trust Christ even when the prison doors haven’t yet opened. And God responded with a miracle.

Go! And Sing in the Storm - Acts 16:25–26 (NLT) Acts 16:25–26 (NLT): “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-26, Acts 16:16-34, 2 Timothy 2:9, Psalm 42:8, Isaiah 61:1, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Paul's Announcement To Rome Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Oct 22, 2015

To set forth to all, that Paul's announcement to Rome should be ours also; delivered with the same intensity, sincerity and sensitivity to all who would hear us regarding the gospel of Christ.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. I am a Debtor Because of the Gospel 2. I am Ready to Preach the Gospel 3. I am not Ashamed of the Gospel Remarks. 1. In this lesson today, we will be discussing: “Paul’s Announcement to Rome.” I’m going to focus on three things the Apostle announces to Rome in this text. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:13-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ