Sermons on Decline:

Why Does God Let Bad Things Thwart Or Stop His Work? Lesson 12

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 25, 2014

How God works His plan in the face of evil

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Jim Bakker’s sin collapsed PTL, the second most viewed TV channel. 2. Ignorance: A pastor is killed in his airplane in a snow storm (biggest soul winning church in Canada declined in numbers). 3. Argument: Pastor’s children disagree, fight and eventually the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8

Denomination: Baptist

Defeating Intolerance Series

Contributed by Landon Winstead on Dec 31, 2013

In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.

At first glance, you might wonder just what all this writing about eating has to do with your Christian faith. After all, the text was penned with Jewish and Gentile Christians in mind and specifically written for the church at Rome. The Jewish converts had a problem with the rigid Jewish laws. To ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

The Time Is Always Right To Do What Is Right Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 12, 2014

In the fight for the right to life from conception to natural death, our biggest weapon is prayer.

Third Sunday after Epiphany EF Third Sunday in Course 2013 The Time Always Right to Do What is Right What does it mean to follow Jesus Christ? For the apostles, it meant abandoning their boats and nets, and literally following in His footsteps, all the way to Pentecost, all the way to their own ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:5-13

Denomination: Catholic

"United Or Untied: Where Am I?” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Aug 5, 2009

Church unity requires our behaving in such a way as to not grieve the work of the Holy Spirit.

In a church bulletin, a hurried secretary typed “the church was untied,” instead of, “the church was united.” What was out of place? The “I” was! In our passage for today, Paul tells us about unity in the church. As he does, he says that the unity of the church is a spiritual reality; but also a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Exposing The Kingdom Focused Church Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Sep 16, 2007

Inspired by several resources. Gene Mimms’ books "The Kingdom Focused Church" and "Kingdom Principles for Church Growth, Rick Warren’s "Purpose Driven Church and Thom Rainer’s "Simple Church."

EXPOSING THE KINGDOM FOCUSED CHURCH Matthew 16:18-19 / Matthew 28:18-20 > Have you ever taken a picture, taken it to be developed, and it came back “out of focus?” Do you remember your frustration? And do you remember that your frustration was control somewhat by basically 2 factors; how ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18-19

Denomination: Baptist

God Is With Us: To Give Us Hope And To Help Us Be Hope Deliverers

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Nov 29, 2008

At times life can be difficult and even dark, as we prepare for Christmas and Jesus’ second coming we gain hope not by relying on this world but on Jesus. This Advent sermon explores what it means to be a hope receiver and a hope deliverer.

As we begin the start of the church year, our first Sunday of Advent encourages us to look at being hopeful. This week I read a story about a lady called Susan Duggan. Susan Duggan is a lady with hope. Not because she’s had an easy life or she has received great rewards. Listen to part of her ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Lutheran

God Is In Control Series

Contributed by Stuart Blount on Jan 4, 2008

Though in captivity Daniel’s story is a clarion call to us to THRIVE in the challenges of our cultural setting, and in so doing draw attention to our sovereign God.

Daniel is an inspiring book that brings both a challenge and hope to all those who recognize that we are living in an environment that is alien to the lives we have been called to. This was Daniel’s experience. The book records the experiences of 4 Hebrew men taken into captivity by an evil ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

An Understanding Heart

Contributed by Joe Overholt on Nov 16, 2006

A message of encouragement for those finding it hard to understand scripture, and making decisions in life

Understanding Heart Foundational Text: 1 Kings 3:5-14 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. (6) And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:5-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Ditto

Contributed by Teresa Lynn Murray on Nov 28, 2010

This sermon is about the transition of Christians from servants of God to friends of Christ.

“Ditto” John 15: 15 Perhaps today you may have a better chance of guessing my age as I share with you the Word of God. Today’s topic consists of one word “Ditto”. I know I’m dealing with a congregation where seventy five percent of the members are under the ...read more

Scripture: John 15:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Community Matters Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 14, 2015

Community is crucial to the follower of Jesus. It is not optional.

1. Today marks the 20th Anniversary of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in OKC. I was not a resident of OK 20 years ago but have heard stories and read accounts of the event. Many of you were impacted directly by the catastrophe. 2. This disaster reminds us of the power of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Wake-Up Call

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Sep 22, 2014

A sermon that encourages people to "set their house in order."

"God's Wake-up Call" 2 Kings 20:1-7 2 Kings 20:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Introduction: Hezekiah would have to be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 20:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Confidence We Can Have As A Follower Of Christ Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Sep 26, 2014

This message takes a look at the reason Paul could be confident while inhouse arrest

THE CONFIDENCE WE CAN HAVE AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST PHILIPPIANS 1:19-21 FOR I KNOW THAT THIS WILL TURN OUT FOR MY DELIVERANCE THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS AND THE PROVISION OF THE SPIRIT OF JESUS CHRIST, 20  ACCORDING TO MY EARNEST EXPECTATION AND HOPE, THAT I WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME IN ANYTHING, BUT THAT ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

Do Not Forsake Coming To Church

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 6, 2021

Making a habit of coming to church is more important than ever.

Do not Forsake Coming to Church Hebrews 10:10-25 Introduction In many places, church attendance has been on a serious decline for some time. this had been accelerated by the Coronavirus pandemic. churches were ordered to close or severely limit attendance as being “non-essential.” Of course, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:10-25, Hebrews 10:11-14, Hebrews 10:15-18, Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Legacy Of Love Series

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Jul 31, 2021

As Christians, we have the awesome responsibility, and the sacred privilege, to have our lives count for the greater glory of God.

A Legacy of Love Philippians 3:7-16 The mission to land a man on the moon began by President Kennedy sharing a vision in his inaugural address for achieving that ambitious objective by the end of the decade. In doing so, he stated that “we choose to do these things not because they are easy, but ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-16

God's Sovereignty: Is He Really In Control?

Contributed by Michael Mays on Jul 3, 2021

What does it mean when we say “God is in control?” 
Are we aware of the implications, or is it just a platitude? 
And when it comes to the most important question of salvation, do we think God truly is sovereign, or is He held hostage by our choices?

Romans 8:28–39 (ESV) 28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-39