Sermons on Defend Belief:

It's Not That Complicated (Jesus Died, Then Rose From The Dead)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Apr 8, 2015

Many have become so obsessed with facts that we have missed the impact of the resurrection on their lives. The Resurrection is not that complicated it is a straight forward truth. Christ died and was risen from the dead. Updated April 2022.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four readings prior to the Message. The readings assigned for today are: Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133:1-5; 1 John 1:1-2:2 and John 20:19-31 Early on the morning of December 7, 1941, ......two airmen ... who had just taken their post at a radar ...read more

Scripture: John 10:27, John 20:1-31, Revelation 3:20

Denomination: Anglican

The Bread Of Life Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 19, 2023

If you want Jesus to fill your hungry soul, come to Him, trust in Him, and stay with Him.

It’s not clear what Joby Pool was planning for this year’s Easter feast, but if his snack plans were any indication, it would’ve been an epic celebration. That’s because police arrested Joby Pool for stealing a trailer containing 200,000 Cadbury Crème Eggs earlier this year (2023). As you ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-71

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Sermon # 12 - What Is Our Identity? Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Sep 26, 2024

When Jonah revealed his true identity, the other seafarers must have been astounded. We as a church are called to let the world know that the God we believe and worship is the true and living God, creator of heaven and earth and let’s not miss the opportunity to do so.

We read in Jonah 1:8, Then the men said to Jonah, "It is your fault that this terrible thing is happening to us. Tell us, what have you done? What is your job? Where do you come from? What is your country? Who are your people?" (ERV) The word of God came to Jonah to go to Nineveh, but ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:8-9, Genesis 14:13, Joshua 24:2, Genesis 39:14, Exodus 12:12, 1 Timothy 3:15, Hebrews 11:3, Romans 1:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Experiencing Christmas All Year Round Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 7, 2024

Jesus went from the heights of glory to the depths of shame. He went from the wonders of heaven to the wickedness of earth. He went from exaltation to humiliation. He had experienced coronation in Heaven before Christmas only to experience the curse on this earth.

Christmas is in high gear at Cross Church and allow me to say to wish you a very merry Christmas! Thank you for joining me for a Christmas sermon series entitled, A Timeless Christmas. Christmas is by far and away America’s most popular holiday. I bet it’s even your personal favorite holiday. Nine ...read more

Scripture: John 1:9-13, Psalm 4:7, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Be Born Of God - John 1:12–13 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 31, 2025

There is a powerful truth at the very heart of our Christian faith—a truth that transforms identities, restores the broken, and gives eternal hope: we can become children of God.

Go! And Be Born of God - John 1:12–13 Introduction: The Power to Become Imagine for a moment standing before the gates of a glorious palace—not as a tourist, not as a servant, but as a child of the King. That’s not fantasy. That’s the promise of the Gospel. There is a powerful truth at the very ...read more

Scripture: John 1:12-13, John 1:11, Galatians 3:26, Romans 8:15, John 3:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 10:9, Numbers 6:24-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Abraham: A Midrash Extravaganza Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 7, 2019

Abraham was in the position to be the ultimate example for justification by faith for several reasons.

Abraham: A Midrash Extravaganza (Romans 4:1-25) 1. There aren’t many Abraham jokes out there. To get this one, you have to know a little about computers and the life of Abraham. 2. Abraham announced to Isaac one day that he had decided to upgrade their family computer to Windows 10. So they ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Transformation At The Jordan

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Dec 2, 2025

The Jordan River that was overflowing miraculously parted for the Israelites, in that same River Jordan Naaman was healed of his leprosy, and Jesus was baptized in the same river. Miracles will happen in our lives when we too can trust God fully, and obey His Word implicitly.

Today’s meditation is based on Joshua 3:13, “When the priests who carry the Covenant Box of the LORD of all the earth put their feet in the water, the Jordan will stop flowing, and the water coming downstream will pile up in one place." (GNB) These are the words that Joshua received from God ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:13, 2 Kings 5:8-11, 2 Kings 5:13-14, Acts 2:38, Matthew 3:13, Matthew 3:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Go! And Live In The Freedom Of Truth - John 8:31-32 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 7, 2025

Abiding in Jesus' teachings leads us to truth, and this truth grants us freedom. But what does it mean to remain faithful to His teachings? How does knowing the truth liberate us?

Go! And Live in the Freedom of Truth - John 8:31-32 Introduction: Today we gather to delve into the profound words of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in John 8:31-32 (NLT): "Jesus said to the people who believed in him, 'You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32, John 15:5-7, Psalm 1:1-3, Proverbs 2:3-6, Romans 12:2, Romans 6:22, Galatians 5:1, Romans 10:9, Luke 9:23, Galatians 2:20, John 15:8, John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Colossians 1:13, Romans 6:14, Romans 8:37  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Handwriting On The Wall Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Mar 9, 2022

God is a good judge, and He will certainly do what even a corrupt earthly judge can do from time to time: He will judge the living and the dead on that day. The only hope you have when being weighed is to have the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ on your side.

I bet you noticed it like I have. People have changed from just two years ago when the fear of a virus swept our world. People are not the same. Half of us are angry, and we are irritated. People are quick to say things, and they are quick to split partnerships and even friendships. People are not ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Stop, Look, Listen & Live! Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Apr 12, 2022

Jesus' followers had to very carefully examine the evidence for Jesus' resurrection, even when it was right before their faces, to believe. In the same way, you owe it to yourself to examine the evidence & come to the same conclusion they did!

This world is a dangerous place. If there’s any lesson the congregation of Risen King may have learned over the past three months or so is just how vulnerable we human being are to tragedies that may overtake us very suddenly. That the world is a dangerous place is something that most of being to ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18, Luke 18:32-33, Matthew 16:21

Denomination: Bible Church

Go! And Never Hunger Again - John 6:35 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 16, 2025

How many today chase after the temporary “bread” of this world — possessions, achievements, popularity — and still find themselves spiritually starving?

Go! And Never Hunger Again - John 6:35 Introduction: The Hunger of the Human Heart “Jesus replied, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’” — John 6:35 (NLT) Have you ever noticed how much of our lives revolve around ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35, John 6:26, John 6:47-51, John 1:14, Exodus 3:14, Psalm 107:9, Isaiah 55:1-2, 1 Corinthians 11:23-24, Matthew 11:28, Romans 10:9, Matthew 28:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Precious In His Sight Series

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Aug 7, 2011

Come to Jesus, Be acceptable in His sight, and Believe on Him for provision in every area of your life. We are rejected by the world, but precious in the sight of God.

- Opening Prayer - Text: 1 Peter 2:4-10 4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Song Of Strength: We Shall Overcome Series

Contributed by Rudolf E. Y. Mensah on Jul 13, 2025

"No matter the trials we face, our spirit rises. This is for every heart still holding on—believing in a better tomorrow. We shall overcome… together."

SERMON TITLE: A Song of Strength: We Shall Overcome MAIN TEXT: John 1:5 (NIV) "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." INTRODUCTION Beloved, there are songs that stir emotion, and there are songs that resurrect hope. "We Shall Overcome" is ...read more

Scripture: John 1:5, Romans 8:28, Psalm 126:5, Hebrews 11:1, John 16:33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Here's A Man Who Needs No Introduction Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 1, 2024

To take somebody else’s off was considered absolutely degrading. If you had servants, one of the rules was you could never make a Jewish servant take your sandals off. That would be too degrading to make a fellow countryman do.

We celebrate celebrities. Whether it is rock stars, actors, or actresses, or athletes. Our culture loves celebrities. They are celebrated because of their unique talents and skills. The Gospel of John introduces us to the celebrity of the universe – Jesus Christ. Because there is nobody but nobody ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11, John 1:29-34

Denomination: Baptist

4 Controversial Uncompromising Life-Changing Truths Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 22, 2024

Most people who are enslaved know they are slaves. The girl who is abducted and taken into the worldwide human trafficking ring knows she’s a slave. You don’t have to tell her this. But there is a kind of slavery where people don’t fully realize they are enslaved.

Today, I want to speak to you about “4 Controversial Uncompromising Life-Changing Truths” from the lips of Jesus Himself. These 4 truths are unpopular for many. They are likely to start a good argument at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Many of these, if not all of these, run against the current ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-47

Denomination: Baptist