Sermons on Deficit:

A Face In The Crowd.

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Apr 21, 2003

This message asks; Who would you have been on that first Easter?

Now they call it the via da la Rosa, the way of sorrows, then it was just another street. And as Christ made his way up the crudely paved streets to Golgotha the crowd pushed and shoved to get a glimpse of the one who was called king of the Jews. The way was packed as Jews from all over the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:32-44, Matthew 27:27

Denomination: Wesleyan

I Know You Are Watching Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 10, 2002

When we consider that God is watching us, we may ask, as Job did, whether He is watching us to hurt us, to humiliate us, or to rescue us. Actually He is watching us in love to empower us.

“I can’t let you out of my sight for one minute.” How many parents here have ever said that? “I can’t let you out of my sight for one minute.” How many have said it at least a thousand times? You said it to a small child, bent on doing something that would hurt. You said it to an older ...read more

Scripture: Job 10:1-22, 2 Timothy 1:12

Denomination: Baptist

Abraham: A True Model Of Worship

Contributed by Steven Dow on Aug 23, 2002

Many Christians have never truly worshiped God because they don’t know how. Abraham models for us the essence of true, biblical worship.

ABRAHAM: A MODEL OF TRUE WORSHIP Genesis 22:1-19 August 18, 2002 INTRODUCTION: It seems that very few Christians know much about true worship. Charles Stanely once said that he believed that most Christians in most churches have never worshiped God. We go to church, but we don’t worship. We ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19, Genesis 21:8

Just Say No Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 24, 2003

Like Job’s friend Zophar, we eagerly find faults with others, thinking that pointing out their mistakes is all that is needed, and failing to build a relationship first. Contrast with Christ, who "became sin" for us.

We are studying the very human issue of faultfinding during this Lenten season. We are using the story of Job and his friends, if you call them that, as they tried to console him, no, really, instruct him in his misery. Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, three miserable comforters, Job said, because ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Fire Of Glory, Fire Of Drought

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 8, 2003

We have experienced the warm glow of God’s blessings, but the fire of judgment is also at hand, for worship becomes ritual, there is a critical spirit, and pessimism spreads. Diligence and integrity bring vitality in worship.

In all the annals of human history, there is one item which has held out more hope and yet offered more terror than any other. Wherever human beings gathered, in the infancy of our race, there this one item, this one element, both attracted them and repelled them; it drew them close and yet it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

God's Plan For Mothers

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on May 13, 2001

1. When it comes to guilt, know that God can use you as a parent in spite of your imperfections. 2. When it comes to fear and worry, know that God is in control. 3. When it comes to stress, rest in the fact that you are doing the will of God.

She went to a PTO meeting one evening. Her husband and daughter decided that they would do something special for mom, so they cleaned up the kitchen. They put away all the food, wiped all the counters, washed all the pots and put the dishes in the dishwasher — they even remembered to rinse! ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

"Breaking And Making Christmas Chains"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Dec 11, 2002

Jesus came to break chains that bind people and set them free.

Breaking and Making Christmas Chains Luke 1:67-79 As we enter the Advent season today I want to talk about chains we need to break and chains we need to make. The background for this message comes from the life and ministry of Zachariah a priest in Israel. Zachariah was carrying out his ...read more

Denomination: Free Methodist

Let's Nail This Down

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 20, 2004

Ordination sermon for Victor Oke. Do not nail down peer group approval; nail down the promises of God to strengthen, help, and uphold you in ministry.

“Who has roused a victor from the east, summoned him to his service?” Brother Oke, I warned you a month ago, at the ordination service for Gloria Grant, that I would probably use your name as the basis for your ordination message. The name “Victor” is so full of spiritual possibility! And so, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

“put Not Your Trust In Princes”(Politicians)

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 21, 2012

This election is very important, but despite the outcome, we still may find ourselves disillusioned. David has sage advice for us: "Do not put your trust in princes." So what should be the object of our Trust? There are 3 accessories to gain that trust.

“PUT NOT YOUR TRUST IN PRINCES”(POLITICIANS) Psalm 146:3 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: LIBERAL KITTENS 1. Chris Matthews (MSNBC Hardball; liberal) was out jogging one morning, and saw a little boy on the corner with a box. 'What's in the box son?' The little boy, who knew who he was, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 146:3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Treasuring God's Money Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Oct 25, 2012

In this prolonged, difficult economic recession, what role does our Christian faith play? What does treasuring God's money look like?

“Treasuring God’s Money” 2 Chron. 20:1-17; Heb. 12:25-29 I treasure my family. That’s why I have pictures of Barb and our kids and grandkids in my office (and on my computer screen.) There’s little I wouldn’t do for them; there’s nothing I wouldn’t ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Practice Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Oct 1, 2007

The practice of prayer helps us grow spiritually to know God better and become more like him.

[Background Image: Fresco of Michael Angelo on the Sistine Chapel, Imago Dei] Last week we looked at our need to grow spiritually, the Apostle Paul tells us in Col. 2:6-7, “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him. Let your roots grow ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Denomination: Methodist

God's Indescribable Abundance Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 23, 2008

How can one describe what God has given in this church, with the successes of the past year? How describe human needs, especially for the Gospel? And how describe the opportunities for inclusive worship, honest learning, and artistic expression?

Once upon a time a certain church was in an uproar. Some said that the pastor was not performing according to expectations. And so complaints were brought to the deacons, who met to consider the issue, and asked those who were grumbling, “What is the problem with the pastor?” One disaffected ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Healed Hearts His Home Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 7, 2008

Two obstacles must be removed before we may receive the peace God wants to give us, so long delayed and frustrated: our false pride and our negative spirit of self-accusation. Then His victory will be ours.

The neighborhood, if you could call it that, was one of the most rundown and poverty-stricken in the city. For fifty years the housing had decayed, and, as the original residents left, absentee landlords jammed far too many people into the old dwellings. Diseases became epidemic, and fires not ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 57:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Living In Unthankful Times

Contributed by Richard Goble on Nov 8, 2007

The last days are perilous, unthankful times marked by godlessness, powerless religion, and corrupt ministry.

Living In Unthankful Times 2 Timothy 3:1-9 Introduction: The Humanist’s Prayer Lyman Abbot once paraphrased the Lord’s Prayer to reflect the philosophy of those without God. We might call it the Humanist’s Prayer: Our brethren who art on earth, Hallowed be our name. Our kingdom come, Our will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer As A Spiritual Discipline

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Oct 27, 2008

Prayer and what it means for our spiritual life. Part 10 of 13 on Spiritual Disc.

Spiritual Disciplines: Prayer Sermon Number 10 March 2, 2008 There’s a story about a small town that had been historically “dry,” it was alcohol free. A bar was going to open on Main Street and upon hearing the news, the only church in town organized an all-night prayer meeting, asking God to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1

Denomination: Baptist