Sermons on Defining Marks:

Praying With Jesus: Our Father Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Apr 12, 2019

The Lord's Prayer begins with defining the relationship: God our Father is strong, loving, and faithful/

Have you ever said something like this? “I don’t know how it happened. I got sucked in, and I couldn’t seem to avoid it.” “Why did I say that? It was stupid and wrong—and I didn’t really mean to.” “I want that so bad! I know I really shouldn’t, but…” “Man, what was I thinking? How did I let it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13, Isaiah 57:15, Colossians 4:4-6, John 1:12-13, Deuteronomy 33:26-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Basis Of Our Love Life With The Lord

Contributed by James Snyder on Mar 14, 2016

Our appetite really defines us, drives us and is the explanation for the quality of our life right now.

Song of Solomon 1:1-17 Introduction… Appetite is what really defines and drives a person. It is quite difficult for a person to overcome their appetite. This may be a good thing and then again, it may be a bad thing. If you can find a person’s appetite, you can control that person to ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 1:1-17

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

I Am The Door Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jan 18, 2021

This sermon is part of the series Defining Jesus which looks at the "I AM" statements of the Lord.

IDENTIFYING JESUS I AM THE GATE/DOOR JOHN 10:1-11 (NIV) "I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, THE MAN WHO DOES NOT ENTER THE SHEEP PEN BY THE GATE, BUT CLIMBS IN BY SOME OTHER WAY, IS A THIEF AND A ROBBER. 2 THE MAN WHO ENTERS BY THE GATE IS THE SHEPHERD OF HIS SHEEP. 3 THE WATCHMAN OPENS THE GATE FOR HIM, ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On Confidence

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 22, 2021

Confidence is defined as: “The feeling or belief that one can have faith in or rely on someone or something.”

Norman Vincent Peale an American minister and author once remarked: “Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy.” Psalm 139:13-14 reminds us: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:35-36, Philippians 4:13, Jeremiah 29:11

Sermon On Flourishment & Growth

Contributed by William Meakin on Jul 2, 2022

Flourishment is defined as: To grow luxuriantly. It includes thriving amidst adversity, achieving success and energising prosperity.

Dr. Lucas D. Shallua, an American dynamic speaker, entrepreneur and academician once remarked: “Love is like a seed, if nourished and taken good care, it grows and flourishes but if neglected and not taken good care, it stagnates and eventually dies.” Psalm 32:19 confirms: “They are planted in the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:11, Jeremiah 17:7-8, Zechariah 9:16-17, Proverbs 28:25

Sermon On Philosophy & Wisdom

Contributed by William Meakin on Jul 14, 2022

Philosophy is defined as the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline.

Confucius, an ancient Chinese philosopher once remarked: "The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:5, Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 3:13-18, Proverbs 19:20

Sermon On The Distinction Of Joy & Happiness

Contributed by William Meakin on Mar 21, 2025

Joy is defined in the dictionary as a feeling of great pleasure and exultation, whereas happiness is regarded as a state of elation or cheerfulness.

Adela Rogers St. Johns, a female American journalist and novelist once remarked: “Joy seems to me a step beyond happiness - happiness is a sort of atmosphere you can live in sometimes when you're lucky. Joy is a light that fills you with hope and faith and love." John 15:11 reminds us: ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22, John 14:16, 1 Peter 5:7, Romans 16:17

Sermon On The Algorithms Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 29, 2024

An algorithm is defined as a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer.

Carl Honore, a Canadian journalist once remarked: “We know that no algorithm can solve global poverty; no pill can cure a chronic illness; no box of chocolates can mend a broken relationship; no educational DVD can transform a child into a baby Einstein; no drone strike can end a terrorist ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6, Proverbs 3:5, Philippians 4:13, Psalm 50:15

Sermon On A Leap Of Faith

Contributed by William Meakin on Jul 28, 2023

A leap of faith is defined as an act of believing in or attempting something whose existence or outcome cannot be proved or known.

Bill Engvall, an American stand-up comedian once remarked: “I might have tried bungee jumping, until I saw that video of that guy whose cord came untied. He didn't know it 'till he hit the ground. Oh, he flew off that tower, hollering at his buddies. "Whoo, check me out, dudes! Oh, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1, 2 Corinthians 5:7, James 2:18, 2 Timothy 1:7

Sermon On Advocate Or Protagonist?

Contributed by William Meakin on Nov 15, 2022

Caterpillars are defined as the larval stage of members of the Lepidoptera family which is an insect order comprising butterflies and moths.

Steven James, a Wisconsin-born American author once remarked: “Think of a caterpillar entering a cocoon. Once he does so, one of two things will happen: He will either transform into a butterfly, or he will die. But no matter what else happens, he will never climb out of the cocoon as a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1, 1 John 2:1, Acts 19:19, Luke 16:26

Sermon On Existentialism

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 4, 2022

Existentialism is defined as the philosophical belief that each person in life is responsible for creating their own individual purpose and meaning.

Jagadish "Jaggi" Vasudev, better known as Sadhguru, an Indian yoga guru and proponent of spirituality once remarked: "Your thoughts and emotions are of no existential consequence. They are your creation - you could make them any way you want." Galatians 5:16-21 reminds us: “But ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-27

Sermon On The Tools Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 12, 2022

Tools are defined as a device or implement, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function.

Steve Maraboli, an American author once remarked: “Accept yourself, your strengths, your weaknesses, your truths, and know what tools you have to fulfil your purpose.” Deuteronomy 19:5 confirms: “For instance, a man may go into the forest with his neighbour to cut wood, and as he swings his axe to ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 50:23, 1 Peter 2:1-25, Ephesians 2:10

Sermon On A Second Chance

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 26, 2022

Weather is defined as a state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time as regards heat, cloudiness, wind, rain, etc.

Alfred Wainwright, a British fell-walker, guidebook author and illustrator once remarked: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” Leviticus 26:4 confirms: “Then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:9, Matthew 18:21-22, Isaiah 43:18, Jonah 2:1-10

Sermon On The Golden Mean

Contributed by William Meakin on Apr 2, 2024

Ethics are defined as the principles of conduct governing an individual or group. It can include a consciousness of moral importance or principles.

Potter Stewart, a former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States once remarked: “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 reminds us: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 13:8-10, Proverbs 11:1, Matthew 7:12

To The Sent Vessels Of Mercy,dont Lose Your Definition Series

Contributed by Boniface Simiyu on Nov 8, 2024

Gods children today are surrounded with so much politics that they get drawn into defining their mandate on earth wrongly.

Our good is not necessarily Gods good. And above all things we should remember that our definition of everything about us should be that same definition found in Gods mind: Hence despite wanting good for the nations we live in remember that Jesus lived in Israel but identified himself with his ...read more

Scripture: John 17:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational