Sermons on Deliberation:

Empathic Compassion: Experiencing Your Pain In My Heart

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Feb 18, 2021

When I think of Jesus I think of empathy and compassion; they are embedded Jesus' salvific mission. Too often clergy and Christians take a propositional approach to the Gospel. Loving and caring for people according to the example Jesus set requires us to demonstrate empathy and compassion.

I carefully watched him as he walked down the hall; he was dressed in a long flowing white coat. His head hung unpersuasively from his shoulders. The doctor's demeanor suggested he was intensely contemplating what he would say to us, or he was envisioning another appointment. Halfway down ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:13, Isaiah 63:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Lying Tongue

Contributed by James Dina on Jul 29, 2020

A lie is something false said with the intention to deceive. When we lie, we are speaking Satan’s native language. It’s music to his ears. Speak the truth in Love. Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.

A LYING TONGUE “The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” (Proverbs 12:19) The tongue is one of the smallest organs of the body; a world of evil among the parts of the body, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:19, Proverbs 12:22, Psalm 34:12-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

We Have Lift Off Series

Contributed by Troy Walliser on Apr 19, 2021

The CRITICAL nature of the mission DEMANDS that we give our best to see it accomplished.

We Have Lift Off! Acts 13:1-12 Growing up in central Florida provided a unique opportunity. As a child and even in to my teen years I have fond memories of taking the 2 hour car ride on Interstate 4 from Tampa on the west coast of Florida to Cape Canaveral on the East Coast of Florida to visit the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Looking A Little Bit Crazy

Contributed by Charles Jones on Jul 4, 2021

To some outsiders, it must look a little bit crazy. Cause all you talk about is God and Church. Why are you always trying to invite me to church? What's up with all of these stage lights, bands and video screens?

Looking A Little Bit Crazy Mark 3:20-30 There was a photocopied sign that was posted inside a church office. It was one of those humorous slogans that people in different offices duplicate and pass among themselves. Most of us have seen this particular message, I suppose, but posted in a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-30

Denomination: Pentecostal

Why Does Jonah Run From God, And Choose Death Over Life? (Jonah 1:1-16) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Aug 25, 2022

A reading of Jonah, that lets the book tell the story at its own pace.

Part of being a pastor or teacher in any church, is having this desire deep inside of you to teach through the book of Jonah. You can't help yourself. It preaches too well; it's too good of a story to ignore. Plus, every pastor knows the OT is hard and scary, but they also know they are ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-16

"Blind From Birth"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Aug 27, 2010

There are those who know they are blind and receive Christ's healing, and those who think they see and therefore remain blind. Of which group are you?

“As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-7

Denomination: Orthodox

Honouring The Elders Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 12, 2014

What is congregational responsibility to elders? How does a congregation honour the elders?

“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages.’ Do not admit a charge ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

When You Look At God, Who Do You See?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 13, 2020

Our view of God depends upon our perspective. Sinners see God as vengeful; saints see God as a refuge. Thus, our relationship to God determines how we view Him.

“The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the ...read more

Scripture: Nahum 1:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

When Standing Alone Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 27, 2016

Each Christian will eventually stand alone. At such times, they may be assured that they are never truly alone--the Lord is standing with them.

2 TIMOTHY 4:16-18 WHEN STANDING ALONE… “At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

For This Purpose I Was Born Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 23, 2018

Jesus' testimony before Pilate spoke of the purpose of His coming. Though we speak of joy and peace in Christ, it is essential that He came to bring salvation. This He has done through presenting His life as a sacrifice. Those who believe are ushered into His Kingdom.

“Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?’ Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-37

Denomination: Baptist

Home Truths For Christians

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Nov 4, 2000

James diagnoses some problems in the churches to which he writes and offers some home truths concerning the Christians' having the Wrong Spirit, the Wrong Friendship and the Wrong Attitude.

HOME TRUTHS FOR CHRISTIANS The letter written by James is very direct and personal in its message - he doesn't pull his punches. Martin Luther wasn't very keen on this book - he called it "an epistle of straw" because it didn't say much about Jesus or the Cross. But that's an incorrect reading of ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

"God's Forgiveness.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Mar 8, 2002

March 17, 2002 -- FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 130 With the LORD there is mercy and plenteous redemption. (Ps. 130:6-7) Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45 Color: Purple Title: “God’s forgiveness.” Psalm 130

March 17, 2002 -- FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 130 With the LORD there is mercy and plenteous redemption. (Ps. 130:6-7) Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45 Color: Purple Title: “God’s forgiveness.” Psalm 130 This is an individual lament for sin and an expression of confidence that God’s ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 130:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Flood Faith Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 13, 2002

God tells us that Noah is a perfect example of Godly faith. What was so impressive about Noah’s faith that we could learn from?

ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED FROM NOAH’S ARK o Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark. o Noah didn’t wait for his ship to come in, he built one. o Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone might ask you to do something REALLY big. o Don’t listen to critics -- do what has to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Faith Is Not Enough Series

Contributed by Ralph Juthman on Feb 9, 2002

This is part of a sermon series entitles, Overcoming the Grasshopper complex. Believers do not have to live their lives bound by the mistakes and sins of the past. they can achieve victory as they submit themselves to God’s plan for thier lives. this mes

TITLE: When Faith Is Not Enough TEXT: Numbers 14:39-45 THEME: rebellion, presumptive faith, Israelites, wilderness faith, sin, joshua, P.S. Many people forge ahead with faulty presuppositions about God and His will for their lives. Like the Israelites we have a tendency to rush into situations ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:39-45, Deuteronomy 1:41-44

Denomination: Pentecostal

My Name Is Noah

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 7, 2001

This is a 1st person re-enactment. It tells the story of the flood from a grandfatherly, though gruff Noah’s perspective.

(delivered in a gruff but loving manner of a dottery old man) My name is Noah, the son of Lamech, who was the son of Methusaleh, and he in turn was the son of Enoch… Now there was a man for you. Enoch. Walked with God he did. They say that one day he and God were out walking and God said: ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ