Sermons on Denying Self:

Leading From Your Strengths Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Aug 16, 2010

There are several observations we can make about David in this conflict

(I attended a clergy roundtable sponsored by the Ockenga Institute of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary where we discussed this passage, and the following sermon is more of a group effort, our collective thoughts on the various strengths David drew from) We’re quite familiar with the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-58

Denomination: Congregational

Giving God Control

Contributed by Mark Adams on Sep 10, 2011

If properly understood and practiced, Submission is a path to tremendous freedom in Christ.

INTRO: In a world where printed books and media are declining, and more people are opting to do their reading online, you can bet that publishers are doing all that they can to grab your attention with what they believe will actually sell. I could have picked a lot of magazines to use as examples, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:25, Matthew 25:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sure Cure For The Blues!

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Sep 16, 2011

Elijah experiences ’burn out’. (Powerpoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (a). The characters concerned (vs 1-4): • (1). The Weak King: Ahab (vs 1). • (2). The Dominant Queen: Jezebel (vs 2). • (3). The Discouraged Prophet: Elijah (vs 3-4). (B). The Lord and Elijah (vs 5-18): • (1). The Lord Reveals vs 5-14). • (2). The Lord Commissions (vs ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

Spiritual Checklist

Contributed by D. Walls on Nov 19, 2011

Checking our spirituality daily.

“SPIRITUAL CHECKLIST” TEXT: 2 Cor. 13:5: Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (Reprobate: means rejected, disapproved. Rom. 1:28 Introduction: In my late teens, I was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5

Denomination: Holiness

True Discipleship

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Apr 11, 2012

We are called to be real disciples of Christ, and not just to be mere converts or followers. We therefore need to meet the conditions required to be accepted accepted as His true disciples.

TRUE DISCIPLESHIP STUDY TEXT: Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

It’s Your Party And I’ll Cry Out If I Want To Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Sep 5, 2012

A study of the book of Isaiah chapter 39

Isaiah 39: 1 – 8 It’s Your Party and I’ll Cry Out If I Want To At that time Merodach-Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. 2 And Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 39:1-8

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

We The People: Rediscovering Sabbath

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 3, 2010

Fall 1987: Sabbath is about far more than doing whatever you feel like doing. It is a chance to be authentic, in relationship with God, and it is meant to be a delight and not a burden.

Be honest now. This morning when the alarm rang or when your wife nudged you in the ribs; when your mom screamed something about being late -- what was your reaction? What did you feel about getting up and going to church? I asked you to be honest – but not necessarily out loud! Now thus ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Struggling To Know Who We Are Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 14, 2010

Like Hosea's children, we name our selves by our sad history, by our isolation, and by our alienation. But in Christ our Brother all these defects are remedied.

A good many of us, I would guess, are less than happy with our names. What Mom and Dad decided to call us before we had a voice in the matter. Well, I suspect a good many of us would like to change. Some of us just refuse to use our real names. We go by Butch or Bud or Sissie or some such ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

More Than All

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Nov 14, 2009

It isn’t how much you give to the work of the church that matters. It is how much you keep for yourself that concerns God.

Mark 12: 38 – 44 / More Than All Intro: In 1975 I assumed my duties as the pastor of Memorial Presbyterian church in South Bend, Indiana. It was a unique ethnic congregation with many customs and traditions. One such “tradition” was the publishing of the annual “Scandal Sheet of Giving.” --- A ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fast And Give Alms And Pray

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 6, 2010

The key to making Lent a time of growth.

Ash Wednesday Homily 2010 There’s not much chance today that someone will see the ashes on your forehead and say “Oh, what a wonderfully pious person that is.” It’s more likely that someone who doesn’t know you are Catholic will ask, “did you know there’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Catholic

Flirting With An Old Flame

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 17, 2009

Cowardice keeps us from a relationship with God. Rekindle God’s gifts: power to make a difference, love that stays by those in need, and self-discipline to choose a lifestyle of ministry. Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD

Are you that rare person who married your first love and you are still just as much in love today as you were at first sight? If you are such a creature, I salute you, but there are not many like you. When I attended Betty Noe’s funeral here not long ago, it was said that she was Hulon’s first ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

When Jesus Comes: No Grasp Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 13, 2010

We live in a status-seeking world. But when Jesus comes as a tiny infant in a humble set of circumstances, He shows us that the way to live is one of obedience and giving up control.

This afternoon, if all goes as we would like – all of us, that is, with the possible exception of a few traitors and a few folks who for some strange reason do not care about pigskin prowess – this afternoon, if all goes as we would like, our beloved Redskins will do battle with the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Homecoming

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Aug 30, 2009

The story of the prodigal son has been repeated in our lives again and again as we like the prodigal rebel against God’s path for us until we come to the realization of our actions and being filled with regret, repent and return to find restoration.

HOMECOMING LUKE 15:11-24A Introduction: Luke 15 tells us the story of a wonderful homecoming. The steps leading up to that homecoming are steps that were anything but easy; but necessary. A young man played the fool and learned the hard way what it meant to be away from the love, joy and safety of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

Too Busy Not To Pray

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 13, 2009

When we think we are too busy to pray, we are succumbing to the issue of control: either we suppose we can manage everything or we want to abdicate. Prayer is the way to find priorities and strength.

Let me throw some numbers at you. Imagine that you were in charge of an operation that involves, on the average, some ten thousand people a week, almost all of whom come together at one time. Of these ten thousand or so, not all will get there every time, but sometimes many more than that will show ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-27

Denomination: Baptist

Introduction - God's Heart For You Series

Contributed by Jake Kircher on Sep 16, 2009

Understanding God’s heart for the world has begin by understanding what God thinks about each of us and how he asks us to live.

I am really excited this year about our theme which is “God’s Heart for the World.” Most everyone knows John 3:16 in that it says, “For God loved the…world…so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that…everyone…who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” As much as so many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational