Sermons on Desert Gourd:

Contending With Evil Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 13, 2019

Just because we are chosen by God, baptized into Christ, does not mean that we are infallibly going to attain God’s promises. We are always tempted, as Christ was, to follow the allurements of the world, flesh and devil.

Saint Anthony of the Desert 2019 Saint Anthony–the less famous one we call “Anthony of the Desert”–died 1653 years ago today. Since he is also called “Anthony the Great” and “Anthony of Egypt” and several other honorifics, we might want to know more about him, and what he can teach us today. But ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45, Hebrews 3:7-14, Psalm 95:6-11

Denomination: Catholic

The Life Of Paul Part Ii Series

Contributed by Dan Carroll on Aug 26, 2016

This sermon speaks of the transformation of Saul to Paul and his journey of growth in the desert.

INTRODUCTION • Paul was one of those guys who break the mold. • He was wild, crazy, zealous, lost, brilliant, passionate and super focused. • If he was alive today he would be considered a terrorist for killing people for his cause. • Last week we talked about his ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:20-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Desert Shall Blossom As The Rose: For The 3rd Sunday Of Advent

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Dec 6, 2022

Let us experience the true joy this season.

The Desert Shall Blossom as the Rose: For the Third Sunday of Advent Isaiah 35:1-10As we continue our Advent study this year from the Old Testament book of Isaiah, we come to this passage in chapter 35. as a way of reminder, we have discussed how the book of Isaiah is a mixture of prophecies of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Does God Save Us? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 24, 2022

He loves us, even though He has been injured in the loving.

Christmas 2022 Why did God save us, anyway? In the beginning, He created man and woman as the summit of His work of bringing everything into being out of nothing. Unlike the false gods of Greece and Palestine, the true God does not need us at all. He is Being itself, and continuously creates and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:15-20, Titus 3:4-7, Isaiah 62:11-12

Denomination: Catholic

Mountains To The Left Of Me, Desert To The Right; Here I Am...

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 20, 2000

You've trusted Him to stand between you and your sin; can you now trust Him to stand between you and your circumstances?

...stuck in the middle with you." Exodus 12:41 has to be one of the most amazing verses of the Bible. Listen to that verse, and see if you can catch why I would say that. “And it came about at the end of four hundred and thirty years, to the very day, that all the hosts of the Lord went out ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:1-14

Denomination: Orthodox

Worship In The Wilderness (Or, How To Deal With The Desert): Psalm 63 Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Aug 18, 2019

When God seems distant, can we still worship? A six point battle plan for how to deal with seasons in the wilderness.

Worship in the Wilderness (or, How to Deal With the Desert) Psalm 63 Good morning. If you have your Bibles, please turn to Psalm 63. You know, we have had some awesome worship experiences over the last few weeks as we’ve worked through some of these Psalms. The week we talked about Psalm 100 was ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Tempted Jesus

Contributed by Michael Demastus on Oct 22, 2001

Deals with the temptations of Jesus in the desert.

“THE TEMPTED JESUS” Matthew 4:1-11 INTRODUCTION: Read text ILLUSTRATION: “Cocoon” The cocoon of the Emperor moth is flask like in shape. To develop into a perfect insect, it must force its way through the neck of the cocoon by hours of intense struggle. Entomologists explain ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Advice To Graduates And Other Folk

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Feb 10, 2005

A motivational sermon to preach at the graduation of Seniors.

Advice to Graduates and Other Folk Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Are You Hearing Voices? Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 4, 2012

The desert becomes a place of listening for those preparing to serve God. In the desert John would prepare the way for the Messiah (God). In our own deserts we must hear the voice of God in our preparation to serve him.

1. [At this time of year there is a clamor of people wanting out attention – advertisers; children and presents; adults and presents; 2. In the midst of all of the noise around us, God is also seeking to be heard [In Wizard of Oz – Dorothy, Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and Scarecrow journey ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pigs And Dogs Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 26, 2010

The correlation between evil and a bent to destroy is demonstrated in the sinister nature of false teachers within the church.

Pigs and Dogs (2 Peter 2:17-22) 1. Our daughter Hannah loved animals. At the age of 12 or so, she began helping out Polly at her exotic animal farm. 2. We had some strange pets because of this: a Pantagonian cavvy, also known as a Marah. Luke had a small possum that never even got as large as a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:17-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Third Sunday Of Advent, Year A: Gaudete Sunday--John The Baptist: Danger And Beauty Of The Barren Places

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 2, 2022

It is just these types of lonely, painful moments that Jesus wants to redeem. John the Baptist got ministered to in prison by Jesus. He answered John’s question and complimented him to others.

A bedraggled little man once walked the streets of an Italian town 100 years ago. Many of the townspeople saw his pallid face, often tearful, as he stumbled along the cobblestone streets and narrow alleys. One day a kind soul, witnessing the man’s misery, came up to him, hoping to lift his sad ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1, Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Catholic

Ishmael Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 1, 2022

In Islamic beliefs, Abraham had prayed to God for a son. (God delivered this child to Abraham and later tested Abraham's faith by asking him to sacrifice his only son at the time.

Ishmael Ishmael was the first son of Abraham through the Egyptian Hagar, the common patriarch of the Abrahamic religions, and is venerated by Muslims as a prophet. According to the Genesis account, he died at the age of 137. Personal Facts Born: Canaan Children: Nebaioth, Basemath, Adbeel, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

First Sunday Of Lent, Year C--Assume The Power, The Devil Told Him

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Feb 7, 2025

An image or fantasy is presented to me...

Satan tries to drive a wedge between Jesus and his Father. “If you are the Son of God,” Satan begins two his temptations. Same with us, with baptism, “If you are a child of God.” Doubting baptismal identity. Lent is a time of self-appraisal and accountability. When we remember and reflect on our ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:4-10, Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Catholic

Blessed Be Your Name: When I'm Found In The Desert Place Series

Contributed by Stephen Colaw on Nov 11, 2008

Part 2 of 2: When God gives and when He takes away, our only right response is praise.

THE POINT: When God gives and when God takes away, our only right response is praise! ME Last week we took some time and we practiced praise. Let me hear you again today… Give me a sample of what praise sounds like! Now, as we saw last week. Praise is more than just making noise, even if ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:20-21

Denomination: Wesleyan

Exodus 15 - How To Sing In A Desert Situation Rather Than Complain! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 27, 2009

It interests me that God tests me by allowing me to go through difficult situations in order to prove the quality of my character, the genuineness of my worship and the motivations of my service. What is your Marah?

Exodus 15 - Singing and Suffering Exodus 15 is an anthem of praise to God for Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. It’s often called the song of Moses and the men got a choir together and sang it. Then in antiphonal response the women under the leadership of Miriam sang as well. As soon as they are ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:1-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational