Sermons on Desert Gourd:

Taking The First Step Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 7, 2007

Israel is now on the verge of victory after 40 years of wandering in the desert. But they must act in order to activate God’s promises.

Taking the First Step Joshua 1-4 Rev. Brian Bill 1/7/07 A husband and wife were having problems remembering things, so they decided to go to the doctor. The doctor encouraged them to begin writing things down to see if that would help their memory. Later that night while watching TV, the husband ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Pilgrims Marker

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jul 16, 2008

Just as Jacob built a marker at Bethel, we must build markers of faith along our pilgrimage through the deserts of this life.

A Pilgrim�s Marker, Genesis 28:10-22 Introduction The famed preacher of the 19th Century, Charles Spurgeon, used to tell of a road which had been cut in red marble. It was so smoothly polished that, even when it was free of its usual thin coating of snow, it was dangerous in the extreme. Even ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

The Pharisee's Dilemma

Contributed by Matt Hoffmann on Dec 2, 2009

Follow a Pharisee into the desert to hear John the Baptist preach about coming Messiah and struggle with him a God breaks into his life.

Advent 2 Malachi 3:1-7; Luke 3:1-14 The day started for him just like any other. He got up early, before the sun would peek over Jerusalem’s proud stone walls. It took him a little longer to get ready than most people, because he was a Pharisee, and as a teacher of the Law of God, his fellow ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Just What Is This Anyway? Manna? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 6, 2023

We see the miracle of God in the desert called “manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know.”

Corpus Christi 2023 Today’s solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is called Corpus Christi, for short, because prior to the major calendar changes late in the last century, the Precious Blood of Christ had its own separate feast. So we celebrate today the fact that Christ’s promise ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:2-16, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, John 6:51-58

Denomination: Catholic

Free At Last - (Exodus Part 5) Series

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on May 5, 2018

The Israelites walk into the desert - directed by God. God knows the way, God shows the way, God holds the day. Focus on graduation.

Exodus 13:17-22 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer; for God thought, “If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people by the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 13:17-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Handle Rejection

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jul 8, 2004

"Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas because He loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica

How to Handle Rejection 2 Tim. 4:1-10 Illustration: A man left his house for church one Sunday just as his neighbor was loading his golf clubs into his car. "Henry," the neighbor called, "come play golf with me today." Henry answered firmly, "I always go to church on the Lord’s Day." After a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living Beyond Today Series

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Dec 26, 2007

A sermon for the 3rd Sunday in Advent that helps us see that despite troubles, God has not deserted us and that we are still blessed.

As we continue in this Advent season it is important to remember that we are not just preparing for Christmas but when Jesus comes again as our saviour and our judge. In today’s Gospel reading we hear of John being in trouble because he was a witness of Jesus. John’s story of following Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

God, The Heart-Broken Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 22, 2011

Like a grieving husband who has been deserted by the wife he loves, God reflects upon his relationship to unfaithful Israel.

God, the Heart-broken (Hosea 12-13) 1. TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa police arrested an expelled student after thwarting what they called a "catastrophic" plot to set off a bomb at his former high school next week, authorities said Wednesday. Police Chief Jane Castor said Jared Cano, 17, had threatened ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Is Our Provider - Exodus Part 15 Series

Contributed by Dan Carroll on Jul 28, 2011

A sermon about God providing manna and quail in the desert--and all our needs according to his faithfulness and our trust in Him.

INTRODUCTION • In Exodus 15, God reveals Himself as a healer. In Exodus 16, God reveals Himself as a provider. • Last week we talked about being tested. We all hate tests in school and in life. They are hard and often reveal things we don’t want to see. • We have ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 16:1-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Do I Say?

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 12, 2025

God revives weary hearts with comfort, presence, and strength, transforming deserts into renewal and calling His people to rise, hope, and speak again.

INTRODUCTION — WHEN THE WORLD FEELS HEAVY There are seasons when a pastor, a parent, a believer, a friend, looks out at the world and quietly asks a question nobody hears but God: “Lord… what do I even say anymore?” What do I say when hearts are tired? What do I say when the world is ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Where Do You Live?

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jun 21, 2005

Do you life UPtown or DOWNtown? Do you live a life of plenty, or do you live in a salt lands and parched place of the desert?

Each one of us knows where we live, don’t we? We know which state welive in, which county welive in and most of us even know what street we live on. When we leave church today, we will go directly to the street we live on, and I doubt if there is anyone here today who will end up walking into the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-6

Denomination: *other

In A World Where Jesus Said Yes To The Devil Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Mar 8, 2014

A journey in our imagination into what would happen if The Wizard of Gallilee said "yes" to the Serpent's temptations in the desert, and what happens if we say "yes".

Hissss Hissss Imagine…. Imagine….. And the wizard of Gallillee waved his wand. And every church was full. The crowds packed in, acknowledging Jesus as the one true God. Every church was full. So many people crowding in, standing room only. The collection plate piled HIGH full of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

Let’s Get Started - The Beginning Of Jesus’ Ministry Series

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Jan 13, 2012

Jesus spent 40 days in the desert fasting before He actually began HIs earthly ministry. How important is fasting in the church today?

January 15, 2012 Morning Worship Text: Matthew 4:1-11 Subject: The Temptation of Jesus Title: Let’s Get Started – The Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry Last week I shared with you about John the Baptist and how he came to prepare us for the coming ministry of Jesus. My focus was not just the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

I Will Make A Roadway In The Wilderness Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 16, 2011

God says, “Behold I will do something new and now it will spring forth. I will make a roadway in the wilderness and a river in the desert.”

The prophet Isaiah lived during a time when God’s chosen nation of Israel was completely turning away from God spiritually. He preached and prophesied in the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and foresaw the coming Babylonian captivity of Judah because of this departure from the Lord. People of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:19

Denomination: Christian Church

How Many Miracles Do You Need? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 23, 2024

This sermon explores Jesus' divine authority, His work in the world, and His call on our lives through His miracles and Israel's desert experiences.

Good morning, Church! It’s a joy to be with you today, gathered in the presence of our Lord, ready to learn, to grow, and to be shaped by His Word. Today, we find ourselves in the fifth chapter of the Gospel of John, a passage that speaks volumes about the character of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and ...read more

Scripture: John 5:36

Topics: Convincing, Jesus