Sermons on Desert Lessons:

Play To Win

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Nov 5, 2010

Sermon preached at the funeral of a retired physician.

PLAY TO WIN Isaac Butterworth 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV) 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Jesus Heads To East Ridge"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Aug 10, 2011

A sermon about the radical openness of God.

Matthew 15:1-3, 7-28 “Jesus Heads to East Ridge” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN eastridgeumc.org How many of you like Winnie the Pooh? In one of his famous escapades, this loveable toy bear tries to trap an elephant—or, as he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-28

Denomination: United Methodist

“it Means Getting Out Of The Boat!” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Nov 5, 2012

If we are going to be more like Jesus, we must learn to walk by faith.

Jesus had just fed 5,000 men, besides women and children with 2 fish and 5 barley loaves. The people who benefited from this miracle sought to make Jesus their king (John 6:15), but this wasn’t the Father’s plan, so Jesus sent the disciples away in a boat while He dispersed the crowd. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

Keeping People From God Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Oct 15, 2012

Could it be that it is us who keep people from coming to Jesus? Just like the crowd obstructed the blind beggars from coming to Jesus, or the disciples from letting the children come to Jesus, we as Christians tend to pose obstacles to come to Jesus!

The blind men want to see Jesus. We know from Mark that one of those blind men were named Bartimaeus, and he had been blind all his life. First thing you see when you open your eyes is Jesus. I think that would be a wonderful thing! But we see that the crowd rebukes them. This is like the people ...read more

Denomination: *other

If We Want To Lead, We Must Serve Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Sep 7, 2014

We must not hinder anyone from coming to Christ because it is in serving Jesus and leading others to Him that we find our true reward. However, if anything comes between us and Jesus we must cast it aside because He is worthy of our total focus!

Leading well means serving well Mark 10:32-52 - Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant” -- Beginning today, we will see that concept explained and really come into focus - Jesus’ teachings, while difficult for some to deal with, are always timely -- God ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-52

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Judging Character

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Mar 26, 2017

We put a lot of priority into the way we look, but God sees on the inside. God values character over appearance, and can rightly help us do the same as we trust him.

1 Samuel 16:6-13 Judging Character In our western society, we truly value outward appearances. People in America spend thousands and thousands of dollars on face lifts, behind lifts, and everything in between. Don Knotts, the actor who played Barney Fife on the Andy Griffith Show, once said, “What ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:6-13, 1 Chronicles 28:9

Denomination: Baptist

Godly Change

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Apr 15, 2014

Are you willing to let God make the necessary changes in your life?

Godly Change Acts chapter 10 Introduction- This morning I would like to talk to you about change. Some change is good and some bad. Some people adjust to change and some people struggle. Some people look for change and some avoid it. Usually the only people that like change is the person ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:9-16

Denomination: Nazarene

Determination Wins The Day

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Nov 4, 2015

Determination wins the Day

2 Kings 2:1-15 Determination wins the Day I. ELISHA'S LESSONS ON LOVE A. His Commitment 1 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-15

Denomination: Holiness

Do You Have A Shepherd? Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Nov 19, 2015

A study of Psalm 23

Psalm 23: 1 – 6 Do You Have A Shepherd? 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4Yea, though I walk through the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Story: A Praying Mother, A Listening Prophet, And A Disobedient King

Contributed by C Jordan on Dec 16, 2015

In the stories of Hannah, Samuel and Saul, we learn three important keys to prayer: Never give up, listen to God’s voice, and walk in obedience.

THE STORY #10: A PRAYING MOTHER, A LISTENING PROPHET AND A DISOBEDIENT KING INTRO TO TOPIC: First Samuel takes place right after the story of the Judges and Ruth. • Samuel was the final judge, but he also served as a priest and a prophet. • This was the transition to the time of the kings. THE ...read more

Denomination: *other

The World Will Leave You Hanging

Contributed by John Daniel Johnson on Jul 12, 2020

Judas traded Jesus for the world. As a result, he was so overcome with guilt he took his own life. We'll examine the life of Judas and learn not to follow same FIVE mistakes he made.

The World Will Leave You Hanging Scripture Reference: Matthew 27:1-8 Preached at Mount Zion Baptist Church on July 12, 2020 Delivered by Rev. John Daniel Johnson If I had to make an estimated guess, I would guess that 100% of you have a television in your house. Our family tries to watch a TV ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:1-8, Deuteronomy 21:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

"love Has Its Reasons"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 5, 2019

A sermon about worshiping God with all we have.

“Love Has its Reasons” John 12:1-8 Our Gospel Lesson for this morning is really a continuation of John Chapter 11. If you didn’t read John Chapter 11 this past week—if you didn’t see the email I sent out-- I encourage you, when you go home today or sometime in the next few days, to read ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

Effatha! - Open Up

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Sep 3, 2021

Look up to heaven,” and have a constant connection with God. “Groan” for those in need and for those who do not know the Lord. And, “open up,” and put your faith into action.

Effatha! - Open up! “Jesus looked up toward heaven, and with a groan he said, “Effatha!” which means “Open up!” Mark 7:34 (CEV) As believers and churchgoers, we always enjoy worship service and listen to a new week’s sermon. But sometimes it is unavoidable to point out the time restraints that we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Stages Of Faith Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Nov 14, 2022

What stages do we go through to be fully faithful?

Tonight, we will finish up chapter 4 of John. We’ve now gotten away from the story of the woman at the well. Last week we talked about how we show evidence of our faith when we honor Jesus, when we welcome Him into our lives, and finally when we receive Him. Tonight, we will close out this ...read more

Scripture: John 4:46-54

Denomination: Baptist

"pointing To Jesus"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 12, 2022

Like John the Baptist, our lives are to point others to Christ.

“Pointing to Jesus” John 1:6-8, 19-29 Many thanks to Adam Hamilton’s book: “Prepare the Way for the Lord” for helping guide me in this sermon. John the Baptist is famous for many things, but his most important role is to point away from himself and toward Jesus. In our Gospel Lesson for this ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-29

Denomination: United Methodist