Sermons on Detours:

When What God Asks Seems To Be Too Much Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 22, 2024

This passage challenges the self-centered "gospel of self-fulfillment" that is too often proclaimed today. What does it mean that God wants us to focus on the "gospel of kingdom fulfillment"?

A HARSH STORY: God gives Ezekiel a task that overwhelms him. - Ezekiel 3:14-15. - 2 Corinthians 1:8-11; 2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 16-18. - This is a tough story and it’s going to lead us in this sermon to some difficult points. - We’ve been talking for the first two sermons in this series about the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 3:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Help Is On The Way PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 21, 2024

This sermon explores the comfort, guidance, and hope Jesus promises in John 16, even amidst life's trials, through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Welcome, dear friends, to another day of divine fellowship. We are gathered here, not by chance, but by divine appointment. Our hearts, like sunflowers, turn towards the light of His word, eager to soak in its life-giving radiance. Today, we find ourselves standing together on the fertile ground of ...read more

Topics: Holy Spirit

The Good Shepherd PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 25, 2024

This sermon encourages us to find joy and strength in seeking God's guidance, surrendering to His will, and securing His strength, rather than in material possessions.

Greetings, beloved! As we gather here today, we find ourselves nestled in the comforting embrace of our collective faith, a faith that is as enduring as the ancient hills and as steadfast as the ever-flowing streams. It is a faith that calls us to seek, surrender, and secure -- to seek the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-3

Topics: Obeying, Shepherd

"The Good Thing About Bad Things" Series

Contributed by Jeffery Lindsay on Aug 11, 2001

Perseverance thru trial is God’s primary means of maturing his children.

“The Good Thing about Bad Things” James 1:1-4 I Introduction and Overview to the Letter of James In the foreward of his book, Inside Out, Larry Crabb writes this: “Modern Christianity, in dramatic reversal of its biblical form, promises to relieve the pain of living in a fallen world. The ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Faith Of The Doubter

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 9, 2002

We know Thomas as "the Doubter," but he had great faith.

Introduction: When I watch movies, I find myself asking, "Is that a good guy or a bad guy?" You see, Hollywood generally portrays its characters as either good guys or bad guys, and you have to understand which character is which if you’re going to understand the story line. The good guys ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God Messes With Your Plans

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Dec 20, 2011

Joseph and Mary were going about their lives making big plans for their wedding. Then God messed with their plans!

When God Messes with Your Plans Series: Christmas 2020 Chuck Sligh November 29, 2020 NOTE: PowerPoint or ProPresenter presentations are available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. Please mention the title of the sermon and the Bible text to help me find the sermon in my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Last Hours Of Jesus' Life - Free From Passivity

Contributed by Joanne Chan on May 18, 2018

In this sermon, we look at how the people mocked Jesus as he walked toward the hill of Golgotha, and contrast that with his encounter with Simon from Cyrene to see what it really means to carry the cross for Jesus.

Central theme: Jesus denied himself and took the punishment for us with total dedication. We should take up the cross and follow Jesus, which means denying our old self (our comfort, your desires) and live for God because God is leading us to an even better place. Opening: Think of a place ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:15-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Help Me Overcome My Unbelief (Imperfect Faith)

Contributed by Maria Saunders on Sep 4, 2015

As humans it's natural to with struggle, doubt, question, wonder about God’s presence & promises at various times. It's difficult to maintain faith in a Perfect God when warfare surfaces. Yet, we must have faith in God when imperfection is all around us.

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.’” Mark 9:24 NIV “No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, ‘Then I believe. Help me with my doubts.’” Mark 9:24 MSG The theme of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Baptist

War And Peace.

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 26, 2023

'War & Peace' - Isaiah chapter 11 verses 1-16 - sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: A vision of the saviour (vs 1-5) A picture of peace (vs 6-9) A story of power (vs 10-16) SERMON BODY: Ill: • If you google the words, “War & Peace.” • The suggested pages it brings up relate to the novel by Leo Tolstoy. • Which is one of the longest and most famous books ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-16

Denomination: Brethren

Hang In There

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Nov 11, 2002

Be an encourager

Comfort - encouragement - 2 Cor. 1:3-7 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5 For just ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Hebrews 11:35-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Long Can You Tread Water?

Contributed by John Beehler on May 31, 2002

God is calling us to a life of faith and obedience

How Long Can You Tread Water? People may not have a Bible or even read one but almost everyone has heard of Noah’s Ark. There are books about it, pictures and paintings of it, movies about the search for the ark, statues, ties, wallpaper, all kinds of things with a Noah’s Ark ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:9-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Listening Heart

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 23, 2000

Listening is one way we show Christ's love to others.

A Listening Heart Acts 16:14-15 And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. [15] And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Prevailing Proofs Of A Real Faith Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Jan 30, 2001

Reminders of who we are in Christ

PREVAILING PROOFS OF A REAL FAITH  God continually reminds of who we are in Christ: no longer in Adam. Behavior depends on seeing and recognizing who you are and the basic facts of your idenity. Backwards today: act first and then believe. Paul has been leading us step by step to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:14-17

Lessons Learned In Egypt Series

Contributed by Dan Buis on Feb 24, 2001

How Abraham’s trials in Egypt led him to wisdom in Canaan

“Most lessons in life are learned the hard way.” You can be warned and taught about a danger or encouraged to do the right thing, but personal failure can be the most powerful teacher. When I went out to buy my first car, I was warned by my parents to be very careful, to shop around, to research, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Does God Say When People Pray (Part 4)

Contributed by James Wilson on Mar 2, 2001

How does God respond to our prayers?

What Does God Say When People Pray? (Part 4) Daniel 4:18 If you had a pressing problem, who would you ask to pray for you? Who would you turn to for help? The other day, I got an email from a stranger with the heading, “Urgent prayer request.” I didn’t know how the person got my email ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 4:18

Denomination: Baptist