Sermons on Difficult Problems:

How Suffering Can Be A Gift Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on May 4, 2010

God stacks up treasures for his people through our suffering for his sake.

Scripture Introduction Jesus calls us blessed when reviled and persecuted on his account. We hear that and probably grit our teeth and determine to bear it should the need arise. The possibility of suffering frightens, and the culture of comfort surrounding us suggests we avoid situations where ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:29-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Swimming In A Sea Of Emotion Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on May 5, 2010

I want to take this passage and preach on the subject Swimming in a Sea of Emotions. Emotions are something we deal with every day of our lives. They are powerful and they can control our lives if we allow them to. Now, emotions, or feelings, are not bad

SWIMMING IN A SEA OF EMOTION Genesis 43:15-34 Introduction This passage opens with ten of Joseph’s brothers leaving Canaan make a second trip down into Egypt to buy grain. The first time they went, they came face to face with the Prime Minister of the country, but they did not know that he ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 43:15-34

Denomination: Baptist

Enemies - Part 3 - Enemy Love Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on May 14, 2010

Enemies . . . you have them. You need them. You must be aware of them and handle them correctly. Welcome to the fight!

Enemies Pt. 3 – Enemy Love I. Introduction I have tried to inform you over the last two weeks that we are at war! Ecclesiastes makes it abundantly clear that there is a time for peace, but there is a time for war. We are in that time! And yet, one man said, “We have lost our ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:4-47

Denomination: Pentecostal

Why Does Jesus Pray For Us? Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on May 21, 2010

God’s love for his people is seen in the prayers of the Son.

Scripture Introduction Someone said, “Trusting God does not mean believing that he will do what you want. It means believing that what he does is good.” The distinction delivers us from the error of demanding that God serve our desires like a genie in a bottle. Christians typically ...read more

Scripture: John 17:6-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Good Fight Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 27, 2010

We fight the good fight against those forces that would destroy our fellowship with gratitude, humility and faith.

Ruth Bell Graham tells this story about her son Franklin: Franklin was sleeping on the front porch with his cowboy boots and toy gun. We were having problems with some polecats (skunks), and Franklin told me not to worry because he had a gun. “Franklin, it’s just a toy gun,” I said. “That’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free

How Can We Change Our Neighborhood? Part I

Contributed by David Scudder on May 30, 2010

Wouldn’t you love to see in our neighborhood what happened in our text to the city of Antioch? What can we do in order to see more of God’s blessing in our country? We know that just saying “God Bless America” is not going to do it.

Part I Acts 11:19-26 Purpose: To stir up God’s people to be more aggressive in spreading the gospel. INTRODUCTION: Wouldn’t you love to see in our neighborhood what happened in our text to city of Antioch? Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Top Priority Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 3, 2010

The top priority of the church is prayer. More than anything else, we must pray for people’s salvation. Pray that they come to the Father through Jesus, the Son, and pray that they find freedom through Jesus, the Savior.

Several years ago, because of all the tornados in the area, a developer in Tulsa, Oklahoma, offered an optional tornado-safe room in the new homes he was selling. Nine of the first ten buyers opted to pay the extra $2,500 for the room, which can also be used as a closet, bathroom, or vault when ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Knowledge (Not Opinion)

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 6, 2010

Some of us handle truth by simply asserting ourselves forcefully. Paul's way was to root truth in revelation rather than logic; to find authentic confidence in personal experience; and to submit himself to transformation. First Baptist Church of Gaithers

If there’s one thing I have a strong opinion about, it is that I do not like people with strong opinions! I have a hard time with the person who declares what he thinks with absolute hard-core certainty, riding roughshod over any contrary thoughts I might have. I struggle with that. I have ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

Godly Fathers: Leading, Loving, And Raising Right

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Jun 19, 2010

This Father’s Day, we reflect on our main text, Ephesians 5:22-6:4, to see that godly fathers lead, love, and raise right.

Given by Sterling C. Franklin Fathers’ Day: June 20, 2010 Scripture Reading: Psalm 128 Psalm 128:1-6 [ESV] 1 (A SONG OF ASCENTS) Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! 2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spirit And Flesh

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Jun 22, 2010

Exploring the dynamic between our flesh and the Spirit at work within believers. Where is hope?

Spirit and Flesh: Spirit or Flesh? Text: Romans 8:1-11 Message given at New Hope Christian Fellowship April 27, 2008 Sterling C. Franklin Purposes: • To bless and encourage the congregation. • To point them in the direction of holiness and purity. • To convict the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don’t Play Favorites Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Jun 27, 2010

considers what playing favorites means and how the church can fall into this today and what it means when we do.

Don’t Play Favorites James 2:1-13 slide How many of you watched the Blackhawks win the Stanley cup? It was pretty amazing and those from Chicago were excited. Those from Philadelphia were not so excited to see the Blackhawks win. That is because the Blackhawks were not their favorite team. No ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A No Good Lying Fig Tree

Contributed by Ron Theis on Jul 1, 2010

A Warning to all those who APPEAR to be fruitful, but are not.

A No Good Lying Fig Tree Matthew 21:17-20 INTRO A. No one likes A Liar! 1. There was a world renowned theologian and philosopher several years ago who used a story to illustrate this point. 2. It was a story about a monkey and a coon dog. 3. This world famous theologian’s name was Jerry ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

Are We Doing What We Can?

Contributed by Ron Theis on Jul 1, 2010

A sermon that asks us...are we doing all we can with all we have?

ARE WE DOING WHAT WE CAN?Mark 14:1-9INTRODUCTION1. Jesus at the house of Simon the leper. a. In continuing to look at the hours just prior to the cross we come upon a beautiful illustration.b. These were times of great peril for our Lord.c. The Jews had already decided to take His life.d. Judas had ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Guidelines For Gray Areas

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Jul 1, 2010

Our greatest loyalty and love is to God and others.

Title: Guidelines for Gray Areas Text: 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1 Truth: Our greatest loyalty and love is to God and others. Aim: to live in such a way we put God and others first. INTRODUCTION On December 1, 1955 at 6 p.m. James Blake complained to the bus driver that Rosa Parks, a black lady, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Where Does God Fit In? Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jul 6, 2010

What does it mean to take God seriously? What does putting God first look like? What does it involve?

“Law & Order: SPU – Where Does God Fit In?” Exodus 20:3; 1 Corinthians 10:5-14 A man purchased a statue of Christ and placed it on his desk in his den. A few days later his wife moved the statue to a table in the living room. Their five-year-old daughter, noticing the change of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-3

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed