Sermons on Difficult Teachings:

Genesis 22:1-14 (Abraham Sacrifices His Son)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 28, 2007

A sermon given on the anniversary of the kidnapping of Mordechai Vanunu ...

Some reflections on Abraham – the father of faith: I It was early morning. Abraham rose in good time, had the asses saddled and left his tent, taking Isaac with him, but Sarah watched them from the window as they went down the valley until she could ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Genesis 21:8-21 (The God Of Ishmael)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 28, 2007

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob turns out the be the God of Ishmael too!! ...

We continue our sojourn with Abraham today – Abraham, the ‘father of faith’. We’ve been working our way through the story of Abraham for some time now – stories about Abraham & Sarah, Abraham & his family, Abraham & his descendents, Abraham and the promises God made to him - Abraham the ‘father of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:8-21, Genesis 21:13-20

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

David & Bathsheeba (2 Samuel 11)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 28, 2007

David and Bathsheeba - an old story with a very contemporary ring to it, and a few things still to teach us!

"You can get a large audience together for a strip-tease act-that is, to watch a girl undress on the stage. Now suppose you came to a country where you could fill a theatre by simply bringing a covered plate on to the stage and then slowly lifting the cover so as to let everyone see, just before ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Great Counselor Series

Contributed by Tim Patrick on Nov 30, 2007

Discover the benefits that Jesus offers when we allow him to be our divine counselor.

There are four weeks between now and Christmas. During these four weeks I am going to be using one verse of scripture to guide our thoughts. The verse is Is. 9:6. Look at the verse. “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

Loving Your Neighbor

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Dec 6, 2007

We know we should love our neighbor, but how do we practically do it? Let’s look.

Loving Your Neighbor Matthew 22:36-40 Relationships are the key to life. Jesus said all of the commandments of God can be boiled down to just two - Loving God and Loving your neighbor as yourself. By themselves they are too vague for self centered humans to follow. So God expanded them to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:36-40

Denomination: Wesleyan

Following Jesus

Contributed by Michael Durst on Dec 6, 2007

A look at the real life results of a decision to follow Jesus.

When I was in elementary school, we didn’t have Upward basketball. The only league we had was the Westerville Parks and Rec. And for me the Westerville parks and rec league presented a problem. The problem was that I wasn’t allowed to play until the 4th grade. For those of you who don’t know, I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Holiness

The Second Greatest Commandment Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Dec 6, 2007

Love your neighbor, as yourself.

The Second Greatest Commandment Matthew 22:39 Intro As Jesus approached the end of his earthly ministry, he gave his disciples a badge by which they could identify each other. He gave a uniform with which to clothe themselves that would indicate to the world that they were his followers. This ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 22:39

Denomination: Baptist

Faith To Do The Work Of Ministry

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 10, 2007

Discussion of Jesus’ words after healing a boy possessed by a demon.

Faith to Do the Work of Ministry Matthew 17:14-23 May 27, 2007 I don’t know about you, but as I listen to what people say, read what they write, and see how they act, I get the impression that our world thinks that Christianity is weak faith. That we’re really just a bunch of religious people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:14-23

Denomination: Wesleyan

Knowledge Puffs Up But Love Edifies

Contributed by Mitch Davis on Jun 22, 2007

We all have knowledge (or, at least we think we do) but such does not build up the body of Christ. Too many professing Christianity actually tear down the body of Christ with their knowledge instead of building it up with the love God demands.

Knowledge Puffs Up But Love Edifies Theme: Considering the conscience of your brother. 1 Corinthians 8 INTRODUCTION A. Within the body of Christ will arise issues that are deemed doctrinal by some and opinion by others. 1. Both sides believe they have the truth on the divisive subject. 2. Such was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Whoever Has Ears To Hear... Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Jun 23, 2007

Jesus has validated John’s life and his ministry and told His audience, “This is what you have been waiting for. Now, pay very close attention to what I am saying to you. Mark my words: it is absolutely critical that you get this!”

The Messiah And The Prophet – Part 3 Whoever Has Ears To Hear… Matthew 11:15 Several centuries ago, a learned German philosopher began investigating a new philosophy coming out of Japan. This philosophy was called, “Zen.” The philosopher poured through every piece of written material he cold find ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Changes His Accent – Part 1 Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Jun 23, 2007

There are a lot of areas of Bible knowledge where I am very settled in my views – perhaps too much so. It’s so easy to get comfortable with what I think I know about something or someone in the Bible. Once in a while, God brings me to the place where he s

Jesus Changes His Accent – Part 1 Four Calls Of Christ – Part 1 Matthew 11:16-30 There are a lot of areas of Bible knowledge where I am very settled in my views – perhaps too much so. It’s so easy to get comfortable with what I think I know about something or someone in the Bible. Once in a while, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Changes His Accent – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Jun 23, 2007

Today we look at the gracious power of Almighty God – the Sovereign King of all of Creation, the One who has all power and glory and honor, the One who is not ever to be approached flippantly or superficially – and to see the tender heart He has for those

Jesus Changes His Accent – Part 2 Four Calls Of Christ – Part 2 Matthew 11:25-30 Some of you know the names of the men to whom I turn for my teaching and guiding, the men to whom I turn for understanding and insight into pastoral ministry and being a man of God. I wish I knew them personally. I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Changing Of The Tide Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Jun 23, 2007

Can you think of a moment in time that was so significant a turning point in your life that the course of your entire life was forever changed? A moment when the choice you made set you out upon a path in of life, had you going in a direction from which y

Jesus and the Forbidding Pharisees – Part 1 The Changing Of The Tide Matthew 12:1-14 “There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.” William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar English ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Do You Think You're Talking To? Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Jun 23, 2007

In our story today, the Forbidding Pharisees are back and do they ever have an attitude! They have a whole slew of legislated laws regarding the Sabbath that they expect everyone to keep with exacting detail, and they have made it their life’s work to ens

Jesus and the Forbidding Pharisees – Part 2 Who Do You Think You’re Talking To? Matthew 12:1-14 During the Victorian era, one how-to-do-it-right manual was Lady Gough’s Book of Etiquette. In this volume, putting books by male authors next to books by female authors was forbidden – unless the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Scolding The Sanctimonious And The Self-Righteous Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Jun 23, 2007

Malice is an evil that is fathered by Satan himself. Malice is a deep malevolence and cruelty that has absolutely no hint of goodness or light to it. Malice is wickedness with not a single hint of kindness or humanity to it. Such is the case with Satan, e

Jesus And The Forbidding Pharisees – Part 3 Matthew 12:22-45 Scolding The Sanctimonious And The Self-Righteous Matthew 12:22-32 Malice is an evil that is fathered by Satan himself. Malice is a deep malevolence and cruelty that has absolutely no hint of goodness or light to it. Malice is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational