Sermons on discretion: showing 616-630 of 1,025

Operating The Motivational Gifts Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 29, 2009

Whatever the spiritual realm is, it bestows on people a range of accomplishment abilities that go beyond mere skill or knack. A gift of the Spirit is something that God gives for the purpose of building up others in a life of faith.

Opening illustration: Living Unaware of Our Vast Fortune Come with me into West Texas during the Depression. Mr. Ira Yates was like many other ranchers and farmers. He had a lot of land, and a lot of debt. Mr. Yates wasn’t able to make enough on his ranching operation to pay the principal and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:6-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Got Future Plans?

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 3, 2009

It is good to have goals, but goals will disappoint us if we leave God out of them. There is no point in making plans as though God did not exist, because the future is in His hands. That man walks most safely who has the least confidence in himself.

Opening illustration: Fortuneteller, gazing into crystal ball, to frog: You are going to meet a beautiful young woman. From the moment she sets eyes on you she will have an insatiable desire to know all about you. She will be compelled to get close to you - you’ll fascinate her." Frog: "Where am I? ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Recall Notice

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 14, 2012

When people acknowledge the Savior, they acknowledge the need for being saved from a condition of sinfulness. Jesus had already paid for their sins, but they would not experience his forgiveness unless they turned (repented) to God. Don’t ignore the Lord’

Opening illustration: In 2010, auto manufacturers recalled a staggering 20 million cars in the US for various defects. The thought of such a large number of defective cars on the road is startling enough. But what is more disturbing is the apathy of some owners. In one instance, the executive ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:13-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Do You Look Down Upon, Who Are The Dogs In Your Life?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 20, 2014

This is a very disturbing story where a woman, at her wits end, was actually ignored by Jesus, who favoured the Jews. Why? God ticks Jesus off here. Did Jesus sin here? It certainly needs investigation.

Genesis 45:1-15 Psalm 133 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Matthew 15: 10-28 Summary: This is a very disturbing story where a woman, at her wits end, was actually ignored by Jesus, who favoured the Jews. Why? God ticks Jesus off here. Did Jesus sin here? It certainly needs ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 15:10-28

Denomination: Episcopal

The Distant Disciple - Nicodemus

Contributed by Steve Wilson on Mar 16, 2016

Though it is difficult for us to relinquish control of our lives to this one who lived long ago (Jesus), it was even more difficult to do so when He walked on this earth. That was especially true for a prominent ruler of the Jews by the name of Nicodemus.

Introduction • Read John 3:12-16; 7:45-53; 19:38-42 • To you, I hope, Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God, your Savior and your Lord. It is so wonderful that we live on this side of the cross and resurrection. Though it is difficult to relinquish control of our lives to this one who ...read more

Scripture: John 19:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

The True Vine Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Apr 8, 2016

Jesus gives the last of the "I AM" statements in John and explains the relationship of the True Vine and true believers. He explains the principle of abiding in Christ in order to produce God-glorifying fruit.

The True Vine John 15:1-11 Jesus often used every day examples in His teachings and today we study the last of the “I AM” sayings of Jesus in John’s gospel, using the imagery of a vine. We read John 15:1-17 (NKJV): "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Value Of Wisdom: Let's Make A Deal Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 5, 2012

The wise father shares the value of wisdom with his children, as well as the vanity of the world and its promises.

The Value of Wisdom: Let's Make A Deal (1 Kings 3:3-14) Proverbs 2 There abounds stories about people getting to make wishes, or even 3 wish. The old story of finding an ancient bottle on the beach, rubbing it, and a Genie coming out to grant the finder three wishes is a classic. Can you imagine ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 2:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Clearing The Heir

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Dec 25, 2011

Many people live every moment completely oblivious to their rightful divine inheritance.

“Clearing the Heir” Gal. 4:1-7 You might just be the long-lost heir to someone’s fortune. Because unclaimed money from estates reverts to the state after a period of time the government is not really eager to spend a lot of time or money looking for deserving heirs. But the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Best That You Can Be

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 31, 2011

Titus 2

THE BEST THAT YOU CAN BE (TITUS 2) The story is told of a man and an angel who were walking along together. The man was complaining about his neighbors. “I never saw such a wretched set of people,” he said, “as are in this village. They are mean, greedy, selfish, and careless of ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Age Before Beauty Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Dec 6, 2011

Paul writes to the churches in Galatia about how being under the Law is like being a child but when we are set free in Christ we finally come of age as God’s people.

I sat in a restaurant this week at a table next to two guys who when their food arrived they decided which one would pray by saying, ‘Age before beauty’. I thought they both fell into the same category and unless they were waiting for someone else to arrive there was no ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-7

The Church Of The Adopted Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Dec 12, 2011

Paul writes to the churches in Galatia about how being under the Law is like being a child but when we are set free in Christ we finally come of age as God’s people.

The Church of the Adopted Galatians 4:1-7 I sat in a restaurant this week at a table next to two guys who when their food arrived they decided which one would pray by saying, ‘Age before beauty’. I thought they both fell into the same category and unless they were waiting for someone ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-7

Zacchaeus Meets Jesus And Is Saved

Contributed by Chris Blackshaw on Oct 31, 2010

No one is beyond being saved. Our task is the same as Jesus' task - to seek the lost and save them and to be proactive in doing it.

Jesus was passing through Jericho from the area of Jordan to Bethany near Jerusalem. He was on his way to raise Lazarus back to life. It was an important journey that he was undertaking but as he was going to perform this great miracle he still found time to deal with other people and their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

Thou Art The Man

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Apr 10, 2019

Be careful about judging others. The tables may turn someday.

THOU ART THE MAN (Outline is based on "The Sin of Faultfinding" By: Guy F. Hester from Pulpit and Bible Study Helps) November 1991 Editor-in-Chief: Spiros Zodhiates) Scripture: Matt: 26:20-25 "Is it I?" II Sam 12:1-14 "Thou art the man" Matt. 7:1-5 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-14, Matthew 26:20-25, Matthew 7:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

"I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You!”

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 10, 2019

We can be assured of God's provision and of His love because He promised with a five-fold negative that He would never leave us nor forsake us. Four different people in Scripture received this promise from God, so we can see God's faithfulness to them.

“I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU!” Heb. 13:5-6 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Steve Bauer was touring Ireland's countryside with a group of travel writers. They passed an immaculate cemetery with hundreds of beautiful headstones set in a field of emerald green grass. 2. Everyone reached ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Engagement And Marriage Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 18, 2019

In Corinth, there was a grave danger facing a girl who had reached the age of marriage. If she wanted to marry, and her father would not allow her to do so, she might disgrace her father and ruin her own testimony by marrying the wrong person.

December 29, 2012 Commentary on First Corinthians By: Tom Lowe Lesson 6.5: Engagement and Marriage Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7.36-38 1 Cor 7.36-38 (KJV) 36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:36-38

Denomination: Baptist