Sermons on Ditches:

Pretending Everything Is Okay

Contributed by Jason Patrick on Nov 24, 2001

As part of a family of faith, Christians need to realize that we can be honest with God and with one another about just how difficult life can sometimes be.

Pretending Everything is Okay / Psalm 137 Proper 22, Year C; Downsville Baptist Church; 7 October 2001 One of the biggest grievances that I presently hold against many churchgoers is the notion that it is important that we act like everything is just fine in our lives even when it is not. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Of Our Forebears

Contributed by Peter Davis on Dec 28, 2001

As people of faith, we are not throwing away or shrinking back. But persevering and believing. For now the people of God will live by faith - trusting, hoping in that which is unseen; relying upon the one who made the promises.

Faith of Our Forebears Hebrews 11:1-40 Published in Pulpit Digest, Jan/Feb 1996. Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the management I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Faith of Our Forebears Hall of Fame . We trust that you will enjoy your visit. If there is anything I can ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Salt And Light Witnessing Series

Contributed by Jose Marin on Oct 22, 2001

We are the salt the silent work of influence and the light the visible manifestation of God in people’s lives.

“Salt and Light Witnessing” Matthew 5:13-16 THEME: We are the salt the silent work of influence and the light the visible manifestation of God in people’s lives. INTRODUCTION: a) There are two things that we value that seem so insignificant but are part of our survival. We either complain ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Healing For A Hurting World

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Nov 2, 2001

Jesus offers us the healing that we need in thsi world.

INTRODUCTION  Clarice Lukenbill, Spencer, Ind. Christian Reader, "Lite Fare." I overheard two older men talking about their health problems at our church. "My new doctor doesn’t just treat the symptoms, he treats both the mind and the body." "Hmm," the second man grunted and thought for ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Commitment: To Christ First

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Nov 3, 2005

A 2 point sermon inspired by Steve Shepherd’s Commitment series sermons.

A newspaper journalist was assigned to Jerusalem and when he got there, he decided to get an apartment overlooking the Wailing Wall. After several weeks of watching out over the wall, he realized that every day, the same old Jewish man would come and spend most of the day praying vigorously at ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: *other

Let's Make A Deal

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 14, 2005

Parable of the dishonest manager: The Kingdom of God works on different principles than we’re used to. Efficiency, practicality, and self-interest are not the core values of the Kingdom. God expects a lot more for us (and from us) than we expect him to.

There was a rich man. This man was so rich that he didn’t make his own bed. He had a personal maid who did that. He didn’t make his own dinner. He had a personal chef who did that. He didn’t drive his own car. He had a chauffeur who did that. He didn’t balance his own checkbook. He had a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fatal Attraction

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 19, 2006

Falling in love with the world is a fatal attraction for believers.

Fatal Attraction 1 John 2:15-17 Several years ago there was a movie entitled "Fatal Attraction" in which a man finds himself attracted to another woman. He yields to this temptation, no doubt thinking that it will be a brief encounter. Instead, he finds himself trapped in an affair that threatens ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Case For Compassion Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 12, 2006

Showing compassion to others is a powerful way to draw them to God.

A.Let’s talk about the Case For Compassion. 1.I want us to begin with a probing question. 2.In what ways have you, individually, or have we, collectively, shown compassion recently? 3.Our response might be – What do you mean by compassion? 4.The Random House Unabridged Dictionary defines compassion ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stewardship: Calling Of Samuel Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Oct 25, 2006

Stewardship sermon....kind of, sort of. God calls us to both ministry and stewardship - but expects obedience First joke is not funny, but is a set up for later

A certain Jewish couple, expecting to the their first child, argued hotly about what name should be given to their little boy. This went on for weeks. Finally, exhausted, they asked their rabbi to intervene. The exasperated mom-to-be said, "I want to name my child after my father, but my husband ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Becoming Consistent & Consecrated Series

Contributed by Scott Brewer on Jul 29, 2007

It is obvious if we are born of God because we live the right way and love others well.

An Incarnational, Missional People “Becoming Consistent & Consecrated” 1 John 3:4-10 William Willimon used to be the dean of the chapel at Duke University. "One day he received a phone call from a very irate father. The father exploded on the other end of the line, telling Willimon furiously, ’I ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:4-10

Denomination: Baptist

Idolatry 101 Series

Contributed by Todd Stiles on Nov 14, 2006

Find out the ’what’ and ’why’ of this terrible sin that plagued the church at Corinth and still plagues us today.

“Idolatry 101” I Corinthians 10:14-22 INTRO: Last week we understood clearly from the Israelites story that we ought always, at every crossroads, follow the Lord at all costs! How could we miss it, right? Well, right on the heels of his positive admonition is a stern warning, and that’s where I’d ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Denomination: Baptist

#7 -- Joy Series

Contributed by Derek Melanson on Nov 17, 2006

Having joy is not dependent on circumstances but comes from God, is Jesus-specific, and something that we are called to practice.

Introduction: A Joyless World As we continue listening to these songs for the road, we come to a song of joy. To begin I want to read a couple of quotes about joy. C.S. Lewis once said this: “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition, when infinite joy is offered ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus The One And Only - Accept No Substitute Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jan 10, 2007

Colossians 2 explains that Philosophy, Ritualism, Mysticism, and Legalism are counterfeits of the real thing: Jesus Christ

Colossians Series # 2 Jesus the One and Only Accept No Substitute Scripture Reading: Colossians 2:2-8 INTRODUCTION: Last week we looked at Colossians chapter 1 where Paul talked about the Supremacy of Christ. In Chapter 2, Paul warns the Colossian church about some teachings that are ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Take The Next Step

Contributed by James May on Feb 12, 2006

While we may have to follow our heart in devising the path that we are to walk in, we can rest assured that Jesus is still directing our steps.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP By Pastor Jim May Sometimes life can be so confusing. I cannot tell you the number of times that I have come to a point in times of confusion when I did not know which way to turn or what to do next. In those times I often think of the words of Moses to the Children of Israel ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Deceitfulness Of Riches Series

Contributed by Charles Cockroft on Jun 28, 2007

One of the causes of failing in storms of life is Deception.

Standing Against Deception #3 We have been looking at Storms and how to stand in them. Matt.7: 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended and the floods came and the winds blew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27

Denomination: Assembly Of God