Sermons on Diversity:

Out Of Sight

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 4, 2008

For Ascension Sunday: Whether we work diligently when our supervisor is out of sight is a measure of commitment and character. Compare Matthias, who took a job he did not ask for; and Joseph Justus, who was passed over.

When you see your supervisor, you work. When you do not see your supervisor, you may work, but your work style is likely to slow down. The difference between those two things is the measure of your character and your commitment. When you see your supervisor, you work diligently. You know that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:6-26

Denomination: Baptist

User's Guide To The Bible - Introduction Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 22, 2007

Introduicing a series that helps us see how each smaller part fits into the big story of the Bible

A police inspector went to visit a primary school, where he’d been asked to take a Religious Education class. He thought he’d begin by checking what they knew about well known Bible stories. So he asked, ’Who knocked down the walls of Jericho?’ There was a long silence as the children shuffled ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Denomination: Anglican

A Mind Fixed On Jesus

Contributed by David Hicks on Nov 16, 2006

Consider Jesus who is greater than the prophets and angels and who was appointed by God. Fix your minds upon Him.

A MIND FIXED ON JESUS Have you ever found yourself fixated on a project, a person, a hobby or an idea? I tend to be the type of person that can easily become fixated on something. For example, this week we were doing some restructuring of the basement facilities. I found myself moving ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:1-6

Denomination: Holiness

When God Speaks

Contributed by William Mouser on Jan 31, 2006

Claims by some that God speaks to them must be tested by two things: the pattern of God’s speaking to individuals recorded in the Bible, and by God’s previous revelation through the Prophets and Apostles.

When God Speaks Psalm 63, 1 Samuel 3:1 – 20, 1 Corinthians 6:11-20, John 1:43-51 It was interesting for me to survey how other preachers have treated the passages in today’s lectionary, particularly the Old Testament and Gospel lessons for today. There are a number of sites on the internet ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Out Of The Ordinary Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Feb 8, 2006

Jesus turned water into wine. What is it just a good trick? Or was there more to it? This is the beginning of a series on the 7 signs of Jesus in the gospel of John.

OUT OF THE ORDINARY As I was meditating on Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine, a phrase popped into my head – “joie de vivre”. I knew of it mostly from theology texts and usually guessed at its meaning and pronunciation. But this phrase kept nagging me, so I decided to ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Mennonite

Christian Compassion Risks Others' Criticism

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 10, 2009

To be an effective and compassionate church, we must risk the criticism of those who would like us to do church within our old confines. But not to take risks may cause our best to leave us. This is a time to work for peace, family life, community.

“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun; and makes gaps even two can pass abreast.” "Something there is that doesn’t love a wall …” So speaks the poet Robert Frost, reflecting on the ravages of a New ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Gift Worth Giving

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 13, 2011

At times it’s the kind of person that we say, “Oh, my goodness we’ve got to get a gift because they gave me a gift. And I hope this is about the same cost.” Kind of a tit for a tat. And so when we think of God, we think of grace and we say, “There’s no wa

Opening illustration: Play the Jesus Gift video Introduction: Long before we took our first breath, our Creator showed Himself to be a great giver of everything a man or woman could ask for. Today, He still wants to give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37: 4). As the Father of heaven, He is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pressure Cooker Living

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 28, 2014

How do you handle the pressures of life? How can we make sure the pressure cooker of life doesn't cause us to explode?

“Faith That Works: Pressure Cooker Living” James 1:1-12 Pressure cookers are wonderful. They are manufactured to help bring food to a proper tenderness and fitness. It’s an amazing process in which the pressure inside the cooker is intense – so much so that if the cook is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Overcoming The Enemy

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 18, 2012

Overcoming the enemy once does not mean he will stop his harassment of us. This is what he is, and what he does. So our posture toward him, both defensively and offensively, needs to become habitual and reflexive. We need to overcome our ignorance of the

Opening illustration: One morning, I watched a rabbit nibble grass in my backyard. He was on the small side, with brown flecked fur and a cotton-puff tail. Suddenly, a hawk sliced through the air as fast and precise as lightning. With talons outstretched, he snatched for his prey. But the rabbit ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Community With Insiders Series

Contributed by David Zetterberg on Feb 6, 2012

We as Christians are at our best when we are personally growing in our intimacy with God, community with insiders, and influence with outsiders. (Special thanks to North Point Community Church for the 3 Vital Relationships concept.)

Community w/Insiders We are in week two of our vital relationships series. In week one we talked about our relationship with God. We talked about the importance of time—nothing can replace time with God—any truly healthy relationship that we have, is that way because of the time we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Body Building Program Part 4 Series

Contributed by Greg Carr on Dec 3, 2013

What are the vital signs of a healthy Church?

When does a person become a part of God’s church? When that happens you are not automatically a part of a local church body. You are a part of the church as a whole. What does that mean, local church body? All around the world there are different kinds of churches, all of which have ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Denomination: Pentecostal

Idolatry Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 3, 2012

Have you worshipped demons lately? Perhaps hung out with evil spiritual forces? No? The Corinthian Christians didn’t think so either, but Paul had a different perspective.

Introduction Have you worshipped demons lately? Perhaps hung out with evil spiritual forces? No? The Corinthian Christians didn’t think so either, but Paul had a different perspective. Text Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. Idolatry is the subject of chapter 10. It is the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Where The Spirit Of The Lord Is

Contributed by John Lowe on Oct 25, 2012

We don’t need Pentecost again as such, just as we don’t need Jesus’ birth, death, or resurrection to occur again. But we constantly need the power of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit, in control of our lives and the church.

5/18/2003 Title: Where the Spirit of the Lord Is Text: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place…And ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Mother’s Day: When Mothering Gets Hard

Contributed by Ken Pell on May 12, 2013

A sermon designed to encourage mothers

WHEN MOTHERING GETS HARD Matthew 15:21-28 INTRO An article in Forbes asks, "Think you can put a price on motherhood?" A yearly survey by Salary.com called the annual Mom Salary Survey attempts to put a salary on the work of American mothers. First, they broke down motherly duties into the ten ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Nazarene

Getting Rid Of The Delight Deficit Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on May 30, 2011

The followers of Christ are Good-News people whose lives are marked by joy.

Title: Getting Rid of the Delight Deficit Text: Luke 24:36-53 Thesis: Followers of Christ are Good-News people whose lives are marked by joy. The Season of Easter Series: When Jesus Shows Up During the Season of Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Christ as he shows up in unusual and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-53

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational