Sermons on Dives:

Weeds In The Garden

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Sep 7, 2006

Message based on the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds.

Weeds in the Garden Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 September 3, 2006 Introduction How would you define a weed? What makes a plant a weed? Or better yet, why are weeds bad? Here is how the Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary defines a weed: “a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Resurrection Of Jesus

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Apr 8, 2007

The resurrection of Jesus 1. was physical. 2. is a mystery. 3. means hope.

I had an interesting conversation on the phone with my mother a few years ago. She told me she had been going to a Bible study at her church, led by her pastor, and he was saying that it was Jesus’ body that was raised from the dead. She has been in the church most of her life, but somehow that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-9

Denomination: Methodist

Worship Faithfully Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on Mar 12, 2007

What does the church expect of a member. These are not what we consider man-made expectations, but God given expectations of every member of Christ’s Church

“What is Expected of a Church Member: Worship Faithfully” Introduction: When you commit yourself to the membership of the church you are joining a 2,000-year-old institution established by Jesus himself. Jesus said, “I will establish my church and the gates of Hell will not overcome it.” In Acts ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 96:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Excellence Series

Contributed by Tim Zukas on Apr 25, 2006

Building God’s Church through Excellence (Bob Russell - When God Build’s a Church)

These items were in news letters and other church notices 1) Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children. 2) The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church. 3) ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Salt & Light

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 6, 2011

1. Jesus was telling us not to live for the kingdom of the world, but the Kingdom of God. 2. Jesus is saying that we play an important role in the life of the world as salt and light. 3. Jesus was talking about a new way of obedience.

It is no accident that Jesus talked about us being salt and light immediately after he spoke the Beatitudes. It is in learning how to think as Jesus thought and live as he lived in submissions to God, that we become agents of healing and light in the world. It is when we live as people who do not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Denomination: Methodist

Loving My Enemies

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 20, 2011

1. Jesus is teaching us to stop the cycle of violence and revenge. 2. Jesus is sayi8ng that we have nothing to fear, and there is therefore no reason to seek revenge. 3. Jesus is telling us to take on the nature of God.

• In the movie “Fiddler on the Roof”, Tevye and his neighbors have been informed that the Tsar has evicted all Jews from their village and confiscated their land. There is a great upheaval and anger in the community, as you can imagine. If someone told this to you and all the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Methodist

“thou Shall Love Your Spouse” (7) Series

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Mar 4, 2011

Marriage is all about giving, but adultery is all about taking. Adultery breaks every other commandment. Adultery is stealing, it's lying, it's coveting... Adultery is the supreme example of selfishness. You say: I deserve to be happy, I need this for me.

It was this couple at the restaurant, having dinner together in a corner of that fancy restaurant. And on their way out, in the semi-obscurity of the parking lot he noticed a wallet on the asphalt. Inside $ 10,000 in cash and a lot of cards along with some other documents. They went back and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:14

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Easter Sunday 2010

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Apr 7, 2010

God turns everything upside down, from defeating the power of death, to breaking down our barriers that keep His life and hope out.

Easter Sunday Apr. 4, 2010 Intro: Video: “Blindness” from sermonspice.com “But then I met Jesus, and He turned everything in my life upside down…” Today is a day of life. We have walked through death, we have stood once again at the cross as Jesus died, but now we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Why Believe In Jesus Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 29, 2010

God calms hearts with astounding promises to captivate believing souls.

Scripture Introduction For the disciples, quality time with Jesus in the Upper Room has not been pleasant. First, the Lord embarrasses them by taking the form of a slave and washing their feet (an act far beneath his dignity, especially since they felt so acutely that it was beneath theirs). Then ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God Is Bored Series

Contributed by Tyler Edwards on May 12, 2010

Something is missing from the church today, and people are starting to notice. Too often the church fails to offer what it advertises: life.

4. Something is happening (Preview to a Vision week 4) January 31, 2010 God is Bored I find that from time to time I really love a good heist movie. It’s really fun to watch a movie with a brilliant robber who uses his mental prowess to successful rob a bank or something of the like. The ...read more

Denomination: *other

Be Contagious! (Week 3) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Jan 1, 2013

This is the third of a 4 part series adapted from Willow Creek's Contagious Christian Evangelism Training course.

BE CONTAGIOUS: WEEK 3 Scott Bayles, pastor Adapted from “Rubbing Shoulders with Irreligious People,” by Bill Hybels and “Friend of Flops,” by Max Lucado One day, while walking the streets of his home town Nazareth, Jesus came across a young man named Matthew sitting in his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:29-33

Denomination: Christian Church

Wages And Rewards

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 26, 2011

A look at a bigger idea of God's Salvation.

James MacDonald writes: “The church of Jesus Christ is not like a Target store. It’s not like you go, get what you came for, and then head home again. The church isn’t just about you getting what you need. It’s about you participating in what everyone needs. It is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:40-43

Denomination: Methodist

One Died So That Many Could Live

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Mar 15, 2015

The central message of John 3:16 can be compared to the donation of life giving organs. The donation requires a life, one life sacrificed can provide for several lives, there is no way to say thank-you for such a gift. John 3:16 is very similar.

Introduction This morning, we look at the shortest possible description of the whole Gospel. John 3:16 is a marvelous passage beloved by so many. Luther referred to it as the Gospel, within the Gospel, or, the Gospel within a nutshell. And such it is. This short verse of less than thirty words ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Lutheran

Guidelines For Christianity: The Fruit Of Self-Control Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Mar 31, 2015

Where do you need the spiritual grace of self-control? Seek the Lord for direction, and let Him mold you into a Disciple that is controlled at all times and in all circumstances by the Holy Spirit.

“. . . the fruit of the spirit is . . . self-control. . .” (Gal. 5:22-23) Not too long ago I watched the movie “Castaway” with Tom Hanks. He was stranded on this island after a plane crash in the ocean. He had nothing to eat at first but coconuts. He had to master the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Resurrection

Contributed by Betty Johnson on Feb 15, 2016

A message on Jesus' statement, I Am the Resurrection, from the perspective of the dead stuff in our lives.

I Am the Resurrection Scripture: John 11:17-43 We are continuing our series on the “I Am” statements that Jesus makes in the gospel of John. If I were to retitle the message this morning, I would likely have called it, “What stinks?!!” Because we’re going to ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-43

Denomination: Wesleyan