Sermons on Dodge Ball:

Who Stole Christmas?

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Dec 11, 2006

We need to put our focus on Jesus at this time of year, and to help others do the same; by sharing the Lord with them; by loving them; and by actually leading them to Christ just as someone else led us to Christ.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year. It is a time that we look forward to with joy in our hearts and eagerly anticipate what is about to happen. And, it was meant for us to feel that way. But, in the last few years, something terrible has happened. Somebody has stolen Christmas! Not only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: *other

The Meaning Of Christmas

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Dec 17, 2006

This sermon depicts the true meaning of what Christmas really is; through God’s forgiveness; His help in our storms; and the hope He gives us for our future.

Last week, I talked about how Christmas is a time of love. God loved us enough to send His Son to be our sacrifice. Jesus loved us enough to be that sacrifice. And now, God wants us to love Jesus enough to sacrifice our will to Him. I explained that love is the willingness to sacrifice ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: *other

Time To Take Down The Tree

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Dec 24, 2006

A message to remind us 1) what God has done for us 2) what He has promised us, and 3) where He is taking us. We must make the decision whether or not to take God into the New Year with us.

So, all the presents have been unwrapped and even some of the gifts have been exchanged. The leftover turkey is all but gone and we have had to let our belts out a notch or two. All seems well and we are happy as can be – or are we? Many people find themselves depressed during the weeks ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:68-79

Denomination: *other

Genesis 1-4

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Dec 27, 2006

Going into the New Year by taking the congregation along on a walk-through of the Bible, starting in GENESIS.

No matter which version of the Bible you open, you will see very similar wording, in GENESIS 1:1. ‘In the beginning, God created ….’ If you believe these first five words, you have the basics of belief that will enable you to believe in the entire Bible, and to use it in your daily ...read more

Denomination: *other

Do You Really Believe?

Contributed by Bruce Ball on May 16, 2006

A shorter sermon about the difference between having true belief versus just thinking you have true belief. Interesting illustration about a pendulum.

Take an empty cola bottle sometime and fill it half full of water. Then, take some vegetable oil and fill it the rest of the way. Then try to shake it with all your might so it will become all mixed up. What happens? The moment you stop shaking, it begins to separate from one another, doesn’t ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:9, Romans 10:9-12

Denomination: *other

Congratulations On Your Graduations

Contributed by Bruce Ball on May 17, 2006

A graduation sermon that can also be applied to each one of our daily lives as well.

Graduation day is finally here. I’m glad for those that are graduating, and I’m glad for their parents. It’s probably a toss-up as to which ones are the happiest. This is a graduation sermon and it will be directed primarily at Lee and Mike, who are our graduates this year. However, I want ...read more

Scripture: John 9:4

Denomination: *other

A Call To Remember

Contributed by Bruce Ball on May 25, 2006

The word of God calls us to remember certain things. This sermon reminds us of what those things are.

We are called by God to remember. In fact, there are over 100 passages in the Bible that deal with the act of remembering. Verses like – DEUTERONOMY 4:9 - ‘Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, or let them slip from your heart ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: *other

Even A Little Can Hurt

Contributed by Bruce Ball on May 30, 2006

We cannot play around with temptation because we are not strong enough to resist it for long, and when temptation is taken, it will always lead us into sin - away from God.

Have you ever noticed how opportunity only knocks once, but temptation seems to keep banging away until you answer the door? It’s always there waiting to entice us, and unless we are constantly on guard against it, we will slip and succumb to it. It might be the temptation of fear; the temptation ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-15

Denomination: *other

You Can Make A Difference

Contributed by Bruce Ball on May 31, 2006

This sermon shows who makes a difference; how they do it; and why they do it.

A minister wore a carnation on his lapel every Sunday morning. He never gave it much thought until one day after church, a visiting boy about ten years old asked if he could have it. The minister handed it to him and asked him why he wanted it. The boy said that his parents were divorced the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19

Denomination: *other

Don't Worry - Be Happy

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jun 5, 2006

The Lord wants us to pray instead of worrying. And we are supposd to lay our anxieties upon Him, and when we do, we are supposed to leave them there with Him, too.

Several years ago, I had the chance to speak to a young lady at a shelter in Phoenix, Arizona. She had no job, no place to stay, no money, and no food. But she did have a husband. He was in prison for many years to come. On top of all that, she had a liver disease that was slowly taking her ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: *other

Between You And Jesus

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jun 21, 2006

The story of the shepherd and the sheep can be applied to us today - - and it will be an exact fit! This message gives similarities and warnings.

* I recently received an email from a person being called into the missions field, but was told they could not serve Jesus because they had been divorced. IF YOU ARE THAT PERSON - - PLEASE EMAIL ME AT: pastor@sermonlist.com, and include your email address so I can email you back! (The ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-21

Denomination: *other

Our Nation Starts With Us

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jun 26, 2006

July 4th sermon, talking about how our nation WAS founded under the precepts of Christ, and how the only way we can help it get back there, is to go to Christ first as individuals. Reworked from a Jerry Shirley sermon.

My dad was a retired Air Force serviceman. He was also a retired Federal Civil Service employee. My dad became disabled from defending this land for you and for me. And with all that, my dad used to say that with all her problems, America is the greatest country on earth. Let’s talk about ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Denomination: *other

America - Under New Management

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jan 27, 2009

A message about how we are called to react to our new government - whether we agree or disagree with them.

* This message was adapted from, and to a degree copies, Rev. Steve Shepherd’s excellent sermon of January 22, 2009 - "A New Beginning For America". Done with Rev. Shepherd’s permission. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Someone ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13

Denomination: *other

Overview Of Genesis 1-9

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jan 27, 2009

An overview of the first 9 chapters of Genesis. We will be offering a teaching overview for the mid-week services on each book of the Bible, going from Genesis to the book of Revelation.

No matter which version of the Bible you open, you will see very similar wording, in GENESIS 1:1. ‘In the beginning, God created ....’ If you believe these first five words, you have the basics of a belief that will enable you to believe in the entire Bible as the true Word of God. Let’s ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Denomination: *other

Overview On Genesis 12: Abram's Availability

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jan 31, 2009

This message hi-lites Abram’s willingness to be available for God, as shown in Genesis 12. Because he made himself available to God, God blessed Abram. And God will bless us today if we make ourselves available to Him, too.

Last Thursday night, we learned how man fell away from God when we chose to partake of the forbidden fruit, and how that has caused mankind to be in sin ever since. God gave Adam and Eve a set of rules to live by, but they decided to do what they wanted to do instead of what God wanted them to do. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-5

Denomination: *other