Sermons on Dodge Ball:

What Is Hurting Today's Church?

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jan 27, 2007

A sermon calling the church to focus on building God’s kingdom rather than focus on our comfort. This was given after a short message from a Gideon speaker.

Back in the first part of the last century, Cumberland College of Kentucky was playing football with a rival, and they were totally out of their league. They were losing miserably because the opposing team was bigger, stronger, and more intimidating than they were. One of their players fumbled ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: *other

A Day Of Personal Testimony

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Feb 12, 2007

A sermon about the need for more personal testimonies, and the need for more involvement on behalf of Christians, both in and out of church, to tell others. This precedes our STEP 3 class, which will help us to understand our Spiritual Gift(s).

In JOHN 19:34 it tells us that, as Jesus hung on the cross, a guard pierced His side. In JOHN 19:35, it says that the one who loved him saw it personally and knows it is true. It says he testifies "SO THAT YOU ALSO MAY BELIEVE." Going over to ISAIAH 43:10, it tells us - ‘You are my witnesses, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: *other

Genesis 15 - 21: Sibling Rivalry

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Feb 22, 2007

A sermon explaining the covenant of land to Isaac and his descendants, and how that caused a sibling rivalry that is responsible for the problems in the Middle East today.

We are continuing our trip through the book of GENESIS. We have previously covered from the creation of the world, on down to where a man named Abram obeyed God by stepping out into the unknown as God had requested – without knowing where he was going or what he was supposed to do when he got ...read more

Denomination: *other

Genesis 22: A Test For You

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Feb 27, 2007

A discussion on GENESIS 22, showing how the test of Abraham is also a test for us, and in that test, we are given a moment of personal testimony.

There is one constant in the kingdom of God. Every time God tests our faith, He also gives us something in return. That ‘something’ is a defining moment, and we refer to these as ‘personal testimonies’. They give witness to the fact that God is active and working in our lives. Two weeks ago, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Denomination: *other

Church - Vision Or Memories?

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Nov 1, 2006

To keep impacting those outside the church for Jesus, we must keep the vision we were given, and not replace that vision with the memories of yesterday. Nor can we replace our calling with our comfort.

I know that many of us are planning on helping out at the Leukemia Benefit right after church for 3-year old Christian Bentley, so I am going to offer a shorter message this morning so we can get up there on time. There are some who might not understand why we cut our sermons a little short for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18

Denomination: *other

Elders - Responsibility, Not Power

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Nov 6, 2006

This is a short ordination sermon used to install a man into the office of elder. It precedes C.L.A.S.S. 101.

The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you.” Did you know that we all have gifts? In the last two weeks, I have touched upon the parable of the wealthy landowner who gave his three servants talents before he left for a long trip. When he came back, he found that two ...read more

Denomination: *other

For His Abundance, We Offer Thanksgiving

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Nov 14, 2006

A thanksgiving sermon that focuses on the many blessings God has given to us, how we have received them, and about our getting it right.

We come together in the house of the Lord this morning to offer praise to our God. But to praise Him properly, we must be willing to sacrifice something very near and dear to us. What would that be? I think the one thing that would be a proper sacrifice for Him this morning, is if we would ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Denomination: *other

On The Verge Of A Miracle

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Nov 22, 2006

We are on the verge of receiving God’s blessings and miracles in our lives, but there is something we must do first.

Please turn to the fourth book of the New Testament, JOHN 5:1-9. That will be our main text for today. ‘Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Now there is, in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate, a pool which in Aramaic is called Bethesda, and which is surrounded by five ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-9

Denomination: *other

Remembering

Contributed by Bruce Ball on May 21, 2007

A Memorial Day message that shows our need to remember our fallen heroes for what they have done for our nation, and to remember our Savior, Jesus Christ, for what He has done for our salvation. Audio will be placed at www.sermonlist.com/2007.html

Back in the 1970’s, I was an office manager for General Electric Corporation in Cincinnati, Ohio. The president of our division was Stu Ladow. The first time I met him, he made an impression on me that has never been forgotten. Let me tell you about Mr. Ladow. He knew the one secret ingredient ...read more

Scripture: John 15:13

Denomination: *other

Spiritual Renewal

Contributed by Bruce Ball on May 27, 2007

To have passionate spiritual lives, we need to worship God every day, not just on Sundays. Audio will be placed at: www.sermonlist.com

Over the last few years, I have asked quite a few people how their walk with the Lord was doing. Some rated their personal walk with God as great and some rated theirs as poor to non-existent. But most people answered with statements like; ‘It’s okay, I guess’ It seems to me that too many ...read more

Scripture: John 4:23

Denomination: *other

Growing To Maturity

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jun 5, 2007

A message explaining how the church grows and why it grows. That same message is applicable to individual Christians, too. Audio will be placed at www.sermonlist.com

What is it that enables a plant to grow tall? It is the roots. The deeper and stronger the root system, the taller and wider that plant can grow. You can see what I am getting at if you will try to imagine a tall oak tree with the root system of a dandelion. That would be impossible, wouldn’t ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:10

Denomination: *other

A Godly Father

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jun 10, 2007

A Father’s Day message using the parable of the lost son in Luke 15. Audio will be placed at www.sermonlist.com

Fathers are very special people. I personally think we are special partly because we are men. Of course, only men will agree with that. Here are a few examples of why I say that. If you are a man, ... You’ll never waste time asking for directions ... You can finish all phone calls in less ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:20-32

Denomination: *other

God Did Not Say, "Stop!”

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jun 20, 2007

2/3 of "God" is "Go". This sermon deals with how we, too often, just stop. Audio will be placed at www.sermonlist.com

There was once a man who loved to fish. As a matter of fact, he fished so much that he became an expert at fishing. It was not long before other people began asking him to teach them to fish also, which he did. The word spread and pretty soon a sporting goods company hired him to teach their ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13

Denomination: *other

One Nation - Going Under

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jun 25, 2007

A sermon that discusses how the rewards we enjoy in America are because of our forefathers and their attention to the Lord. We also discuss what we are doing today and what that will bring tomorrow. Audio ... www.sermonlist.com

Our nation has a past and it is our yesterdays that have brought us to today. But we have many problems that we are dealing with as a nation and where our future takes us is dependent upon how we deal with those problems. What is one of the biggest threats our nation faces today? It is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: *other

Get Right - Or Get Left

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Sep 21, 2006

A sermon about the necessity of being properly prepared for the End Times, no matter when they might occur.

GET RIGHT – OR GET LEFT Pastor Bruce Ball As Christians, we are not supposed to know when the end will occur. However, we are supposed to be aware of the season and of the signs. Today, I want to paint a quick picture of what the Bible tells us of the ending, and then see if there is anything ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20

Denomination: *other