Sermons on Don Richardson:

Reuben, Mister "Might Have Been” Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jul 13, 2022

The firstborn son had certain privileges in Hebrew families. Reuben, Jacob's oldest, gave in to sin and as a result, he lost his blessing and birthright. Don't make Reuben mistakes!

Introduction: Back in the early 1980’s, Pastor Dale Burden, then living in the Tidewater area of Virginia (the cities near Norfolk and Virginia Beach) preached a message, or a series (IIRC) about Reuben, calling him “mister might have been”. After all these years, I still remember bits and pieces ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:32, Genesis 30:14, Genesis 35:22, Genesis 49:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Fleeing Persecution (1 Samuel 21)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 17, 2025

Should we walk away from those who don't want to hear the Gospel, or flee those who persecute us for it? Let's begin in 1 Samuel 21.

Are there situations to walk away from or even flee? What if people refuse to listen to the Gospel or worse, persecute us? Is mercy more important than sacrifice? Let’s begin in 1 Samuel 21. Did David understand that eating the shewbread, putting hunger ahead of the letter of the law, was innocent ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of The Cross Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jan 1, 2023

The power of the cross is so great that we've chosen to make this cross the emblem. We look at that cross and we don't just think about death, we think about life.

I think there's something inside of all of our hearts that loves superheroes. I think that as I was growing up, I really liked the Old Testament Bible stories of Samson, David, Moses, and Joshua. Those are great stories. I can imagine the Jewish young men growing up, the disciples themselves ...read more

Scripture: John 12:27-50

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Joseph: Rejected But Respected Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 11, 2022

The life of Joseph, son of Jacob, is one of the most interesting in the Bible. This message is mostly a summary of his life, from slave to sovereign to sustainer. Don't we all wish there were more Josephs!

Introduction: What comes to mind when you think about Joseph, son of Jacob? Many of us, including me, tend to think first of his “coat of many colors” and his dreams. That’s true, but that’s only part of the story. In fact, Joseph spent several years away from his family in a foreign land, rising ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:25-28, Genesis 41:38-45

Denomination: Baptist

No One Knows Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Nov 30, 2023

We don't know when Jesus will come back, so we need to stay alert and ready. We should live confidently and share the gospel with others while we wait for His return.

What's your favorite mystery movie or book? (Spend a few minutes going around the room and calling on students who have a movie or book and ask them why they like it so much. If you have time, talk about your favorite mystery movie and why you love it.) Let's talk about a real-life mystery. This ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Topics: Second Coming, Biblical Prophecy, Spiritual Readiness, Eternal Life

Taking The Right Road To Peace.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Dec 16, 2022

“If I must choose between righteousness and peace, I choose righteousness.” The good news is that you don’t have to choose, because righteousness and peace always travel together! Righteousness produces peace.

Taking The Right Road To Peace. Isaiah 32:17–18 Theodore Roosevelt said, “If I must choose between righteousness and peace, I choose righteousness.” The good news is that you don’t have to choose, because righteousness and peace always travel together! Righteousness produces peace. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 32:17-18, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Steps For Exercising The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

We should make sure they are from the Holy Spirit and not our own will and determination. If we don’t have the fruit of the Spirit, but have the fruit of the flesh, then we really need to question, the source of our “gift.”

Opening illustration: Have you ever felt torn in two or more directions when considering how to serve in your church or what job to take? Since you probably can’t do everything you’re asked to do, how do you decide which opportunities for service are best suited for you? Many will be able to relate ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seeking A Severe Savior - Psalm 42-43 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 11, 2025

Hardships don’t automatically get you depressed. It depends on what lens you look at them through. This message will help you learn to see your trials through lenses that bring pure joy.

Psalm 42 For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah. 1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, ...read more

The Gift That Keeps On Giving Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 4, 2015

The gift of "giving" is perhaps closest to God's heart. What is it about this gift that makes it so special, and how can we know if we have this particular gift?

OPEN: One preacher told of the time he found himself in a situation where he truly needed to announce publicly what he was giving to a special church offering. “This wasn’t for the purpose of boastfulness, for I was only giving $25, although, at that time, that was significant to me. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Strengthens Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 3, 2022

God promises to strengthen us. But how do I lay hold of His strength, and how does His strength make a difference in my life?

OPEN: The Civil War went on for 4 long years, and at one point President Lincoln was asked if God was on the side of the Union. He replied: “I am not at all concerned about that, for we know that the Lord is always on the side of right. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and the nation ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:28-31, Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This Ain't No Fish Story

Contributed by Chris Kelly on Mar 4, 2002

Why is it that we don’t share our faith in Christ more? Maybe Jonah can shed some light on the subject. Learn 5 attitudes that keep us from reaching others from his life.

This Ain’t No Fish Story! I want to tell you a story this morning about a fish. But it’s anything but a “fish story”. Most of us can probably remember the story of “Jonah & the Whale” from our Sunday School days, but maybe now that we’re all grown up, we kind of put it in the same category as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:40-41

Denomination: Wesleyan

What Does The Bible Offer That I Need? Series

Contributed by Lynn Floyd on May 29, 2001

I briefly look at some of the main reasons why people don’t read the bible then show why those reasons aren’t valid. I conclude with three things the bible will help a person do.

What Does The Bible Offer That I Need? Two of our greatest presidents said some pretty important statements about the Bible. George Washington said, “It is impossible to righteously govern the world without God and the Bible.” President Ronald Reagan said, “Within the covers of one single book, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Buried Too Soon!

Contributed by Mickey Bell on Feb 2, 2006

Some people draw a line and when you cross that line that are finished with you. No matter how much they prayed for you to change, they now don’t accept the change since it didn’t happen in their time frame.

Buried Too Soon! John 11:1-44 Do you have anyone in your life that you are praying for? Is it someone that needs a major change? · Are they lost? · Are they an alcoholic? · Are they just in need of a transformation? And they are so bad off that you are praying for them night and day. You have ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Baptist

Unlikely Heroes

Contributed by Bo Lane on Jun 22, 2006

You can be extraordinary. You don’t have to stay ordinary. God has plans to move you from an ordinary live to an extraordinary life. “I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD..."

Introduction - Is it just me or do you ever feel not good enough? - Do you ever feel like maybe you weren’t brought here to do something extraordinary? - That you were designed to live an ordinary life? - Just an ordinary person living an ordinary life; nothing fancy? - I feel that way ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:19-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Give Them Something To Eat

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Aug 6, 2005

In the story of the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus is telling us that we all have resources that we don’t yet realize. We tend to forget that, with Jesus, we have divine resources at our disposal.

Give Them Something to Eat Matthew 14:13-21 August 7, 2005 John the Baptist had become a thorn in the side of the monarchy and an enemy of those who believed that they didn’t have to be accountable for their actions. Out of hatred and jealousy, King Herod’s wife and daughter demanded – and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: Methodist