Sermons on Earning The Crown:

Nazareth, The City Jesus Grew Up In Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 2, 2016

Jesus grew up in Nazareth and he was forever known as "Jesus of Nazareth". But what was it about this city that would have formed His teachings and what can we learn from this region? This was the 2nd in my series of lessons telling of my trip to Israel.

(Slide of our tour bus) This is a picture of our tour bus. It’s a Mercedes Benz and it seemed that every tour company in Israel had one just like it. The bus was very comfortable and roomy. After spending a couple of nights at Bethlehem we traveled by this bus down to Masada. Masada ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sanctifying Shield Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 15, 2013

Jesus prays that the Father will protect us. But how does the God do that? How does God guard us and shield us when we live so exposed to the temptations and lusts of this world?

OPEN: Down in Kentucky, our nation has a very special place designed to protect our gold supply. Do you know what it’s called? (Fort Knox). That’s where our nation keeps most of our gold. But more than gold has been stored there over the years. Ft. Knox has also held the Magna Carta, ...read more

Scripture: John 17:11-19, John 17:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Knowin' Where You're Goin' Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 8, 2016

Peter, James and John catch the biggest haul of fish they'd ever known... and then they just left their nets and boat to follow Jesus. Why would they do that?

OPEN: Albert Einstein was taking a train to an out of town engagement. The conductor stopped by to punch his ticket, but the scientist – preoccupied with his work, explained that he couldn't find his ticket. He couldn’t find it in his coat pockets, in his briefcase, anywhere!! The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Blood Of Holiness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 21, 2019

Why is there so much emphasis on the blood of Jesus in the Bible? What difference does it make that Jesus died on the cross and then rose from the grave?

OPEN: As I was working on today’s sermon I was looking at some old Gospel hymns and I was pleasantly surprised at the # of hymns that - mentioned the blood of Christ. So I thought we’d do this this morning is sing just a few of them: • Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:15-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Will You Finish?

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Oct 13, 2018

When we accept Jesus as Lord there is an excitement. We want to save the world. But over time the world beats so many of us into silence. This message is about how the Apostle Paul refused to let circumstances keep him from finishing his race.

The book of Philippians – The Back Story Roman Prison: The Tullianum (Keep) When we read scripture sometimes knowing the circumstances from which they were written can paint what we read in a totally different light. Paul’s letter to the Philippians is an excellent example of this. It’s common ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:21, Philippians 1:14-16, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Philippians 1:21, Psalm 18:1-2, Philippians 1:27-29, Philippians 2:14-16, Philippians 4:19, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Philippians 3:7-8, Philippians 3:13-16, Philippians 4:1, Philippians 4:4, Philippians 4:6-8, Philippians 4:9-13, Psalm 9:1-2, Philippians 3:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where's Your Worth? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 2, 2013

Where do you find your "self-worth"? Is it in God, or in yourself? The Pharisees looked for their importance in themselves and ended up robbing God of His glory to gain their own. How can avoid the traps that ensnared these highly religious leaders?

OPEN: "Sometime, when you're feeling important Sometime, when your ego's in bloom Sometime when you take it for granted, You're the best qualified man in the room. Sometime when you feel that your going, would leave an unfillable hole, Just follow this simple instruction, and see how it humbles ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Finishing Pretty Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 15, 2018

It doesn't matter whether we finish first in this race, but it does matter that we "finish pretty." Do you know what that means and what it takes to "look good" when we cross the finish line?

OPEN: I read the true story about a group of friends that wanted to take part in one of those big 26 mile marathons. They ran together for over a year preparing for the meet. They were not trying to be big competitors in the race, they enjoyed running together and - for them – this was going to be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Getting Down And Dirty Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 16, 2015

How do you fight to win against sin? There are at least 4 principles we need to know if we're going to overcome sin in our lives.

OPEN: One man told about the time, when he was a boy, that a bully used to demand his lunch money every day. He wrote: “Since I was smaller, I would give it to him. But then I decided to fight back. I started taking karate lessons, but the instructor wanted $5 a lesson. That was a lot of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Victory Through Sorrow’s Deep Sea – Easter Message From A Poem – Part 1 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 21, 2023

In this 3 Part series we are going to look at Calvary and draw material from Isaiah and the Psalms and the Gospels. The messages are focussed on the Trial and what happened at Calvary. They will all be connected with a poem of mine. This is a serious message because Calvary is so pivotal.

VICTORY THROUGH SORROW’S DEEP SEA – EASTER MESSAGE FROM A POEM – PART 1 The following poem is one I did for Easter 2022 but each stanza comes from one of the following sources:- Psalm 22 Psalm 69 Isaiah 52 and 53 The Gospel accounts of the betrayal night and the crucifixion. This is how I did ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:9, Matthew 27:24, John 19:12, 1 Timothy 4:2, John 19:5, John 19:14, Acts 2:23, John 19:15-16, Matthew 8:12, Matthew 7:23, Luke 23:26, Isaiah 52:14, Isaiah 53:10, Hebrews 12:2, Revelation 19:16, Zechariah 14:9, Isaiah 53:2, Psalm 22:7-8, Matthew 27:29-30, Psalm 22:6-8, Mark 14:34, Hebrews 1:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Go! And Delight In His Delight - Psalm 149:4 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 8, 2025

Do you really believe that God delights in you? Not just tolerates you. Not just puts up with you because Jesus died for you. But genuinely delights in you — rejoices over you — sings over you.

Go! And Delight in His Delight - Psalm 149:4 Psalm 149:4 (NLT) — “For the Lord delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.” Introduction — “Do You Really Believe He Delights in You?” I want to begin with a question that’s not just theological, but personal: Do you really believe ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 149:4, Zephaniah 3:17, 2 Corinthians 5:21, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:6, 1 Corinthians 15:57, Romans 5:8, Romans 5:10, Luke 22:20, Revelation 2:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

What’s In It For Me Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jun 13, 2010

Taking this popular mantra and applying it to James 1:12, the message brings to light how thin and shallow this approach to life really is.

How to Do Life What’s In It for ME? James 1:12 * (Show the title on the screen.) Please read this phrase with me (read). Last week I Googled this phrase and returned 414,000,000 hits. We live in a “What’s in it for me (WIIFM)” culture. It begins with people’s approach to government which only ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven's Coronation Dqy Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Feb 4, 2009

As we continue this study of the biblical view of end times, this next message focuses in on what will happen in heaven once Jesus Christ gathers all his believers from the earth prior to the Tribulation.

A Biblical View of The End Times HEAVEN’S CORONATION DAY 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 Intro: As our journey through the events surrounding the end times continues, we come to an event that will take place in Heaven while the Tribulation Period is going on here on earth. During the time of the tribulation ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Denomination: Baptist

Gold Series

Contributed by Troy Richards on Dec 20, 2006

The first of three sermons looking at how God used the gifts of the wise men to tell about Jesus and His life.

Review: Who were the wise men? [not known, but likely Chinese astronomers or Iranian scholars] How many wise men were there? [unknown, no names given] When did they show up? [also unknown, could be later than Bethlehem, most say two years later] What did they bring? [gold, frankincense and myrrh ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Persistence-Sticking To It For The Long Haul Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Sep 12, 2001

Part of Fit for Life PowerPak.

TITLE: A VIEW FROM THE FINISH LINE – FINAL REFLECTIONS FROM THE APOSTLE PAUL BIG IDEA: A LIFE OF PERSEVERANCE EARNS A PERSPECTIVE OF CONTENTMENT, FULFILLMENT, AND EXPECTATION I. (:6) PERSPECTIVE TOWARDS THE PRESENT: CONTENTMENT A. Content to be a Living (and Dying) Sacrifice “For I am already ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sow And Reap Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Sep 30, 2016

Life is very short but use it with sowing good things so that you will reap the same

Gal 6:1-10:Sow and Harvest By Rev. Andrew B Natarajan “Let everyday begin with seeds you plant” – Robert Louis Stevenson ( Authored Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde). Every action creates reaction.Is everything happens to you is a result of your own actions. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

Denomination: Methodist