Sermons on Elastic Thinking:

Thanksgiving Is An Act Of Faith

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Nov 20, 2007

Do you think you are to give thanks for your blessings? What about when things don’t go the way you want? What role does thanks have then?

Community Thanksgiving Sermon – Thanksgiving is an act of Faith Story to open If you had been a Pilgrim, would you have given thanks? Consider what they had been through, the men and women who broke bread together on that first Thanksgiving in 1621. They had uprooted themselves and sailed for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:21-22

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Light

Contributed by Ben Peak on Jan 3, 2008

Jesus calls Himself the light of the world. And I think we can simply study what effect physical light has on the areas that it touches and gain some spiritual lessons from that.

If you remember, last Sunday morning I spoke to you about how God described Himself as the I AM and what all that means to us today. It’s good to know that God is, that He does not change, and that He can be everything we need Him to be. Well, tonight I want to begin a series that will span over ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12

Denomination: Holiness

One Of Those Days

Contributed by Roger Nelmes on Jan 29, 2008

Some storms we can track and be somewhat prepared for, others come suddenly and without warning. We normally don’t think about them until they hit or effect us.

One of Those Days Opening Illustration: Have you ever had “one of those days”? 1. The average cost of rehabilitating a seal after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska was $80,000. At a special ceremony, two of the most expensively saved animals were released back into the wild amid cheers and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Tests

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 1, 2006

Why do you think God administers tests in our lives? Tests from God always have a spiritual purpose and a spiritual growth process for us in our faith walk with the Lord.

“God’s Test!” On the lighter side of life: Three old men were at the doctor’s office for a memory test. The doctors said to the first old man, “What is three times three?” “Two-hundred seventy four,” he replied. The doctor said to the second man, “it’s your turn. What is three times three?” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stewardship Of The Body Are You Building Or Breaking Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 22, 2009

Paul is chastizing the Corinthians for thinking they are spiritually mature when in fact they are still in need of the milk or basics of God’s word. The question this should cause us to ask ourselves is are we building or breaking!

Intro: Why did Paul write this letter? He wrote it because the conduct of the Corinthians did not match their confession of Christ. Division, strife, incest it sounds like a soap opera gone bad. We have to remember many of the Christians that Paul minister came out of a corrupt and selfish ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Inexcusable Series

Contributed by Ed Taylor on Dec 22, 2008

We’re real good at making excuses for our bad behavior...but have you noticed how easy it is to see bad behavior in others but really think the best about ourselves?

1. By now in Romans, it’s easy to look at CH 1 and breathe a sigh of relief… thinking: “Wow, I’m glad I’m not that bad!” a. I’m sure there were those in Rome, maybe even those who are reading & studying this book today thinking… b. “Yes, others, sinners, unbelievers, backslidden people are really, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Within, Without Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 11, 2008

Paul and John Mark, a study in maturing relationships. John Mark starts out young and conflicted; he is insecure around the powerful Paul; but Paul grows to accept him and think of him as useful.

The Scripture texts I will be using today are scattered through several chapters in the Book of Acts, plus other locations in the New Testament. And so instead of simply reading passage after passage, let me put together a vignette, a character sketch, in order to make the life of John Mark ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Flying United Series

Contributed by Blake Inscore on Sep 1, 2008

I think we all realize that we are “supposed” to love another, and that we “should” be united, but what we are “supposed” to do or “should” do are not the same things as what we actually do.

Introduction: Today we are beginning a series of messages on the importance of love and unity in the Church. The catch phrase which we put out on the marquee this week is: We Fly United and We Love It! We are going to use similar themes each week to challenge us as a church to examine our ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14, Colossians 3:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

Torture And Humiliation Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 16, 2008

When we think of the flogging of Jesus, it is hard for us to understand what really happened. The Gospels only give one line to it. So what really happened when one was flogged?

The Torture and Humiliation of the King Mark 15:15b-23 Video from The Passion of the Christ” Chapter 16 0:00-1:30 Scripture reading When we think of the flogging of Jesus, it is hard for us to understand what really happened. The Gospels only give one line to it. So what really happened when one ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:15-23

Denomination: Methodist

The Fear Factor

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Jan 10, 2005

A Halloween Message that those of you who think we should turn off the lights, draw the blinds and not participate will not like at all! Do you really have to cast a vote against it?

31, October 2004 Dakota Community Church The Fear Factor Unmasking the Reality of Evil Introduction: Well it’s Halloween so I thought I would take a break from our women series to talk about the topic on the minds of so many Christians at this time of year. In order to receive what I believe the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7-9

Denomination: Mennonite

How To Overcome The Temptation To Retaliate

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 2, 2004

When anger lingers in our heart,It poisons all we think and do;But faith seeks ways to show God’s love. And keeps our spirit strong and true.

How to Overcome the Temptation to Retaliate (Rom 12:19-21) Illustration:A man who had been having problems with an unreasonable neighbor finally had to defend himself legally against unwarranted and dishonest actions. He commented, "I have tried to follow Romans 12:18, but in a case like this I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:19-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of Forgiveness

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Apr 10, 2009

When a person truly repents and seeks God’s favor again, more changes than meets the eye. There is underlying power in the forgiveness of God to do more than what we think.

The Power of Forgiveness Griffith Baptist Church – 4/12/09 P.M. Service Text: Psalm 51:7-13 Key verse: Psalms 51:13 – Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Premise: When a person truly repents and seeks God’s favor again, more changes than meets ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

Part 10 - Matthew 10:8-10 - Now That Would Make My Mothers Day! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on May 11, 2010

"I think it was partly that experience that prompted me to start praying for dead bodies to be raised back to life - just to be sure that it was really their time. Jesus gave His disciples authority to raise the dead."

Part 10 - Matthew 10:8-10 - NOW THAT WOULD MAKE MY MOTHER'S DAY! I was working as a funeral assistant and it was the first time I had ever touched a dead body when it happened. We had been called to a house to transfer the body to the hospital or funeral home. "THE BODY" - that sounds so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:8-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Give To God What You Have

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 2, 2006

When we offer what we have to God – our wealth, our possession, our talents, or time - God blesses us abundantly in return, more than we ask or think.

Offer what you have to God and you can see God’s blessings. • Simon offered what he has to Jesus; Jesus in return gave him what He can give. • He offered a fishing boat to preach on. Jesus gave him boats filled with fishes. • Jesus rewards him, and bless him with what he really wants – ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Bad Table Manners

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Aug 2, 2011

It is not any sin of commission that is pointed at but the sins of omission. We often think of sin as something we do wrong, and it is that. There are many things that we omit to do which is sin in the sight of God.

TITLE: BAD TABLE MANNERS SCRIPTURE: ST. LUKE 16:19-30 There are portions found in the Gospel according to ST. LUKE that can make an individual very uncomfortable. This is such a passage. It is DESIGNED to discomfort the comfortable. And, strangely enough it comforts those who may be struggling ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-30

Denomination: Baptist