Sermons on Elastic Thinking:

Faith Midrash Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 28, 2009

When we understand how Jesus’ teaching on faith is connected to the Old Testament texts from which they originate, we can set aside wrong thinking and embrace fuller, more accurate perspectives.

Faith Midrash (Deuteronomy 7:17-23 with John 14:11-13 and Matthew 17:20, 21:21) 1. The Volcano in the Philippines was big news this past week. 2. According to the Associated Press, "Philippine troops went house to house Thursday threatening to use force to move hundreds of residents from the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 7:17-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Eternal God Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 1, 2009

Jesus presented Himself as God, only to be rejected by the theologians. Would we have reacted any differently? John compels us to think seriously about our own response to Jesus, the Living God.

*John 8:48-58* *Jesus, the Great “I Am”: The Eternal God* “The Jews answered [Jesus], ‘Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?’ Jesus answered, ‘I do not have a demon, but I honour my Father, and you dishonour me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who ...read more

Scripture: John 8:48-58

Denomination: Baptist

Living A Happy Life

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Aug 25, 2009

Paul urges us to live a joyful life in Christ. We are to (1) choose to rejoice in Christ, (2) let go of our worries through prayer, and (3) think and meditate on God’s truths.

Philippians 4:4-4:9 How can we live a happier life? Paul gives us three principles: 1. CHOOSE to Rejoice Always Paul says we can choose to rejoice - it is a choice. • We are not victim of the circumstance • If we believe God, then He is our Guide, not fate, not some kind of force. Paul says we ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Solutions To Stress Series

Contributed by Dave Kinney on Mar 8, 2009

Contrary to some, God rally does want us to have purpose, pleasure and peace this side of heaven, but we let stress cloud our thinking and then that moment of stress robs us of a lifetime of rest!

Last week we learned just how sufficient our Shepherd is in all areas of life. 2 Corinthians 3:5 “…Our sufficiency is from God.” We learn that in verse 1: Jehovah Raha = “God my Shepherd” Did you know that there are 7 times in the Bible that Jehovah is connected to another word that makes a name ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:2

Denomination: Baptist

Playing It Safe: Job's Friend Zophar Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 7, 2009

For Lent and Annunciation: Zophar’s counsel is to "play it safe" by sticking to ideas rather than engaging persons. He thinks that security is the goal. God in Christ takes the risk of loving us and living with us.

Every human heart is so made that it can be hurt. Of that I have no doubt. Every human heart is subject to hurt, to pain, to shock. Every one of us is subject to feelings that we do not enjoy -- disappointment, anger, despair, guilt, anxiety -- a whole range of painful feelings. And we either deal ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When All Is Said And Done, It Isn't

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 10, 2009

We come to a point when we feel depressed and think our lives have no meaning. Then God blesses us with physical, spiritual, and emotional sustenance, and sends us out to bless someone specific.

"What are you doing here?" What a question! Has anyone ever asked you that? "What are you doing here?" You were some place where nobody expected to see you, but you turned up, and that was the reaction. I have heard it in the grocery store. I cannot go to this Safeway up here without running into ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Vs Sovereighnty

Contributed by Thomas Miller on Jan 11, 2009

Does this mountain moving faith have to go through Gods sovereign will to be released? This Charismatic thinks so. There are Scriptures to support the power of faith, the power of prayer and the fact that God always has the last say.

Faith vs. Sovereignty Does this mountain moving faith have to go through Gods sovereign will to be released? This Charismatic thinks so. There are Scriptures to support the power of faith, the power of prayer and the fact that God always has the last say. There are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Three Marks Of A Transformed Life"

Contributed by Jamie Page on Dec 14, 2011

A message from Romans 12:1-3 to challenge the believer to pursue the transformed life. The three marks of the transformed life include willing surrender to God, renewed thinking in God, and servant ministry for God.

Three Marks of a Transformed Life February 6, 2011 I. Introduction: A. Storms to Transformation? (crises/storms the leading means of spiritual growth) B. Why use “marks of” and not “steps to” when talking about transformation? 1. “Steps to” infers ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Will God Still Use Me?

Contributed by Denise Davis on Jan 5, 2012

How many times have you been told to let go of the past but yet you find yourself thinking about those things that still causes you to feel hurt, shame, and pain.

The weapon of choice for the Devil is to show us our mistakes and failures over and over. How many times have you been told to let go of the past but yet you find yourself thinking about those things that still causes you to feel hurt, shame, and pain. It seems like it's a recording in your mind ...read more

Scripture: John 6:37

Denomination: *other

Forward By Faith

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Apr 2, 2011

This message deals with the fact that fear is the basis of faithlessness, often resulting in accusations toward others, and absurdity in one’s thinking. However, one who will choose to put their faith in God, will find their faith strengthen.

Forward by Faith Text: Ex. 14:10, 13-15 Intro: Many Christians these days possess a distorted view of the life of faith. Some tend to think of faith as nothing more than a positive attitude, or the mindset that everything is going to work out all right in the end. This is sort of a “power of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:10-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Lessons Of Hannah

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Aug 25, 2012

When we turn to God and turn ourselves over to Him, He will hear our prayers and grant us what He knows is best for us, in ways beyond all that we ask or think.

The Lessons of Hannah 05/09/10 AM Text: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:21 Introduction Happy Mother’s Day! Special days celebrating mothers in the United States go back to the late 1800's. In 1872 Julia Ward Howe (who wrote the words to the Battle hymn of the Republic) staged an unusual protest for peace in ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Second Chances

Contributed by Rick Boyne on May 9, 2011

God makes successes out of our failures. Satan wants us to think we are washed up when we fall, but God will still use us if we are repentant and confess our sins....

Second Chances May 8, 2011 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: God makes successes out of our failures. Focus Passage: John 21:15-19 Supplemental Passage: I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Threshing Before The Blessing Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Dec 16, 2014

Naomi, had lost everything... who had been broken, bitter... saw at last that she was on the verge of a breakthrough. She had began to think different, see her situation from her faith.

Discovering Your Destiny Series * Seven Sermons from the Book of Ruth The Threshing Before the Blessing (Inspired from Perry Stone’s Book, Lay It On Me) August 17, 2014 Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A Naomi, who had lost her sons, husband, identity, ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:2-7

Denomination: Baptist

Go, In The Strength You Have Series

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 1, 2015

In Gideon we see a truth about EXCUSES!! What is an excuse? It is A LIE WRAPPED UP IN AN EXPLANATION and you think because you have some explanation that makes the lie less ugly and more acceptable.

GO, in the Strength YOU have Judges 6:11-14 It is really intriguing how God writes a sermon. This sermon comes out of a discussion I had with Shawn about why God blesses some churches and not others. But then, it also comes out of a book I read about Gideon. It started out as a sermon about one ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

God's Favor

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on Oct 10, 2013

You are frustrated with your faith because you don't recognize the power of the resurrected Jesus in your life. You limit yourself based on what you think you can do or accomplish.

This Scripture teaches us about what God's Favor is all about. "God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ