Sermons on Elf On The Shelf:

Failing Forward, Part 3 Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Nov 10, 2003

Do you feel God has placed you on a shelf because of something you’ve done? Never forget that you are serving the God, not only of a second chance, but countless chances.

For some of you, it was all you could do to even come here today. You failed over and over. You had such a bad week or month that you really didn’t even want to show up today. We sometimes want to give up because of · the regularity of our sin (“I just can’t seem to stop!”), · the reproach of ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

It's Alive

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jul 25, 2009

For many the Bible is just an old book to collect dust on a shelf, press flowers with, or in which to collect obituaries and wedding clippings – but the Bible is so much more – It’s Alive!

IT’S ALIVE! HEBREWS 4:12 Introduction: A collector of old books ran into an acquaintance of his who had just thrown away an old Bible that had been in his family for generations. He happened to mention that Guten-somebody had printed it. "What? Not GUTENBERG?" gasped the book collector. "Why, yes, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Denomination: Baptist

Born To Be A Messiah Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 23, 2012

Some people regard Jesus to be like Santa Claus - He’s just a little further up the food chain. But as our Messiah, Jesus came to offer far more than a jolly elf. What is it that Jesus as Messiah offers that this world can not equal?

It was the day after Christmas at a church in San Francisco. The preacher, was looking at the nativity outside when he noticed the baby Jesus was missing. Immediately, he turned towards the church to call the police. But as he was about to do so, he saw little Jimmy with a red wagon, and in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Bible Reading

Contributed by Carl Allen on Nov 12, 2008

What do you take with you when you have finished reading the Word of God. Is it just another great novel to you that you read and then place back on the shelf. Of does it serve another purpose in your life?

How to Get the Most out of Your Bible Reading 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Intro During Super bowl 37, FedEx ran a commercial that spoofed the movie the Castaway, in which Tom Hanks played a FedEx worker whose company plane went down, stranding him on a desert island for years. Looking like that bedraggled ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Twenty-Ninth Sunday In Ordinary Time; 29th Sunday B -- Can You Drink The Cup?

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 18, 2021

For training purposes, the supervisor suddenly handed the nurse a wine glass that happened to be on a nearby shelf. The "director" asked the nurse to "lose" her thumbs by tucking them into her palms. It was uncomfortable and difficult to hold the glass.

Jesus asked James and John, “Can you drink the cup that I drink?” To answer, One can use Theology as Drama. e.g. A supervisor and a nurse did a re-enactment when a patient was going to have an operation on her thumbs the following day. The nurse asked, "Why? What's the matter with ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:42-45

Denomination: Catholic

In God We Trust

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Sep 9, 2002

I’m concerned that as a nation we’ll hear the speeches, pay our respects, bow our heads, enjoy the music, & then return to business as usual – our lives unchanged, & God once again relegated to the back shelf.

Melvin M. Newland, Minister Central Christian, Brownsville, TX ILL. One year ago this week the skies of New York, Washington, D.C. & Pennsylvania were punctured by hijacked airplanes in a diabolical plot to pierce the soul of our nation. One year ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 20:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Forgotten But Not Alone

Contributed by Sean Dees on May 1, 2021

Today I want to minister to those that feel forgotten. I want all of you that feel like you were placed on the back burner that you got pushed to the back of the shelf that thou you may feel forgotten; you are not ALONE!

Intro: Today I want to minister to those that feel forgotten. I want all of you that feel like you were placed on the back burner that you got pushed to the back of the shelf that thou you may feel forgotten; you are not ALONE! This message isn’t for everyone but for those that have dared to dream, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 40:20-23

How Do You Like Your Word?

Contributed by Ryan Akers on Jan 12, 2007

Everyone is looking to be entertained and discover the answers to lifes questions in the most unrealistic ways. From movies, books, tv, psychics we wants answers. What we don’t realize is that the answers to all questions is already on everyone’s shelf co

How Do You Like Your Word? Pastor Ryan Akers Part 1- January 7, 2007 Some of the historical research and quotes from this message were borrowed from Pastor David Washburn. I want to thank him and i gave him full credit for the way he spoke of the history of this passage very clearly. (VIDEO- ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

Transverse Orientation Series

Contributed by Sean Dees on Apr 25, 2021

We have artificial sweeteners, ingredients, body parts, grass, flowers, light, etc... if there is something natural than most likely you will find some form of an artificial facsimile of it. If man can somehow make a mold of it and reproduce it, you will find it sitting on a shelf somewhere.

Exodus 7:(8) And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, (9) When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast [it] before Pharaoh, [and] it shall become a serpent. (10) And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 7:8-12

Jars Of Clay

Contributed by Paul Davidson on Sep 20, 2018

God formed us, shaped us, like a master potter. Do we trust Him? When He directs our path, do we make excuses why we can’t do it, or do we walk boldly along that path in faith? God didn’t create you to be the centerpiece on a display shelf… He created you as a clay pot to be useful for His kingdom!

*** NOTE - Both a brief Children's Sermon and a full Adult sermon are included *** CHILDREN’S SERMON [Bring 2 empty glass jars] Take a look at these two jars… they’re just plain jars. What’s inside? Nothing… they’re empty inside. What are they made of? Glass… What would happen if I dropped ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:5, Judges 6:14-15, Exodus 4:10-13, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Isaiah 64:8, Philippians 3:8-9, Matthew 13:44-46, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Corinthians 4:5-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The First Word Of The Gospel

Contributed by John Mcelwee on Nov 22, 2023

A talk made for a video presentation for the third Sunday of Advent, 2020, the first winter of COVID 19. This was made with the Congregation of United Christian Church (DoC) in mind

Good morning. We are spending Advent sheltering in place . I figure you are looking at this video at a time and in a place that is convenient for you so I am going to ask you to do something before we go any further. Stop this video for a minute and find some paper and something to write with. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-17, Luke 1:26-28, Luke 2:8-14, Revelation 21:23, Revelation 22:5, 1 John 4:16-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Need A Little Good News Today

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Apr 20, 2017

Everyone is looking for some good news. At Christmas we have the best news of all to share with people, the coming of the Messiah.

WE NEED A LITTLE GOOD NEWS TODAY LUKE 1:26-35 – JOHN 3:4-8 OUR WORLD HAS CHANGED MUCH OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. CHRISTMAS WAS AN EXCITING TIME OF YEAR FOR YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE. IT WAS THE ONLY HOLIDAY THAT WE CELEBRATE AS A SEASON. AS CHILDREN WE WOULD GET DRESSED UP AND MEMORIZE OUR PARTS FOR ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Mystery Of The Diminishing Christ

Contributed by Craig Benner on Dec 6, 2025

Jesus is not less and never will be less than the Bible declares. The problem is how mankind projects Him.

The Mystery of the Disappearing Christ Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 1Timothy 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 1 Cor. 15:51a Behold, I shew you a mystery Ilustration: Juan and the sand bags. Juan comes to the border ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51, Ephesians 5:32

Denomination: Pentecostal

God Is The Artist Of Salvation Series

Contributed by James Tilley on Dec 1, 2009

This sermon provides an expository sermon based on Phil. 1.3-11.

God is the Artist of Salvation (The Perfection of the Saints) Text: Phil 1.3-11 Introduction: 1. Note the resemblance that children have to their parents. 2. Antique Road show – The dealers can identify the artist or craftsman from indicators in the artifact. 3. The author of Hebrews (and other ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Almost Christian

Contributed by Bill Huffhine on Mar 25, 2006

A contemporary rendering of John Wesley’s famous sermon illuminating the differences between one who is simply wears the Christian lable and one who is truly reborn.

There’s a movie out at the theaters now, and I’m wondering how many of you have seen it. Has anyone seen the movie “Elf” yet? Although I have yet to see it, I heard the basic storyline in a review of the movie and thought to myself that the storyline of the movie sounds remarkably similar to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39, 1 Timothy 3:1-5

Denomination: Free Methodist