Sermons on Emotional Control:

Why Can't We Just Be Friends Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 1, 2015

The Bible repeatedly warns us to be very careful about the kind of friends we choose. But does that mean we should never make friends of non-Christians?

OPEN: Some time back in Germany a couple of women were driving down the autobahn when they realized they were low on gas. So they pulled over to a gas station and the driver filled her car up with gas. But then she discovered that she did not have enough money to pay the bill. So she asked her ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 13:20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fruitful Life On The Vine Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 5, 2020

Jesus said "I am the vine, you are the branches. Apart from me you can do nothing?" But that doesn't make any sense... or does it?

OPEN: About a 35-minute drive SW of London is a tourist attraction that was once a royal palace. It’s called Hampton Court. It was built over 500 years ago and was a favorite residence of Henry VIII. A couple hundred years later, during George III's reign (the King who had problems with the ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-10, John 15:12-13, Matthew 7:24-27, 1 Corinthians 15:58

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Can Be Sweeter? A Study Of All The Scripture References To Honey – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 26, 2022

Honey occurs often in the scriptures and the word is associated with sweetness. There is a wonderful study of its applications in the bible and I hope to do that. This is a study in two parts looking at 24 references. Here is PART 2.

WHAT CAN BE SWEETER? A STUDY OF ALL THE SCRIPTURE REFERENCES TO HONEY – PART 2 HONEY IS GOD’S PROVISION - THE APPLICATION OF HONEY IN THE SCRIPTURES This study continues the thoughts we saw in Part 1. I hope you found some value in it. God’s word is meaningful in every way. Honey is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:13, Proverbs 25:16, Proverbs 25:27, Proverbs 27:2, Proverbs 27:7, Song of Songs 4:11, Isaiah 7:15, Ezekiel 3:3, Matthew 4:4, Ezekiel 16:19, Matthew 3:4, Revelation 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessed Subtractions Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 28, 2018

When Ananias and Sapphira lied about their contribution and were punished by God - the church grew. Why?

OPEN: I always loved Church camp. And I especially loved the camp songs. I’m going to sing one of them today, and if you know the song – sing along: "Ananias and Sapphira got together to conspire a plot - to cheat - the church and get ahead, They knew God's power – but did not fear it, tried to ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Bad Judge Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 2, 2014

God dedicated 57 verses to a wicked judge who ruled as king in Israel for about 3 years. Why would He do that? Is it possible the story of this evil man has something to us about how we should think as Christians?

OPEN: In Clay County, Kentucky there was a judge named R. Cletus Maricle. He was one of the rare judges I could find online who had been permanently disbarred. You might ask: “Jeff, why was he disbarred?” I’m glad you asked. R. Cletus Maricle was disbarred because he and 7 other ...read more

Scripture: Judges 9:1-6

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

Church As An Icu Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 6, 2020

Jesus came to heal those sick with sin. That means the church is meant to be a hospital for those weighed down with guilt. But what can a church do better heal those lost in their shame?

A Russian soldier was wounded and was ordered to go to military hospital for treatment. When he arrived he found two doors: One was marked, ‘For the slightly wounded,’ and the other, ‘For the seriously wounded’. Well, he wasn’t seriously wounded so he entered through the first door and found ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Ministry Of Motherhood Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 8, 2016

In his instructions of the role of older women, God tells us what he really thinks about the role of women in the church.

As I read the text at the beginning of the sermon I asked the audience to pay special attention to the instructions Titus received in what he was to teach each specific group in this passage - Titus 2:1-10). Have you ever seen a child with lots of freckles on their face? I read the story about ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Leaders Or Servants Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 13, 2016

Do we trust God enough to honor and obey those in authority over us? It's easy to do that when they're good leaders... but what about when they're driven by selfishness and love of power?

OPEN: At a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, on Election Day, nurses went in to the room of a 72-yr-old woman to prepare her for open-heart surgery, only to find that the woman wasn’t there. Instead they found a note which read, “Gone to vote, back in 30 minutes.” An election ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:17-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jephthah = Rejection – Victory – And Disaster - All In The One Cup - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 6, 2022

The story of Jephthah, a judge of Israel, continues and takes us through deceit, stupidity, betrayal, victory, defeat. It reveals the honour of a daughter contrasted with the utter and complete disgrace of her father. Jephthah, a flawed man had to "battle his demons".

JEPHTHAH = REJECTION – VICTORY – AND DISASTER - ALL IN THE ONE CUP - PART 2 Read PART 1 before reading this second part. It will then make a lot more sense. MAN’S EVIL LAID BARE – GOING BACK TO FIRST BASE {{Judges 11:7 Then Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Did you not hate me and ...read more

Scripture: Judges 11:7, Judges 11:8-9, Judges 11:10, Judges 11:12-28, Judges 11:29, John 14:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:34, 1 Peter 4:7, Judges 11:30-31, Judges 11:34-35, Judges 12:1-3, Judges 11:36-40, Judges 12:7, Hebrews 11:32  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Scarecrow And The Pelican – Very Apt Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 3, 2022

The message begins with the insanity of idolatry. Idols are no more than scarecrows in a cucumber field. In great distress David resembled a pelican in the wilderness. Applications are drawn from these two objects to Christian living and personal affliction.

THE SCARECROW AND THE PELICAN – VERY APT PART 1 - A SCARECROW IN A CUCUMBER FIELD {{Jeremiah 10:1-5 Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. Jer 10:2 Thus says the LORD, “Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens although the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 10:1-5, Jeremiah 10:6-10, Psalm 102:1-13, Jonah 2:5-7, Psalm 61:1-4, Psalm 77:1-10, Psalm 102:19-28, Psalm 107:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hey Jude Don't Be Afraid Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 3, 2017

Jude speaks of people who "infiltrate" the church to damage it. Who are they and why do they do that? And how can we "contend for the Faith" when faced with these kinds of folks?

It was the winter of 1944. The German army was in a desperate situation and ultimately launched what became known as the Battle of the Bulge. A key part of their strategy was to disrupt and mis-direct reinforcements that the Allies would be sending into the battle. They called it “Operation ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is Christianity Reasonable? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 17, 2014

The question of whether Christianity is reasonable all depends on what answer you're looking for. What answers does the world seek and what is it about the answer the cross gives that is better than what many folks want?

OPEN: I once read about a dishonest manager who was wanting to hire someone for his accounting department who thought like he did. He ended up with 3 applicants for the job and he proceeded to interview them the next day. The first applicant came in and sat at the desk and he and the manager ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sign Of Wine Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 27, 2017

What was the purpose of "signs" in Jesus ministry? And what did this particular sign have to say to us?

OPEN: The Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn had a problem - motorists weren't coming to a complete stop at stop signs. So in 2007 the Mayor came up with a creative solution. He added a second, smaller octagonal sign the town's 50 or so stop signs that read: “STOP And smell the roses” "STOP No really, ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Determining Your Own Boundaries

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 8, 2003

Realize that some people grow up in families where destructive behavior goes without punishment. My own family thought it was OK to drink to a point where drunken behavior was not recognized as a problem. As a consequence there was very little anger manag

Determining Your Own Boundaries I Thes. 2:11,12 - "For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory." We all need to allow the Holy Spirit to urge us ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational