Sermons on Empty Professionals:

An Age Of Nonsense: "The Futility Of Labor" [part Three]

Contributed by Reverend Cooper Mcwhirter on Sep 29, 2016

Passing the baton. Establishing proper motives

Sermon Preached at Grace Community Church (EPC) Sun City Grand, Surprise, AZ Sunday, August 19, 2001 by the Reverend Cooper McWhirter An Age of Nonsense: “The Futility of Labor” Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 Many competitive sports are designed for the individual athlete [e.g., snow skiing, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:18-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fasting Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Oct 28, 2016

But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Introduction A. Introduction 1. One day, my husband announced to the family that he was going to fast and pray. Ginny, our 5-year-old, had recently learned that fasting meant not eating. "No!" she shouted. "You can't fast! You'll die!" Her dad carefully explained that many men and women fasted ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

Racing Is Life

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Aug 9, 2016

The Bible uses many sports related images. In this classic text, the writer to the Hebrews explores the image of a race to reflect upon the nature of a disciple's life.

I am a sports fan, and the big news for me most recently is that the New Orleans Saints opened training camp on July 28th, about ten days ago, and they’re first pre-season game is only a mere thirteen days away. Not only that, but I know the local high schools are gearing up for the new ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Methodist

A Renewed Ear

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Jan 15, 2014

A New Years message on having a listening heart.

Title: A Renewed Ear Topic: New Years Message Theme: Prolonging the Days of Christ A truth worth grasping today is found in Isaiah 53:10. I love the way the New American Standard Bible translates it, “But Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief. If He would render ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Simon, Simon

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 25, 2022

The very first thing that I noticed about our text is the doubling of Simon’s name in Jesus’ statement, “Simon, Simon”.

The doubling of words almost sounds like people when they stutter. Often people who stutter repeat their words. I love to hear people who stutter. I do not mean that in a derogatory way, I REALLY ENJOY HEARING PEOPLE TALK WHO STUTTER. Illus: A really huge muscular guy with a bad stutter goes ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

Our Father In Heaven

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Apr 12, 2018

A FATHER'S DAY MESSAGE ABOUT PUTTING OUR TRUST IN OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. PART OF A SERIES ON THE LORD'S PRAYER.

OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN MATTHEW 6:5-15 I WANT TO BEGIN BY WISHING ALL THE FATHER’S PRESENT A VERY HAPPY FATHER’S DAY. I HOPE THAT FOR THOSE OF US WHO’S FATHERS ARE NO LONGER WITH US, THAT THIS WILL BE A SPECIAL TIME OF FOND MEMORIES, AND THE SHARING OF PLEASANT STORIES. MY FATHER DIED IN 1986 AND ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Denomination: Baptist

Peace On Earth

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 24, 2024

Do you know God’s peace in the midst of situations that the world gets anxious about? If not, examine yourself: Is your faith in Him and your focus on His kingdom, rather than on selfish pursuits?

Opening illustration: Review my life: 1970-71 was the Indo-Pak war and my family and I were in the war-zone living most of the nights in blackouts and bunkers when the war planes would come. 1980’s (for a decade) national unrest and civil war. 1990-91 we were just married and thrust into region of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Drop It All!

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 24, 2024

In recent years, one of the biggest dangers to the church is that what was considered normal Christianity is now considered abnormal and what was not even considered Christianity at all is now become the norm and hub of our faith.

Opening illustration: Show video “Leave: Follow.” Introduction: This is dizzying. If we read these verses honestly and thoughtfully, they really do take our breath away. And so I’m left at the end of these five short verses asking myself: “What just happened?” I don’t know about you, but it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Greatest Command Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Aug 9, 2024

What is Love? How do we love the invisible God?

INTRODUCTION - What is the most important moral issue to God? - Is it abortion? - Immigration? - Spending? - Hunger? - Human rights? - Depending on who you ask, you will get various answers depending on the bias or experience of the one you ask. - Jesus was asked this question a couple of times ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:29-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mom, Thanks For All You Do!

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on May 8, 2021

Mother's Day 2021.

Mom, Thanks For All You Do When God Created Mothers... When the Lord was creating mothers, He was into His sixth day of "overtime" when an angel appeared and said. "You're taking a lot of time on this one." And God said, "Have you read the specs on this order?" ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Leadership Pain Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 12, 2021

Leadership is a magnet for pain and if pain is handled correctly it leads to spiritual growth and maturity.

FCA Connect meeting “Lead Pastors” - May 11, 2021 Topic: Leadership pain – the school of personal growth and ministry growth! Introduction: I heard a song a few weeks back listening to IHOP Kansas City and praying and a spontaneous song broke out that said “Pain is the school to growth – growth ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46, 2 Timothy 2:15, Galatians 6:9, 2 Corinthians 3:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Thessalonians # 3

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 6, 2022

It was about nine o’clock at night. A man dashed into the doctor’s office in a highly nervous state and explained to the doctor he had been in a very bad state all day.

The doctor, in his best professional manner, asked if anything had happened to shock or upset his nerves. “No,” the man answered, “unless it was a letter I received this morning.” He showed the doctor a letter which stated in part, “If you don’t stop running around with my wife, I am going to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Don’t Be A Turkey This Thanksgiving

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 23, 2024

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time: that's when we do the four “F’s”: Family, Food, Football and Fun. Can you think of anyone who's not happy about Thanksgiving? Yes -- the Turkey! So don't Be A Turkey on Thanksgiving!

DON’T BE A TURKEY THIS THANKSGIVING Phip. 2:14 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. The day before Thanksgiving, an elderly man in Phoenix called his son in New York and said to him, 2."I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing. 45 years of misery is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Leadership

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Dec 22, 2024

Doctor of Ministry paper for https://seminary.erskine.edu/

This “The Minister as Leader” paper interacts with my readings and appropriate biblical texts and theological resources. I will address my strengths and weaknesses as a leader. For my weaknesses, I will provide a preliminary plan to address them and strengthen my leadership. My strengths are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:10

Denomination: Vineyard

Good News For All

Contributed by John Newton on Feb 3, 2025

The Galatians wanted to put restrictions on the new Gentile converts in their church. But Paul put his foot down...

The little churches in Galatia were facing a serious issue—and they didn’t know what to do about it. It may seem surprising, but their problem revolved around the fact that they were growing. And the new people (there seemed to be more and more of them all the time!) just weren’t fitting in. It ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-10

Denomination: Episcopal