Sermons on Emptying:

Pressing On Or Just Pressed

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 4, 2009

Remembrance Sunday: living out of others’ expectations for us just makes us feel pressed. Relief from grief comes when you pursue what you know God wants for you.

One place I am quite sure I can stay away from is the National Museum of Beverage Cans. No matter how many times I may travel to and through Nashville, Tennessee, whether it be on Baptist business or as an accidental tourist, I feel quite certain that I can avoid even so much as a swift glance ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Last Enemy Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Jan 23, 2008

King Hezekiah is told he is going to die and he had better get ready. What does it mean for Christians to face death? What is our understanding of death in light of what Christ has done for us?

THE LAST ENEMY Many of you know that I love movies. As a true movie aficionado I enjoy watching some of the really old movies. One of the most interesting movies from 1934 was called “Death Takes A Holiday.” In “Death Takes A Holiday,” Death takes on human form as “Prince Sirki” to discover why ...read more

Denomination: Mennonite

Addition By Subtraction Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 25, 2008

Are you a true witness for Jesus? How can you tell? What does it take to be the kind of witness God has called you to be? We’ll answer those questions as we look today at the example of John the Baptist.

The John that is in our passage this morning is not the same John that wrote this Gospel. The John that wrote this Gospel is the brother of James. Jesus called him a son of thunder. He was the one whom Jesus loved. But that’s not the John in our passage. The John in our passage is the one we ...read more

Scripture: John 3:22-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Church’s Context Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 23, 2010

When times are tough, pray in faith, because you are fogiven. Persevere with hope, because God is faithful. And provoke one another to love, because Jesus is coming. These core values of faith, hope, and love will keep the church on track.

Not too long ago, a real estate listing in Dallas had the simple headline: “Converted Church.” In other words, what had once been a church facility is now somebody’s house. The listing under the heading had this description: “The altar has been adapted for use as a granite and stainless steel ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Evangelical Free

When The Grinch Steals Christmas Series

Contributed by John Sears on Dec 13, 2011

Sometimes Christmas can lead to the blues. What do we do when Christmas does not feel like Christmas.

Title: When The Grinch Steals Christmas Series: When God Breaks the Silence Text: Luke 1:39-56 (NIV) Plot Summary: His plot was diabolical; his plan was simple. He would stop Christmas from coming. He no longer wanted to hear the whos in whoville celebrating. So the Grinch dresses up ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-56

Denomination: Christian Church

All In

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Apr 5, 2012

We are saved by grace through faith for a purpose.

All IN Ephesians 4:2-10 Intro: This being Easter our leadership met and decided, "You know, we want to get a really special speaker. Why don’t we call the best preacher in the world and ask him to speak." And they did and he said "No". So they said, "Well if we can’t have the best ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10

Denomination: Baptist

Wanting More, And More, And More (10) Series

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Apr 25, 2011

Covetousness is wanting the wrong things or wanting the right things for the wrong reason, or at the wrong time or the wrong amount.We live in a culture today that tells us there is always something more, something better, something we have to have in ord

ILL. A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them. - "Not very long," answered the Mexican. - "Well, then, why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 11:4-34

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

On The Road

Contributed by Bill Butsko on May 16, 2011

As we walk the road of life, there will be times when our heart is heavy and our hope will seem to have vanished.

Text: “Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:13). The same day referred to in this Scripture is the day of the Resurrection. The week prior to the Resurrection was filled with excitement because of the Passover ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Christian Church

A Biblical Balance Sheet Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Aug 17, 2010

God offers riches to satiate every desire for those who let go of their trash.

Scripture Introduction Those of us born prior to 1970 will appreciate the article, Math Tests through the Decades in Reader’s Digest: • 1960s test: “A logger cuts and sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is four-fifths of that amount. What is his profit?” • 1970s ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:3-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Every Barrier Down: Mary Magdalene

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 6, 2010

Commitment to the living Christ will let Him break down circumstantial, cultural, and spiritual barriers to our success. Illustrated with the story of Marian Anderson.

I think it was John Lennon, one of the Beatles, who once observed, "Life is what happens while you are making other plans." That really is the issue, isn't it? Getting a fix on our lives. Getting hold of life. Being able to make it go the way you want it to go. And the trouble is that life just ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Beginning Of…the Universe Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 13, 2010

God lays the foundation for all of life and godliness in Genesis.

Scripture Introduction John Haldane pioneered work in genetics, and in 1952 received the Darwin Medal from the Royal Society. Other awards he received included the Huxley Memorial Medal of the Royal Anthropological Institute and the 1960 Kimber Award from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. He ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"The River Of Life" Chapter 22 Series

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Apr 28, 2010

Chapter 22 of Revelation

REVEALING THE REVELATION Chapter 22 – “The River of Life” May 2, 2010 It was in August of 2009 that we began our study of this book. I had originally planned on studying and preaching only on the Churches that this book starts with – only a couple of chapters -but ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:1-21

Denomination: Holiness

Hitting The Road Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Stratton on Nov 14, 2002

Learning to become strong for the off-road times of life from 1 Timothy.

Built Lord Tough Series: Becoming Strong for the Off-road times of Life “Hitting the Road” Paul the apostle is about ready to “Hit the Road.” When we read second Timothy, it should be with a heightened anticipation of what he has to say to Timothy and to us all. These are the last recorded ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Watch Out For The Wise Guys Series

Contributed by Clint Meade on Aug 11, 2007

Man’s wisdom is deficient, but God’s wisdom is always sufficient.

Watch out for the wise guys Col. 2:8-10 A college student was in a philosophy class which had a discussion about God’s existence. The professor presented the following logic: "Has anyone in this class heard God?" Nobody spoke. "Has anyone in this class touched God?" Again, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8-10

Denomination: Baptist

Frantic Work Or Focused Life

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 26, 2009

Wisdom lies in knowing when to be busy and when to be reflective. Both Martha and Mary wanted the affirmation of Jesus. But it always comes by grace alone.

Author Sam Keen, in his provocative little book called Apology for Wonder, tells us the lesson he learned as young boy swimming in the Indian River inlet on the Delaware coast. Keen says that swimming there was very tricky, because the outgoing waters from the bay met the incoming tides waves from ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-41

Denomination: Baptist