Sermons on Encourage Yourself:

Too Busy Not To Pray

Contributed by Shaun Smith on Jul 29, 2003

Amidst the busyness of secular and Christian life, God is calling us to be still and know that He is God.

***It should be noted that parts of this sermon have come from the fantastic resource Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala.*** My prayer for today is that we would all be challenged. Not that we would come to church expecting to leave feeling warm and fuzzy. But that, at the end of our time ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42, Psalm 46:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Have I Learned? Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Dec 14, 2002

Celebration Sunday of Bethany Church’s 40 Days of purpose campaign

(stories at end of sermon) It’s hard to believe we’re at the end of 40 days. We are here to celebrate. I have been asking you to write your stories about what have you learned during 40 Days of Purpose. Those are compiled in today’s Celebration Packet unless you asked me not to print yours. And ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:2

Denomination: Methodist

Hannah: A Model For Motherhood Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 26, 2003

Using What God Has Given A man from out east had always dreamed of owning a cattle ranch and had finally saved enough money to buy his dream spread in Wyoming. His best friend flew out to visit and asked, “So, what’s the name of your ranch?” His buddy

Hannah: A Model for Motherhood In a recent Calvin and Hobbes comic strip, Calvin is standing by his mother’s bed when he says, “Hey, Mom! Wake up. I made you a Mother’s Day card.” His mother was very pleased and started to read it out loud. “I was going to buy a card with hearts of pink and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

P.u.s.h.--Pray Until Something Happens! Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Mar 31, 2003

In this parable, we learn the value of positive, persistent prayer and the need for prayer in our lives.

P.U.S.H. – Pray Until Something Happens! Luke 18:1-8 By Dr. David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION A young man went into a drugstore to buy 3 boxes of chocolate: small, medium, and large. When the pharmacist asked him about the three boxes, he said, “Well, I’m going over to a new girlfriend’s house for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Luke 18:1-18, Romans 12:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Courtyard: A Place Of Hypocrisy Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 9, 2004

As we come to the last part of Matthew 26, we will see that those intent on trying Jesus were filled with prejudice because their minds were made up before they heard all the facts.

I get a kick out of hearing things that have actually been said in courtrooms. Q: Mrs. Jones, is your appearance this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney? A: No. This is how I dress when I go to work. Q: Could you see him from where you were standing? A: I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:57-75

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Connected (Pt. 4)

Contributed by Chris Talton on Dec 19, 2003

This sermon answers the question about how you can find the time to get into the presence of God and how doing so will actually make the rest of your time more effective.

Nov. 23, 2003 John 15 “Getting connected” (pt. 4) NOTE: All quotes unless otherwise indicated are from Bruce Wilkinson’s book, "The secrets of the Vine" INTRODUCTION “One Thanksgiving season a family was seated around their table, looking at the annual holiday bird. From the ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Confessions Of A Chronic Complainer

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on May 24, 2004

Our complaining and grumbling spirit might just keep us from experiencing all the good things God has for us.

Confessions of a Chronic Complainer TCF Sermon March 21, 2004 A few weeks ago, I picked up Laura after school, and she told me, Dad, we have to go to the hospital. Well, many parents might panic if their child said that, but with Laura, I know immediately what she means, I don’t even have to ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:2-4, Psalm 31:10-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Reconcilation Of Two Brothers Series

Contributed by Douglas Dudley on May 17, 2005

THERE IS NOTHING WORST THAN A FIGHT BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS. WITH GOD AS OUR GUIDE, THE FORGIVENESS THAT COMES FROM GRACE IS ALWAYS THE ONLY MEANS TO RECONCILATION.

The Reconciliation of Two Brothers Text: Genesis, Chapters 28-33 Introduction. I think the first lesson in life—for you, for me, and for everyone else—is to accept that we will not understand everything that happens in life. In our 21st century minds, we think if we’re asked to do ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Can I Do For God And My Country?

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 8, 2005

We need to not be asking what can God and my country do for me? We instead need to ask what can I do for God and my Country?

What Can I Do for God and My Country? Thesis: We need to not be asking what can God and my country do for me? We instead need to ask what can I do for God and my country? Quote: John F. Kennedy: Inaugural Address Jan. 20, 1961 “…my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Give Thanks

Contributed by Ed Pruitt on Jun 16, 2005

Give Thanks for all that the Lord has done

Give Thanks Sunday July 09, 2000 A.M. Luke 17:11-19 11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 He looked at them and said, “Go ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Church Of God

Twinkies Or Broccoli

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Aug 16, 2005

Love of the world and love of God are mutually exclusive, just like a healthy diet cannot be full of both twinkies and broccoli

Twinkies or Broccoli TCF Sermon August 14, 2005 Opening illustration – I need someone to help me eat a snack. This is an either/or demonstration. Either eat a good snack, or eat a bad snack food. Maybe we’ll have a little of both. In one bag is the twinkie. Classic junk snack. In the other ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mary Magdalene At The Empty Tomb Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 22, 2005

Expository sermon concerning Mary Magdalene’s experience at the tomb: (1)Her DISCOVERY of the empty tomb (2)Her DEVOTION to the crucified Christ (3)Her DELIGHT in the Risen Lord.

Mary Magdalene at the Empty Tomb Fortifying the Foundation # 44 John 20:1-18[1] 8-22-04 In 1588 the Spanish Armada was defeated by a change in weather and a much weaker English navy.[2] That one event profoundly affected the future of America. On June 6, 1944 the Allied forces under the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Charismatic

Messages From Our Resurrected Lord Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 22, 2005

Expository sermon concerning messages Jesus spoke to His disciples: (1)Peace be with you (2)I am sending you (3)Stop doubting and believe. Used video clip from "The Inn of Sixth Happiness" to illustrate being sent.

Messages from our Resurrected Lord Fortifying the Foundation # 45 John 20:19-31[1] 8-29-04 Come with me this morning to a small house in the city of Jerusalem 2000 years ago. The sun is setting as the first Easter day is coming to a close[2]. Some of Jesus’ closest followers have huddled ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31, John 19:21

Denomination: Charismatic

The Uncertainty Principle Series

Contributed by Mark Batterson on Oct 18, 2005

Faith is expecting the unexpected.

The Physics of Faith: The Uncertainty Principle 03.11.05 Pastor Mark Batterson This evotional begins a new series titled The Physics of Faith. Over the next four weeks we’re going to explore four dimensions of faith: expecting the unexpected, seeing the invisible, believing the impossible, and ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being Good Citizens Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 2, 2004

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” In Philippians 1:27, Paul acknowledged the fact that we are also citizens on earth and must therefore be careful about how we live:

I heard former President Jimmy Carter interviewed on WGN Radio a couple weeks ago. In commenting about the current presidential campaign, he said, “I’ve never seen it so negative and there has never been a sharper divide in our country.” He then said that of the 52 elections he has monitored around ...read more

Denomination: Baptist