Sermons on Enlighten:

Why Struggles Are Worth The Trouble Series

Contributed by Kevin Cummins on Jul 16, 2008

James gives us some good reasons why we really should embrace the storms in our lives. Without the storms we would be weak and incomplete.

Two men were walking through a field one day when they spotted an enraged bull. Instantly they darted toward the nearest fence. The storming bull followed in hot pursuit, and it was soon apparent they wouldn’t make it. Terrified, the one shouted to the other, "Put up a prayer, John. We’re in for ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Church Of God

Not All Who See, See (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 1, 2008

God’s work cannot be seen by those who are proud of their spiritual sight.

Scripture Introduction Jesus’ miracles are “parabolic sermons” — they teach by acting out truth. This is especially the case with the seven “signs” John records, the sixth of which we study this morning, a miracle demonstrating the process of salvation. God enters the world, but the world in its ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-41

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Absent Acrimony Alleviates Animosity Series

Contributed by Mack Armstrong on Apr 13, 2008

The mariners of Jonah have much to teach we Christians on how to get along with others-even if they are impossible people.

JONAH 1:11 ABSENT ACRIMONY ALLEVIATES ANIMOSITY I. ADVERSITY: A. Accidental. B. Acrimonious. C. Acute. II. ATTITUDE: A. Amicable. B. Accommodating. C. Accountability. III. ADMIRABLE: A. Altruistic. B. Analytical. C. Acceptance. The mariners now pose the second question to ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Wolves In Sheep's Clothing Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 27, 2007

John gave his readers to tests to determine the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. Every generation needs to continue to test the spirits to see if they are from God.

Introduction: A. How many of you enjoy ANAGRAMS? 1. What is an anagram? It is “a word or phrase formed by reordering the letters of another word or phrase.” 2. Here are a few that I thought you might enjoy. 3. DORMITORY = Dirty Room 4. THE MORSE CODE = Here Come Dots 5. SLOT MACHINES = Cash Lost ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Proclaimed Kingdom - Treasure In Clay Vessel Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 22, 2007

While we wait for Jesus to return, our task is to cooperate with God in his transforming work within us, to listen and obey. And it’s to continue to share the gospel with those around us; to share the glory of God with them.

One of the things I love about travel is going to places that have a history behind them. To visit Rome, to see the Coliseum or the Roman Forum, to walk on paving stones that are 2000 years old, that maybe even Paul walked on when he was brought before Caesar. Last year I preached in a church that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Denomination: Anglican

Is The Tsunami God's Judgement? (A Reflection On John 9)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 8, 2007

Do you think that bad things don’t happen to good people? Think again! ...

"As [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Church Still Has It

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Sep 19, 2007

Four Fundamental qualities that the church must hold to if it is to remain relevant to every age.

The Church Still Has It! Matthew 16:13-20 Text: Verse 18: “…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” SOME YEARS AGO, TWO MEN grew up in the same small town and attended the same church, the same high school, and then the same college. From there one of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

Three Bells And Three W's

Contributed by Johann Neethling on Nov 3, 2005

Three uses of bells - to call us to Worship, to Warn us of danger, and proclaim something Wonderful. Sermon delivered on the occasion of a visiting church bell choir.

Intro: • Since we have the Chehalis UMC Bell Choir with us today, I decided it would be enlightening for us to discover what lessons God might teach us from bells. • I guess you all know why cows have bells? It’s because their horns don’t work. • In 1996 the Taco Bell Corporation announced that it ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 28:33-35

Denomination: United Methodist

Lord, I Was Just Wondering Series

Contributed by Jerry Hillyer Ii on Mar 31, 2006

How are we like those who question God’s control of the world? How will we respond to suffering and disaster in the world: Whining or Worship?

Sermon Four: The Old Testament Prophets & The World of 2005 Habakkuk 1-3 Lord, I was just Wondering... In his happy book Farewell to God, Charles Templeton, former crony and companion of Billy Graham, details his reasons for rejecting the Christian faith. In one particularly enlightening chapter, ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Signs Of Love In Our World

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Dec 11, 2006

A sermon for the 3rd Sunday in Advent

3rd Sunday in Advent Luke 3:7-18 "Signs of Love in Our World" Zephaniah 3: 14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has cast out your enemies. The King of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18

Denomination: Lutheran

The Real Twelve Days Of Christmas

Contributed by James Owens on Dec 29, 2006

This popular Christmas song was written in the 16th century as a way to teach children the basic doctrines of the Bible.

“The Real Twelve Days of Christmas” TEXT: James 1:17-18 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning… 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-18

Denomination: Church Of God

The Poor Economics Of Sowing

Contributed by Jim Cunningham on Sep 2, 2006

Looking at the Parable of the Sower as a true parable, rather than an allegory.

We are a bit past the growing season here in NJ. But the farmers’ markets are still booming with the harvest of seeds that were planted back in the spring. We have had extreme weather this year – first wet, then dry, with a miserable heat wave in the middle. I’m not sure it has been a bumper ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What The Father Gives

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 28, 2006

1- Hidden wisdom 2- Chosen relationship 3- Comforting rest

INTRO.- ILL.- A father and his son were having a conversation one day. The son said, “Dad, here’s my report card and here’s one of your old report cards that I found.” The father replied, “Well, son you’re right. This old report card of mine you found isn’t any better than yours. I guess the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus, The Real Deal Series

Contributed by Bruce Goettsche on Oct 23, 2006

Real Deal Christians have confidence in the message of the gospel

“Jesus: the Real Deal” 1 John 1:1-4 Copyright October 15, 2006 Rev. Bruce Goettsche THE REAL DEAL: A Study in 1 John This morning we begin a new series in a letter from John (not to be confused with the Gospel of John). John, of course, was one of the disciples of Jesus to the first century ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Excuses"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Feb 5, 2006

Come, for everything is ready now. And there is no legitimate excuse to refuse.

Dwight L. Moody once preached a sermon from this parable; something I’m going to tell you about at the end of this sermon. His title was “Excuses” and as a sort of salute to the great preacher I’ve given mine the same title. I’ve never seen his sermon so any resemblance in this sermon to his is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:16-24

Denomination: Orthodox