Sermons on Essentials:

What Is Baptism?

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Apr 26, 2009

This sermon takes a biblically balanced view of baptism and what it symbolizes. It is topical and alliterated. Power Point is available, just e-mail me.

If this sermon is helpful to you look for my latest book, “The Greatest Commands: Learning To Love Like Jesus.” Each chapter is sermon length, alliterated, and focuses on the life and love of Jesus. You can find it here: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1606471120 WHAT IS BAPTISM? Scott Bayles, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Christian Church

Disciples Of Jesus Are Empowered By The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 11, 2021

Without the Holy Spirit, the Christian life is impossible. Unless the Holy Spirit is present and doing His work, nobody can be born again, grow in Christlikeness, or accomplish the mission of Jesus. In this sermon, we learn how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit.

A. In the Spring of last year, I preached a series on hope in the promises of God. 1. One of God’s promises that I covered in that series is: we have a helper who empowers us – the Holy Spirit. 2. I want to open this sermon with the same story I opened that sermon with because I like it and it ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:10-13, John 16:12-14, Acts 2:38, Titus 3:4-7, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Bad Is Favoritism Really? Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Aug 12, 2024

On the topic of pure religion and our interactions with other people, James addresses the topic of favoritism.

Mean Girls and Bullies Are a common theme in the movies and entertainment in part because… It is a part of human nature - to be accepted and to be close to people who can help us get ahead. In school that might look like working your way into the crowd of cool kids - even if that means ...read more

Scripture: James 1:27, James 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

What About Holiness?

Contributed by Dr. C. David White on Jun 9, 2002

Even believers are confused about this important subject. True holiness and delight go hand in hand.

Holiness is an Essential (Message and Handout) Don’t team up(be yoked) with those who are unbelievers. How can goodness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Diet & Exercise: A Spiritual Perspective ~ Part Ii Series

Contributed by Johann Neethling on Oct 22, 2005

A sermon in 2 parts - how to keep the Body of Christ fit and healthy - applying spiritual lessons from our need for diet and exercise.

DIET & EXERCISE: A Spiritual Perspective ~ Part II 1. Someone once said: “I don’t exercise at all. If God had wanted me to touch my toes He would have put them up higher on my body.” • My gym teacher told me to touch my toes. I said, "I don’t have that kind of relationship with my feet. Can I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Denomination: United Methodist

Don't Be To Proud

Contributed by Ron Murphy on Jul 19, 2006

Amos had a message for the entire world, but Israel was in for a real surprise.

Introduction I. As I considered the first couple of chapters of Amos, the message that he seemed charged to bring to Israel was really, A. “Don’t be too proud of yourselves.” B. “Your not really that much different than those outside the family of God.” C. I suppose that is a message that ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Famous Last Words

Contributed by Greg Bryan on Nov 15, 2004

A person’s last words are significant. They can be a window, allowing us to look into a person’s heart. They can also be a measure that helps us evaluate their life. I want us to consider some famous last words. Not mine, but the last words of the

FAMOUS LAST WORDS "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." --Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943. "This ’telephone’ has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us." --Western Union internal memo, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Radical Gratitude Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Oct 13, 2009

Praise God with a deep sense of awe for the freedom we now have through His gift of forgiveness and new life.

Intro: Again this year, I’ve found amusement in the “Butterball Turkey-Talk Hotline”, which is now “going on-demand and on the go with Turkey Text Messages. Text the word “TURKEY” to 36888 to have weekly turkey tips, thawing reminders, and cooking alerts sent straight to your mobile phone.” (from ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:40-47

Denomination: Baptist

Renewing The Mind Series

Contributed by Vince Miller on Aug 28, 2018

Renewing the mind is a spiritual act of worship that requires the activity of putting on and putting off.

So a few years back, two professors from Baylor University, wrote a book on how America viewed God himself. And essentially they did surveys of American's and American Christians and how they viewed God. They came up with 4 different variations on how people viewed God. They either viewed him as - ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Behold, I Will Make You Fishers Of Men Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Jan 4, 2016

Jesus calls Peter and Andrew, James and John. What kind of people did our Lord call to His service?

I. Introduction A. "So, what's the matter?" asked one woman of her friend over coffee. "I thought you just got back from a nice relaxing fishing trip with your husband." "Oh, everything went wrong," the second woman answered. "First, he said I talked so loud I would scare the fish. Then he said ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Wonder Of Water Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 9, 2021

Water is the blood of the world that gives life to all that God has created. The blood in our veins that keeps us alive is 90% water. Water supply is not just vital for farmers, it is vital to the life of each one of us.

The Bible begins and ends with God in the midst of water. It is the physical substance that is nearest to the spiritual. It is the physical source of all life. There is no known life on earth that can survive without water. God gave birth to the world out of a mass of water as the Holy Spirit ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2

Parables Of The Kingdom – The First - The Sower Or Rather The Soil – Part 6 Of 7 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 1, 2025

Parts 5 and 6 go together but had to be split. Here we look at the results of harvest 100-60-30, contention in churches, and gospel preaching. The parable of the sower is a remarkable one and we are seeing this as we go. We look at how the parable of the talents are related.

PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM – THE FIRST - THE SOWER OR RATHER THE SOIL – Part 6 of 7 This next message continues from the previous one. We begin by looking at why some seed produced 100, some 60, some 30. [[EXAMINING THE HARVEST RATES FROM THE SOWING]] One very primary application of this parable ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 13:8, Matthew 13:23, Mark 4:8, Mark 4:20, Luke 8:8, Luke 8:15, Isaiah 32:11-13, 1 Corinthians 12:14-20, 1 Kings 19:19, Isaiah 28:23-29, Matthew 25:14-18, Matthew 13:3-9, Matthew 13:18-23, Matthew 25:21, Matthew 25:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Change Agents Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

Salt goes into the body. It is necessary, and good, and contributes to the health of the body. It changes the body – for a time. But for lasting change to occur something has to go into the mind and heart as well. And that is where light comes in.

How many of you keep a watch on how much salt you eat, buying the low-sodium versions of things like canned soup and cold cuts and avoiding high-sodium treats like pizza and potato chips? It’s an article of faith that salt is hazardous to your health. And it’s very difficult to avoid, since most ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Defeating Distractions PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

The main point of this sermon is to recognize and reject life's distractions, and refocus our attention on Jesus for guidance and strength.

Good morning, church family! Today, we'll be diving into an incredibly relevant topic for our fast-paced, distraction-filled lives. We're going to explore the importance of recognizing distractions, rejecting them, and refocusing our attention on Jesus. As the renowned Christian author, C.S. Lewis ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:30-33

Topics: Distractions

Why Are We Praying For God’s Will If It Always Happens Anyway? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 29, 2025

Many presume that everything that happens is God's will. That's not true. What does it look like to pray that God's will would start to be done here on earth as it is done in heaven?

WHY PRAY THIS? This is a prayer because it isn’t happening much now. - Matthew 6:10. - So in this fourth part of the sermon, Jesus calls us to pray for God’s will to be done. - But, wait, isn’t that already happening all the time? We hear people constantly speak that whatever happened was God’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-10

Denomination: Baptist