Sermons on Excusing Sin:

Preparing Our Hearts Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Apr 13, 2011

How do we prepare ourselves to approach the Lord's Table? What does it mean to 'prepare' yourself? What does it entail? Why is it important? When we celebrate the Lord's Supper, we must do it in a worthy manner and with a worthy heart...

Sermon Brief Date Written: April 13, 2011 Date Preached: April 17, 2011 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: Falling in Love With Jesus Sermon Title: Preparing our Hearts for What He Has Done Sermon Text: John 19:16-18 [ESV] 16So he delivered Him over to them ...read more

Scripture: John 19:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

3 Crosses @ Calvary

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 15, 2011

This incident, on the road to Calvary, and then at the sight of the crucifixion, reveals both God and man as they truly are. It exposes man as incredibly cruel, and God as amazingly kind and compassionate. It is man who is evil, and God who is good.

Opening illustration: If you were to look at Rembrandt’s painting of The Three Crosses, your attention would be drawn first to the center cross on which Jesus died. Then as you would look at the crowd gathered around the foot of that cross, you’d be impressed by the various facial expressions and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Praise To Practice

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Apr 17, 2011

Surrendering our desire to be king to the true King of the universe and us. And in the act of surrender we find freedom and life.

When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that small donkey, he was giving them an opportunity to acknowledge that he was indeed the King of Israel, and ultimately King of the Universe. He was giving them the opportunity to submit to him as Lord of their lives. But that was not going to happen. They ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Same Three Plays

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Apr 28, 2011

Jesus endured temptations, and so can we with His help.

All right, let me ask you a question. If the team that you’re rooting for-- if they knew the other team’s plays, in other words all this week they knew exactly what play the other team was going to run every time. It was all scripted out right there for you. Do you think that your team ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Weaving A Woeful Web

Contributed by Craig Benner on May 13, 2011

Did you hear about the man who created a trap and then became the prey of his own invention. Herod is a prime example of that man. Unfortunately, there are many others in this world who are doing the very same thing.

The Weaving of a Woeful Web Mark 6:14-29 (Matt. 14:1-9) Jesus was going around working miracles and wonders. Everyone was taking notice. Many were speaking up and expressing their opinion of who they believed that He was. Some believed Him to be a prophet, others said that He was Elijah. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

Messed Up But Still Anointed

Contributed by Bishop Talbert Swan on Aug 8, 2009

Regardless of our faults God can still use us.

Messed Up But Still Anointed Pastor Talbert W. Swan, II Leviticus 21:16-23 16 The LORD said to Moses, 17 "Say to Aaron: ’For the generations to come none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God. 18 No man who has any defect may come near: no man who is ...read more

Denomination: *other

"Jesus And His Silly Questions”

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Aug 10, 2009

Three silly questions Jesus asked - and why He asked them.

My thanks to Darrell Stetler II for doing most of the work on this message. “Jesus and His Silly Questions” August 16, 2009 Have you ever been asked a silly question? I suppose we all have – mostly by our kids or grandkids. Monica used to be great at asking silly questions. When she was about ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:35-43

Denomination: Holiness

The Jig Is Up

Contributed by Monty Newton on Aug 10, 2009

We own our own desires, actions and their outcomes... it is God’s will that our lives be characterized by good desires that lead to good deeds that benefit ourselves, bless others and please God.

Title: The Jig Is Up Text: James 1:13-17 Thesis: We own our own desires, actions and outcomes… It is God’s will that our lives be characterized by good desires that lead us to do good deeds that benefit ourselves and others and please God. Introduction One of my favorite stories is The ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Dawn's Early Light

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 15, 2009

Just as Key saw that the darkness is intense before the dawn, that during battle we see enough to know that our freedom is won, and that we are at our best when we claim freedom for others, so also at the empty tomb we learn of our freedom from sin.

At 9 o’clock the firing from the ships anchored in the harbor slackened and then stopped. It seemed as though the siege of the city might be over for the night. But an hour or so later 20 small beats set out, under cover of darkness, with a driving rain pelting down. Their oars muffled, they ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Protection Plan

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 17, 2009

Once you are in Christ you have God’s ‘Hedge’ around you? That does not mean problems or adversaries won’t arise? There will be more than you can imagine but you won’t be going through it all alone. The presence of God will never leave you nor forsake you

Opening illustration: During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades. Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being Like God Series

Contributed by Andy Payne on Aug 23, 2009

In our modern world we don’t have room for God. We have sent humans to the moon, and cured a great many diseases and illnesses. Perpetrating the myth religion was invented by scientifically naive people.

INTRODUCTION: God created the world In our modern world we don’t have room for God Send man to the moon Cure diseases and illnesses Perpetrating the myth Religion was invented by scientifically naive people Not understanding the world and the natural laws that govern it Created God to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

This Is The Pits

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Aug 27, 2009

Sometimes life seems like the pits but God can even take the pits and make them useful!

Genesis 37:18-36 Verse 20-We shall see what will become of his dreams There is someone who wants to crush your dreams! Satan is out to get you, to discourage you, to detain you, to derail you from reaching your dreams! Just remember the brothers who gave Joseph so much trouble had slept ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:18-36

Denomination: Baptist

The Sixth Sense, Angels, Demons, And Ghosts Series

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 21, 2008

An overview of things that go bump in the night. What is it about the spiritual world that we are not aware of? Discover four keys to success in waging spiritual warfare with teens.

OPENER: Foil Face Unscramble For this game all that you need are a couple of rolls of aluminum foil and a cool prize for the winner. Before service starts recruit 5-6 people and make molds of their face using aluminum foil – pick a mix of leaders and students. If they wear glasses, a hat, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:13-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Easter: Do You Believe In The God Of Surprises?

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Apr 3, 2010

Do you believe in the God of surprises? I do - but there is no way the friends of Jesus expected him to rise from the dead. No way! But the Good News is that he did and it is Good News for all people. Do you believe in the God of surprises?

Do you believe in the God of surprises? Now, let’s be clear, just in case anyone’s not sure. Although The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is one of my favourite books, and one of my favourite films, I know that it’s only make-believe; but just like the parables that Jesus told – the stories he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

Steps To Self Destruction Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Apr 7, 2010

A study of chapter 18 verses 1 through 30

1 Samuel 18: 1 - 30 Steps to Self Destruction 1 Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. 3 Then Jonathan and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-30

Denomination: Calvary Chapel