Sermons on Extravagence:

Living By The Book Series

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Jun 14, 2005

The value that comes from knowing God has a good and gracious purpose for our lives.

Living By the Book Jeremiah 29:11-13 Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Introduction: Today we begin our Forty Days of Purpose. We have been talking about it and preparing for it for weeks. Tomorrow many of you will start the coordinated reading ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When You Feel Like Quitting

Contributed by William Mouser on Feb 26, 2006

Jesus’ transfiguration is recorded in the gospels to embolden the disciples and their converts down the ages, as they face discouragement on the way to God’s Kingdom.

Psalm 27, 1 Kings 19:9-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Mark 9:2-9 When you feel like quitting On July 4, 1952, a young woman named Florence Chadwick waded into the water off Catalina Island. She was setting out to swim the channel from the island to the California coast. This was no novice undertaking. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-9

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

A Matter Of The Heart Series

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Jul 20, 2006

Our possessions and our priorities (our treasure and our heart) form a spiritual intersection. The direction we take determines everything that follows. That’s the story of our text: two treasures, two hearts, two lives headed in two totally differen

Day by Day with Jesus/Last Week Series A Matter of the Heart Mark 14:1-11 Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Jesus said, “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” Our text tells the story of two treasures, two hearts, and two lives ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Loving Others Through Hospitality Series

Contributed by Anonymous Contributor on Sep 5, 2006

Encouraging the church to love our neighbor by our hospitality to guests using Abraham as an model.

Practical Exercise during worship: After singing have congregation greet at least two people they do not know, or have not greeted in a long time (hint: encourage them to get out of their pews if they have to). Give extra time for this. Last week our focus was on how we can live out the second ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Instructions To Men

Contributed by A.t. Stewart on Jul 20, 2004

God gives men some definite instructions to aid them in their spiritual growth.

GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS TO PROMOTE SPIRITUAL GROWTH IN MEN Titus 2:2-8 I. THE INTRODUCTION God has placed an awesome responsibility upon us men. He has given us the responsibility of leading His church and our families. When He gave us His name, Father, He designated us as His primary ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:2-8

The Vision And The Gift Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Mar 23, 2006

David gives us the example of sacrificial giving when he made plans to build the Temple.

Building on Faith: The Vision and The Gift 1 Chronicles 29 King David of Israel casts a long shadow as a pivotal person of human history. A man of passion, bright victory and bitter failure, he reminds us across 3,000 years of the influence of leadership and sacrifice in a cause of worth. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 29:1

Denomination: Methodist

Core Values -- Missions & Diversity Series

Contributed by Robert Simmons on May 6, 2006

We are in our series on Core Values. Core Values are the DNA that define who we are, what we are in infancy and in greatness. What God has called us to be. They are not just creeds on plaque or notes in book somewhere. They are the essence of who we a

Core Values: Mission & Diversity – Galatians 3:26-29 26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:26-29

Denomination: Church Of God

Let's Make A Deal

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 14, 2005

Parable of the dishonest manager: The Kingdom of God works on different principles than we’re used to. Efficiency, practicality, and self-interest are not the core values of the Kingdom. God expects a lot more for us (and from us) than we expect him to.

There was a rich man. This man was so rich that he didn’t make his own bed. He had a personal maid who did that. He didn’t make his own dinner. He had a personal chef who did that. He didn’t drive his own car. He had a chauffeur who did that. He didn’t balance his own checkbook. He had a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Timing Is Everything

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 22, 2007

Timing is everything so we must understand that we cannot waste our time but use it to make a difference for eternity.

Unity Baccalaureate - Sunday Eve. May 20th Class motto for the Unity senior class of 2007: We laughed until we had to cry, We loved right to our last goodbye but over the years we will recall for just one moment, we had it all. As I read your class motto the concept of time raced through my ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Wandering Desire

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Feb 20, 2007

We like to think of God’s blessings as being rewards for good behavior. That is not always the case. In many cases they are given so that we can benefit the kingdom of God, whether through giving to Him or to others and so strengthening other believers.

A Wandering Desire Ecclesiastes 2:10 Ecclesiastes takes us on a journey through Solomon’s life and pursuits. A survey of Solomon’s life shows us that he tried many things in his life. These pursuits are discussed in the historical books of 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles and Ecclesiastes. In the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:10

Denomination: Mennonite

Cast Thy Bread Upon The Water

Contributed by David Johnston on Apr 29, 2007

The very reason that many Churches are spiritually bankrupt is because they have drained the spiritual resources without putting anything BACK INTO THE WORK OF GOD!!!

Cast Thy Bread Upon the Waters Eccl. 11:1 1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. 3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Up On The Housetop

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 2, 2007

A Christmas sermon from the housetop of the Bible.

Sermon for 12/24/2006 Up On the Housetop Introduction: Who is He in yonder stall, at whose feet the shepherds fall? Who is He in deep distress, fasting in the wilderness? Tis the Lord! O wondrous story! Tis the Lord! The King of glory! At His feet we humbly fall, Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:9-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Worship Today

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jan 4, 2007

Jesus introduces a shift in worship, focusing worship on the spiritual instead of the physical. The future of worship as Jesus was describing it would be a spiritual more than a ritual activity.

Worship today John 4:19-24 The original worship must have been amazing. Eve and Adam, surrounded by the Garden of Eden, something between a botanical garden and an orchard. Discussions at dusk of keeping trees, naming animals, new things they tried, and gratitude for the bounty and beauty they ...read more

Scripture: John 4:19-24

Denomination: Mennonite

Loving Others Through Hospitality

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Nov 7, 2006

Using Abraham as an example of demonstrating love to newcomers to the church in practical ways. This sermon prepared us for our Friendship Sunday the following week.

Last week our focus was on how we can live out the second of the Great Commandments, to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Our particular focus was on demonstrating love to those who are not yet Christian or who may be Christian but are unchurched, they are not connected to Christ’s body the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-8

Denomination: Methodist

Celebration Of Life

Contributed by Kent Wise on Oct 13, 2006

Eulogy for my wife’s grandmother.

Celebration of Life Avalee Duncan Atkins March 2, 1926 – January 22, 2006 By: Pastor Kent Wise 13 If I speak in the tongues d of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Methodist