Sermons on Exuberance:

The Word We Hate The Most

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Feb 19, 2008

The word we hate the most is "no" and yet practicing Lenten disciples of fasting, praying, and giving can enrich us when we say "no" to the world and "yes" to God.

Introduction: The passage we will read tonight is the traditional reading for Ash Wednesday. It focuses our attention on the three disciplines of Lent: Praying, Fasting, and Giving. You will hear each one described. Tonight we’re going to discuss how to practice those disciplines. Hear now the ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Giving It All, Giving It Well

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 4, 2006

Fifth sermon in the summer 2006 Series, “Being God’s People by Serving, Obeying, and Giving.”

It is good to be back with you after another week of vacation and thanks for your prayers for my mom during her surgery this past week. Her doctor expressed satisfaction Friday afternoon with her surgery and recovery so far. Thanks also for your prayers on behalf of my uncle’s family as they give ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:10-20

Denomination: Church Of God

Big God, Big Dreams

Contributed by Anthony Seel on Dec 6, 2009

An encouragement to trust God for big things for His kingdom work on earth.

The Second Sunday in Advent December 6, 2009 St. Andrew’s Church The Rev. M. Anthony Seel, Jr. Psalm 126 In Winnie the Pooh, one evening Pooh and Piglet are quietly walking together. Piglet breaks the silence with this question: “When you wake up in the morning, Pooh, what’s the first thing ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Living In God’s Favor

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Dec 15, 2009

Rather than painting a picture of an angry, brooding God, the Christmas story reminds us that God actually likes us and wants what is best for us.

Living in God’s Favor Luke 2:7-14 7 and she [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:7-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God Of The Overlooked Series

Contributed by Alvin Hathaway, Sr. on Mar 17, 2009

The God of the oppressed is also the God of the overlooked and that God’s love is encompassing, God’s love is embracing, and God’s love is enduring.

God of the Overlooked Luke 2: 8-15 Luke 2:10 “I bring you good news of great joy” Over thirty years ago, Dr. James Cone, Professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York, wrote a breakthrough book in Black Theology called “God of the Oppressed.” This book catapulted Dr. Cone to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Power And The Shame Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jan 11, 2009

Paul lays out the entire book of Romans in just two verses and gives his reason for excitement about the gospel, an attitude that can infect us as well.

How ‘bout them Blazers! They beat Golden State 113-100 before a sellout crowd of over twenty thousand in the Rose Garden. The Portland Trailblazers are now 22-14 for the season, inching up on first place Denver in their division. Portland is a basketball town once again. The team is winning and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16-17

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The New Society

Contributed by Paul Cull on Jun 4, 2007

The living church community is a learning church - a sharing church - a worshipping church and a witnessing church

The New Society Acts 2: 42-47 Margaret Thatcher is famously credited with having said ’there is no such thing as society’. And even though we remember the phrase, I think most of us have long forgotten the context in which it was said. No doubt it has been often taken out of context and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Abundance Of God Series

Contributed by Alan Peary on Dec 21, 2005

This is the second in a series of 8 messages centered around the importance of changing the climate in which we live, work or play.

Changing the climate Last week I talked about the importance of understanding / writing down what you see as important, things that are important enough to live your life by – ie what you value. And then to define what SUCCESS is. Today I want to briefly look at the ABUNDANCE OF GOD. Going back ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 66:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christian A&p 101: Carrying Out The Will & Directives Of The Head Series

Contributed by Johann Neethling on Oct 5, 2005

Sermon 4 in a series of 4 sermons reflecting on Paul’s favorite description of the Church as the Body of Christ. In this message we focus on the body’s responsibility to carry out the will of the Head.

CHRISTIAN A & P 101: CARRYING OUT THE WILL & DIRECTIVES OF THE HEAD Colossians 1:15-20 1. Over the past three Sundays we have been examining the Apostle Paul’s favorite description of the Church as the Body of Christ and have reflected thus far on three lessons we learn from our human anatomy and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20

Denomination: United Methodist

Do The Dew (Of Heaven!)

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Oct 3, 2012

A sermon talking about spiritual experiences that are more comparable to dew than downpours. Dew falls silently, saturates and penetrates, satisifies completely, and is just as valid as a spritual downpour.

Do the Dew (of Heaven!) (Note to pastors, here is a link for a "Dew" commercial where the thrust is that you can’t do life without your dew. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlKVbt8K7kY) Ho 14:4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. Ho 14:5 ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 14:4-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Cry At Midnight (The Meaning Behind The Parable Of The 10 Bridesmaids)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 3, 2011

Jesus is the returning bridegroom who will arrive triumphantly at the end of the age. Beloved , blessed are those whose lamps are faithfully kept burning as they watch and wait for his appearance. Be Ready for "The Cry at Midnight." (Redone Nov 2017)

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service; there are four Scripture Readings before the Sermon. The Scripture Readings for this day were: Joshua:24:1-25; Psalm 78:1-7; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and Matthew 25:1-13. A film crew was on location deep in the desert. One day an old Indian went up ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Anglican

Hamburger Vs Fruit Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Francis Balla on Sep 10, 2012

There are life style options for Christians.In Galatians 5th chapter the Apostle Paul points out two ways of living and their consequences.

For many in America daily breakfast happens on the run on their way to work, for others it happens at home at the kitchen table. It is a matter of making choices between an endless variety of cereals, breads, pastries, or maybe plain oats. If you are to choose between a BIG Mac and a platter of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Strongman - Pt. 2 - Demands Of Deliverance Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Apr 12, 2013

Comic book character? Superhuman? Incredibly strong. Incredibly flawed. The Strongman teaches us strong lessons.

The Strongman - Pt. 2 The Demands of Deliverance I. Introduction Although his story only encompasses 4 short chapters in Judges, The Strongman has captured the imagination of Hollywood and Christians alike. A comic book hero with Hulk like traits minus the green skin. Meek and mild one moment and ...read more

Scripture: Judges 13:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Sing Over Me?

Contributed by Steve Keeler on May 25, 2010

God sings over us. Is that really true? Did I read that correctly? Is that even possible? What wonderful promises!

You Sing Over Me? by Steve Keeler Zephaniah 3:15-18 The LORD has taken away your punishment, He has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:15-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"The World-View Buster"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 6, 2010

The Parable of the Good Samaritan can be used as a morality tale,but that’s not necessarily why Jesus told it.

Luke 9:51-55, 10:25-37 “The World-View Buster” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN This passage is one of the best known in all of Scripture. Whether one attends a church or not, most people know the details of the story long before it’s read to ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist