Sermons on Eye Blocking:

The Road Work Is Finally Finished

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 1, 2009

Neither grief nor guilt are productive, take us anywhere. The Cross is God’s signpost that will put an end to our continuing struggles with both.

Just a few days ago we celebrated, if that’s the right word, the thirtieth anniversary of something we all love to hate. Imagine observing the anniversary of something that has cost us dearly in dollars and also in blood and tears. Something we cannot live without, but sometimes wonder if we can ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Walls Come Tumblin' Down

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 14, 2009

We run into many walls we cannot seem to get past: estrangement, grief, illness. The way past those walls is described as Sabbath, symbol, silence, and shout.

When you are up against a wall, there will be more than one way to deal with it. There will be the conventional way. And there will be the creative way. When you are up against a wall, there will be a way to break it down that costs a whole lot less than the usual way. All of us remember Mark ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Cross Training Series

Contributed by Christopher Lanham on Jul 19, 2010

Is it possible to be technically correct but biblically wrong?

Cross Training 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 Cascades Fellowship CRC, JX MI February 1, 2009 Series: The Church in Crisis The seminary environment is one that fosters discussion as part of the learning process. Part of the reason I recall my seminary days with such fondness is in large part due to the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jepthah: From Zero To Hero

Contributed by David Cook on Jun 21, 2009

God can raise great people up from the toughest of circumstances.

Introduction: A man is known for five things in his lifetime. He’s known for his character. That’s who he is. He’s known for his conduct – that’s what he does. He’s known for his conversation – that’s what he says. He is known by his creed – that’s what he believes. He’s known by his ...read more

Scripture: Judges 11:1-29

Denomination: Baptist

Rising, Running, And Reporting

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 21, 2010

For many, life is a panicky run. Serious things happen to us, and we run to tell somebody. The reaction may be to go home and do nothing, and to leave others weeping and perplexed. But when we encounter the risen Christ personally, not as an abstractio

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC, March 26, 1989 (Easter Sunday) When you see someone running, do not jump to any conclusions about why that person is running. If you see somebody pickin’ ‘em up and layin’ ‘em down, well, there could be a lot of reasons why. And ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Available For Life-Shaping

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 27, 2010

We can become what God wants us to become if we downplay disappointment, pick perceptive people, consider consequences, and accept affirmation. Revised from a 2003 message.

Luther Rice Memorial Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD, June 5, 2005 It is said that the Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo could sense that in a rough block of marble there was an angel struggling to get out. He said that his job was to free that angel. Isn’t that remarkable?! To know ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How To Not Fall Out Of A Window And Die- Lessons From Eutychus

Contributed by Matt Krachunis on Feb 8, 2011

The story of Eutychus from Acts 20 and how it relates to us.

How to not fall out of a window and die • Have you ever fallen asleep in an inappropriate place? • I can remember when I was in college, I used to be so tired all the time. Its hard work hanging out • I had this 8am class, spring quarter, I would literally wake up, go to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:7-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Missionaries – The 12 Apostles

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Feb 19, 2011

Jesus and the 12 disicples. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Sermon Outine: A strategy (vs 13-14) A calling (vs 14-15) A listing (vs 16-19) Sermon Content: Ill: • British sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein was once visited in his studio; • By the eminent author and fellow Briton, George Bernard Shaw. • The visitor noticed a huge block of stone standing in one ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:13-19

Denomination: Brethren

The Seed Of Small Beginning

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Mar 30, 2011

Whether you are building your personal Christian faith, starting a family, planting a local church, beginning worthwhile projects, or planning businesses; the parable of Jesus about the mustard seed is a very relevant message that can encourage you

THE SEED OF HUMBLE BEGINNING Whether you are building your personal Christian faith, starting a family, planting a local church, beginning worthwhile projects, or planning businesses; the parable of Jesus about the mustard seed is a very relevant message that can motivate and encourage you. Mat ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Testimony Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 2, 2011

Let's think about Paul's personal testimony and how it relates to our lives. (two positives and a negative) 1- He did not preach a made-up gospel 2- He did persecute believers in the past 3- He did receive a call from God

INTRO.- Do you have a testimony? Yes, whether you realize it or not. Every human has a testimony or is a living testimony. ILL.- For example, let me name some people and you say the word or words that immediately come to your mind that reminds you of these people: Babe Ruth, Lance Armstrong, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fatal Attraction Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 27, 2011

Evil is so seductive, so easy, so clothed in plausible promises of free lunches and quick fixes, that if we are not vigilant we will find ourselves in slavery to the enemy of God.

Monsters coming up from the deep have a long and colorful history. From Leviathan to the Loch Ness Monster, from the giant squid in 10,000 Leagues under the sea to the “here be monsters” with which mapmakers once marked the limits of the unknown, the sea has been the source of fear for ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 13:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God So Loved Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 25, 2008

God’s love has two sides—salvation / judgment… life / death… redemption / righteousness. He loves with a purpose—salvation. He loves with a consequence—judgment.

What was the first memory verse you ever learned? For most of us, it was John 3:16. I have a set of 6 books at the house that I bought a few years ago. They are by a man named Carl F.H. Henry. When Carl Henry died in 2003, the New York times called him the brain of the evangelical movement. ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Unwrapping The Gift Of Faith Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Dec 2, 2008

Focuses on Mary and her faith so we might be able to have faith like she did.

Unwrapping the Gift of Faith (Luke 1:26-45; 2:1-7) Faith is unwrapped by Acting despite being Afraid (Luke 1:38) Faith is unwrapped by Believing despite not Seeing (Luke 1:45) Faith is unwrapped by Being Content despite bad Circumstances (Luke 2:1-7) Slide Intro One week ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A ‘whale' Of An Attitude

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 27, 2008

The Fourth Series in the summer 2008 Series God is.

(The sermon began with the Reader’s Theater piece ‘Who, Them?’ published by Carson-Dellosa Christian Publishing.) Our main text for this morning is Jonah 4 verses 9 through 12, let us hear the word of God this morning. ‘Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:9-12

Denomination: Church Of God

The Greatest Power Is Often Simple Patience Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 15, 2008

Life outside of Christ, Paul says. It’s angry life. Its confrontational politics and caustic talk shows. It’s accusatory e-mails that appear to have been sent from a flamethrower. As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with patience.

Opening illustration: This past week I read about a first-grade teacher who was having a difficult day. It had rained that entire day and the children couldn’t go out for recess, so they got more and more restless and hyperactive as the day wore on. The teacher couldn’t wait for the bell to ring ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational