Sermons on Faces And Branches:

Retaking Our Safe Spaces

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Jan 3, 2019

Theme: Victory Over Evil - What do you do when your safe space has been invaded? What do you do when you are ambushed or face defeat? In this story about Ziklag, David shows us how to turn our(s) defeat into victory/victories.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30: 1 - 31 Theme: Victory Over Evil Title: Retaking Your Safe Space What do you do when your safe space has been invaded? What do you do when you are ambushed or face defeat? In this story about Ziklag, David shows us how to turn our(s) defeat into victory/victories. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:1-31

Denomination: Nazarene

See Jesus’ Response To Unbelief!

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jul 19, 2023

What is your favorite picture of Jesus? Most artists have portrayed Jesus as kind and gentle, or as God’s suffering servant. In the Gospel Lesson for today we have an example of a time when Jesus’ face most certainly didn’t look the way artists most often picture him.

What is your favorite picture of Jesus? If you were to close your eyes and bring to mind your best loved drawing or painting of Jesus, which one would it be? Perhaps you would recall one the many images showing Jesus as the Good Shepherd. That has been a favorite among Christians for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:20-32

Denomination: Lutheran

Because He Lives

Contributed by Larry Grant on Apr 8, 2023

God sent His Son. They called Him Jesus. He came to love, heal and forgive. He bled and died to buy my pardon. An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives! And because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, All fear is gone.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (CSB) Theme: “I’ve Got The Victory” April 9, 2023 In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul teaches us about the purpose of the Resurrection! He paints a sobering portrait of how things would be if Jesus were still in the grave! He says, “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Denomination: Baptist

Learning To Trust In A Skeptical World

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Oct 12, 2021

I believe one of the greatest issues facing our world today, to include the church, is the fact that trust has all but disappeared in relationships. I believe the book of Micah shows us the tragedy of a society where trust is absent; however, the book also shows us how to regain that which is lost.

In recent weeks I have been pondering a very important question: "What is the common denominator for understanding healthy relationships? We could postulate many words (e.g., friendship, tolerance, respect, appreciation, etc.). I then contemplated, what happens if trust is absent in a ...read more

Scripture: Micah 7:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Can And Will Do It Again!

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 14, 2017

Have you ever faced a situation that you wondered whether anything could be done to fix it? God tells Ezekiel what to do about the condition of his nation. God stirs his faith for action. Ezekiel responds. How would God direct us to respond to our impossi

Intro I want to begin with a question God asked Ezekiel, in Ezekiel 37:3: "Son of man, can these bones live?"i Have you ever faced a situation that you wondered whether anything could be done to fix it? Have you ever had a financial debt that that looked like an insurmountable mountain? Sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Jeremiah 25:4-11

Denomination: Charismatic

Forgotten But Not Abandoned

Contributed by Gerry Takaria on Nov 18, 2025

Job, Joseph, and Daniel were faithful men who faced silence from God in their hardest times. Job lost everything, Joseph was forgotten, and Daniel was exiled and thrown into a lions’ den. Even when God seemed absent, their stories remind us that His silence never means His absence.

INTRODUCTION: One of the most powerful true stories in church history about a seemingly “silent” God who nonetheless cares for His people can be found in the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and Christian pastor during the Nazi era. The Story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer Dietrich ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:15-16

7 Crucial Crucibles Series

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on Feb 10, 2024

The Apostle Paul lays out 7 words to describe difficult situations that could threaten our intimacy with the Lord. The purpose of this study is a quick peek at each of the 7 words Paul uses related to challenges in Romans 8:35 to better orient us to face them unseparated from the love of Christ.

7 Crucial Crucibles 7 is the number of God’s perfection. So, how does he use difficult situations to perfect us? There are 7 descriptors (7 Crucial Crucibles) that Paul lays out in Romans 8. Below is a description and deeper dive of each of these words. These words can be related to a crucible ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:35

What To Do In The Day Of Trouble Series

Contributed by Kevin Broyhill on Sep 26, 2024

Psalm 41 describes a "time of trouble". Like David and Jesus, we all face our own evil days. Ephesians 6:13 reminds us to put on the whole armor of God to stand firm in these times of spiritual warfare. No one is immune, but God equips us to endure.

What to Do in The Evil Day! Psalm 41 Introduction: Look: v.1 – Underline: 4 words: “in time of trouble.” “Time” = a season – season of trouble “Trouble” = more than a trial or difficulty – (lit) day of evil or evil day. “Evil Day” = when the enemy comes in like flood – seeks to overwhelm ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

If God Goes On Strike

Contributed by Harold Branch on May 18, 2002

This is a sermon concerning the prayer offered by Solomon to God upon the complettion of the building of the temple and Gods response in II Chronicles.

Many times in our social existence we hear of strikes being called. Strikes have a definite adverse effect on all of us. Strikes can cripple us in our everyday living and we lost the benefits that we so often take for granted. Baseball has suffered through a strike, football has suffered ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:7-18, 2 Chronicles 7:7

Denomination: Baptist

Something Strange Happens To Me: I Like Women

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Sep 21, 2004

Please, hit me, slap my face: I deserve it! I am abnormal I think, and I should consult a physician or a good psychologist, because: - Women only attract me, - I married one, - I become father, naturally, without any clone or genetic stuff aid, -

Something strange happens to me: I like women I would like to apologize: please, forgive my wrong behavior. I should be ashamed and I must to confess: I like women and I am in love with one. In fact, I even marry her. I know, I do the wrong, I am an old-fashioned person and I deserve to be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:22-32

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Life's Toughest Challenge

Contributed by Bret Bone on Jan 7, 2013

I would like to begin today by asking you a simple question… What is the greatest challenge each of you will face in 2013? Before I even asked this question…I knew how the majority of people would answer… Most people when asked this question… ans

Video- We Are the Church Slide #1 Welcome… Prayer I would like to begin today by asking you a simple question… What is the greatest challenge each of you will face in 2013? Before I even asked this question…I knew how the majority of people would answer… Most people ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Rise And Rebuild Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 4, 2013

We may have no walls to repair, yet many of us have faced the challenge of restoring a ruined life. Whatever we may encounter, we can find in Nehemiah’s quest the confidence to handle adversity with grace. We can expect God to act--to be present when tr

In the Army, we say that there are 3 kinds of people… -Those who make things happen; -Those who watch things happen; -Those who wonder, “What happened?” Nehemiah was a leader who--by God’s grace--made things happen. We may have no walls to repair, yet many of us have faced ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-20

Denomination: Congregational

What Can We Do For Our Country?

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 9, 2013

1. We must be aware of the battles we face (vs. 8-9). 2. We must be faithful to follow God (vs. 9-12). 3. We must be open to every opportunity for service (vs. 12-13). 4. We must look to the Lord for salvation (vs. 14-16).

What Can We Do for Our Country? Exodus 17:8-15 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - Nov. 4, 2012 *Forty years ago I was a very skeptical young man, as well as an extremely liberal atheist. I was actually a card-carrying member of the ACLU, and I was cynical. Mostly I was cynical about ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

Deliverance Not The Movie

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Oct 5, 2012

What calamity do you face today? Could you use a little deliverance in your life? Have you been taken prisoner in some way by some oppressive power or influence? Do you feel burdened by chains that tie you down to a life of mindless toil? God can help

Deliverance Not the movie Genesis 1:6-2:10 Moses Have you ever been invited to a friends house for a visit or special occasion only to end up feeling like you are a prisoner to the events surrounding you? Hey I know lets watch the video of the trip we took last summer. Or You dont mind giving me ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Time For Re-Dedication

Contributed by Jack Woodard on Jul 7, 2011

Joshua is now an old man facing the end of his life. He had spent all of his life fighting to possess all that the Lord had promised his people, now he spends his last days fighting to assure that his nation does not sin those same blessings away.

TEXT: JOSHUA 23:1; 24:14-31 TITLE: A TIME FOR RE-DEDICATION AUTHOR: JACK WOODARD ______________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION: Joshua is now an old man and realizes that his days are numbered and that the last great act of ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-31

Denomination: Baptist