Sermons on Familiarity:

The Vine

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Jan 15, 2008

We must remain connected to our life source, Jesus, the true vine.

August 5, 2007 John 15:1-8 I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Bearing The Yoke Of Jesus

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Aug 11, 2008

Bearing the yoke of Jesus relieves us of our burdeons.

Introduction Tension, stress, overwork, exhaustion, fatigue, worn out, long-hours, no rest, sound familiar? This may sound like your daily work routine or it may sound like your struggle searching for the truth and answers to unsolved questions. This is what you find when you try to tackle every ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30

Denomination: Lutheran

Como Vivir En Los Tiempos Finales Series

Contributed by Pedro Trinidad on Feb 20, 2009

Pedro nos aconseja como vivir en los tiempos fianles dandonos 4 claves.

COMO VIVIR EN LOS TIEMPOS FINALES 1Pedro 4:7 ¶ Mas el fin de todas las cosas se acerca; sed, pues, sobrios, y velad en oración. 1Pedro 4:8 Y ante todo, tened entre vosotros ferviente amor; porque el amor cubrirá multitud de pecados. 1Pedro 4:9 Hospedaos los unos a los otros sin murmuraciones. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Why Bad Things Happen To Good People

Contributed by David Smith on Feb 26, 2008

It’s the age-old theological question - why do bad things happen to good people? Jesus, as ever, doesn’t give us the response we expect. ...

They say that philosophy deals with two sorts of questions: * Questions to which everybody knows the answer (eg. Do I really exist?). * Questions to which nobody knows the answer (eg. Why do I exist?). Religious teachers tend to deal the same sorts of questions, perhaps particularly questions ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-19

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Avoiding Deception In The End Times

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Aug 15, 2018

The Bible warns of coming deceptions. How can we avoid being among the deceived?

I want to talk to you today about deception. Especially end times deceptions, but deception in any form is something we should learn to discern. In November of 1978 a horrible tragedy occurred. Jim Jones caused over 900 people to drink cyanide-laced Koolaid to commit suicide in a jungle in Guyana. ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

Is God Calling You?

Contributed by Ezekiel Ette on Jan 14, 2018

We all were called to serve God through the works of our hands and our intellect. No matter what we do, we are responding to our calling. God still calls each of us but we do not know how to receive God's message because we do not recognize the call.

The idea of calling or vocation outside of the priesthood is a protestant idea that came with the reformation. It was believed then, as at now, that we are called to different vocations in life and whatever we do is a result of our obedience to a divine plan. Therefore the carpenter was in service ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Where Is The Power In Abiding In The Vine?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Feb 4, 2014

When God stops you from doing something that you think is achieving, he is only to prepare you for something bigger, so take heart: it is not about you, it is about God, and what he wants; and fortunately he aligns our desires with his.

Word Count: 1876, Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22:24-30 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 Summary: When God stops you from doing something that you think is achieving, he is only to prepare you for something bigger, so take heart: it is not about you, it is about God, and what he wants; and fortunately he aligns ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Episcopal

The Big Story: Magnificat Series

Contributed by Danny Davis on Feb 7, 2014

Mary, a young virgin girl, is pregnant. Though the pregnancy is of divine action she is still in danger of human repercussions. Yet in the midst of what could be a tumultuous time for this young girl she chooses to focus on God and make Him bigger.

(ME) Good morning Odessa First! Merry Christmas! We are so blessed with all the Christmas decorations – it just looks beautiful around here. I guess you could say, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!” First Time Guests – Introduction Christmas is my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Miraculous Catch & Loving Conversation Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Jun 4, 2019

Have you ever had the feeling that someone was about to deliver some bad news? What must have the disciples thought when Jesus showed up to eat breakfast with them? They again saw the heart of their Good Shepherd.

Do you ever have the feeling that someone is about to deliver some bad news to you? Your teenager comes and tells you how great of a parent you are, and you can’t help but wonder, “What did you do? What do you need? How much is this going to cost me?” Your boss calls you into the office, begins ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Downsizing Part 1: The Wet Paper Sack Series

Contributed by Travis Voeltz on Jul 16, 2019

If you only take this away today, remember the Words in verse 3 put no confidence in the flesh and verse 1 rejoice in the Lord.

Downsizing Part 1: Wet Paper Sack Open Joseph Segel is a name that may not immediately be familiar to you, but what he founded in 1986 probably is. Quality Value Convenience is the name of his creation, but you probably know it better by its acronym: QVC. Since its original broadcast in ’86, when ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

"martha, The Energizer Bunny"

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jul 18, 2019

Martha's help bounce babies, keep the church budget balance, paint walls and organize closets. The story is about discipleship for men and "women". thoughts from Jesus Thorugh Middle Eastr Eyes Keny Baliey, and The Jesus I never Knew by Philip Yancy

In Jesus Holy Name July 21, 2019 Text: Luke 10:38-39 Redeemer “Martha, The Energizer Bunny” Martha’s are the energizer bunnies of the church. They keep going and going and going. They store strength like a camel stores water. Because of Martha’s, the church budget gets balanced, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-39

Denomination: Lutheran

Lord, Teach Us To Pray

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jul 20, 2019

What is the secret to prayer?

Lord, Teach Us to Pray Luke 11:1-13 The Christian life is to be one of prayer. And as much as we know this, we seem to have so much trouble praying. The question presented to Jesus is one we all ask. We stumble around and try to pray. We go through a list of names of people to pray for and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Get Your Head Out Of Your App - Pt. 3 - Alone Together Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Aug 24, 2019

Apps are supposed to keep us connected . . . but at what cost? Screen time is increasing but are our relationships deteriorating?

I. Introduction I stated that we are designed/created to connect. There’s a great deal of research which indicates that we are made for relationships, and when we lack healthy relationships we naturally flounder. We seek relationships from the moment we are born and begin to cry to attract ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Wise And Foolish Builders

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Aug 19, 2018

Simply hearing Jesus is not enough; we have to put into practice what we have heard.

MOST PEOPLE BUILD THEIR houses on the sand; I’m sure of it. Not their houses, of course. Not really. But their lives. By which I mean, most people don’t listen to Jesus when they think about what goes into living, or what ought to. When I was a kid, my dad would tell me to do something. It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29, James 1:22-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Are The Advantages Of A Life With Christ?

Contributed by John Oquinn on Sep 15, 2018

What are the advantages of a life with Christ?

Romans 5:1-11 We can have a lot of things in life, but if we don't have an inner peace, we will never truly enjoy our lives the way God intended. Are you at peace with GOD this morning? What does it even mean to be at peace?  Therefore, having been justified by (WHAT?) faith, we have peace ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ