Sermons on First Steps:

Are You Ready?

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Jun 15, 2009

Being ready for the return of Christ. The parables of Jesus in Matthew 25 give us a model for being ready. First Sunday of Advent, Year B

It’s hard to believe that Christmas season is upon us again. The craziness has begun. I was reading in the paper the other day that a Wal-Mart employee out in New York was killed by injuries sustained while trying to prevent a mob from entering the store at 5 am the Friday after Christmas. A ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Denomination: Methodist

The Good, The Bad, & The Snuggly

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Nov 1, 2016

Jesus points to our salvation by the Father's grace alone, not by our works--first through a parable, and then in action as He welcomes children (even infants).

The Word of God that engages us today is our Gospel reading from Luke 18. And in our Gospel reading, Jesus challenges the presuppositions of those around Him. Our Gospel reading is really broken down into two sections—and quite often you’ll get a sermon on one or the other, as if ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Investing In Your G R A Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 28, 2013

Why should I seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness... and how can I know I’ve done so?

OPEN: There was once a rich man who was very, very miserable. He had all he could buy, but nothing seemed to please him and he didn’t know why. So, one day he visited an old friend and explained his misery to him. The old friend smiled and said “Fred, I know what your problem is, and I can show ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's Time To Cross The Jordan! Series

Contributed by Keith Manry on Mar 4, 2003

This sermon was preached as my first sermon in the pulpit of my most recent appointment. It deals with transition and the need to move forward into the future while treasuring the past.

“It’s Time to Cross the Jordan!” Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Joshua 1:1-11 Sunday, July 7th, 2002 Life is full of unexpected twists, of unforeseen bends in the road and of unwanted detours. Very seldom does life ever go just as we plan. No. Instead, our plans are rerouted. We are sent down a new road, ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-11, Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evi?

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Nov 10, 2010

Our churches are afraid to speak against such issues within the church itself because of the fear of losing people and stepping on toes. Christians are afraid to speak out against it because we do not want to be viewed as bigots or as intolerant right w

Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil? Scripture: 2 Timothy 4: 2-8 Date: 14 November 2010 Purpose: Accepting everything means you believe in nothing. When it comes to right and wrong, sitting on the fence won’t get you – or the people ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2-8

Denomination: Other

The Bartimaeus Miracle

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Feb 16, 2025

In this sermon we are not so focused on what the Bartimaeus miracle was, but how he received it. God is no respect of persons but he is a respect of faith. If we can walk the steps of Bartimaeus we can get our own miracle.

Mark 10:46-52 TLB And so they reached Jericho. Later, as they left town, a great crowd was following. Now it happened that a blind beggar named Bartimaeus (the son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road as Jesus was going by. [47] When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus from Nazareth was near, he began ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: Pentecostal

Preparing For The New Move Of God

Contributed by Victor Nazareth on Dec 20, 2003

Like the First Advent, the Second Coming too will be preceded by a new move of God with miracles, signs and wonders. What can we expect in the new move of God?

Introduction: As we approach Christmas we remember the First Coming of Jesus and we look forward to His Second Coming. This First Advent was a new move of God coming after over 400 years of silence. We can learn from the First Advent even as we prepare for a new move of God that will usher in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Charismatic

Get Ready!

Contributed by Dr. Jeffrey Dukeman on Dec 20, 2018

Mary's visitation of Elizabeth is the first great journey of Luke's Gospel; in it God helped her and helps us to get ready for Christmas.

Over the last few weeks we’ve been making preparations for Christmas. We’ve put up Christmas trees, Christmas lights, and Christmas decorations. We’ve listened to Christmas music, bought Christmas presents, and perhaps tried to be a little nicer to others. We’ve said our prayers to God, thanking ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-56

The King In Hiding

Contributed by Bright Adeyeye on Dec 3, 2019

Before the event at Mizpah, Samuel had anointed Saul privately as Israel's first King. But on the day he was to be presented to the people, Saul was hiding in the baggage.

THE KING IN HIDING "20 And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. 21 When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was chosen. And Saul the son of Kish was chosen. But when they sought ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 10:20-24, Hebrews 12:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Runaway Who Ran Into God Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jan 7, 2012

1. Not trusting God multiplies our troubles (1-6). 2. The Lord seeks us when we stray (6-7). 3. helps us put first things first (7-9). 4. wants to hear about your hurts (10-11). 5. wants to see the fruit of our faith (13-16).

Old Testament Encounters with Christ Part 7: The Runaway Who Ran into God Genesis 16:1-16 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - Jan. 4, 2012 *Have you ever felt like running away? -- Oh yeah. Some of us may have felt like it today! *I still remember running away in the first grade. I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Hard Topic Of Divorce

Contributed by Daniel Sorensen on Oct 18, 2006

Combining Pastoral Care skills with the scripture on divorce allows us to meet the parishioner/seeker where they are, encourage them to be authentic with who they are, and bring themselves wholly to God. The next step would be be a refelection of God’s l

There is a group of new Pastors who are keeping in touch with one another this year via e-mail. We check-in and see how things are going. We talk about ideas for children’s sermons and compare life in the parish to what we learned in the classroom. It’s a helpful way to enter into a new ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran

A Call To Reclaim Education

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Aug 10, 2024

Christians must step up and reclaim the education of our children. The world has indoctrinated them for far too long, and if there is to be a hope to reverse our nations course, it will take a generation of work. A large part of that work must be in the realm of education.

Short Sermon on Education IF you read our church newsletter, then you know I do a lot of thinking about education. And the reason for that is because God’s Word says a lot about education. The education of children, and the education of His people – the Church. And historically speaking - - - ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"The Prophet Meets The Messiah”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jan 6, 2022

When Joshua had the priest step into the Jordan River, they knew God was present, His promise. becoming reality. A new future, past gone but not forgotten. At the River Jordan, Jesus brings a new beginning. (Quotes from Leonard Sweet)

In Jesus Holy Name January 9, 2022 Luke 3:16,21-22 “The Prophet Meets the Messiah” “The Mystery of God” said Isaiah, “is a bittersweet mystery.” It is a mystery for all kinds of people. Those who are bitter against God, or so,for what they consider His lack of concern, and a mystery for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:19-21, Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Lutheran

The Perfect Law Of Freedom - James 1:23-25 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 17, 2021

The first half of this message is a crash course on how to interpret Scripture. The second half explains how God’s law increases the freedom in your life.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But the one ...read more

Scripture: James 1:23-25

A Picture Of Jesus

Contributed by Chris Beam on Sep 26, 2015

The title, "Revelation", is taken from the very first verse of the first chapter: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to his servants..." (Rev. 1:1). Now, what do you do when something’s revealed to you? You LOOK at it.

A PICTURE OF JESUS Revelation 1:9-20 There’s an old saying that says, "A picture is worth a thousand words." I think that’s pretty accurate; Jesus seems to have thought so too. His favorite method of teaching was in parables - vivid, illustrative word pictures that helped his audience ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:9-20

Denomination: Baptist