Sermons on First Steps:

Letting God Be God In Death #1 Series

Contributed by Norris Harris I on Jan 1, 2003

This is the first in a series of message dealing with Letting God Be God in all areas of our lives. This offering is an attempt to show how we can allow God be God God when we experience the pain and perplexity of Death.

“In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.” On Saturday a week ago, I went to King’s Convenience Store across the way to procure some nutriment for my body, because I had become famished. And while I ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 20:1

Denomination: Baptist

Rebuilding Brokeness

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 9, 2009

Nehemiah task is to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Now walls represent two things among others. First, they represent boundaries and structure. People without boundaries and structure in their life create children without boundaries and structures in thei

Rebuilding Brokeness Nehemiah 1:1-4 If there is one thing which should summarize the Christian church, it is mission. The Gospel and the church is about rebuilding or healing brokenness. We’ve learned this and lived this even moreso since Katrina. To date, "The United Methodist Church has helped ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-4

Denomination: Methodist

An Open Door

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Jun 10, 2002

The apostle Paul would call this “An Open Door.” He refers to this thought in his first letter to the Corinthians. Today, we will be equipped in how to know a new opportunity or an open door when we see it and how to make a proper decision.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: I remember applying to graduate school back in 1994. I submitted all of the necessary papers and finally received my acceptance letter. I was so excited that June day as I read my letter of acceptance. That letter meant so much to me that I kept it. [Read a portion ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:5-9

Spiritual Reset: Learning From Peter's Journey Series

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Dec 18, 2025

In the first lesson of this series, we turn our attention to the life of the Apostle Peter. His story is one of deep failure and even greater grace. It is the story of a man whom God had to reset—and in his journey, we will surely recognize our own.

SPIRITUAL RESET: Learning from Peter’s Journey Beloved brothers and sisters, As we step into a new year, many of us carry weariness, disappointments, and promises left unfulfilled—both as individuals and as a church. The New Year is not merely a fresh page on the calendar; it is God’s invitation ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:33-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Show Love, Not Favoritism (James 2:1-13) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 27, 2022

Favoritism is a tricky thing. But we need to copy God's example, in honoring the poor. Also, my first crack at unpacking "kingdom" in light of Scot McKnight's book Kingdom Conspiracy.

Let's start today by reading James 2:1-4: (1) My brothers, don't, with partiality, hold the faith of our glorious Lord, Jesus Christ. ["w/partiality" =focused] (2) For suppose someone should enter your assembly with a gold ring on his finger, with fine clothing. Now, also a ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

The 12 Apostles: James Son Of Zebedee

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 5, 2015

James had character flaws like being brash, bragging who'd be the greatest, wanting to call down fire on people and asking to sit on a throne next to Jesus. But he became an Apostle of love and became the first apostle to be martyred.

THE 12 APOSTLES: JAMES SON OF ZEBEDEE Mk. 3:17 INTRODUCTION A. HELL’S ANGELS 1. I was running a service station outside of Springfield Missouri one time. I had 16 pumps. It was a large station and along a major highway. 2. There were two men on the pay phones. I was outside taking money ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:13-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Solus Christus | Christ Alone

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Oct 4, 2017

For October 2017, as we approach the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, we are doing a sermon series on the "solas": Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, and Sola Scriptura; and 2 others added, Soli Deo Gloria, and Solus Christus. This is the first of the series.

We’re beginning a new sermon series for the month of October, as we finally lead up to the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. It’s a series called SOLA! Sola is the Latin word for “alone” or “only.” It’s where we get the word “solo,” where ONLY one person is singing or performing or ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Dealing With Our Good And Bad Traits Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Feb 16, 2009

Like Abraham, Keturah, Ishmael, Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, and Jacob, each one of us today have good and bad traits; and the first thing we need to do to have effective and productive lives is to know these personal traits, then control them.

Some may call it stereotyping, but we connect certain traits with a specific ethnic background don’t we? What do people say about Asians?? What do people say about Germans or Irish People?? What do people say about Italians and Spaniards?? Isn’t it interesting that we have a tendency to think ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:1-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Poor In Spirit Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jul 6, 2020

Pray that we would understand our place in God’s order and obediently take our place. Pray for humility to understand our sinfulness and what Jesus has done for us. Pray that we stay in step with the Holy Spirit and ask the Holy Spirit to mold our hearts to understand who we are.

BEATITUDES SERIES: POOR IN SPIRIT MATTHEW 5:3 #Beatitudes WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO BE “POOR IN SPIRIT?” EXAMPLE IN ISAIAH 6 READ Isaiah 6:1-5 “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above Him were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3, Isaiah 6:1-5, Luke 5:1-8, Luke 18:11-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When You’ve Been Way Off Track, What’s Coming Back Look Like? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 15, 2022

Judah has been so far off-track that they haven't celebrated Passover in forever. What does it look like coming back?

- This is a picture of revival. WAY OFF TRACK: Something as central as Passover had been lost. - 2 Chronicles 30:1, 5. GETTING BACK: They needed to return to God by humble obedience. - 2 Chronicles 30:6-9. a. Return to God. - We are returning to God, not church. b. By humble obedience. - ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 30:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

How To Win Over Worry Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 10, 2021

We need to: 1. Keep the right perspective (vs. 24-25). 2. See how much God values our life (vs. 26). 3. Recognize that worry is a waste (vs. 27). 4. Trust in God's care for us (vs. 26, 28-30). 5. Put first things first (vs. 31-33). 6. Take on trouble one day at a time (vs. 34).

How to Win Over Worry The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 6:24-34 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared April 10, 2021) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 6:24. Tonight in the Sermon on the Mount, God's Word shows us how to win over worry in our lives. The Lord wants us to live in victory ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34

Denomination: Baptist

Getting A Handle On Discouragement!

Contributed by Jim Mccutchen on Aug 13, 2010

Most of us would not choose discouragement is a leading deadly disease, but let me tell you why I believe that discouragement is just right up there with the top killers. First of all, it is more common than all the others combined It is universal –All of

HOW TO HANDLE DISCOURAGEMENT! INTRO: A gardener took great pride in caring for his lawn. But one year it grew full of dandelions. He tried every method and product to get rid of them, but nothing worked. Exasperated, he wrote the Department of Agriculture explaining all he had done. “What ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:6-14

Denomination: Christian Church

Kindness Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Jul 15, 2005

The Fruit of The Spirit (Part 7) KINDNESS willtake action, take a risk, pay the price, put others first, finish what it starts, and give the glory to God . [Find sermon in Word format at www.praiseag.org]

KINDNESS The Fruit of The Spirit (Part 7) Galatians 5:22-23 • Galatians 5:16-25 (NIV) [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. INTRODUCTION: Tony Campolo tells about ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What To Do When I Am Afraid?

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 18, 2021

The very first words David writes is prayer for his safety: “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge” (Psalm 16:1). David’s prayer is simple, “Keep Me Safe, God.”

Because of Covid-19, we are feeling vulnerable and fragile. Our stock market is yo-yoing like the days of 9/11 and we are being forced to close schools, universities, city hall, and now our church meetings. A few microbes from China has grounded flights, restaurants, and our collective lives. We ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Christ In The Heart: It's Just That Simple Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 6, 2024

You can sit in church your whole life and never let Christ into your heart. You can try very hard to adjust your outward behaviors but never let His love into yourself.

In all this deep discussion of prayer and God’s presence and turning ourselves toward Him, we must always return to the basic, simple understanding of who Jesus Christ is to us. You can sit in church your whole life and never let Christ into your heart. You can try very hard to adjust your outward ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:25, Proverbs 9:4-5

Denomination: Salvation Army