Sermons on First Things First:

Can You Come Home Again?

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Feb 1, 2004

Part 1 of 2 when Jesus returs home for the first time after wilderness and he is acts as expeced until he gets to church.

I have often her the phrase “ you can never go home again.” I have been trying to figure out if I believe it or not. I find lots of proof that it is true but I have lots of feelings that it is not true. Here is what I am thinking about. I believe that all of us have gone away from home as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-21

Denomination: Congregational

The Hidden Years Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Denis O'callaghan Ph.d. ,th.d., D.d., D. Phil. on Sep 20, 2012

What did Jesus learn about God from his “rabbi-pastor,” as He studied the first three chapters of Genesis?

Let's consider what Jesus might have learned: What did Jesus learn about God from his “rabbi-pastor,” as He studied the first three chapters of Genesis? The New Testament provides only brief glimpses of Jesus’ youth and training. One such glimpse is found in Luke 2:40, where we ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Second Of Four Things That Will Change Your Life...obedience Series

Contributed by Clayton Beck on Jan 16, 2009

You want God to change your life…be obedient to him?

Four Things that Will Change Your Life Series 2…Obedience… (Summarize Gen 6:1-12…) Gen 6:13 ¶ And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:13-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Things Aren’t Always What They Seem To Be

Contributed by Craig Condon on Apr 9, 2015

God is waiting in the weeds of our lives to bind up our wounds and mend the disease that separates us from ourselves and one another and from all that is holy.

Have you ever tried to describe a difficult or abstract concept to someone, especially when you know that the person you are speaking to doesn’t know anything about what you are talking about? If you have, you know what Jesus is trying to do in these five parables from Matthew’s Gospel ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-52

Denomination: Anglican

Sermon: Things You Learn While Wandering In The Wilderness

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Oct 8, 2025

When God calls you into the wilderness, He wants to meet you there. In that meeting, He has profound lessons waiting to transform your heart and prepare you for what’s ahead.

Sermon: Things You Learn While Wandering in the Wilderness Scripture Lesson - Matthew 4:1-11 “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 1 Kings 17:2-6, 1 Kings 19:11-18

Denomination: Methodist

When Things Look Down, Just Look Up

Contributed by Michael Bowen on Nov 28, 2001

Two promises God gives to discouraged Christians

When Things Look Down, Just Look Up - Psalm 23:4 Introduction: A husband went to see the doctor for a local checkup. After the checkup the doctor asked the man’s wife to come into his office that he might tell her about her husband’s condition. When she got in the office she asked the doctor ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Allow Circumstances Rob Your Joy Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Feb 13, 2007

Philippians is commonly called the "Book of Joy". But Paul presents several thieves that try to rob us of our joy. The first thief: "Difficult Circumstances."

DON’T ALLOW CIRCUMSTANCES ROB YOUR JOY A. For the next few weeks we’re going to take a look at CHRISTIAN JOY and the THIEVES that try to ROB us of our JOY from the book of Philippians. 1. Now to some people the phrase “CHRISTIAN JOY” is an OXYMORON--in their mind these two words CONTRADICT ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Man From Arimathea Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 19, 2018

How did Joseph become a member of the Sanhedrin and ultimately become a secret follower of Jesus? This first person presentation explores one possible explanation.

(I entered the auditorium from the side entrance to our baptistery – reading a scroll and entranced in thought. Much of the message was presented on floor level with me standing close to the audience and speaking directly to them) (Looking up, a bit surprised) Oh… shalom. I am afraid I am a bit ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:57-66

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Portrait Of A Servant (Part 1) Series

Contributed by David Owens on Feb 29, 2016

This sermon is based on chapter 7, of Charles Swindoll's book, Improving Your Serve. The sermon uses the first four Beatitudes as a character portrait of a servant.

Introduction: A. Don’t you love asking kids what they want to be when they grow up? 1. Unlike the minion in the picture, I don’t ask them because I am still looking for ideas! 2. I like to ask them to see what is going on in their little heads. 3. This second picture is a good ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prayer As A Way Of Life Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on Apr 27, 2003

1st in the series "Patterns for Prayer." Studies the first 4 references to prayer in Acts to see how the church made prayer a way of life.

Text: Acts 1:14-24, 2:41-42, 3:1 Introduction Things looked bleak for the children of George Muller’s orphanage at Ashley Downs in 19th century England. It was time for breakfast, and there was no food. A small girl whose father was a close friend of Muller was visiting in the home. Muller took ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:14, Acts 2:41-42

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Resting On The Resurrection Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jun 1, 2015

An Easter message about resurrection based on First Corinthians 15. Because of the resurrection we have a new identity, a new purpose, and a new hope.

Resting on the Resurrection (Easter Sermon) 1 Corinthians 15 INTRODUCTION: What do you think is the most important event in world history? A lot of Christians might say the Birth of Christ. Our calendar is based on Christ’s birth … and Christmas is our biggest celebration. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-58

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Suddenly: A Message Of Hope

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 4, 2024

Advent reminds us of two realities: the joy of Christ’s first coming and the anticipation of His second. Both are deeply tied to the theme of suddenly.

Suddenly: A Message of Hope December 1, 2024 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Luke 2:8-14 Today, as we begin Advent, our focus is on hope—the hope that came suddenly on that first Christmas night and the hope we continue to carry as we await Christ’s return. Advent reminds us of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Brethren

A Heart For The Lost

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 3, 2025

God’s love moves first, searches tirelessly, and rejoices loudly—calling us to join His rescue mission for every wandering heart.

It’s funny how easily we can tune things out. I fly often, and when the attendants go through the safety speech, hardly anyone listens. We’ve heard it all before, and it doesn’t feel relevant—we don’t expect the plane to crash. Sometimes the church sounds that way to the world. The message is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32, Matthew 9:36, John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

What Does A Deeper Life Look Like Series

Contributed by Dan Cale on Oct 24, 2006

This is the first in a series of sermons looking at developing a deeper walk with Christ. It addresses the issue of shallow Christianity and what a deeper life really looks like.

Going Deeper Pt 1 Of all the things that I became convinced of during my time away perhaps the most important is that God is calling me and us to a deeper walk with Him. We live in a time that is marked with shallow Christianity. The world around us screams at us that it’s true. The Church of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Denomination: *other

What Jesus Taught Us About Handling Trials

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Mar 16, 2005

Sermon preached Easter weekend in the first person - pastor dressed in period costume as Pontius Pilate - and members of the congregation interacting as characters in the Easter story.

Allow me to introduce myself to you. My name is Pontius Pilate. You probably know me as the Roman official who presided over the trial that ended with the sentence of crucifixion for Jesus the Christ. Being the governor of an out-of-the-way and insignificant Roman province like Judea was not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:1-65

Denomination: Baptist