Sermons on First Things:

The First Sunday Of Advent, Year C: Not Very Christmasy.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 12, 2024

The Church tells the Christmas Story backwards: the focus is to prepare for the coming of the Lord: at the end of the world, and when Christ comes for us at the end of our individual worlds, at death.

Our Gospel from St. Luke today is a little unsettling. Not very Christmasy. Unseasonal thoughts about the end of the world. Yet, the word Advent from the Latin, adventus, means “coming.” The Church tells the Christmas Story backwards: the focus is to prepare for the coming of the Lord: at the end ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:36

Denomination: Catholic

Balaam's First Prophecies (Numbers 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 27, 2024

Can a crooked prophet be used by God? Let's look at Numbers 23.

Though he was hired to curse Israel, what was Balaam forced to do? Can even a bad prophet be used by God to tell the truth? Do we take God’s word at face value or look for excuses to change God’s mind? Let’s look at Numbers 23. What did Balaam request so that God would perhaps give him a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

First Sunday After Easter (B C P). Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 22, 2025

Sermons upon the Bible readings of the Book of Common Prayer.

Psalm 81:1-4, Ezekiel 37:1-10, 1 John 5:4-12, John 20:19-23. A). A SUMMONS TO RESOUNDING PRAISE. Psalm 81:1-4. PSALM 81:1. There may be a time for quiet contemplative worship, but this is not it. It is a time of loudness, a time of noise. It is a time of fulness of joy. We are not called to be ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 81:1-4, Ezekiel 37:1-10, 1 John 5:4-12, John 20:19-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

First Sunday Of Lent, Year A- The Tactics Of Temptation

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 21, 2023

C.S. Lewis made an astute observation in his masterful Screwtape Letters: the devil cannot manufacture real goods or pleasures; he’s stuck with the ones God has made and for which our natures have an inclination.

I saw this Cartoon of Satan tempting Jesus, saying: “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a medium rare ribeye steak with truffle butter.” [Jesus is thinking to himself, “He’s getting better at this.”] Note that Jesus did not say, “Man cannot live by coffee alone, but he will ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7-9, Genesis 3:1-7

Denomination: Catholic

1st Things 1st: "There Is A God" Series

Contributed by Jim Black on Jun 14, 2005

Understanding that God exists and that he is the one, true God should impact how we live our lives.

First Things First #1 “There is a God” Deuteronomy 6:1-5 Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Sometimes, no matter how much you know (or think you know) it helps to get back to the basics… • For Israel—they were about to embark upon their greatest challenge yet; ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

“losing Your First Love: The Church At Ephesus” Series

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Nov 3, 2016

A look at the church at Ephesus

Intro: Turn with me this morning to the last book in the Bible, the book of Revelation. Here in this book, we find a message that is given to us by God to prepare us for the future. In chapter 1, we these words: the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

4 Things Everyone Should Know About Hell Series

Contributed by Larry Sarver on Aug 15, 2002

A teaching message on Luke 16:16-31

Luke Series #73 July 21, 2002 Title: 4 Things Everyone Should Know About Hell Email: pastorsarver@yahoo.com <mailto:pastorsarver@yahoo.com> Website: www.newlifeinchrist.info <http://www.newlifeinchrist.info> Introduction: Set off a smoke alarm using test button. The sound you just ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Seven Things That You Must Do In The Spirit Of God

Contributed by Charles Mccall on Mar 18, 2006

When you recieve the Holy Spirit by your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, there are at least seven things that you must do in the Spirit of God.

The Seven things that you must do in the Spirit of God Galatians 5:16 The Holy Spirit is the 3rd person in the triune Godhead. In the triune Godhead, you have three distinct person that makes up one God. These three persons are co-equal, co-eternal, and co-existent in one God. And these ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16

Denomination: Baptist

Three Things I Learned From My Dad

Contributed by Robert Glass on Jun 12, 2012

A Father's Day Sermon of THREE things I learned from my Dad.

Three Things I Learned From My Father Because today is Father’s day, it is good that we should honor them. In thinking back about my Dad, I remembered three things that he told me as a new Dad to take care of. 1. The first thing I learned was “Take Care of your Children.” A. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Expect Great Things From God And Attempt Great Things For God - Isa 54:1-4

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 16, 2002

Expect Great Things from God and Attempt Great Things for God - Isa 54:1-4

Expect Great Things for God and Attempt Great Things for God - Isa 54:1-4 Illustration: Just before his first London crusade, Billy Graham was asked by a newspaper reporter, "Are you an optimist or a pessimist?" Billy said without hesitation, "I’m an optimist! I know God and I have read the end of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 54:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ready For Anything (Part 3: First Four Pieces Of Armor) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 1, 2024

In this message, we explore the first four pieces of armor in Ephesians 6: Belt, Shoes, Breastplate, and Shield. Understanding this armor and applying these truths are essential for Christian success.

Intro Imagine what it would be like this morning if today’s news headline read: “America at War.” What if you woke up today to the news that war has broken out between America and China? Every military base would be on high alert. Every mother would be concerned about the future of her sons and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18, Acts 2:42, 2 Corinthians 2:11, John 10:10, 1 John 3:7, Proverbs 11:3, Luke 11:17, Hebrews 12:1-15, Genesis 3:1-6, Romans 13:12-14, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Lord’s Promise Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Feb 20, 2023

Here Micah foretells God’s eventual out-working of His plans for His covenant people.

MICAH 7: 18-20 [IN THAT DAY SERIES] THE LORD’S PROMISE [ISAIAH 52:13-15; John 10:11-17] The summarizing remarks in the last verses of Micah are of gratitude and praise to Yahweh. He concludes his book by reminding himself and his readers about the goodness and uniqueness of their God. God ...read more

Scripture: Micah 7:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

"Let's Just Give Up"

Contributed by Bill Burress on Dec 31, 2010

With all the troubles in the world today the thing we need to do is just give up. Not our faith but the things that cause the problems in the first place.

Was there ever a point in your life you just wanted to give up? Maybe finances got too much or it was just too tough to keep your marriage together. Maybe keeping your children in line got too difficult or every time you turned around something was going wrong, the car keeps breaking down or ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:4-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Three Things That Can Cause A Church To Die

Contributed by Robert Kerr on Jan 23, 2001

How to evaluate the Spiritual health of your Church and your own personel life.

THREE THINGS THAT CAN CAUSE A CHURCH TO DIE TEXT: Rev 3:1b "I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead." INTRO: Jesus said the Church at Sardis was dead! I see two meanings here, there could be more. First, this probably means this local Church lost it’s influence ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Some Things Just Don't Translate

Contributed by Steve Klink on May 19, 2004

Trusting the Holy Spirit to translate the Word and Work of God.

Text: John 6:60 “On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?’” Vs. 66 - ‘From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.’ ‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord to ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ