Sermons on Firsthand:

No One Said This Would Be Easy Series

Contributed by Peter Schmidt on Dec 29, 2004

On the day after Christmas, on St. Stephen’s Day, we learn that though getting to heaven is easy through Jesus, carrying his cross on earth often times isn’t. But if being a Christian is difficult, it is even more so for the unbeliever.

Festival of St. Stephen Matthew 23:34-39 I have always had a healthy respect for all branches of the military, and not to take anything away from the other divisions of our armed forces, but one branch particularly stands out in my mind: the Marine Corps. What is their slogan that you see on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:34-39

Denomination: Lutheran

Don't Judge Others . . . Judge Yourself!

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Jul 23, 2001

If you don’t want to be judged, don’t judge others; and if you want heavenly rewards, judge yourself.

There’s the story of the conscientious wife who tried very hard to please her ultracritical husband, but failed regularly. He always seemed the most cantankerous at breakfast. If the eggs were scrambled, he wanted them poached; if the eggs were poached, he wanted them scrambled. One morning, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Bring Unchurched People Into God's Family Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Oct 3, 2001

A message dealing with the first part of our purpose statement; this one deals with evangelism.

“…Bring Unchurched People into God’s Family…” Matthew 9:35-38 (July 15, 2001) Introduction When people think of evangelism, there are generally at least three reactions: First, there is, for some, excitement. They love the idea of getting out there and sharing the good news of Christ, and they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

Denomination: Wesleyan

Exiled To His Glory

Contributed by Kevin Taylor on Mar 8, 2002

Discover how to know Jesus beyond ’head knowledge.’ Read as John the Revelator experienced Him in the fullness of His glory!

I. Banished to God’s Glory! A. Text: Revelation 1:1-20 B. John, known as the “Revelator,” was banished/exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the Gospel and his testimony of Jesus Christ. C. John the apostle, the writer of the Fourth Gospel, son of Zebedee and Salome, brother of James the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-20

Three Ways To Make Your Life More Meaningful

Contributed by Kenneth Anthony on Dec 10, 2006

Sermon explores three ways to make a person’s life more meaningful: know who you are, know what you are to do, and make the most of your time.

Three Ways to Make Your Life More Meaningful Introduction Short sideline passes; long bombs, and sometimes long over-the-middle pass plays are common after the “Two Minute Warning” is given in a professional football game. Here game clock management is as important as yardage gained. Despite ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-19

Denomination: Orthodox

Miracle In The Desert

Contributed by Steven Ferber on May 8, 2012

The Ethiopian Eunuch's conversion shows us that God works through the Holy Spirit, the Word, and through His people who willingly step out in faith. God can do great things through His children who are led by the Spirit!

Some of us remember the movie Raiders Of The Lost Ark from 1981, where Indiana Jones discovers the Ark of the Covenant, the 4-foot long container holding the two tablets of the 10 commandments that God gave Moses on Mt. Sinai. Jones takes the Ark back to America, and at the end of the movie you ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Lutheran

Me? ... A Sheep!

Contributed by Matthew Mobley on Mar 28, 2008

A perspective on Psalm 23 aided by a real-life shepherd.

Me? ... A Sheep! Psalm 23 April 29, 2007 Pastor Ben Patterson of Santa Monica, California shares the following story about his 5-year old niece, Olivia, who along with her best friend Claire were participating in a Christmas nativity play at school. Claire was playing Mary and Olivia was an ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Unasked Questions Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Apr 11, 2008

This is the 4th sermon in a series of messages taken from John’s gospel. From Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, we notice unasked questions Jesus answered.

John’s Gospel #4 Unasked Questions CHCC: January 27, 2008 John 3:1-21 INTRODUCTION: VIDEO John 3:16 is the central truth of life captured in 25 simple words. Jesus made this statement to a man who came to see Him late one night. Look at the beginning of John chapter 3: Now there was a man ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Oct 8, 2008

In Ezekiel 34, using the language of promise, God introduces a new plan for shepherding his people which we see fulfilled in John 10. Jesus, the Good Shepherd still calls his sheep.

The Good Shepherd Ezekiel 34:1-6; 11-16;23-24; 30-31 Children’s Story Just before school started, I invited four kids from next door to go with me to the city library. These kids ranged from 7 – 10 years old and had never been to the library. We went upstairs where they have all the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-31

Denomination: Brethren

A True Disciple

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Oct 26, 2008

What does it take to be a "true disciple" of our Lord?

A True Disciple Luke 9:23 * Were I to ask this group of people, “Who wants to be a disciple of Christ?” Most everyone would raise their hands and honestly, would do so without giving any thought to what being a disciple really means. One of the classic books on discipleship was written by ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23

Denomination: Baptist

Istand - Standing On The Promises

Contributed by Jonathan Falwell on Oct 8, 2007

We know that within God’s arms we find everything we need to be successful in life.

iTruths: Life Lessons for the iPod Generation – iStand We continue our iTruths series today focusing on standing on the promises found within the Word of God. Standing on the truth that we gain from knowing Him, from loving Him, from telling others about Him and from serving Him. We know that ...read more

Scripture: John 10:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

Dragon Slayer

Contributed by Doane Brubaker on Jun 29, 2007

Jesus has the authority, power and desire to help us overcome the problems that overwhelm us.

Dragon-slayer Mark 5:1-17 Have you noticed how popular entertainment has made some pretty fearsome, terrible beings into loveable characters? Real pirates like Black Bart Roberts and Blackbeard were kidnappers, thieves, rapists, and murderers. Not the stuff heroes are made of. [picture ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-17

Denomination: Mennonite

A Fresh Wind Of The Spirit

Contributed by Robert Bravo on Jul 1, 2007

Life can get tough at times. The enemy is always trying to destroy us. Sometimes we need a fresh filling of Gods spirit. It empowers for life and mininstry. We can be overcomers.

The fresh wind of the Spirit Acts 1 says: Acts 1:1 - 26 (NASB) 1The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3To these He also ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-26

Denomination: Nazarene

The Sign Of Jonah

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jul 29, 2006

Second message on Matthew 12:38-42, this one dealing with the words of Jesus regarding the sign of Jonah and how the people responded to his words.

The Sign of Jonah Matthew 12:38-42, 16:1-4 July 16, 2006 Introduction There’s a really good chance that you’re going to beat the Baptists to Steak-N-Buffet today, because this message is going to be a bit shorter than normal. I know you’re just heart-broken over that, but I’m sure you’ll get ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:38-42

Denomination: Wesleyan

Gomer's Song

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Oct 3, 2005

A sermon that looks into Hosea’s love for the wayward Gomer and how it reflects that grace of God.

Hosea 1:1-2 KJV The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. [2] The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal