Sermons on Foolish Ideas:

Is Hell Real?

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Mar 4, 2007

Our vision of a loving God makes the idea of a punitive Hell very unnerving for us. Jesus speaks of God’s love, but he also tells us in the Gospels about God’s punishment for sinners.

Additional Text: Genesis 15:1-18 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen. (Psalm 19:14) Is Hell Real? Our vision of a loving God makes the idea of a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-35

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

A Ministry For All

Contributed by Matthew Stidham on Jan 23, 2008

Many Christians struggle with the idea that they aren’t talented, or aren’t capable of serving the Lord through ministry. Here I try to show that every does have a place and a way to serve in the kingdom of God.

A Ministry for All Sunday June 10, 2007 AM Rudy Meoli was an average baseball player at best. With a measly career batting average of just over .200, Rudy was definitely not known for his ability at the plate, and with 27 fielding errors during the 1973 season, he certainly was not someone you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seek God's Supreme Pleasure

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on May 19, 2007

Do you have any idea how the Sovereign God finds pleasure? Is His Supreme Delight exclusively His and only His Sovereign prerogative that we would be unable to partake during this present time?

“He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him’” (Matthew 17:5, ESV). We find pleasure in our hobbies, in our job, in our friends, in our family, or in whatever that we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:5

Denomination: Baptist

Breaking Down Racial Walls

Contributed by Vinnie Cappetta on Mar 12, 2006

I told my neighbor that I was Italian and Puerto Rican. She said, “The Italian side is the good side.” How can we break down racial walls? I have three ideas.

Breaking Down Racial Walls Mark 7:24-30 I told my neighbor that I was Italian and Puerto Rican. She said, “The Italian side is the good side.” Imagine how I felt. Where does racism, prejudice, bigotry come from? God to Samuel: Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Aroma Therapy

Contributed by Jerry O'sullivan on Jul 14, 2007

Big Idea: What does it mean to live our lives as the aroma of Christ? We are the Aroma of Christ when our life smells of success, service, sacrifice and sincerity so that it causes people to remember Jesus.

Introduction: (BLACK SLIDE on screen Votive Candles with chocolate chip cookie Smell lit in sanctuary giving off pleasant aroma throughout Jerry enters auditorium from back with tray of cookies) Good Morning my name is Jerry O’Sullivan I am one of the pastors here at Shelter Rock Church and I am ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

They Weren't Looking For Him

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Dec 21, 2008

The King of Eternity came into this world and the world had no idea what had taken place. Politicians, Priests, and the Public missed one of the greatest miracles ever for they weren’t looking for Him. Are we any different?

THEY WEREN’T LOOKING FOR HIM Matthew 2:1-18 Introduction: When we consider the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, we quite often forget the obscurity in which the events took place. The appearance of the wise men and the reaction of their message reveal the depth of that obscurity. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

How Can You Say That? Series

Contributed by Timothy Mills on Sep 18, 2006

God’s wrath is a doctrine often rejected; wrath does not match our concept of a loving God; God’s wrath is “an OT idea,” not compatible with grace & mercy; OT yes, but mostly in the NT.

Romans 1:24-32 God’s wrath is a doctrine often rejected. Wrath does not match our concept of a loving God. God’s wrath is “an OT idea,” not compatible with grace & mercy. OT yes, but mostly in the NT. 1) The subjects of God’s wrath. • Let’s define “God’s wrath.” - Not a quick, hot rage that flairs ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:24-32

Snapshots In An Autumn Album

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 15, 2009

Contrasting Koheleth and Paul in the later season of their lives: one blames the young, the other gathers them; one mourns broken things, the other invests in ideas; one is anxious, the other trusts God for every need.

This past weekend, as a part of our brief getaway, my wife and I spent two nights in an old farmhouse. The farmhouse dated from 1704 and was partly furnished with antiques. Now my wife loves antiques; I guess that’s why she puts up with me. So we took the tour of the house, especially the parlor ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The New Family

Contributed by Rick Stacy on May 21, 2009

The key characteristic of a growing and strong spiritual “young person” in God is that they have overcome the evil one. Notice that the word is overcome – not defeat. The idea is that you get past him – not that you crush him – that is up to God in the

Growing Up is Part of Life And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52 I was a little child when I grew up in the small town of Kalkaska. It’s about 17 miles due east of Traverse City in northern Michigan and when I lived there it had about 2000 people – total. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:12-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Persecución Y Sufrimiento De La Iglesia

Contributed by Major Gerardo Balmori on Mar 23, 2010

Se tiene la idea falsa de que al convertirnos a Cristo todos nuestros problemas se van a acabar y parece que en algunos casos es todo lo contrario.

Mayor Gerardo Balmori El Ejército de Salvación PERSECUCION Y SUFRIMIENTO DE LA IGLESIA 2 Corintios 12:7-10 Introducción: Alguien preguntó porque sufre el justo... Esta de hecho fue la primera pregunta que surgió en mi mente desde los primeros días de mi conversión. Que el pecador sufra no ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Salvation Army

Without Spot Or Wrinkle Series

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Apr 15, 2008

The idea of marriage was not first the relationship between a man and a woman, but first between God and His people.In other words, human marriage is created in the image of God’s love for us and not the other way around.

Review – children of God, bride of Christ: Loved, desired, God takes pleasure in us. Valentines day is a few days away. So it is appropriate we cover this subject this week. Marriage, how did it begin? Whose idea was it? I have a rather interesting idea for you...marriage, as one man and one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:4-6

Denomination: Baptist

Waiting On God Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Oct 4, 2011

In this brief study we will take a walk through the book of Acts highlighting some of the more significant verses and ideas presented by Luke. I have drawn some material from "Act Normal" by Scott Wilson.

Acts Pt1- Waiting on God Introduction (thoughts take from Act Normal by Scott Wilson) New series- Acts- 28 chps- hit key parts/ideas. First- look at where Acts has been placed in the Bible. Bible PPT Just as Acts is located between- Gospels/Epistles- it is a bridge between- life of Christ we find ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-8

Denomination: Charismatic

From The Upper Room To The Streets Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Oct 11, 2011

In this brief study we will take a walk through the book of Acts highlighting some of the more significant verses and ideas presented by Luke. I have drawn some material from "Act Normal" by Scott Wilson.

Act Pt2- From the Upper Room to the Streets Homework/Last Weeks Challenge Worked on verse from Joel? Someone recite? Homework last week- read Act 1-4, record one thought. Review/Recap Continue our study of Acts- The Acts of the Apostles. That name is significant- demonstrates both the- work of the ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

Possessor Of Life Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Oct 18, 2011

In this brief study we will take a walk through the book of Acts highlighting some of the more significant verses and ideas presented by Luke. I have drawn some material from "Act Normal" by Scott Wilson.

Acts Pt3- Possessor of Life Last weeks Challenge -continue- read Acts- turn a verse into a prayer for yourself/church- share verse prayed. Review/Recap Looked at- miracle of Pentecost/birth of- early church. The church had a strong sense of fellowship/unity. The HS unifies people around the ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

Devotion And Service Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Jan 6, 2012

In this brief study we will take a walk through the book of Acts highlighting some of the more significant verses and ideas presented by Luke. I have drawn some material from "Act Normal" by Scott Wilson.

Acts Pt4- Devotion and Service Opening Comments P Tony, K Malone, P Mario- challenged us- offerings. Review/Recap Gospel of Luke, Acts- both written by Luke- Luke- living picture of Christ as seen in history Acts- picture of work of HS- Jerusalem/nations. Acts- beginning of the life/mission of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-10

Denomination: Charismatic