Sermons on Forgive Your Enemy:

Thorns And Grace (July 2012).

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 14, 2020

Perhaps one of the most intriguing passages of scripture is that of Paul's mention of the "thorn in his flesh." Paul expounded upon his metaphor of the thorn as he said that it was something that kept his pride in check.

THORNS AND GRACE 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 I remember going barefoot as a ten year old kid, when I was living in Aiken as a preacher’s kid. As I was going barefoot, I wound up stepping on a board that had three nails in it. The pain got my attention and definitely ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Crescendo (August 18, 2019).

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 14, 2020

Jesus shared with his audience then and his congregation today that life is not always a rose garden. Life is not a dress rehearsal. Some who are open to the gospel are often rejected by those who oppose it and sometimes they are family members.

CRESCENDO Text: Luke 12:49 - 56 Have you ever had something happen that made your Adrenalin glands kick in instant overdrive when you were almost asleep? It said that Beethoven would sometimes shock his audiences with a shift from soft music to abrupt harsh noise. Imagine sitting ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: United Methodist

"the Fruit We Grow Is The Love We Show"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 12, 2021

A sermon about remaining in Christ as we come out of the pandemic.

“The Fruit We Grow is the Love We Show” John 15:1-8 I want to ask you this morning: How did you do during the pandemic? I realize we are still in the pandemic, but all indications are that we are coming out of it. We can now worship indoors, in-person. And Sunday school or Small groups will ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

In The Name Of Jesus

Contributed by Vicki Williamson on May 24, 2021

Today’s text is a real life drama. It is after Jesus had been crucified, raised from the dead and ascended into heaven. The players in this high drama are the disciples of Jesus, a lame man, the people in the temple, the priests, the religious leaders and of course God.

When we come to the scriptures it is important that we open up our hearts and minds to hear from God. As it is His truth and His love story to us. Therefore let us surrender to Him all our emotions and thoughts. Father by your Spirit as we come to today’s text give us fresh eyes to receive a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-11, Acts 4:12, Acts 4:1-4, Acts 4:9-14

The Courage To Be

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jun 1, 2021

A sermon for Holy Trinity Sunday, Year B

May 30, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Is. 6:1-8; Rom. 8:12-17; Jn. 3:1-17 The Courage to Be Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul Tillich was a gifted theologian in the last century. During Hitler’s rise to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Depression & Meaninglessness: Where Is God In The Depths Of Despair?

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 1, 2021

There is a part of me that aches with meaninglessness. I cannot describe fully, how terrible it is. Who can manage it? Solomon the writer of Ecclesiastes describes the pain of wisdom. He described the meaninglessness of the daily life.

Ecclesiastes 2:17-23 (NIV) So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17-23, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Salvation Army

"Our Identity In Christ (I): We Are Humans, Created In God’s Image”

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Jun 2, 2021

Knowing who we are in Christ is vital. Without it, we can be confused, lost, and have no meaning and purpose in our lives, and therefore, fail to accomplish God's plans for us. This is the first sermon series on "Our Identity in Christ."

Last week we learned from Romans 12:3 the importance of having a correct understanding of ourselves. Otherwise, we can become arrogant, feel that we are great, smart, strong, and right, when in fact it is not. Or conversely, we can become inferior, not realizing the gifts and abilities that God has ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3, Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 1:31, 1 John 4:2-3, Romans 10:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sadducees Sadly Mistaken (2004)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Oct 23, 2022

The intention of the question of our "case in point" (Luke 20:27-40) was designed by those who composed it to make a fool of Jesus. It backfired. The scripture tells us that when Jesus answered that question, no one dared to ask Him any other questions.

SADDUCEES SADLY MISTAKEN Text: Luke 20:27-40 Bruce Larson made the comment that the question that the Sadducees posed to Jesus was a test that was designed to determine whether or not He was a conservative or a liberal. (Bruce Larson. Mastering The New Testament: Luke. Dallas: Word Publishing, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-40

Denomination: United Methodist

Chronos - 1 Corinthians 5 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Nov 19, 2022

Sin is a corrosive to the mission of Christ because it ruins the person, the fellowship and the movement from the inside out.

This week we continue our series called Chronos. A term which means time. We have decided to study the scriptures this year in the order they were published. It gives us a very unique insight into the early church and the struggles of a growing movement. This review of history is important because ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seven Sundays To Easter: "she Did What She Could" Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 5, 2021

If you ever felt like you did all you could for Jesus, the woman in this story knows exactly what you mean!

Introduction: This story takes place in Bethany, near Jerusalem, just a few days before Passover. The Lord Jesus Christ spent some time in Bethany before He made His last journey to Jerusalem to die for our sins and rise from the dead for our salvation. During one of His last meals with friends, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Our Father Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

The Christian is one who recognizes person-hood to be the supreme value. The highest title or name of God is not king, master, or creator, but Father. Wordsworth said, “Father! To God Himself we cannot give a holier name.”

A man who worked in a Ford plant for many years just quit for no apparent reason. When he was asked why he did it he said, “All I did everyday was to screw nut number 999 to bolt number 999 for years and years, and if I keep on doing this much longer, I shall be nut number 999 myself.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-15

Church Leaders (1 Corinthians 3)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 11, 2021

Now comes that chapter that many congregations would not want to hear. Let’s listen to what God’s minister has to preach to the Corinthians. Could it apply to us too?

Now comes that chapter that many congregations would not want to hear. Let’s not be like rebellious people, “Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isaiah 30:10 KJV). Let’s listen to what God’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lent 2021 - Who Has Believed Our Message Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Mar 20, 2021

Isaiah 53 is one of the most profound messianic prophecies found in all of the Old Testament and it asks a simple but convicting question, "Who has believed our message?" What message are we declaring? Is it the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

Who Has Believed Our Message Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:3-5 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 52:13-15, Isaiah 53:1-12, Philippians 2:6-7, Luke 2:52, Luke 11:46, John 1:46, 1 Peter 3:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Our Lord And Our Land Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 22, 2021

Paul was proud to be a Roman citizen. It was not because the empire was perfect, but because his citizenship gave him rights that were vital to his personal dignity, and to his service for God.

Human rights is a major issue in our world today, but it is not a new issue. Even under the Roman Emperor men had rights and they were precious. The Apostle Paul was unjustly arrested. He was about to be beaten when he calmly asked the Roman Centurion in charge if it was lawful to scourge a man ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:25-29

Alpha And Omege

Contributed by Bud Rose on Sep 15, 2021

THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA - the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. It’s also another way of saying that God is the beginning and the ending of all things—including human history. He is THE Source of all life and the fulfillment of all perfection. God is eternal.

God’s Message Today Is “Alpha and Omega” Text: Revelation 1:8; John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Mark 9:23; 1 Peter 4:12; Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 4:19; Matthew 21:21-22; Mark 9:23 Text: Revelation 1:8, “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:8

Denomination: Pentecostal