Sermons on Frederick Buechner:

The True Nature And Purpose Of The Church

Contributed by Martin Scarce on Nov 11, 2002

Everyone has an idea of what the church is and its purpose. But what does Jesus say about the church? What is his desire and purpose for the church? Based upon the confession of Peter Jesus reveals the truth about the church.

“The True Nature and Purpose of the Church” Reading – Matthew 16: 13-25 INTRODUCTION Illustration: When I was growing up there were a number of experiences that left an indelible impression upon. I think we all go through an impressionable stage in life. For me, the thing that left an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-25, Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Servant Leaders

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jun 28, 2008

Apostles, Pt. 14

SERVANT LEADERS (LUKE 22:24-27) A friend told me an interesting but sad conflict in their church. Several years ago an elderly man was counting the church offering by himself, which is not a wise thing to do under any circumstance. When the church changed its policy to protect everyone involved, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner Series

Contributed by Mike Gilbert on Jul 19, 2008

Looking around the table at the Lord’s Supper.

Intro>In 1967 a groundbreaking movie directed by Stanley Kramer starred Spencer Tracy in his last film ever (he died 17 days after filming it), Katherine Hepburn, who won the best actress Oscar for her performance, and Sidney Poitier. The plot revolves around a wealthy white daughter who has ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-35

Denomination: Baptist

Hope And Power Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Mar 19, 2008

God in human flesh gives hope to human faith.

Introduction Last week an article in the Wall Street Journal reflected on our need for hope. The author attended a “new age” type church service in which participants wrote their regrets and failures on pieces of flash paper. (Flash paper is specially treated to ignite and burn instantly and ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hope Does Not Disappoint

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 8, 2009

Suffering, endurance, character, hope: the formula is not automatic. All depends on whether we learn to live in the resurrected Christ.

One of my friends begins nearly every conversation with the phrase, "You just can’t win.” "You just can’t win." One day recently he was wearing a long, long face. He had just gotten his car repaired, but some inebriated partygoer had slammed into it. He had just worked off his debts, but suddenly ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Results Of Materialism Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Oct 25, 2009

We will begin today with a bird’s eye view of our text and then we will look at part of James chapter four to see how we can avoid the tragedy of greed.

Revelation 18:9-24 Purpose: To show how God will devastate the world’s economy. Aim: I want the listener to turn their affection away from material things. INTRODUCTION: Last time we saw that commercial Babylon, the center of the world’s wealth in last days before Jesus comes back to earth, will ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 18:9-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When Fear Gets A Chokehold Series

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Apr 7, 2014

Another message from the life of David.

DAVID—A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART 07—WHEN FEAR GETS A CHOKEHOLD TEXT: 1 Samuel 20:1-3 1 Samuel 20:1-3 KJV And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 20:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Purity Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 22, 2011

1- Purity - Work at your faith 2- Purity - Don’t complain 3- Purity - Hold out the Word

INTRO.- ILL.- As a father came home from his work he saw his little girl who had been playing in the mud. He said to her, “My, you’re pretty dirty.” She replied, “Yes, I know daddy, but I’m prettier clean.” Yes and aren’t we all prettier when we’re clean? Our text speaks of us as being ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When You've Been Set Free, Give God The Glory

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Aug 19, 2010

Jesus touches our crookedness

A farm family from a rural area was making their first visit to a big city. They checked in to a grand hotel and stood in amazement at the impressive sights. Leaving the reception desk the father and son came to the elevator entrance. They’d never seen an elevator before, and just stared ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Denomination: United Methodist

Why Did God Put Me On Planet Earth?

Contributed by John Gaston on Jan 8, 2017

The Bible teaches we have a definite purpose. It's to influence the people around us to make the choice to serve Jesus Christ. A C.S. Lewis quote captures to eternally critical job that we dare not neglect for the lost's sake!

WHY DID GOD PUT ME ON PLANET EARTH? Ps. 138:8, TLB. INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. There were three guys who wanted to be in the Olympics, but didn’t know how to enter. So they went to the gate of the Olympic Village to see how other athletes got in. 2. Soon a big, hulking guy walked up with bulging ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 138:8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

O Come All Ye Faithful Series

Contributed by Doug Fannon on Dec 17, 2017

Who are the faithful? What does it mean to be faithful? Looking at the Biblical message of this great Christmas hymn.

The songs of the Christmas season comprise some of the finest music known to man, and this hymn is certainly one of our universal favorites. It was used in Catholic churches before it became known to Protestants. Today it is sung by church groups around the world since it has been translated from ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:42-48

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Prince Of Peace Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 31, 2011

Jesus, the Prince of Peace can bring peace to our troubled hearts.

World War One began just over 97 years ago. By the end of the war, 15 million would die, 20 million more wounded. It was the largest scale of casualties in human history. Just this year, the last combat veteran of what was called “The Great War” died. He was Claude Choules who ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Conflict Resolution Series

Contributed by Stephen Collins on Jan 6, 2009

Part 10 of "Being the Church," focusing on the reality of conflict and how the Bible instructs on dealing with it in a Christ-like manner.

Being the Church God’s Conflict Resolution Scripture: Acts 15:36-41 Icebreaker: Two men who lived in a small village got into a terrible dispute that they could not resolve. So they decided to talk to the town sage. The first man went to the sage’s home and told his version of what happened. When ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:36-41

Denomination: Church Of God

The Three Loves (Maybe Just One:)

Contributed by Ken Henson on Jan 31, 2020

God loves us. He calls us to love each other in the same way. He also designs us to love and appreciate beauty, and to live beautifully.

Bhakti, the Beloved, & Beauty-The Three Loves (k, Maybe just 1) Valentine's Day? :) I began a previous message saying God is probably angry at you. Today I’d like to talk about why. Love. Love is powerful. Song of Songs of Solomon 8 Place me like a seal over your heart, like a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-11, Song of Songs 8:7

Denomination: *other

Our Ultimate Ruler

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Jun 18, 2019

THIS IS A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE THAT SPEAKS OF THE EXCITEMENT WE SHOULD HAVE AT THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, THE KING OF KINGS.

OUR ULTIMATE RULER JOHN 18:28-38 THE BIRTH OF A ROYAL BABY IS ALWAYS AN EXCITING EVENT FOR THE NATION, AND FOR THE WORLD. I REMEMBER THE HAPPINESS THAT SURROUNDED THE BIRTH OF WILLIAM AND HARRY FOR PRINCESS DIANA AND CHARLES. A TOWN CRYER STOOD OUTSIDE BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND ANNOUNCED WILLIAM’S ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-38

Denomination: Baptist