Sermons on Futility Of Ritual:

Avoiding Dead Faith Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on May 3, 2012

James continues to remind us that faith is active. It is not mere mental assent but obediently imitating God by loving our neighbors.

1. Secret Service A man was coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands. (You know. The preacher’s job is to: shake them in, shake them up, and shake them out!) Well, he grabbed the guy by the hand and pulled him aside. The preacher ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Thankful People Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Nov 23, 2011

How do we show God that we are truly thankful people?

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Did you get enough to eat over the Thanksgiving holiday? My scale said GET OFF! • As I reflect on the issue of be thankful I want to share a few things I am thankful for. • I am thankful that there are not twice as many congressmen and half as many doctors. • I am thankful ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Here And There

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 23, 2011

God is not only with us through the Spirit, he is holy, wholly different and apart from us; and we should not take our access to him for granted.

As you all know I flew to Minneapolis between Christmas and New Year's. And since the terror alert is at orange, inspections are more thorough and lines are longer. Also both the Minneapolis and Philadelphia airports have X-ray machines for the checked baggage. Fortunately the standards aren't ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:7-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Motivates You

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Sep 10, 2010

Adopting certain attitudes will motivate us to more faithful service.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? GALATIANS 6: 11-13 INTRODUCTION What is it that motivates you each day? Maybe you work for someone else. What motivates you to get up and go to work? Perhaps it is the paycheck you know you will receive or that you know your family has needs. Maybe your parents instilled in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

Giving Till It Costs Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on May 29, 2008

Our giving should not be cheap or second hand. David exemplifies the principle of giving of our selves as a part of the gift.

Giving till it costs 2 Samuel 24:18-25 David’s personal sacrifice strongly underscored his humility. It was David’s humility as well as his actions that brought about the restoration he sought. The situation was grim. But it is hard for us to imagine why it was grim. David had counted the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 24:18-25

Denomination: Mennonite

All Or Nothing At All

Contributed by Kevin Williams on Sep 7, 2008

God will not accept partial service. He wants your all or nothing at all.

I have spent a good portion of my adult working life, working in retail. And with each job they trained the managers on how to spot counterfeit money. To the untrained eye the counterfeit money looks exactly like the real money. They are the same length, they feel the same, the information on ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Baptism: What Does It Mean?

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Jan 15, 2009

This is 1 of 2 sermons that share some common elements. This one focuses on the Greek behind the word “baptizo” and some of the historical, literature references

Introduction Baptism has become a part of every believer’s life. At some point, we make the plunge, are cleansed from our sins, and take on the name as Christians. But, Christians, as a whole, can not agree on the proper way to baptize and the effect that bestows on us. Tonight, I’d like you to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Reliving Pentecost: The Church Community

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Apr 28, 2008

The church must restore the sense of deep and loving fellowship. The church must come together in unity once again.

RELIVING PENTECOST: THE CHURCH COMMUNITY THEME: THE CHURCH BECOMES A SPECIAL COMMUNITY FOR GOD’S PEOPLE. TEXT: ACTS 2:42-47 At the end of the Civil War in Richmond, Virginia, on the Sunday after the surrender, a worship service was held in one of the historic church buildings in the city. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blinded By Lies, Confronted By The Truth Series

Contributed by Tim Spear on Dec 6, 2012

Lies have a devastating and corrupting effect, but the Truth can help people overcome those lies.

Jesus, the God-man: Gospel of John “Blinded by Lies, Confronted by the Truth” John 18:28-40 Introduction: “Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-40

Denomination: Baptist

It's All About Religion (Part 15 ) Series

Contributed by Denis O'callaghan Ph.d. ,th.d., D.d., D. Phil. on Sep 22, 2012

We are looking at what Jesus "really meant" and in doing so I hope that at this point you have come to at least consider that what you were taught about Christ Jesus, His claims, attitudes, actions warrant a reasoned second look.

Part 15 It’s All about "religion" I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said 'Stop! don't do it!' 'Why shouldn't I?' he said. I said, 'Well, there's so much to live for!' He said, 'Like what?' I said, 'Well...are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-8, Exodus 30:19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Lent 2013 Week 1 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Feb 20, 2013

As we kick off the season of Lent in 2013 we take a look at the 40 days of temptation of Christ in the wilderness and see what this means to us in our lives for Christ today.

There is a saying, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” This is the first Sunday of the Lenten Season. Lent is a non-essential. Lent is not a Biblical doctrine nor is it a Scripturally mandated activity. On the other hand it is not sinful nor ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Nazarene

Acting Good Or Good Actions?

Contributed by Judith Hand on Feb 8, 2014

True religion is not acting good but doing good.

ACTING GOOD …OR GOOD ACTIONS? Our passage in Isaiah seems contradictory at first… the prophet is told to tell the people they are in rebellion and sin even though it says “day after day they seek God out and seem eager to know his ways”! But God says they are a nation who ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

How To Know That Your Faith Is Real Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on May 20, 2014

James warns us against False Faith and Faithless Works.

Sermon Notes May 4, 2014 How to Know that Your Faith is Real James 2:14-26 There is a tremendous difference between something that is REAL and something that is FAKE. When our children were young one of their favorite gifts for their mom was a bottle of knock-off perfume. Perhaps you remember ...read more

Scripture: James 2:18-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Filled Jars Empty People

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Sep 26, 2014

The familiar story of Jesus Turning the Water into Wine. But what was he really trying to teach us today?

“Filled Jars Empty People” “Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.” John 2.1-11 Pastor’s pledge. “This being a familiar text it relies heavily on the works of a host of others. May their ...read more

Scripture: John 2:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Piercing The Spiritual Shadow

Contributed by James Snyder on May 3, 2016

My journey in the Christian life brings me to the point of piercing the spiritual shadow and discovering the presence of God. To walk in his presence is the greatest joy associated with the Christian life.

(Song of Solomon 2: 3-3: 16) The Christian life is the most wonderful and exciting and satisfying life there is but then on the other hand it is also the most frustrating, exhausting and trying life. This is why religion is so popular today. Religion says if you do this and that and if you ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance