Sermons on Gifts Of The Magi:

Forgiveness

Contributed by Dean Rhine on May 13, 2008

Forgiveness as seen in Psalm 51

“Forgiveness - Psalm 51” Two little brothers, Harry and James, had finished supper and were playing until bedtime. Somehow, Harry hit James with a stick, and tears and bitter words followed. Charges and accusations were still being made as mother prepared them for bed. The mother instructed, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Loving God Through Deep Distress

Contributed by Glenn Durham on May 14, 2008

God brings distress to us and us through distress that we might know his strength and salvation.

Scripture Introduction The second grade teacher showed a magnet to her class and illustrated its uses. The next day she gave a quiz with this question: “My full name has six letters. The first one is M. I pick up things. What am I?” Half of the students wrote, “Magnet.” The other half answered: ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Where Do You Turn - Marriage Series

Contributed by Jamey Stuart on May 15, 2008

I talk about the basics of overcoming broken marriages using God’s perscription.

Introduction: Perspective is a powerful word in marriage. That’s what that drama is all about – they couldn’t get perspective because they were too consumed with themselves – they were too concerned about their issues or their side of the story to even have a clue about what was going on in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:22-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Frequency

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 16, 2008

Fathers Day message. What channel are you on? Are you on the same frequency as the rest of your family?

Sometimes, Fathers can do some stupid things and sometimes aren’t always on the same "frequency" of the rest in the family... ------------MEDIA CLIP OPENER OPTION---------------- SHOW MR. BEAN "Mind The Baby Mr. Bean" (2 min 35 sec) START: "Dirty Diaper" 14:00 END: 16:35 - After the man throws the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 20:24-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Inconvenient Truth

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 16, 2008

Many Christians don’t like to hear the word "Servant" or "Servanthood" because it implies a less than attractive feature of God’s kingdom. Yet it is the very essence that draws true power from a mighty God.

OPENER: Object Lesson: Usefulness of the Broom Hold a broom up for all to see. Rather than beginning to sweep up themes, take out one strand of the broom and start to clean up the mess. It will only take seconds before they realize you need to use the whole broom or it will take you too long to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Games People Play: Twister

Contributed by Eric Ferguson on May 16, 2008

Sometimes you feel twisted in different directions in your life. Take a lesson from the game of Twister to see how you can handle those life’s tuggings.

Opener – Circle Twister Have youth group leaders get all participants standing and forming two circles. One of the circles should be inside of the other circle. It’s helpful if there are a couple of the leaders standing on a stage above the players or on a stable platform/chairs. When the music ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Foundation Of Forgiveness: Where Forgiveness Begins Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on May 16, 2008

Forgiveness is a command for Christians. God will not forgive us if we cannot or do not forgive others.

(based on a series by Darryl Dash) SERIES: “DISCOVER FORGIVENESS: Finding Freedom Through Forgiveness” TEXT: MATTHEW 18:21-35 TITLE: “THE FOUNDATION OF FORGIVENESS: Where Forgiveness Begins” OPEN: A. Old Joe was dying. For years he’d been at odds with Bill, formerly one of his best ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Relating To Jesus Outside Religion Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on May 22, 2008

Helping ourselves and others relate to Jesus not as one who started a new religion… nor who can be known merely through religious tradition… but who defies religious confines… and who seeks relationship.

Intro – One of the more interesting dynamics in my own process of having ‘holy conversation’ is when someone asks what I do. When they discover I’m a pastor… I’ve seen all sorts of things go off. Discomfort with their behavior, discomfort with what they then expect from me, or even just ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"The Spirit's Wisdom" 1 Cor. 2 Pt 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 25, 2008

The Spirit’s wisdom is the too lead our lives not our human intellect or another person’s human intellect. Why? So that we can witness the power of the Spirit and see lives transformed.

"The Spirit’s Wisdom" Summary of the series on Corinthians and of chapter 1 Thesis: The Spirit’s wisdom is the too lead our lives not our human intellect or another person¡¦s human intellect. Why? So that we can witness the power of the Spirit and see lives transformed. Scripture Text: 1 Cor. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Do These Stones Mean? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 31, 2008

For a Children’s Day message; twelve varying stones used as visuals to speak of original innocence, sin and accountability, and the redemptive work of Christ.

For centuries, people have raised up stones as a witness. Stone monuments testify as to who they are and what happened among them. Just this week news came of discoveries at the ancient monument of Stonehenge on the Salisbury plain in England. Those great Sarsen stones were raised to honor the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:8-24

Denomination: Baptist

Broken Prayer Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on May 31, 2008

What does the prayer of corporate confession look like?

Three theologians were having a deep theological discussion while they were walking down the street one day. They were talking about prayer. More specifically, they were talking about the most effective positions of prayer. The discussion got pretty intense so they actually stopped there on the ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 9:6-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Lavishness Of God - Part I Series

Contributed by Steve Lombardo on Jun 7, 2008

We have good reasons to praise the Lord.

Today we’re starting a four-part series on “The Lavishness of God.” To lavish means to be extravagant; to pour out; to shower. And God throughout the pages of His Word is described as that kind of a God…one who pours out to His people; one who gives. One who displays His grace and His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fellowship Known By Obedience Series

Contributed by Brien Sims on Jun 17, 2008

Once we have accepted Christ, we must continue to be obedient so that we can continue our fellowship in Him. Our reward for obedience is eternal life.

There is something that we should all take note of in the Book of First John. Fellowship, sharing our lives in Christ, doesn’t continue for nothing. Once we have accepted Christ, we must continue to be obedient so that we can continue our fellowship in Him. Our reward for obedience is continued ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Testimonies Of Fellowship Series

Contributed by Brien Sims on Jun 18, 2008

The testimonies are not physical but spiritual... the Spirit and the water and the blood. This sermon talks about the spiritual testimonies.

I think today is the day that we all need to get our eyes checked. If I look a little overweight you need to get your eyes checked because I am in shape; that shape just happens to be round. Optometrists say that you should get them checked once a year as general maintenance and even more so the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Barbecue

Contributed by Karl Ingersoll on Jun 22, 2008

Faith comes to most of us some packaged form. In the lives of many Christians it is never unpacked - it remains in the box.

I have had this idea for a sermon illustration rattling around in my brain. Today seemed like the perfect day to use it. A few weeks ago now I referenced the beginnings of this illustration. It actually began with new siding and windows on our home. That meant a new deck. The old one was an ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Methodist