Sermons on Gradual Drift:

The Transition Of Purpose

Contributed by Thomas Custer on May 18, 2014

moving from "on purpose", to "in purpose"

Today I want to preach on purpose! Williams tells a story of someone “lost his purpose” -- it is the story of Jacob Brodzky. a shy Russian Jew whose father owned a bookstore. The older Brodzky wanted his son to go to college. The boy, on the other hand, desired nothing but to marry ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:13-16, Esther 4:13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Knowing Why We Do What We Do

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Oct 5, 2014

Conformity to Christ is our goal. Live with this end in mind. Spiritual growth is not an option. Put first things first.

Before I move on to the book of Numbers in my weekly sermons, I like to take this week, in between the books, to revisit the theme of discipleship. • Why do we want to take this discipleship learning journey? Can we do without? • Why do we do what we are doing today? Is it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Remember Your Creator

Contributed by Hans Krause on Nov 11, 2018

Two men think about life as they face the end of their journey on earth. Has life been meaningless or relevant? Do they look forward to a joyless process of degradation, a painful descent towards the valley of death, or to something more glorious beyond the horizon?

[Sermon preached on 11 November 2018, 25th Sunday after Pentecost / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] A man of about my age—sixty, give or take a few years—sits down, takes up pen and parchment, and starts to write. Or perhaps he calls his secretary and starts to dictate. He senses that his life is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Judas: A Disillusioned Disciple Series

Contributed by Chris Cuthbertson on Mar 25, 2025

Today I want us to look at a day in the life of Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus and sold Him out to the religious leaders.

Series: A Day in the Life Of… Judas: A Disillusioned Disciple I’m beginning a new series leading up to Easter. My intentions are to go back 2,000 years, using Scripture as our guide and history and logic. As helpful assistants I want to determine what life was like for some of the key players ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 11:12, Matthew 26:25, Matthew 26:14-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

1 Ixthus > 153 Ixthus

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Apr 22, 2004

How Jesus uses a catch of fish so the disciples would catch on (get it - catch on? insert belly laugh here) to who their friend was on the shore

April 25, 2004 John 21:1-14 The Greek word for fish is ixthus. You often see that word on the back of cars within the shape of a fish. If you’ve ever wondered what that is supposed to symbolize - it’s not just for people who like fish. The five letters that spell fish - iota, chi, theta, ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

The Place Is Too Small

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Jun 21, 2025

Sometimes God's blessing creates beautiful problems that require faithful responses, while other times success can lead to spiritual complacency that demands honest restoration.

The Place Is Too Small 2 Kings 6:1-6 Introduction There comes a moment in every believer's life, in every ministry, and in every congregation when we must honestly assess where we are and where God is calling us to go. Sometimes we find ourselves in seasons of growth that demand expansion, and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:1-6, Psalm 127:1, Zechariah 4:6, Judges 16:20, Ephesians 4:30, Genesis 6:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, 1 Corinthians 3:12, Joshua 3:13, Revelation 2:2-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Promises Kept Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Feb 5, 2001

Three facts to help us understand why the nation of Israel rejects Jesus as their Messiah.

Note: This sermon was introduced by the drama "The Perfect Bonds of Love"). God has a plan. It’s a plan that started at creation, and it has continued even when human sin corrupted God’s wonderful creation. It’s a plan that’s taken lots of twists and turns along the ways, a plan full of surprising ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Freedom In Christ Series

Contributed by Roger Griffith on Aug 19, 2003

Once you’ve been set free in Christ, don’t be entangled again in the bondage of various types of legalism.

FREEDOM IN CHRIST TEXT: Galatians 5:1-15 INTRODUCTION: A. SKATING ON THE LORD’S DAY 1. A pastor got up one Sunday morning and all the roads were icy. 2. The streets were all blocked off and there was no way for him to drive to church. 3. He was forced to skate on the river to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15

Paralyzed In The Menial

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Sep 3, 2002

We are so focused on the sensual and emotionalized the spirit of God, that we have distracted our attention from the real issues of the church and we have allowed our hearts and actions to be paralyzed.

PARALYSIS IN DAILY CHRISTIAN LIVING By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com TEXT: Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and HAVING DONE ALL, TO STAND... James 1:22 But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:13, James 1:22-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Spirit Are You? Part 4 Holy Spirit Series Series

Contributed by C Vincent on May 19, 2010

This looks at the carnal Christian and the Spirit filled Christian.

What Spirit Are You? Part 4 Do you have the Spirit? JCC 09.05.10 am Read 1 Cor 3:1-23 Paul is speaking not to the unbeliever, but to those in the Church who have made a commitment to follow Jesus He acknowledges that they have Jesus has their saviour, but definitely not has their Lord He calls them ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Making The Right Turn To Jesus

Contributed by Stan Simonik on Dec 22, 2007

Christmas Eve sermon. The wisemen made a wrong turn. Instead of following the star all the way to Bethlehem, they thought the new King would be born in a royal palace. They eventually got it right. This message is for those who are at crossroads in their

Dear brothers and sisters, have you ever made a wrong turn in your travels? I know I have! My misadventures usually come from taking the wrong exit off a freeway. Thirty some odd years ago I drove from new York to Seattle. As you may know, getting out of New York City is not the easiest thing in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Are You A Borderline Believer? Part Ii Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Apr 1, 2008

What are the basic truths that a real believer must understand? Why does Jesus tells us to "be perfect?" What is the difference between real and false religion?...

Are you a Borderline Believer? Part II Hebrews 5:13-14 Purpose: To demonstrate that a lack of passion for God’s Word indicates an absence of a relationship with Christ. Aim: I want the listener to see if their commitment to Christ is valid. INTRODUCTION: Could I see a show of hands: How many ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:13-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Using Money To Direct Our Hearts Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jul 25, 2022

Jesus tells us not to store up treasure on earth but to store up treasure in heaven. Doing that is certainly a much better investment! But an even bigger reason to do that is that where we put out treasure directs our hearts.

We’re continuing in our series in the Sermon on the Mount and today we’re having the last talk in the series for the time being. Today, I’m going to focus on the first three verses of today’s passage, verses 19-21, and one phrase in particular. In v.19, Jesus says, ‘DON’T store up treasure on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

Habits Of Holiness: Goodness Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jun 19, 2025

For the next few weeks we want to focus on some Holy Habits - behaviors that we should seek to repeat often enough that they become automatic.

SEVEN HOLY HABITS: GOODNESS Introduction In 1898, A psychologist named Edward Thorndike conducted an experiment to study the behavior of animals - he chose cats. He would place each cat inside a device known as a puzzle box. The box was designed so that the cat could escape through a door by some ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Secret Of Joy In The Lord: "because Of Christ"

Contributed by Barnabas Park on Jun 20, 2025

The secret to joy in the Lord lies in two truths: living out the purpose for which Jesus died—so that we may enjoy abundant life—and making the pursuit of knowing Jesus our highest priority

The Secret of Joy in the Lord: "Because of Christ" (Philippians 3:7-11) 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11, Philippians 3:2, John 10:10-11, John 10:27

Denomination: Baptist