Sermons on Gratitude:

The Examined Life

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Feb 5, 2006

The hard commands of Jesus are best understood as being directed to the church, which should be a Community of Grace. This sermon addresses Jesus’ teaching on lust, sin and adultery.

The Examined Life in the Community of Grace Our key scripture today suggested to me the sermon title, The Examined Life”. You may have heard of this saying by Socrates, an ancient philosopher: “The unexamined life is not worth living." It struck me that, in some very strong language, what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Vision And The Gift Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Mar 23, 2006

David gives us the example of sacrificial giving when he made plans to build the Temple.

Building on Faith: The Vision and The Gift 1 Chronicles 29 King David of Israel casts a long shadow as a pivotal person of human history. A man of passion, bright victory and bitter failure, he reminds us across 3,000 years of the influence of leadership and sacrifice in a cause of worth. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 29:1

Denomination: Methodist

Just What The Doctor Ordered: Unity In The Spirit

Contributed by Ned Bartlebaugh on Apr 20, 2007

Encourage the church to unite together and fulfill it’s purpose.

Just What the Doctor Ordered: Unity in the Spirit Ephesians 4:1-16 August 17, 2003 Humor A severe rash prompted a man from a rural area to come to town to be examined by one of my colleagues. After the usual history-taking followed by a series of test, the physician advised the patient that he ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

One In The Spirit: God Shows No Partiality

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Apr 22, 2007

This sermon compares Peter’s ministry with Cornelius in Acts 10 to the open door God is giving our congregation to be partners in ministry with a Hispanic speaking congregation.

One in the Spirit: God Shows No Partiality --Acts 10:34-48 On Sunday evening, January 27, 2002, Olympic gymnasts Mary Lou Retton-Kelley, Kerri Strug, and Bart Conner appeared on the Celebrity version of the TV Reality-Game Show “The Weakest Link,” along with five other famous Olympic athletes. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34-48

Denomination: Methodist

Loving The Bretheren 2 Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Jan 18, 2005

A Series on the Family of Faith inspired by the "Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren.

16, May 2004 Dakota Community Church Love in the Family of God Part Two: Loving the Brethren – B. Opening Illustration: What is the church? Russ Blowers is a minister who is active in his local Indianapolis Rotary club. At club meetings each week a member gives a brief statement about his job. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Denomination: Mennonite

Mirror, Mirror Series

Contributed by Mary Lewis on Aug 4, 2003

An Introduction to a series on the Ten Commandments: The Scriptures show us who we really are, that God might transform us.

Mirror, Mirror Intro – Mirrors, Morning Rituals What’s the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? Whatever it is, it’s probably the same thing every day. Everybody seems to have their own morning rituals to get them going. Maybe you have to have a cup of coffee before you can do ...read more

Scripture: James 1:21-25

Denomination: Baptist

Let's Make A Deal

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 14, 2005

Parable of the dishonest manager: The Kingdom of God works on different principles than we’re used to. Efficiency, practicality, and self-interest are not the core values of the Kingdom. God expects a lot more for us (and from us) than we expect him to.

There was a rich man. This man was so rich that he didn’t make his own bed. He had a personal maid who did that. He didn’t make his own dinner. He had a personal chef who did that. He didn’t drive his own car. He had a chauffeur who did that. He didn’t balance his own checkbook. He had a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Don't You Know?

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Dec 18, 2005

Three things we learn about Jesus from this childhood account.

Luke 2:40-52 Didn’t You Know? Woodlawn Baptist Church December 18, 2005 Introduction Several years ago the Journal of the American Medical Association published an article by Dr. Paul Ruskin on the Stages of Aging. In the article, Dr. Ruskin described a case study he had presented to his students ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:40-52

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming Fearless & Risky Series

Contributed by Scott Brewer on Aug 19, 2007

Taking relational risks to love others well results in our having confidence in facing the day of judgment.

An Incarnational, Missional People “Becoming Fearless & Risky” 1 John 4:7-21 Patrick Henry Hughes is 18 years old. He was born without eyes and without the ability to straighten his arms and legs and consequently cannot walk. Despite these circumstances Patrick has overcome these limitations and ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21

Denomination: Baptist

God's Story Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 8, 2007

Stephen’s martyrdom as a Thanksgiving sermon

God’s Story: Experiencing Biblical Community Acts 6:8-7:60 Intro: A 4 year old boy was asked to return thanks before Thanksgiving dinner. The family members bowed their heads in expectation. He began his prayer, thanking the Lord for all his friends, naming them one by one. Then he thanked the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Eat, Drink, And Be Merry

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Sep 18, 2007

When our wants become more important than other people’s needs, we are no longer focused on God or following Jesus. We’re following ourselves in a meaningless cycle to get more things to leave behind when we die.

Other Scripture used: Ecclesiastes 1:12-14;2:1-23 Psalm 49 Colossians 3:(5-11)12-17 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen. (Psalm 19:14) There’s an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Serving Together Series

Contributed by Todd Stiles on Nov 14, 2006

Discover the truest meaning of a New Testament slave in this topical message about serving the Lord.

[SHOW VIDEO OF CHURCH MEMBERS SERVING IN DIFFERENT WAYS] How inspiring to see so many of you serving each other in our church and in our community – and thus serving God! And that is our focus today – serving. So today, I want us to look at what it means to serve together. So take out your Bible, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

How The Kingdom Works: Part 2 – Spiritual Gifts (Mythbusters Version) Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 11, 2007

What does it take to make the Kingdom of God work? it takes you, and me.

How The Kingdom Works: Part 2 – Spiritual Gifts (MythBusters Version) 1 Pet 4:8-11 Feb 11, 2007 Intro: What does it take to make a Kingdom work? Let me sum up last week’s sermon in one sentence: God’s Kingdom really does work! I believe it, I’ve seen it very recently. It really works, it ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Stop The Madness Part Ii Series

Contributed by Christopher Lanham on Nov 28, 2006

In our passage this morning Paul writes to the Thessalonians and says that about times and dates he did not need to write to them, for they knew very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. Time and dates. The real centerpiece

Stop the Madness, Part II 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Cascades Fellowship CRC, JX MI July 13th, 2003 Last week, I mentioned that “End Times Fever” was nothing new to the Christian church. Listen to this list which gives expression to that very point – (read article on list of end times ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Seven Deadly Sins And The Nine Noble Virtues

Contributed by Neil Richardson on Mar 12, 2008

We see how no virtue is ultimately pleasing to God outside of the Spirit of Christ working in us.

Ecclesiastes 4:1-5:7 Beulah 5 August 2001 Also read: Galatians 5:16-26 A. Intro Topsy turvy, confusing: Should we pursue pleasure? Work? Wisdom? Madness? The Mesopotamian story End of chapter 3, Qoheleth is despairing, putting man on level with beasts, forcing us to accept that, with the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist