Sermons on Half Dressed:

The Palms Of Hope

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 20, 2005

This is an original story sermon, inspired by the "news from Lake Wobegon", with some serious reflection about what Palm Sunday meant for Jesus and for us.

The Palms of Hope…Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Michael Harris was the long-time pastor of Hope Community Church, a modest congregation in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, in the small town of Paradise. It hadn’t looked much like Paradise for a very ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-16

Denomination: Congregational

Balancing God & Life

Contributed by Chad West on Jun 14, 2004

How do you balance God and life? Is there such a thing?

Plato had a this idea of how we should look at the world called Dualism. He said that there is this physical world—the one we see—and a spiritual world that we don’t see. The body and the soul, he would say, are distinct and unconnected things. We’ve adopted this idea and begun to believe that ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-17, Colossians 3:23

Denomination: Baptist

Vigilance

Contributed by William Baeta on Nov 5, 2002

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” Matthew 25:13.

Theme: Vigilance Text: Pr. 2:6-15; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Matt. 25:1-13 One of the greatest problems facing many people in the world today is procrastination. It is always putting off what needs to be done or hoping to do tomorrow what should have been done yesterday forgetting that tomorrow may be too ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13, Proverbs 2:6-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Family Resemblance

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Mar 14, 2009

Has anyone ever told you that you look like your Mom or your Dad? It is a wonderful thing that God has made us in such a way that we bare resemblance to our family

A Family Resemblance John 8:31-59 For several weeks now we spent a great deal of time in the Old Testament learning about the origins of our faith and the Fathers of the Faith (the Patriarchs). Some of you may have enjoyed all that history and all the dirty laundry that is in our spiritual family ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-59

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

“pure Religion Rejoices With The People Of God” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Jun 29, 2015

James tells us that pure religion sees the ground as level at the foot of the cross.

“Honor God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you.” - Romans 15:7 (CEV) In discussing “pure religion,” James shares the same idea as Paul. Pure religion recognizes the “ground is level at the foot of the cross.” 1. An exhortation - v. 1 By ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Message To Sardis: The Church With Reputation But Dying Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jul 11, 2012

Sardis had the reputation of being a highly respected church, but it was dead and lifeless.

Have you ever been in a church that was dead or dying? How does that happen? Usually it happens when a church gets satisfied with itself, with keeping things the way they have always been. This is usually a church that rests on its laurels and its past history, that revels in what used to be? ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Dirty Dancing

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jul 9, 2018

Herodias thought she won the day when John the Baptist was beheaded.

Dirty Dancing Mark 6:14-29 John the Baptist had been thrown into prison not long after he had identified Jesus as the Messiah. Having been given the great privilege by God to introduce the bridegroom to God’s people, the bride, John’s role was essentially done. He realized this and said as much in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When Christ Comes In Victory (Advent 1, 2017).

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 14, 2020

In our world, there are rivaling kingdoms! The world’s darkness rivals the light of Christ, His light and His truth with what is counterfeit.

WHEN CHRIST COMES IN VICTORY Text: Mark 13:24-37 “ The story is told about one of the episodes of the French Revolution. A “… maddened crowd burst into one of the picture galleries of Paris, intent on devilry, destruction and death, they paused irresolute on the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: United Methodist

Are You Of The Truth?

Contributed by Reggie Corfield on Nov 22, 2024

Truth is the very character and essence of God which makes him trustworthy. The word of God and the incarnate word of God (Jesus) is truth. Truth is absolute and timeless. We cannot bend or twist the truth. It does not change from time to time to fit the circumstances.

When Jesus stood before Pilate, one of the questions Pilate asked was: ““Are you a king, then!” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” And then in the next verse, ...read more

Scripture: John 8:12-19, John 14:6, John 18:33-39

Denomination: Anglican

Romantic And Religious Fragrance Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

The sense we want to focus on in greater detail is one that we seldom think of, but it is a primary factor in both romantic and religious love, and that is the sense of smell.

In the tale of the Beauty and the Beast the horrible looking creature with 7 horns in his forehead begs the beautiful young maiden he has carried away to kiss him. She, of course, refuses to kiss such ugliness, and the beast goes away. She saw it no more until one day she found it lying ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 1:3

Of Specks And Planks

Contributed by Ken Gehrels on Jul 24, 2001

What are the attitudes that surround so much of our judging of each other?

Questions Jesus Asked: Of Specks And Planks Bible Reading: Matthew 7: 1-5 PREPARED BY KEN GEHRELS PASTOR CALVIN CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH NEPEAN, ONTARIO Questions, questions, questions - always, it seems, another question. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Exciting Promise Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 17, 2001

It went just like in the cantatas... except of a couple of small things. (Good physical illustration toward the end that can be used in almost any Christmas sermon)

OPEN: (I began the sermon by bringing out a gaily wrapped golf bag, complete with clubs & irons - I tried hard to make sure it was fairly obvious what was wrapped)Then I asked: “Does anybody know what’s in the package?” The audience seemed to enjoy the humor of the obvious. Then I gave this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

David, Low, Tough, And Tender Series

Contributed by Edwin Amundson on Aug 9, 2002

Our Hero of the faith today, David, will teach us a lesson in humility, but also a lesson in strength and faith.

HEROES OF THE FAITH 7: ?DAVID---LOW, TOUGH AND TENDER! 1 SAMUEL 16:6-12 JOKE--- Deep within a forest a little turtle began to climb a tree. After hours of effort he reached the top, jumped into the air waving his front legs and crashed to the ground. After recovering, he slowly climbed the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

A Wayfaring Man

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 27, 2004

This sermon illustrates that those involved in adultery will always destroy many things in their lives.

The Wayfaring Man 2 Samuel 12:1-6 And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: 3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Defeating Distrust Series

Contributed by Chip Monck on May 3, 2006

A spirit of distrust can rest upon the body of Christ: inside the church, between churches, across a city. This message explores a challenge to trust Joshua experienced.

Turn to Joshua 22. One chapter. One passage. One story. One point to the message. A few practical steps we can take. (Touched on the importance of finding the stories in the midst of dry texts: such as geneologies, territory boundaries, etc. For example, Joshua 22.) - Narrated/Story Told ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 22:1-34

Denomination: Wesleyan