Sermons on Hands Up:

Funeral Service: Step-Up

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 5, 2022

“Had I given up in that season of the loss of my first wife, had I given up and thrown [away] [God’s] strength and just started to living into addictions and living into my feelings and going out and living how I wanted to, I would not be living in the promises that I’m living today.”

The spiritual step-up is increasing one’s faith and prayer life and service to God when a tragedy or trial hits you, like the death of a loved one. Admittedly, when life gets too heavy, it's hard to step up, so Jesus invites us to lighten our load so we can take a step in faith. And, Anna, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:36

Denomination: Catholic

Dead Church Wake Up! Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jan 23, 2022

When a church has a good reputation, much activity and past accomplishment it does not guarantee a spiritually alive church.

George Barna in his book Turnaround Churches, profiles thirty churches that were about to die and made a turnaround. He compares dying churches to the Sears Catalogue. For about 100 years Sears was the symbol of mail order catalogue business. They introduced their mail order catalogue in 1894. For ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Take Up His Cross

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Nov 11, 2015

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Matthew 16:21 - 28 v.24 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Holiness

An Ode To The Messed-Up Church Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 11, 2020

This passage details the numerous efforts the Paul made to get the Corinthians back on track and the harsh reality that some churches are just a mess.

- Maybe start with the story of Pastor Mark and church “J.” THE SITUATION FOR THIS MESSED-UP CHURCH: 1. Paul handled his ministry there with integrity. - 2 Corinthians 12:11-12, 17-19. 2. Paul sacrificed for them. - 2 Corinthians 12:13, 14b, 15-16. 3. This was not the first time he’d tried ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Hope Laid Up For You Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Apr 26, 2022

In the times and cultures of the Colossian church, hope was a commodity hard to come by. In his letter to them, Paul instructs them where they can find the kind of hope no one can rob from them.

I. Introduction A. There is a story about how the caverns north of Yellowstone National Park were discovered. As the story goes, one of the original explorers was walking along the top of that mountain and fell through a hole, and he dropped down several hundred feet into this cavern and ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-8, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 10:17

The Cross We Take Up Series

Contributed by Mike Lewis on Dec 27, 2022

These men had taken up their cross to follow Jesus. And that is the title of our sermon this morning. The Cross We Take Up.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION THROUGH THE GATES OF SPLENDOR It was the summer of 1950 when Jim Elliot learned of the Auca Indians and many of the Quichua tribes living throughout the jungles of Ecuador. He was asked to consider a calling to preach the Gospel to these people. After learning their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-25, Romans 12:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Kneel Down To Rise Up

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 17, 2022

When that blue-haired grandma gets more rewards than the celebrity pastor you will wish you were weak, base and foolish.

1 Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Acts 4:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

Going Up To The Real Temple

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 15, 2023

Lepers were outsiders. They were ostracized from society, and could not enter either Temple or synagogue.

Wednesday of the 32nd week in Course 2023 Ten lepers came as near to Jesus as they dared. That would have been fifty to eighty meters. Their chronic skin condition, maybe Hansen’s disease as we see such infections these days, has ruined their social and religious lives. They were ostracized from ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Catholic

Setting Up Idols In Bethel

Contributed by Samuel M on Jul 10, 2023

First, Jeroboam built two idols and placed them in Bethel and Dan. Bethel means House of God and Dan means He judged. In the House of God, Jeroboam erected an idol—the golden calf. Jeroboam setup up a new altar to offer sacrifices before the golden calf.

Then he made two golden calves, and he said to the people, “Going to Jerusalem is too difficult for you. Israel, here is your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” He set up one in Bethel, and put the other in Dan. 1 Kings 12:28,29 First, Jeroboam built two idols and placed them in Bethel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:28

When God Shows Up Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Feb 2, 2024

We live in both a physical realm and a spiritual realm. So, depend on the Spirit to empower and lead you in all aspects of your life.

WHEN GOD SHOWS UP Text: Acts 14:1-7 Introduction 1. Illustration: Early in my ministry, my mentor was a Pastor named John McEwen. At the time, Tina and I were attending his church, and there had been some trouble in the church. One day, I went and sat in his office and told him that I was dumb ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

Build Each Other Up

Contributed by Nettie J Pennington on Oct 26, 2024

This message is about freedom and bearing the burdens of others. “It is for freedom Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:1, NIV).

Father God, Lord Jesus, hallowed is Your holy name. We patiently wait for Your kingdom to come and Your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. We thank You, Lord, for calling us to Your Ministry of Reconciliation. Lord, we pray for a renewal in the spirit of everyone called by Your name. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-2, Galatians 5:1, Galatians 6:2

Denomination: Other

Filling Up What Is Lacking Series

Contributed by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije-Misigaro Joel on Jan 6, 2023

In the Christian life, and in the biblical narrative, we see God perfecting all in his work, “man shall not be alone” and even after creating the helper to Adam, in Adam and Eve fall, God still working to cover them for their own shame from leaves cover to animal skin cover.

FILLING UP WHAT IS LACKING Written by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije-Misigaro Joel on January 6, 2023 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” Colossians 1:24 (ESV) In ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:24

Denomination: Pentecostal

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 11, 2025

Jim Eliot, once famously wrote in his diary on 28th October 1949: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose” . And Jesus says something similar in this morning's Gospel reading

Lk 14:25-33 Take up your cross and follow me Jim Eliot, an American missionary who was killed on 8th January 1956 taking the Gospel to the Waodani people in Ecuador - once famously wrote in his diary on 28th October 1949: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep To gain that which he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Anglican

Clean Me Up, Lord

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 28, 2025

As we commemorate all Christians who have died and are not yet enjoying the Beatific Vision, we look forward to our own passage from this life and our hope that we can quickly be cleansed and admitted to the divine presence.

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed 2025 One of the important concepts that our culture has lost over the past hundred years is that of an “intergenerational covenant.” We see it peeking through from time to time in the headlines, most recently in terms of our multi-trillion-dollar national ...read more

Scripture: John 6:37-40, Romans 5:5-11, Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

Opening Up The Ancient Gates

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 15, 2025

Some spiritual gates and doors control access to destinies, blessings, and divine encounters. These gates can either open to allow divine intervention or remain shut, causing stagnation and delay.

OPENING UP THE ANCIENT GATES By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 24:7–10 "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:7-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God