Sermons on Hard Knocks:

Approaching Mount Zion

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

We need to be reminded that we come into the presence of God every time we worship.

Introduction: In a scene out of the book Tom Sawyer, Tom had gone to Sunday school and church at the demand of Aunt Polly. After Sunday school, Tom and his brother Sid went to the auditorium to sit under the watchful eye of Aunt Polly. Next we read Tom’s description of public worship. He says ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith That Doesn't Have To Touch

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

Can reasonable people believe the things that are crucial to Christian faith? The answer is yes.

Introduction: I want to begin the lesson by reading a passage from John 20 that will introduce the topic I want us to explore this morning, namely this: Can reasonable people believe the things that are crucial to Christian faith? “Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Judge Not That You Be Not Judged

Contributed by Alan Smith on Aug 16, 2002

Jesus’ words condemn a certain type of judgment, but there are limits to our tolerance.

Introduction: A few years ago, a congregation of the Lord’s church in Oklahoma disfellowshiped a woman for immorality. When she filed a lawsuit against the church, the story made all the national news media. One of the shows to give the lawsuit coverage was Phil Donahue and on that show, I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6, Matthew 7:7-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Passing The Test

Contributed by Ryan Johnson on Aug 26, 2002

Message on Endurance and Love.

Passing the Test Adapted from John Ortberg’s message Intro: Read Matt 15:21-28 How many of you think Jesus seems a little rude here? Be honest. Boy are you in trouble. Let me explain what’s going on in this passage. Among other things, Jesus is the greatest teacher to ever lived. I don’t ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Life Outside

Contributed by Mike Hays on Aug 29, 2002

Christ calls us to come outside of the norm of everyday life and take our stand with Him...alone.

Life Outside Hebrews 13:10-16 Dietrich Bonhoeffer was born into a family where faith was not much of a concern or topic of conversation, but as a 14 year old, Dietrich Bonhoeffer announced that he was going to be a pastor and theologian. His family was stunned and his older brother tried to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:10-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Way Is The Best Way Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Aug 29, 2002

Ruth, Pt. 3

GOD’S WAY IS THE BEST WAY (RUTH 2:1-13, 3:6-15) My wife and I did not marry young. We were in our 30s when we met each other. She was from Orange County and I was from Los Angeles County, and the chances of our meeting, knowing, and befriending each other were pretty remote. After graduating from ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Community Of Grace

Contributed by Gary Regazzoli on Aug 29, 2002

We are called to live in and develop a community of grace

Romans 12:9-21 – A Community of Grace The Soap Maker • A minister and a soap maker went for a walk together. The soap maker said, "what good is Christianity? Look at all the trouble and misery of the world! Still there, even after years--thousands of years--of teaching about goodness and truth and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-21

Denomination: Christian Church

"Three Prayers For The Ephesians" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Aug 31, 2002

Three things we can be praying for one another. (#11 in the "Every Spiritual Blessing" series)

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.” A very interesting thing happened to me ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:18-19

Denomination: Orthodox

"Have We Forgotten?"

Contributed by Mike Hays on Sep 16, 2002

Just one year ago church attendance and talk about God skyrocketed as we dealt with the uncertainty of life after the attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon. People prayed, read God’s Word, and called upon God from churches, schools, and even government b

“Have We Forgotten?” Luke 17:11-19 One year ago churches all over America were calling special times of prayer. Talk about God and His promises of peace and protection were echoing throughout the land. People who normally would not have given God a thought, were suddenly struck with an urgent ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Verses Self-Centered Religion

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 16, 2002

Jesus attacked self centered religion and warns us not to be apart of the traditions of men because their motives are self-centered not God-centered. Scripture

Jesus verses Self-centered Religion Thesis: Jesus attacked self centered religion and warns us not to be apart of the traditions of men because their motives are self-centered not God-centered. Scripture Texts: Matthew 9:2-17: 1Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-17, Luke 19:41-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sell Out Or Sold Out

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Sep 17, 2002

This sermon deals with our commitment level to follow Jesus Christ. How much are we willing to give up for Him?

Sell Out, Or Sold Out 7/28/2002 Genesis 26:1-11 Luke 14:25-33 Matthew 13:44-47 If somebody asked you, on a scale of one to 10, with one being very low and 10 being the highest rating you could have, “how sold out to Jesus are you”, what number would you give yourself? Now if the same ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-48, Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Marriage Is Working To Keep A Vow!

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Sep 17, 2002

This sermon deals with the importance of our vows that we make in marriage.

Marriage Is Working To Keep A Vow GNLCC 6/30/2003 Proverbs 5:15-19 Ephesians 5:21-33 One day two little kids were playing outside with sticks. They pretended they were great pirates with long pointed swords. All was going well until Billy got a little too close and accidentally ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 5:15-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Immoralaphobia

Contributed by Rolland Bouchard on Oct 7, 2002

This is a look at the world’s view of immorality, and our response. I pull no punches in this sermon! I tell it like it is.

IMMORALAPHOBIA October 6th,2002 AIM: To encourage the congregation to flee from immorality just as lot did. OPEN: a) Welcome and announcements. b) Directions…compass illusion c) The world wants us to go one way when God is calling us another way. d) Today we are going to be looking at ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Master's Touch Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Oct 9, 2002

Three touches of Jesus that we need in our lives.

Note: This sermon was introduced with the Michael Card song "The Gentle Healer." Think about the words to the song we just sang: "Your touch is all I need, and when your hands are on this child, your healing I receive." Today we’re going to talk about the touch of Jesus. We’ve been in a series ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:29-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When The Storms Of Life Are Raging Series

Contributed by Joanna Loucky-Ramsey on Nov 4, 2002

When the storms of life threaten to swamp our boat, we can choose fear or faith. With Jesus in the same boat with us, we can be sure we will make it to the other shore.

Have you ever had one of those days? Perhaps you can identify with this fellow: I am writing in response to your request for additional information. In block number 3 of the accident reporting form, I put “Poor planning” as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should ...read more

Denomination: Baptist