Sermons on Harry Houdini:

God Restores Elijah / Preparation

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 3, 2020

In this first-of-two talks we look at some of the initial things that helped Elijah recover from depression. They are things we can also do. They paved the way for God to address the root cause of the problem: Elijah's sense of failure.

INTRODUCTION We’re now onto the second talk in our series called ‘Bible Stories for Grown-Ups.’ In these talks we’re going back to some of the famous stories in the Old Testament which we may have heard as children, perhaps at home or at Sunday School. The idea is to take a fresh look at them as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Voice That Leads Me

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jul 19, 2025

That’s what a shepherd is. That’s what a shepherd does. The Shepherd speaks to us with a voice that we cannot ignore. He says, “Relax, I’m your Shepherd. Don’t think about another thing. I have everything under control. Relax. No worries.”

We all want people to tell us the truth. There was a police officer that pulled a car over and he walked up to the window and said to the man driving, “Sir, can I see your driver's license?” The man said, “Sure. What is the problem officer?” The officer said, “Well, you were going 75 mph in a ...read more

Scripture: John 10:22-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Paradox In God's Greatness Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Jan 28, 2004

God’s plan of salvation for us is great.

THE PARADOX IN GOD’S GREATNESS I Corinthians 1:26-2:5 (I Corinthians 1:18-25) S: Salvation Th: Live the Difference Pr: GOD’S PLAN FOR SALVATION FOR HIS PEOPLE IS GREAT! ?: How? How does it happen? KW: Options TS: We will find in our study of I Corinthians 1:18 – 2:5 three options God does not ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Abuse Of Power - That Ain't Right Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 31, 2005

Halloween is a fun time that permeates our culture.... and it also has its dark and sinister side. Yet even Halloween’s dark side pales compared to an even worse threat of the occult in our nation.

OPEN: Tomorrow is October 31st. It is best known as the day of Halloween, but it also the day on which other significant events have taken place. · In 1938 Orson Welles broadcast his famous “War of the Worlds” that caused much of the United States to become panicked by the possibility that Mars ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:9-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Am Able! Series

Contributed by Brad Froese on Jun 28, 2006

Believe that God can accomplish the impossible in your life through Jesus Christ...

(Part 3 of a 3-part Prayer Series: “3 Myths of Unanswered Prayer”) (Myths: I: God isn’t listening. II: God doesn’t care. III: God can’t / isn’t willing to...) Today’s sermon: “Part III of the Unanswered Prayer series: I AM Able.” God is the great I AM and HE wants you to know HE IS ABLE to ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:27

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus And The Post-Resurrection Fish-Fry

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Apr 26, 2009

Jesus appeared on the beach as an intervention to keep the disciples from missing out on Pentecost and going off-the-track of ministering to the entire world.

This is going to seem like a strange question, but how many of you have heard of “The Amazing Randi?” He was a stage magician, “mentalist,” and escape artist (in the tradition of Houdini). He once escaped from a block of ice and once escaped from a straitjacket while hanging upside-down over ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-23

Denomination: *other

The Voice

Contributed by Mike Hays on Apr 23, 2004

Wisdom cries out in the streets and invites us to listen to the Voice that desires to teach, lead, and protect us from those that will try and entice and lure us into destruction.

The Voice Proverbs 1:20-33 As we continue our study of Proverbs today we hear a new voice—the voice of Wisdom. Wisdom is presented to us as a person, Lady Wisdom, who calls out at the entrance to the city to all of those who pass by and are heading into dangerous surroundings. If you will remember ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:20-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be All That You Can Be Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Sep 27, 2002

Making a difference.. with God!

BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE 1 SAMUEL 16:14-23 INTRODUCTION: (Use Yoda - Great Warrior - video trailer - 27 seconds - optional) You’d have to be living under a rock not to have heard of Star Wars, but if you are not “into” the Star Wars saga you may not know that the two-foot tall, 800+year old ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:14-23

Denomination: Christian Church

Good Things About The Da Vinci Code Fad

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Apr 28, 2006

This fad shows us how we can connect to this world’s fascination with the story of Jesus.

Good Things About The Da Vinci Code Fad By now perhaps you have heard about the extremely popular novel, The Da Vinci Code written by Dan Brown. I was toying around with the idea of doing this message on Palm Sunday, when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey colt. I was going to title that ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Older Brother

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Nov 23, 2010

Have we as the Church become the older brother? Do we refuse to join the party, pointing to our service, sacrifices and sinlessness?

THE OLDER BROTHER Farmer Joe was in a serious accident and decided to take the trucking company responsible for the accident to court. In court, the trucking company’s lawyer was questioning farmer Joe. "Didn’t you say, at the scene of the accident, ’I’m fine’?," ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:25-32

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

"Its Time To Build!" Haggai Pt 1 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 1, 2008

The church faces the same issue that Haggai did in his time the believers have convinced themselves that it’s not the right time to work on the House of the Lord. The believers in Haggai’s day put off work on God’s House to focus on their own homes. Today

“It’s Time to Build” Haggai pt 1 Opening Thought - From Sermoncentral.com: Let me share a story with you about some church people… It’s about 4 people in the church whose names were Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody… The church had some financial responsibilities and Everybody was asked ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Can't We Just Be Friends Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 1, 2015

The Bible repeatedly warns us to be very careful about the kind of friends we choose. But does that mean we should never make friends of non-Christians?

OPEN: Some time back in Germany a couple of women were driving down the autobahn when they realized they were low on gas. So they pulled over to a gas station and the driver filled her car up with gas. But then she discovered that she did not have enough money to pay the bill. So she asked her ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 13:20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How God Turns Failure Into Favor Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2014

Failure isn’t final and it isn’t fatal. God can bring you back from failure.

INTRODUCTION This is the fourth message is the series from 1 Thessalonians which I’ve entitled, “Finding Hope in a Hopeless World.” In this message we’re going to talk about “How God Turns Failure into Favor.” I don’t even know if kids in school take home ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

When It Comes To God's Law, Everything Hangs On Love Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jan 19, 2023

1. We must have godly love for our Master (vs. 34-38). 2. We must have godly love for other people (vs. 39). 3. We must receive God's love for ourselves (vs. 37-40).

When It Comes to God's Law, Everything Hangs on Love The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-37 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared January 19, 2023) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 22, thinking about the supreme importance God places on love. By this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

"What's Love Got To Do With It?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 7, 2004

Love has everything to do with it.

John 13:31-35 “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” By: Rev. ken Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA www.parkview-umc.org “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Perhaps more than any other single verse in the New Testament, this one should cause us to ...read more

Scripture: John 13:31-35

Denomination: United Methodist