Sermons on Harsh:

Focus Your Faith

Contributed by Richard Burkey on May 26, 2005

This encounter between Jesus and a leading Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus deals with focus questions. Who is Jesus? What is His purpose? What exactly does Jesus come to do?

Focus Your Faith John 3:1-17 (New International Version) 1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Fear Not, Therefore; You Are Of More Value Than Many Sparrows

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Jun 13, 2005

A sermon for the 5th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 7 We are valuable to God

5th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 7 Matthew 10:24-39 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows   24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

Denomination: Lutheran

It's All In How You Look At It Series

Contributed by John Hamby on May 25, 2004

Attitude that determines whether we have joy in our circumstances.

Restoring the Joy Sermon # 2 It’s All In How You Look At It Philippians 1:12-20 In today’s message we note that it is attitude that determines whether we have joy in our circumstances. But by attitude we do not mean a foolish ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-20

Denomination: Baptist

Honoring God's Name--Part 2 Series

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Jun 7, 2004

According to the Prophet Malachi, to honor God’s name requires recognizing his Lordship over our worship, our words, our marriages, and our money.

Hallowed Be Thy Name (Honoring God’s Name--Part 2) Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Introduction: We are in the midst of a study of the Lord’s Prayer and the principles that we can learn about our praying from the prayer that Jesus taught his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Family Life At Thessalonica Series

Contributed by Alan Mccann on Jun 29, 2004

Family Life at Thessalonica according to Paul

I THESSALONIANS 512-28 Paul’s favourite way of describing the Christian church is that of a family. Just as in physical life you are born into a family so in the family of God you are born, born again, into this family. In his final exhortations to the believers at Thessalonica Paul speaks to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Grace Sufficient

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Aug 7, 2004

God not only showers us with Saving Grace but also with Enabling Grace. No matter how difficult situations may become, His grace is sufficient to meet every need.

GRACE SUFFICIENT—Numbers 33:50-56 and II Corinthians 12:1-10 I have always appreciated Robert Frost’s poem “The Death of the Hired Man” since first reading it as a junior in high school. Frost portrays three characters in his poem: Warren, a New England farmer; his wife Mary; and Silas their ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

Difficulties In Prayer Series

Contributed by Alan Mccann on Sep 7, 2004

why do we encounter difficulties in prayer - sin, disobedience, wrong relationships, wrong motives, loss of focus

DIFFICULTIES IN PRAYER Isn’t it amazing the excuses you can find not to do something. I am constantly amazed at my ability to find reasons why I should not do administration. Or why it would be better not to go running and just to read a book. But what is not so amazing is how easily reasons not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:11-22

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

A Test Of Will Series

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Sep 10, 2004

Jonah exibits free will when he runs from God. God will not make you do anything, but he will encourage you.

A Test of Will For the past couple of weeks we have been taking some of the Bible stories that we normally think of as children’s stories. We looking are at them from an adult point of view. Today we are picking up with Jonah. What do we know about Jonah from this scripture? From all we can ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Congregational

Whipping The Slave Again

Contributed by Matthew Morine on Mar 15, 2005

Does the one talent slave deserve another whipping? He did hide the master’s talent. But why did he hide it? Fear cripples. So God is going to work through the Gentiles now. Take that Pharisees.

WHIPPING THE SLAVE AGAIN TEXT: MATTHEW 25:14-30 THEME: AN FALSE VIEW OF GOD CAUSES A LACK OF SERVICE. Should we give the one talent slave in Matthew 25:14-30 another whipping? We can get the whip out and provide another lashing for his lack of faithful service to his master. We can beat ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:15-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Am I Really A Christ-Follower?" Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Apr 10, 2005

Our Lord, our Leader, our Savior, our Forgiver...do we really follow in His steps?

“Am I Really a Christ-Follower?” Matthew 5:43-48 Has anyone done something to you recently that was just wrong? Something that hurt you, harmed you? Made you angry? How about something a long time ago? A deep and lasting hurt that penetrated deep into your heart and soul? Anything come to mind? It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Things Of God Or The Things Of Men? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 20, 2005

What the most difficult problem that faces the church today? Its that we try to do God’s will by using human means. Learn how not the short-circuit God’s way of growing you.

For more Bible studies and an audio version of this study go to: http://www.livingwatersweb.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=101&TapeNumber=2004-010 One of the biggest problems in the church today is trying to accomplish God’s will using human methods. We are fooled into ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:1-38

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

If You ... You Might Be

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 29, 2003

Done in "Jeff Foxworthy" style: If your religion is all in the head, if you think your good deeds mask your sin, you may be a lost person.

Jesus said some very tough things. He could be very demanding, very harsh. Jesus could also be funny. He didn’t draw back from using humor if it would make his point. He was tough! He was blunt! He minced no words! And so if your image of Jesus is Warner Sallman’s “Head of Christ”, bland and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Tower Of Babel

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Aug 26, 2003

The Tower of Babel is a life parable telling of the dangers of the Spirit of the Age - Poverty of Spirituality and Pride of Life - and the chaos it brings which only Christ’s redemption can right.

The story of the Tower of Babel is a sad description of breakdown of fellowship, growing isolation and confusion. It all results from human beings’ failing to live in dependence on God, becoming proud of their achievements and determined to be the source of their own security. That was the root ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirituality Of Stephen

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Sep 1, 2003

There were certain traits in the life of Stephen that revealed his spirituality. These traits should be a part of the makeup of every child of God.

The Spirituality Of Stephen Text: Acts 7: 55-60 Intro: In my opinion, Stephen is one of the finest examples of spirituality in the entire Bible. He was one of the first deacons of the early Church in Jerusalem. The Bible describes Stephen as one who was full of the Holy Spirit, faith, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:55-60

Denomination: Baptist

Truth@work Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Sep 1, 2003

Work. It’s a four-letter word to many people. But it doesn’t have to be that way. God wants us to go through even our work life energized, passionate, and joyful. Here’s how.

Yesterday, I was in the checkout line at Guan Eagle. I said to the cashier, a young man in his 20s, “How are you.” “I’m here.” Work. It’s a four-letter word to many people in NE Ohio. But it doesn’t have to be that way. God doesn’t want it to be that way for you. He wants us to go through ...read more

Denomination: Baptist