Sermons on Having Fun:

Reflection B.1 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? / How To Approach The Question

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

We should ask whether God has a purpose in coronavirus. It's a logical and reasonable question to ask. But we first need to think about how to even approach the question.

In my second Reflection I wrote: “Some Christians are asking why we’re experiencing this pandemic. Is coronavirus a judgement from God? Are we living in end times?” In my fifth Reflection I noted that the Daily Express [an English newspaper] had asked another question: “What does the Bible say ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection B.9 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? / The Siege Of Jerusalem By Rome

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

The story of the siege of Jerusalem by Rome reminds us that God judges. But it also tells us that in a time of judgement, God protects his people.

In an earlier 'Reflection' I mentioned that I would include a few Reflections on notable events in Christian history, mainly to give us a bit of variety. Today we’re going to have the first of those. The event is the siege of Jerusalem. In 66 A.D. a Roman prefect attempted to seize money ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

How Do We Get Back Up When We Have Fallen Down?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 20, 2023

A person may slip and stumble during their spiritual walk, just like a person can trip and tumble during their physical walk. But what happens afterward?

The genuine soul falls as an explorer may do, by faltering at some stone in his way. However, he gets up, and goes on his way with more consideration and speed. The writer might be utilizing the word “falls” not in the feeling of falling downward into transgression, yet in the feeling of being ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Could One Solitary Life Have So Much Impact - Christmas Eve

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Dec 24, 2023

Church members and friends can support St. John's By-the-Sea by visiting our website https://www.stjohnsbythesea.com/donate, where a donation can be made by PayPal or credit card, if you prefer that to mailing your donations to the church.

Good Evening, and welcome again to St. John’s Church. And, as you can tell, I love our Christmas Eve Service. The first one at St. John’s was in 1892, 130 years ago. This is only my 5th Christmas here, and I absolutely love how this service paints a picture. It really has a feel to it. As we close ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

The Father Gives Us The Two Greatest Gifts We Could Ever Have This Christmas

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 21, 2022

The Father gives us Jesus and the Holy Spirit for Christmas. What more do we need?

12.25.2022 Galatians 4:4–7 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son to be born of a woman, so that he would be born under the law, 5 in order to redeem those under the law, so that we would be adopted as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Commentary On Lot - Why Did Abraham's Nephew Have A Bad Ending To His Life

Contributed by Narinder Choranji on Nov 8, 2017

Lot began well but ended badly, how did this happen when his mentor was Abraham? There’s much to learn from Lot’s life.

** INTRODUCTION ** There are characters in the bible who started well and loved God but then in the end they turned away from God, such as Samson who gave into lust and Judas who gave into money. Lot also gave into money as we will see from this commentary. Lot's story is a sad one but we can ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Why Did Jesus Have To Die? Did Jesus Really Rise From The Dead? Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Nov 11, 2022

A message about Jesus' death and Resurrection

Starting Point Discussion One Jesus: Why Did He Have To Die Did He Really Rise From The Dead? In week one of starting point we answered the question: God - is He really out there? And when we laid out all of the evidence – our conclusion was YES He is out there and He is a powerful, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:45, 1 Corinthians 15:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Dangers Of Forgetting That You Have Been Cleansed - 2 Peter 1:9b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 22, 2025

When you have struggled with a problem for years and it seems like nothing you’ve tried has worked, it may be that what will work is a truth that’s already in your head, but you haven’t fully digested it.

2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, having made every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:9

"i Know The Plans I Have For You!" Does This Apply To Us?

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 10, 2025

God guides His people as they serve Him. The means of His guidance may vary, but it will never contradict what is given in His holy Word.

“I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” [1] Years ago, I read Herbert Lockyer’s delightful tome, “All the Promises of the Bible.” [2] In that book, Dr. Lockyer discussed what a promise is, cautioning that the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Baptist

Thanksgiving

Contributed by Greg Nance on Nov 30, 2008

Consider the duty, description and benefits of giving thanks to God.

Col 3:12 And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Entrust Your Time On Earth To The Triune God - Confirmation Series

Contributed by Peter Schmidt on May 23, 2005

This focuses more on the Confirmation aspect of this Sunday than the Trinity aspect. The basic thrust is how much better it is for these confirmands to follow the Triune God than the devil.

Confirmation – Trinity Sunday II Corinthians 13:11-14 Did you know that there were confirmation classes in the Bible? Of course, they didn’t look exactly like ours. They didn’t have a blue book filled with a lot of “What Does This Mean’s” and “This Is Most Certainly True’s.” But even in the early ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Decision Time

Contributed by Ralf Bergmann on Sep 8, 2004

One of the greatest problems that follow conversion, as well as the process of coming to a relationship with Jesus, and even throughout our walk with the Lord is the problem of self-forgiveness. WE have all had those thoughts: Jesus can’t possibly forgi

Sermon Title: Decision Time Text: Romans 8:1-9 Date: July 6, 2003 - EVENING Context of Scripture: As we prepare for what the Lord has for us in this section of the 8th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Roman church, the first nine verses, let me share the words of Charles Wesley in the Hymn “And ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-9

Denomination: *other

Jesus Said "It Is Finished Not I Am Finished!" Series

Contributed by Phillip Frye on Apr 7, 2012

Jesus is still Alive and doing things for all of us!

1. Living before God Our Father Before I got saved from my sins, I lived in fear of eternal Hell knowing God was seeing all I ever do or did! I didn't want God to see what I was doing and I wanted to continue to do those things. They made me feel good and I was having fun doing them. That all ...read more

Scripture: John 11:29-35

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Letter About Forgiveness- Finish Strong Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Jun 18, 2023

This is the 154th sermon in the series Action". This is the 3rd sermon from Philemon.

Series: Action [#154] A LETTER ABOUT FORGIVENESS- FINISH STRONG Philemon 1:17-25 Introduction: I saw a video with a Little League Baseball Coach talking to his team and I loved what he had to say. He said, “We are winners. We are going to practice hard and play hard because we want to win. If ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:17-25, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

Finding The Faith Of Our Heroes - Part 1: Abel - The First Prophet Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 20, 2015

We need faith in God, because faith is: 1. The only rock-solid foundation for life (vs. 1). 2. The only way to see the unseen spiritual world (vs. 1, 3). 3. The only way to truly worship God (vs. 4). 4. The only way to get a good report from God (vs. 2, 4).

Finding the Faith of Our Heroes Part 1: Abel - The First Prophet Hebrews 11:1-4; Genesis 4:1-4; Matthew 23:29-35 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - July 12, 2015 (Revised August 18, 2023) *One of the hymns I grew up singing said, "Faith of our fathers, living still, In spite ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-4, Genesis 4:1-4, Matthew 23:29-35

Denomination: Baptist