Sermons on Heart Soil:

Blessed Or Stressed?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 17, 2022

We all deal with STRESS in different ways. There is GOOD STRESS and there is BAD STRESS!

Good stress, also called “eustress”, is very beneficial to our life. It means we stretch ourselves to be our very best. For years we've believed that stress is a bad thing - it damages our health. But stress can have a good side. Illus: For example, for a violinist to make music, the strings ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Perfect Instructions

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 17, 2022

Most of us have had to stop and ask for directions as we traveled from one place to another.

And have you noticed some people are better at giving directions than others? Illus: A helicopter was in a storm flying around above Seattle, when an electrical malfunction disabled all of the aircraft's electronic navigation and communications equipment. Due to the clouds and haze, the pilot ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

What Kind Of Hands Do You Have?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 18, 2022

We want to look again at the kinds of hands we have. There are all kinds of hands, cold hands, tired hands, full hands, hurting hands, helping hands, holy hands, etc..

God gave us two hands because God has a lot for us to do for Him. The shame of many today is that they will use their hands to provide for themselves, but will not use them to provide for the work of the Lord. Illus: Our hands are very valuable to us, but some hands are more valuable than ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:3-6

Denomination: Baptist

Forgotten Hero Of Christmas

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 19, 2022

Today as we approach Christmas, we need to look at one of the unrecognized heroes of the Christmas story.

We all have heard many sermons on Christmas that dealt with: • THE VIRGIN • THE ANGELS • THE SHEPHERDS • THE INNKEEPERS • THE WISE MEN But there is one individual that is overlooked many times. WHO IS THAT? I am talking about Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ. • It was indeed a SPECIAL ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-25, Matthew 2:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

When Trouble Comes!

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 23, 2022

King David had a lot of problems and so do we. Many times there are things we can do to correct the problems we encounter. For example:

(1) SOME HAVE HEALTH PROBLEMS This is a wonderful age in which we live. We hear of some folks who have vision problems. They go to the doctor for some out-patient surgery, and in a few weeks they have 20-20 vision again. Illus: I heard about an elderly retired gentleman that had severe hearing ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Singing In The Rain…

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 23, 2022

Introduction: I want to preach a sermon called, “Singing in the Rain.” The words “Singing In The Rain…” come from a famous song sung by Donald O’ Conner. The idea of course is that we often plan things in life and then the rain comes and spoils those plans.

Illus: Possibly: • We are going to watch a parade, but the rain comes and spoils our parade • We are going on a picnic in the park with our family, but once we spread the lunch, the rain begins and ruins our picnic If we are going to be successful in this life spiritually, THE RAIN WILL CERTAINLY ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Cure For Boredom

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 23, 2022

Many people, including many Christians, are utterly bored with life.

(1) SOME ARE BORED IN THEIR MARRIAGE Illus: Before Linda became engaged, she was quite the beauty, and didn't mind letting her boyfriend know it. One day she told him, "A lot of men are gonna be totally miserable when I marry." "Really?" asked her boyfriend, "And just ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:10

Denomination: Baptist

A Mighty Man Of Valour

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 24, 2022

At the 1997 North American Christian Convention, author Stuart Briscoe told the old story of a farmer who was walking along the road with his horse and his dog.

• A pickup truck came racing by and knocked them off the road into the ditch • The farmer sued for damages: Including loss of work time, claiming he had a broken leg, some facial injuries, and several cracked ribs that kept him bedridden • The defense attorney told the judge, "Your honor, ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:12

Denomination: Baptist

"By This Shall All Men Know…”

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 25, 2022

Almost everyone loves to watch cowboy movies.

Illus: They advertise the Western Channel on television by saying, “There is a little bit of cowboy in all of us!” One of the things we see in most cowboy movies is the sheriff. And we know that he is the sheriff because he has a badge to identify himself as the sheriff. But the sheriff is not ...read more

Scripture: John 13:35

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Purpose For Our Life

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 25, 2022

Introduction: Most of us have attended a high school or college graduation at some time in our life.

The students who are graduating are told by the commencement speaker that they are preparing to enter the adult world, and that each and every one of them have talents and skills they can contribute to making this a better world in which to live. This is true, but if the commencement speaker was ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Song Of The Redeemed Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 19, 2024

If you want to be truly free, rely on God’s surpassing power, recognize God’s splendid holiness, and follow God’s sovereign guidance. Then you will experience God’s glorious triumph.

A little more than 10 years ago (2011), comedian Steve Martin introduced the entire atheist hymnal (on one page of paper). He called it, “Atheists Don’t Have No Songs.” Take a look (show Atheists Don't Have No Songs—Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers). Christians have their hymns and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:1-21, Psalm 34:4

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Being Transformed From Glory To Glory: 7 Transitions In The Christian Life Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 23, 2024

I think God gave us the caterpillar and the butterfly to tell us about ourselves. To tell us that we need a transformation to become all we’re meant to be.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” -2nd Cor 3:17-18 We as ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, Hebrews 5:12-14, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Salvation Army

Unity Of Mind And Spirit

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 23, 2024

The church is called the body of Christ. Have you ever thought about what it would be like if the members of our physical bodies behaved like the members of the spiritual body sometimes do?

Opening illustration: The church is called the body of Christ. Have you ever thought about what it would be like if the members of our physical bodies behaved like the members of the spiritual body sometimes do? HEART - "You know, I’m just stuck in a rut. For the last 45 years all I do is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Salvation Cruise

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

Noah’s faith was no academic faith - a mere faith in principle, but an active faith—a faith in practice. He spent 120 years building that ark, committing himself to the God he knew. Our faith, too, must be active.

Illustration: Who Are the Saved OR Evangelicals? Gallup has at times asked 3 qualifying questions to make the determination; have you had a born-again experience committing yourself to Jesus Christ, have you tried to encourage someone to believe in Christ, and do you believe the Bible is the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Signs And Wonders Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 26, 2024

Acts 5:12-16 shows us some keys to the accomplishment of the church’s mission.

Introduction John MacArthur wrote these words: A perennial problem the church of Jesus Christ faces is a lack of focus on its mission (John F. MacArthur Jr., Acts, vol. 1, MacArthur New Testament Commentary [Chicago: Moody Press, 1994], 159). He goes on to note that widespread confusion exists ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed