Sermons on Higher:

Coming To Grips Series

Contributed by Christopher Lanham on Feb 11, 2012

How do we buy into the lame excuses we offer without crumbling under the internal conflict we generate from living in ways that are contrary to what we say we believe? The truth is, it all comes down to the way we view the world – it comes down to what f

I want to tell you a story this morning – a funny, yet strangely disturbing story. The setting was a small group retreat with a bunch of teenage boys – I was one of the leaders. We’d had a really good weekend; sharing our faith stories, digging into the Scriptures, spending time ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Unfavortism

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Feb 27, 2012

There’s a saying, ‘the clothes make the man’. Actually, that’s not true. Clothes don’t make the man; they make the opinion of the man. The stigma is that nicer looking, nicer dressed people are more important. And we see from the text today that things we

UNFAVORITISM James 2:1-13 INTRODUCTION: There’s a saying, ‘the clothes make the man’. Actually, that’s not true. Clothes don’t make the man; they make the opinion of the man. There’s a certain image that’s portrayed when someone is dressed nice. And ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Recovery After The Wreck Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Jul 15, 2011

The issue is not the issue when dealing with conflicts at church.

A House United Series Recovery After the Wreck May 22, 2011 Introduction A The issue is not the issue in conflict at a church. 1 The issue isn’t carpet color, worship styles, how long the preacher’s sermons are, who does (or does not) take communion, etc. a The issue is really if ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12

Denomination: Baptist

Hooked On A Title

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Aug 9, 2011

Jesus did not anoint the head of the disciples - he did not call for a bottle of Holy Oil - he did not ask them to get in a Prayer Line. This may not be apparent at first, but think about it - your feet carry a enormous load.

TITLE: HOOKED ON A TITLE SCRIPTURE: ST. JOHN 13:1-17 In the earlier chapters Jesus had given His ministry to the people of GALILEE and JERUSALEM. In ths 13th Chapter and following Chapters, Jesus turns from an unbelieving world to minister the Father’s love to His INNER CIRCLE OF ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Messiah's Two Core Values Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Aug 12, 2011

When we stand before God on two things about us will matter: did we love God and did we love people.

The Messiah's Two Core Value's Text: Matt. 22:34-40 Introduction 1. Illustration: Here are some questions you can ask to zero in on your core values. a. If I knew that tomorrow would be the last full day of my life, how would I spend the day? b. At the end of my life, what do I want to look back ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Methodist

Take Up Your Cross And Follow

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Aug 29, 2011

What gives Jesus the right to ask us to give up our lives?

Chuck Colson relates this interesting story in his book How Then Should We Live? “In William Steig’s Yellow & Pink, a delightfully whimsical picture book for children, two wooden figures wake up to find themselves lying on an old newspaper in the hot sun. One figure is painted ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Methodist

Why All The Noise? Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Sep 22, 2010

How do we interpret our present time? Do we understand the times?

“The Charge of the Light Brigade: Why All the Noise?” Jer. 4:11-12, 22-28 & 8:18-9:1; Mt. 24:3-14 & 36-44 Jesus, and the New Testament authors, spoke frequently about his second coming. One scholar indicated that 1 out of every 15 verses in the New Testament speaks about it. And yet we seldom ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:3-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Money Matters!

Contributed by Monty Newton on Sep 27, 2010

Giving is a way we love God with all our our heart, soul, mind and strength and out neighbor as ourselves... and away we lay up treasure in heaven!

Title: Why Go To Church: Money Matters! Text: I Timothy 6:6-19 Thesis: Giving money is a way we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbor as ourselves... and to lay up treasure in heaven! Introduction Johann Tetzel was a Dominican monk who served at the Pope’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Do You Believe? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 18, 2010

Romans teaches us that we are "justified by faith" rather than by works. But shouldn’t holy people do holy things? And don’t good deeds please God? So, why wouldn’t good works justify us before God?

OPEN: Comedian Ken Davis tells of the time he gave a speech in his college class. The title of his talk was, "The Law of the Pendulum." For 20 minutes he carefully explained the principle that governs a swinging pendulum. The law of the pendulum is: A pendulum can never return to a point higher ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Ultimate Extreme Makeover Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 15, 2012

God promises us the ultimate extreme makeover – transforming our natural bodies into perfect spiritual bodies in which we will live forever.

Introduction "Extreme Makeover" is a popular show that takes people who do not meet the standards for good looks, and through extreme measures of plastic surgery, dental work, eye surgery, and whatever else is needed, turns ugly ducklings into babes and hunks, thus freeing them to live happily ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"Savior" Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Nov 1, 2012

We are saved in Christ, but we are also judged as Christ followers and will have to give an account before God. Because we are saved we can be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Not to get saved, but because we are saved. If you struggle wi

Create – judge – save or redeem. You could say, create – evaluate – change. That is the creative process whether you are God or human. I think of the process I go through in creating a sermon. I write it out, I judge whether it conforms to certain criteria I have as to whether it will serve the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:13-23

Gifted Ministers Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 3, 2012

If you want a growing church that builds itself up in love, then accept your spiritual gifts, develop them and use them wherever and whenever you can.

When a local church broke ground for a new 500-seat sanctuary, an inventive church member made sure everyone could participate in the experience. The man attached a 145-foot handle to a stainless steel spade so that all 300 members could squeeze together to turn the first shovel full of dirt. A ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Our God And Father Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Nov 5, 2012

Adoption, family love, connection

OUR GOD AND FATHER (Adoption Sunday) 1 Thess 3: 11-13 (p 836) Nov. 4, 2012 INTRODUCTION: How do you get to the place where you genuinely consider someone who is not your Biological Mom or Dad…your mother or father..? I know there are cliché’s and quotes…like ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Need For Healing

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Nov 8, 2012

The issue of homosexuality has brought so much pain to so many people. It's time for believers neither to excuse it nor to ignore it but to take a stand and be a part of the healing process.

Almost every day for the past month our local newspaper has been filled with editorials about the issue we face as a state concerning marriage. Just over a week ago I came across one which I’d like to read for you… “I am a father, uncle, brother, son, grandson, godfather, small ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

Rising From Life's Difficulties

Contributed by Rusty Davidson on Aug 15, 2012

Everyone faces tough times and trials. Too many times the answers we here are trite or condescending. But in the story of Lazarus we can find the meaningful truths that will allow us to rise from the difficulties of life.

Rising From Life’s Difficulties Text: John 11:1-46 I. Introduction Illustration: Walking Dead – Hershel Greene -I can't profess to understand God's plan, Christ promised the resurrection of the dead. I just thought he had something a little different in mind. Are things not ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-16

Denomination: Baptist