Sermons on Holding Pen:

"Better Off Dead” Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Sep 8, 2019

Job's real crisis is faith, not suffering. In the midst of disaster, God can grant us peace. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

“Better Off Dead” Reading: Job chapter 3 verses 20-26 SERMON OUTLINE: Four Points: Job asks a question (3:11,12,16,20&23) Job struggles with his faith (3:1-26) Job has some company (2:11) Job big issue (3:1-26) Three Lessons: When the days are dark, look for the light (vs 20-23). When the ...read more

Scripture: Job 3:20-26

Denomination: Brethren

The Cross

Contributed by Robert Walderman on Aug 10, 2020

“The Cross!” Before Jesus the cross was despised, a symbol of the worse kind of cruelty and horrific barbarity imaginable... But, after Jesus, the cross became the symbol of unconditional love, such sacrifice and forgiveness that it came to represent the whole Christian faith.

Today’s sermon is entitled simply, “The Cross!” Before Jesus the cross was despised, a symbol of the worse kind of cruelty and horrific barbarity imaginable. Its sole purpose was to execute offenders in the most hideous and protracted means, producing the greatest amount of pain and agony over an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:26-56

Denomination: Baptist

Embracing Jesus

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jul 30, 2013

Man's only way to deal with his rebellion against God is to embrace the Son.

In Acts chapter 4, David is identified as the author of Psalm 2, the passage which we’ll be studying together this morning. But the opening words of that Psalm that he penned in Israel approximately 3,000 years ago could just as easily be written in the United States in the 21st Century ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas According To Mark Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 17, 2014

Mark fled and folded but was not disqualified. That's the message of Christmas. A first-person narrative.

Christmas According to Mark Mark 1-2 Rev. Brian Bill December 13-14, 2014 Offering: “Under Bethlehem’s Skies” I understand you met my friend Matthew last Sunday – He would have really liked that song because he wrote about the birth of Jesus under Bethlehem’s skies. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:45

Denomination: Baptist

Being Independent Together

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 1, 2021

Being independent of this world while being dependent upon God is a Christian's life's goal? This idea is similar to the thoughts which led to the thirteen U.S. colonies declaring their independence from Britain.

Being Independent Together Scripture: John 8:36; Exodus 1:11a; 3:7-8; Romans 12:2 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36) Today, in the United States, we are celebrating the Fourth of July holiday. Independence Day (July 4th), is a U.S. federal ...read more

Scripture: John 8:36, Amos 3:3, Romans 12:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Somebody’s Watching You!

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jan 31, 2021

'Somebody is watching you.' - 1 Peter chapter 2 verses 12-25 - sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). The command for submission (vs 13a): (2). The motive for submission (verse 13b) (3). The extent of submission (verse 13c-14) (4). The reason for submission (verse 15) (5). The Attitude of Submission (verse 16) (6). The application of submission (vs 17) (7). The example for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-25

Denomination: Brethren

The Paradox Of Judging

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Dec 3, 2021

We all know that judging is bad, but we also know that judging is good. How can the same thing be both good and bad? That is what paradox is all about and we are going to see how it can be true of judging.

Paul is judging the Jews for being terrible for judging the Gentiles to be terrible sinners. But if judging is always bad, then I can judge Paul to be terrible for judging the Jews to be terrible for judging the Gentiles to be terrible, and you can in turn judge me for being terrible in judging ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1

21st Sunday After Pentecost. October 13, 2024. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 4, 2021

Year B, Proper 23.

Job 23:1-9, Job 23:16-17, Psalm 22:1-15, Amos 5:6-7, Amos 5:10-15, Psalm 90:12-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31. A). HOPE IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS. Job 23:1-9; Job 23:16-17. “When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). An active faith may question suffering - but it will ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:1-9, Job 23:16-17, Psalm 22:1-15, Amos 5:6-7, Amos 5:10-15, Psalm 90:12-17, Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Overcoming Battle Fatigue

Contributed by Don Campbell on Jun 3, 2024

Ministry can often be discouraging. The battle may be against opposition or indifference. We can learn from Elijah about battle fatigue.

OVERCOMING BATTLE FATIGUE The first line of the hymn Peace in the Valley reflects the discouragement that often fills the hearts of weary travelers: “Well, I’m so tired and so weary, but I must go along; till the Lord comes and calls me away.” Most of us want that call to be like Abraham’s, to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:4, Job 1:21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Over Coming Battle Fatigue

Contributed by Don Campbell on Apr 25, 2023

The first line of the hymn Peace in the Valley reflects the discouragement that often fills the hearts of weary travelers: “Well, I’m so tired and so weary, but I must go along; till the Lord comes and calls me away.” If we are fighting the good fight, we are subject to battle fatigue.

OVERCOMING BATTLE FATIGUE The first line of the hymn Peace in the Valley reflects the discouragement that often fills the hearts of weary travelers: “Well, I’m so tired and so weary, but I must go along; till the Lord comes and calls me away.” Most of us want that call to be like Abraham’s, to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Am Who He Says I Am PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 29, 2025

God meets us in our hidden, ordinary places, calls us by His name, and transforms our weakness into strength through His presence and grace.

Some days feel like threshing wheat in a winepress—hidden, cramped, and far from ideal. You’re just trying to get by, head down, doing what needs to be done, praying the storm will pass. Maybe that’s you this week. Bills piled high. Criticism louder than courage. A heart that’s willing but worn. ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-12

Topics: Identity

The Gift Of The Thorn

Contributed by Dasol Kang on Sep 20, 2025

Sometimes the greatest gifts God gives us are the weaknesses we would never choose for ourselves.

INTRO If we took an inventory of everything that we say in our prayers, we would likely find that the vast majority of our prayers fall into one of two simple prayers. The first category is the “Gimmie” prayer. You know the “gimmie” prayer well. “Lord, gimme that parking spot right up front. And ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Son Of God Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Feb 3, 2005

In this message we will look at the divinity of Jesus. It’s time to get pumped, our Jesus is God. (I Am Jesus part 2)

Son Of God I Am Jesus – part 2 Video “Who Is Jesus? (sermon spice ~3:40-6:40) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Second Generation Syndrome

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 2, 2007

Why do so many children of professing Christians fail to live up to the light received in the home?

When Joshua dismissed the people, the people of Israel went each to his inheritance to take possession of the land. And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the LORD had done for Israel. And ...read more

Scripture: Judges 2:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

Resolve

Contributed by Rev Dr Randall M Deal Sr on Jul 1, 2011

Resolve to KNOW Christ! (I preached this sermon together with my son Randy Deal Jr.)

Outline, Devotional, Audio and Video available at http://bit.ly/k1NdOV. RESOLVE Sunday, December 28th, 2008 Dr. Randy Deal Philippians 3:7-16 VIDEO: “New Years Resolutions (1:01) Moving Pictures Isn’t that so true? As we begin to evaluate 2008, we look forward to 2009! How did ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-16

Denomination: Baptist