Sermons on How Often Is Often:

The Way Things Are

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Aug 17, 2014

This sermon talks about how we often things have to be the way they are, but scripture says they don't have to be. Things can change as we speak to our mountains and refuse to settle.

Valley Grove Assembly of God Dr. Marilyn S. Murphree September 14, 2014 The Way Things Are Mark 11:22-24 INTRODUCTION: We think things have to be the way they are. What things? We think that when we get older we have to be in poor health Have to have arthritis, diabetes, rheumatism, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:22-24

Denomination: Methodist

Following Jesus Into The Desert Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Jan 21, 2021

What tempts you? How do you resist? We often find it difficult to not give in. Let's follow Jesus into the desert as he experiences the same temptations as we do.

You can listen to the podcast of this sermon here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/7412800 Following Jesus Into the Desert Intro: • [video - the marshmallow test] We’re not so very different than these amazingly cute kids. First conducted at Stanford U. in 1972. • We sneak up on the edge of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, 1 Peter 5:9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Handling Criticism Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 10, 2025

Criticism is something that everyone faces at some point in their lives. It is a reality of living in a fallen world, where opinions are often shared freely, sometimes with little regard for how they may impact the individual receiving them.

HANDLING CRITICISM By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Proverbs 15:31-32 (NIV): "Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding." Supporting Texts: Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:31-32

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Lose Ends Series

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Apr 27, 2008

The Forgivness process is often left with lose ends that we are expected to deal with as we grow up and mature in or relationship with God.

Lose Ends Matthew 5:23-26 Good Morning Silver Creek and house guest, Most of you know that we are continuing in a series about forgiveness. On Easter, we looked at how we can receive God’s forgiveness by asking God to forgive us and beginning the journey back into the direction of God. That ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:23-26

Denomination: Congregational

Keeping God Our First Priority Series

Contributed by W.bryan Jackson on Mar 13, 2004

Even though we all know that we are born to die, we often loose track of the important things in life.

James 4:13-17 Now Listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14) Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while the vanishes. 15) Instead, ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Methodist

When Love Is Wrong Series

Contributed by Ken Ritz on Mar 1, 2016

People often love the wrong things, and don't love the right things. Part 4 of the series, Passing On The Faith

When Love is Wrong Passing on the Faith, Part 4 2 Timothy 3:1-5 Most people today believe a myth, that the world is becoming a better and better place. We believe the myth that people are improving, that the world is becoming more enlightened, and that we’re way ahead of where our ancestors ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Your River Gets Shifted Series

Contributed by Delwyn Campbell on Dec 20, 2019

Change comes into our lives. Sometimes we seek it, but more often than not, we react to it.

Ever heard of the Choluteca Bridge? The Choluteca Bridge is in Honduras. When it was built, it was an architectural marvel. It was designed by some of Japan’s top engineers. The design was important because the area was known for its hurricanes and massive rain storms. The bridge was massive! It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:34-35, Deuteronomy 22:13-21, Luke 2:33-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Double Or Nothing

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 4, 2023

Ignorance of God’s character and law often renders our loving feelings toward our neighbors empty or misguided.

There used to be a terrific program on PBS called the Religion and Ethics Weekly. They covered everything from Pentecostals to the Pope. I’ve seen programs on Jews and Buddhists and Hindus and Islam. One time they reported on a rise in Hindu fundamentalism. I wasn’t paying as much attention as I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Do In Times Of Uncertainty

Contributed by Jamie Lee on May 31, 2011

During times of uncertainty, we often seek for direction in our life as did Esther did in her life of uncertainty.

What To Do In Times Of Uncertainty Esther 5 Several weeks ago, I asked the questions… Have you ever wondered… * Why did God put me in this position? * How did or is God going to do this? * How is this going to work out in the end? * Where is God? The whole idea is sometimes ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 8: Watch Out For Pride Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 1, 2010

Pride is a sneaky thing. It's the default program for humans and is at the root of the problem in Corinth, and often at the root of our problems as Christians.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines sarcasm as: "A form of irony in which apparent praise conceals another, scornful meaning." An example might be to someone who is always late and you say to them: "Oh my, you're right on time!" Now if I told you that the Bible has several excellent examples ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:6-21

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time Series

Contributed by Stephen Todd on Apr 27, 2003

Like Sarai we often come up with plans to help God out which unfortunately usually end in disaster.

Genesis 16 April 27, 2003 It was one of those rare moments in a thirteen-year-Olds life. For once I was thinking of someone other than myself. My parents were both working and I decided that I would be considerate and make supper for them. I got the meat going in the oven without too much ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Surrendering

Contributed by Sam Peters on Mar 1, 2007

Too often when we are confronted with a difficult situation we strive to solve it ourselves instead of letting God be God.

Surrendering – Let Go, Let God Text – Daniel 6:10, 16-24 Situation: Your company has made announcements that it is cutting 100 jobs across the company in an effort to trim expenses and increase shareholder equity. The cuts will be made after upper management reviews employee performance. What do ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:10-24

Accepting Forgiveness

Contributed by Matt Barker on Jul 13, 2008

As Christians, we often work hard at forgiving others; we need to learn to accept God’s forgiveness of ourselves.

Accepting Forgiveness Let’s open our bibles this morning to Psalm 103. In this Psalm, David is praising God for his tremendous love for His people. We’ll come back to this in just a minute. Now, we all know that David wasn’t perfect. Let’s take a look at one of his most famous stories. One ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Never Know Who Your Friends Really Are Series

Contributed by Henry Lee Clay on Apr 22, 2005

People will often make claims that are not true to impress you and oftentimes they will betray what their mouths have declared by the things that they do.

Matt. 21:1-11 & Matt. 27:15-18, 20-23 “You Never Know Who Your Friends Really Are” H Lee Clay In our text Jesus goes to “Bethphage” (The house of the unripe fig). It was a village on the Mount of Olives on the road from Jerusalem. He comes to a place that is full of un-ripened people. He seeks to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Your Brother?

Contributed by David Thrower on Feb 5, 2005

Our Christian Brothers are often found in some unusual places. It should caution us about judging too quickly!

In this day and age, when there is so much competition and our litigation-crazed society encourages more division than healing, it is often easy for us as Christians to forget that we are supposed to be "living icons" of Jesus Christ to those around us. We actually fight more among ourselves as ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:15-21

Denomination: Orthodox