Sermons on How To Fast:

Esther Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Dec 8, 2014

The story of Esther reveals God's plans and purposes for each of us as we live out lives that are directed by God's design and will. Nothing is by accident even if we are unable to figure out what God is up to. Esther gives a good example of this concept.

Esther INTRODUCTION: A well-known theologian was once asked to prove the existence of God. He replied that he could prove God’s existence in two words: “The Jew.” From ancient history to today, many nations have attempted to exterminate God’s chosen people. ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Is In Control

Contributed by Stephen Smarowsky on Feb 10, 2009

Many people seem to think that God is randomly confronted with different trials and than randomly transforms them into something good in our lives.

Matthew 4 God is in Control (4:1) 1. Jesus “was led up by the Spirit…” - God is in control here. - This was all apart of God’s plan. - God doesn’t transform trials into good. - Many people seem to think that God is randomly confronted with different trials and than randomly transforms them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Giving Something Up For Lent

Contributed by Craig Condon on Apr 20, 2015

God will give us the strength and desire to let go of the things that hinder us from serving Him. If we follow Him, He will bless us spiritually. In order to be first with God, we have to be last in the eyes of the world.

Let's take a walk down memory lane for a moment. Some of you, especially the older members of this congregation, may remember a famous comedian named Flip Wilson. He had a weekly TV comedy show back in the 70s, and one of his favorite characters was a preacher named Brother Leroy. In one skit, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Anglican

Is There Not A Cause?

Contributed by Adam Aziz on Mar 5, 2008

Is there not a cause? You are here for a cause- you were not put on this earth just to be here- no you were put here for a reason.

Is There Not a Cause? I Samuel 17:29-32(Scripture Reading) [Explain] Note VS 29- “is there not a cause?” •Cause- principle, meaningful, worthy of support What does Satan do to God’s people? I Samuel 17:9-11 [Explain] This is what Satan does to God’s people Goliath- taunted, frustrated, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:29-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ritualism Versus Spiritual Reality Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 20, 2010

God desires to curb the trend toward formalism in religion which is satisfied with meeting external observation. To obey the moral precepts & principles of the word is infinitely more important than ceremonies & man-made traditions.

ZECHARIAH 7: 1-7 RITUALISM VERSUS SPIRITUAL REALITY [Ezra 6:1-11] The seventh and eighth chapters are the third distinct division of the prophecy. In the first portion was the call to national repentance and turning to the Lord for His Covenant blessings. After a national turning to God ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Motive Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 7, 2021

Motive has a lot to do with the spirit of the law? Let’s look at motive in three areas highlighted by Jesus.

Motive has a lot to do with the spirit of the law? Let’s look at motive in three areas highlighted by Jesus. 1. Motive in Giving to the Poor Christians are to help the poor, but with what motive? This is a complementary passage to Jesus’ instructions to let our light (of good works) shine. We ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Into The Wild With Jesus

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 1, 2009

A spiritual wilderness may be a place we fight Satan and face-off with our inner demons.

Title: Into the Wild (with Jesus) Text: Mark 1:9-15 Thesis: A spiritual wilderness may be a place we fight with Satan and face-off with our inner demons. Introduction You may be wondering why this particular story is pertinent to us today. The story is pertinent because it does at least two ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith - In A Time Such As This

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Apr 9, 2015

Using the Story of Esther, this sermon describes God's providence and our need to realize that we are where we are not by accident but by God's design, therefore faith and prayer is needed to face the current cultural challenges we face today.

Faith – In a Time Such as This Introduction: I want to take you back to the Time of Esther. It's interesting that God's name is not mentioned one time in this book, but you would never realize it unless someone told you, because his presence is felt all the way through it. Like seeing a ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If You Choose

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Feb 9, 2012

Sixth Sunday After Epiphany Year B

Mark 1: 40 – 45 & 2 Kings 5: 1 - 14 / If You Choose Intro: One day a lion decided to make sure all the other animals knew he was the king of the jungle. He by-passed the smaller animals and went to the bear – “Why you are, of course!” tiger – “Everyone ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Lent, Time Apart

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 18, 2021

Why should we take time apart before Easter? What is the purpose of Lent?

Prelude Why should we take time apart before Easter? What is the purpose of Lent? Purpose Let’s see the value of quiet times apart for prayer, fasting, meditation and reflection. Plan Let’s look briefly at Jesus’ wilderness experience before beginning His ministry, in Mark 1:9-15. The ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

Thirtieth Sunday In Ordinary Time - Year C. In Defense Of The Pharisee And Tax Collector

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 25, 2025

Jesus indicates that the Pharisee's virtue was destroyed by pride, but he certainly was objectively living a good moral life.

Let’s see what the Pharisee did right, and the tax collector— The Pharisee prayed- 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.' Jesus indicates ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Catholic

Ulterior Motives Series

Contributed by Keith Foskey on Apr 15, 2014

What motivates our acts of worship and piety?

Ulterior Motives Matthew 6:1 One of the great blessings in preaching verse-by-verse through Books or Sections of the Bible is that you begin to more easily pick up on patterns which are contained within the text. These patterns might easily be missed if we jumped around from passage to passage, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Heaven Is For Real Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Jan 5, 2012

“If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for this world were those who thought most of the next.” - CS Lewis

“If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for this world were those who thought most of the next.” - CS Lewis Are You Living Up to Heaven? According to 1 John 3:2-3, the reality of Heaven produces a purifying hope - a motivation to real, spiritual ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

To Keep Your Ax Lesson 5

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 20, 2023

Fasting will not make a decision for you, it gives you access to God. In His presence, you can find your answer.

“And he (Paul) was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.” Acts 9:9 “Is this the fast that I (the Lord) have chosen … (so) your light (understanding) should break forth speedily.” Isaiah 58:6, 8 NKJV “We can make our plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.” Proverbs 16:9, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:6, Isaiah 58:6, Isaiah 58:8

Denomination: Baptist

Calorie Chapel Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Nov 28, 2011

A study of the Gospel of Luke chapter 5 verses 33 to 39

Luke 5: 33 – 39 Calorie Chapel 33 Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?” 34 And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:33-39

Denomination: Calvary Chapel