Sermons on Ideal:

What A Willing Servant Of The Lord Looks Like Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 20, 2013

Paul exemplified a willingness to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, the principles of which apply to us in lesser but still important ways.

What A Willing Servant of the Lord Looks Like (Colossians 1:24-29) 1. Mary received a parrot as a gift. The parrot was fully grown with a very bad attitude and worse vocabulary. Every other word was profanity; those that weren't profanity were, to say the least, rude. Mary tried to change the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:24-29, Colossians 1:9-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

In God's Hands

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 25, 2013

God assures Jeremiah and all of his people that “God knows the plans he has for us.”

Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14 “In God’s Hands” INTRODUCTION While serving a congregation in Appleton, Wisconsin, Faye and I decided to dine out one Sunday evening. We went to a popular Italian restaurant, Vittorio’s, which is owned by a Latino family—go figure. Most of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Are You Working Like A Dog Or A Saint?

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Aug 14, 2014

Is work a dirty word because of the Curse or a mninstry?

The Sexton and the Wagon Driver The children of Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch, the fourth Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe, once debated Judaism's contribution to "living life." Their father, weighing in on their discussion, summoned his simpleminded sexton, Bentzion. The Rebbe inquired: "Bentzion, did you ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23

Denomination: Baptist

Prisoner Of Darkness

Contributed by James Linders on May 17, 2015

Bartimaeus has been born blind. In THOSE earlier times if you were BORN blind, you'll die blind, without the prospect of being cured. The ONLY thing THIS man could do well, was being a beggar. THEN, Jesus walked into his life and changed it forever.

Mark 10:51-52 (NIV) 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Here we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:51-52

Denomination: Pentecostal

Avoiding A Shipwreck Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 26, 2015

We must avoid shipwrecking our faith at all costs! You must maintain the right course; do not assume the ship will steer itself!

Avoiding a Shipwreck (I Timothy 1:18-20) 1. The Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia capsized and sank after striking an underwater obstruction off … Tuscany, on 13 January 2012, with the loss of 32 lives. Costa Concordia… is one of the largest ships ever to be abandoned… ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The God Who Gets There Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 4, 2015

God is looking backward from the future eternal state and taking us on a journey through time to demonstrate how He will achieve His goal.

The God Who Gets There (Isaiah 65:17-66:6) 1. For some reason, people who work at planners in corporations have developed a bad reputation. 2. An Engineer, a physicist, an economist and a Planner were being interviewed for a position as chief executive officer of a large Local Authority. The ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Stations Of Life: Husband And Wife Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 4, 2014

One frequent station of life is that of marriage. Paul discusses the duty of husband and wife in very simple terms.

Stations of Life: Husband and Wife (Colossians 3:18-19) 1. Favorite comic: husband and wife reading… 2. When it comes to roles in marriage, I have long learned that what people say they believe and what they actually practice can be two different things. 3. I know some women who say they ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:18-19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Developing The Outward Focus Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 17, 2014

Paul has addressed our personal lives, church life, family life. These are introverted concerns, about us and those we are close to. As he concludes his letter, he wants to make sure we also transition to an extroverted focus.

Developing the Outward Focus (Colossians 4:2-6) 1. I have my taxes all done. I am one of those persons who gets stressed up by paper work and red tape, so I found it stressful just preparing my stuff for the tax preparer. So I have to tell an IRS joke. 2. The pastor got a call form the IRS. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Practical Transformation Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 26, 2011

We are transformed as the Spirit of God works in us, often through His Word. That transformation, however, shows itself in practical ways like these that Paul discusses.

Practical Transformation (2 Corinthians 1:8-24) 1. Is going to church a privilege or a sentence? It depends upon you and the particular church. For some in Alabama, it is a sentence: 2. BAY MINETTE, Ala. (AP) — Authorities say non-violent offenders in southern Alabama will have a new choice: Go ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Marching On! Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 10, 2011

Serving the Lord as individuals and as a collective church has its challenges, stresses, and frustrations, but God calls us to march on.

Marching On! 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 • All religious groups have conflicts; when people have to work closely together, personality and experiences lead us in different direcions. Modnern Jews have them, too. They often rely on tradition to settle matters. This joke makes the point: During a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

When A Nation Is Directionally Challenged Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Mar 5, 2013

Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? Three questions of importance in life. What happens to a nation who forgets her beginning? Solomon issues a challenge to review our purpose.

Ecclesiastes 10:1-20 When a Nation is Directionally Challenged In 1976, Jimmy Carter, the former Govenor of Georgia, was elected to serve as POTUS. His four years brought high interest rates, long lines at the gasoline stations and the unheard of price of .76 a gallon gasoline. Our embassy in ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

"Jesus Appears"

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Apr 5, 2013

Jesus appears to open closed doors, Jesus appears to show us, Jesus appears to change except I see-ology to that is all I see-ology, and Jesus appears to help us have faith.

John 20:19-30 "Jesus Appears" 19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-30

Denomination: Methodist

Where Does Your "Help" Come From?

Contributed by Samuel Fulkerson on Jul 15, 2013

The fact is that any of us have the potential within us to become fornicators, liars, drunkards, adulterers, or even murders and we could become guilty of ever evil work of the flesh; except for the Grace (help) of God! Where does your help come from?

Quotes: “People are like dirt. They can either nourish you & help you grow as a person or they can stunt your growth and make you wilt and die. “ –Plato --It all depends on what they have within them. “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Spiritual Entrepreneurs Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 22, 2013

God wants us to invest his Word; how can we do this?

Spiritual Entrepreneurs (Mark 4:21-34) 1. It is so easy to get wrapped up in our little worlds that we forget we are building an international Kingdom, the Kingdom of God. 2. Look how silly we act: FAIRBANKS, Alaska, July 19 (UPI) -- Police in Alaska said they arrested a man accused of punching ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:21-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Parenting: The Forest View Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 23, 2012

Good parents want what is in the long-term best interest of their children, not what makes them happy for the moment. God’s Word offers us some balanced principles of parenting.

Parenting: The Forest View (Ephesians 6:1-4) 1. Parenting has its challenges. Part of the reason parenting is so challenging is that no two kids are exactly alike. Proverbs 22:6 is a principle, not a promise. Freewill. 2. (CBS News) Jake Barnett is one in 10 million. The Indianapolis 13-year-old ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible