Sermons on Ideas And Reality:

Does God Have A Wonderful Plan For Your Life?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 14, 2017

This sermon looks at two of the common misinterpretations of this verse and two ideas that can help us understand it accurately.

- One of the most misinterpreted Scriptures is Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” - It’s usually used as a Superman verse. Any obstacle I face I can bat aside in the power of Jesus’ name! Any struggle I can end with a powerful word of prayer! Any need ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Baptist

How To Fail Without Becoming A Failure

Contributed by Michael Cariño on Jan 4, 2017

Big Idea: A person is not finished when he fails; a person is finished when he gives up.

How to Fail Without Becoming a Failure Luke 22:31-22:34 Kurt Cobain. The famous rock singer-songwriter, musician, and best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the band Nirvana, has sold over 50 million albums worldwide. During the last years of his life, Cobain struggled with heroin ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Bear The Cross Of Self Denial"

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Aug 31, 2017

The sermon is based on the idea of dying by denying self and considering the needs of others in order to be a true disciple of Jesus.

“Bear the Cross by Self Denial” Matthew 16:21-28 • It was bad enough for the disciples to hear that Jesus would suffer, be rejected, and die on a cross. Now Jesus told them that they must do the same thing. The cross was an instrument of death it had no other purpose • “Cross bearing does ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Methodist

What Does It Mean That Jesus Was A ‘ransom’ For Us? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 22, 2014

A look at the correct understanding of "ransom" (it's not an extortion) and four key ideas that help us understand it.

PAYING "RANSOM"? Does this mean that God gave into extortion? - 1 Timothy 2:6. - A ransom is a price paid for someone’s freedom. - It’s an easy idea to get off-track on if you don’t watch it. - How so? Sometimes a ransom is basically extortion. Someone kidnaps someone and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

A Pastor Is A Servant

Contributed by Sunday Adelaja on Jan 16, 2008

The idea of serving God arouses in some people not only a wrong understanding but also an unwillingness to put this into practice.

The idea of serving God arouses in some people not only a wrong understanding but also an unwillingness to put this into practice. The reason for this is because these people are motivated by an egocentric spirit. In fact, the whole world is motivated by this spirit – an egocentric spirit. The ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:5-9

Denomination: Church Of God

A Mother's Love

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Nov 14, 2019

There are a lot of mushy ideas about love in our world. God gives us the example of the real thing.

Christians talk about love a lot. It’s a subject for any Sunday, any Monday, Tuesday or other day, for that matter. It’s especially a subject for Mother’s Day, because our moms are some of the people we think of first when we think about being loved. It’s easy to talk about love as some mushy, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2

Church Leaders Serving The People

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on May 16, 2023

In the foot-washing story, Jesus exemplifies servant leadership. Our church leaders should be exercising this idea.

Church Leaders Serving the People John 13:1-11 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 During ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

The Fruits Of Repentance Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Oct 6, 2019

The Big Idea: Repentance is the gateway to holiness. Lent is a time of contemplation; turning—or returning—to God.

King Frederick II, King of Prussia in the eighteenth-century, once visited a prison in Berlin. The inmates there tried to convince him they were unjustly imprisoned; that is, all of them but one. That one sat quietly in a corner, while the rest protested their innocence. Seeing him sitting there ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Other

A Faithful Defense

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Oct 6, 2019

The Big Idea: God wants us to be faithful him in our words and actions, even in difficult situations.

Of Christians put to death for their faith in the second century, perhaps no account is as striking as the story of Polycarp. Polycarp (A.D. 70-155) is bishop of Smyrna and a godly man who knows the apostle John personally. When urged by the Roman proconsul to renounce Christ, Polycarp responds ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-35

Denomination: Other

The Call To Submit Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Oct 19, 2019

We do not like the idea of submission, but for the disciple of Jesus Christ, to answer His call is to submit to Him.

The Call to Discipleship: Submit Introduction We do not like the idea of submitting to others. Submission in the sport of wrestling is a loss. Submission to our bosses sometimes creates resentment. Submission to people in power can be unpleasant. Submission means we release our power, our self, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, John 10:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Act Of Forgiveness.

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on May 23, 2020

“Every one,” C.S. Lewis writes, “says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until there is something to forgive”

Matthew 18:21-Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22-Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23-“Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

Believers Beware Of Backsliding

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Feb 9, 2020

Most Christians have no idea what the term backsliding means. This message explore the definition and the process involved.

“Believers Beware of Backsliding” Hosea 7:1-16, 11:7, 14:4 Scripture Reading Hosea 7:8 Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned. 9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not. ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 7:1-16, Hosea 11:7, Hosea 14:4

Denomination: Baptist

The Refining Fire Of Righteousness Series

Contributed by Jason Martin on Dec 21, 2024

Main Idea: God’s promise to purify His people and the hope of His coming judgment and restoration.

Text is Malachi 3:1 - Chapter 4:6 1. Introduction: God’s Justice and Purification - Recap: The Book of Malachi has revealed the broken state of Israel's relationship with God, marred by corrupt priests, lack of genuine worship, and disregard for God’s covenant. Yet, God’s love remains ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1, Malachi 4:6

Denomination: Church Of God

Moses Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Feb 6, 2025

Israel is crying out to God for deliverance. They had no idea their deliverer was a baby, being raised in the palaces of Pharaoh.

The Story of Us Moses February 16, 2025 Joseph has died and his influence is no longer felt in Egypt. Israel is no longer guests in Egypt but are now slaves. They are the work force to finish the Pharaoh’s building projects. They are crying out to God for deliverance. They had no idea their ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:12-17, Exodus 2:5-10, Exodus 3:1-6, Exodus 33:15-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Can We Know What To Believe About God

Contributed by David Haun on Jan 8, 2004

There are so many ideas about "God," How can we know what to believe. This is a teaching sermon that attempts to answer the quest.

WITH ALL THE IDEAS ABOUT "GOD," HOW CAN WE KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE? Dr. David L. Haun Of all the things God desires in our lives, the thing He wants from us more than anything else is that we know him. In the Old Testament book of Hosea, The prophet writes: "For I delight in loyalty rather than ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24, John 17:3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ