Sermons on If Only:

Happy New Year - Jacob's Way

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Dec 24, 2008

Using the story of Jacob and Esau, we show that the only way to have a better life (or in this case a better New Year) is by facing God to find out who you really are in Him! And then turning your trust over to Him.

Someone once describe insanity as doing something the exact same way over and over again, but each time expecting to get a totally different result. Most people use that exact same method when it comes to wanting a better life; they continually live in the hope of things getting better, but ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1

Denomination: *other

The Goodness Of God

Contributed by Mark Baker on Jan 2, 2009

Ask any Christian if they believe that God is good and they would certainly say, well of course. But believing that He is good is not the only requirement in pleasing Him. The Word says, we must also believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Rewarder - "one who pays wages" (misthos, "wages," apo, "back," didomi, "to give"), is used by metonymy in Heb. 11:6, of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Are We God’s Hubcap?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 4, 2010

In Luke 8:26-39 we meet a madman who lived naked and homeless in a graveyard. Not only does this story show us Jesus’ power over evil but in makes the point that no one is beyond God’s redeeming grace.

Luke 8:26-39 “Are We God’s Hubcap?” By: Ken Sauer, Pastor of East Ridge United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN Why are we here this evening? Why are we not doing what many of the people in our community are doing right this moment?… Watching t-v, heading to the movie theatre, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39

Denomination: United Methodist

Hollow Hosannas

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Mar 27, 2010

Hosanna! For some these shouts of praise were true expressions of worship; for others they were hollow hosannas – hollow hosannas which were empty words that outwardly appeared beautiful but lacked substance. Is the praise we offer only hollow hosannas?

Hollow Hosannas Text: Matthew 21:1-17 Introduction: On the Sunday before His crucifixion Christ entered the city of Jerusalem riding upon a donkey while a multitude of people “went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

When The Pastor Makes A Hard Decision

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 14, 2010

Pastors have a difficult job in many ways, contrary to the 'He only works on Sundays' mindset many in the church have. Spiritual stress is unlike stress of any other kind. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

When the Pastor Makes a Hard Decision 2 Corinthians 7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HardDecision.html Pastors have a difficult job in many ways, contrary to the 'He only works on Sundays' mindset many in the church have. For one thing, spiritual stress is unlike stress of any other kind, and it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Reward Of Easter

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Mar 31, 2016

Because of what He did for us, we can have; Forgiveness for our sins, Eternal life, Health and Healing in our bodies, Prosperity and abundant life, Joy and every other Blessing, that only God can think of!

The Reward of Easter! Illus. by Andrew Chan A Sunday School teacher asked her class on the Sunday before Easter if they knew what happened on Easter and why it was so important. One little girl spoke up saying: "Easter is when the whole family gets together, and you eat turkey and sing about the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:2-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Even If God Does Not Deliver Us We Will Not Bow Pt 2 Who Is The 4th Man? Series

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 14, 2016

The Fourth Man awaits you in the furnace of affliction and will preserve you from the flame of the heat. God never leaves his beloved stranded. He forever protects them from the smell of smokes. Be committed for the fire will only loosen the bondage.

EVEN IF GOD DOES NOT DELIVER US, WE STILL WILL NOT BOW. (PART 2) WHO IS THIS FOURTH MAN? DANIEL 3: 14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? 15 Now if ye be ready that at ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:14-30

Denomination: Charismatic

Jesus’s Garden Prayer, Part 2 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Sep 26, 2016

This beautiful prayer, shows us exactly how Christ feels about you and me. It shows not only His devotion to God, but to ensure we continue the mission of making disciples because because of what He has already done.

Jesus’s Garden Prayer, Part 2 John 17:13-26 Background: Arriving at the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays These prayers are probably one of the most important for us to learn from It shows His heart, what is on His mind just prior to His arrest (read all of 17) Recap: Jesus describes ...read more

Scripture: John 17:13-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Going Overboard About Our Possessions Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 18, 2013

The main idea shared here is "don't go overboard about things you'd throw overboard." The message looks at how often only a life-threatening situation can cause us to let loose of our possessions.

MAN OVERBOARD: Don’t go overboard about things you’d throw overboard. - Jonah 1:5. - This trip was undertaken for financial reasons. They didn’t just set sail because they wanted to see the ocean for a while. They did it because there was money to be made. They didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:5

Denomination: Baptist

The Wheat And The Darnel

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 18, 2020

In Church we will often find both wheat and Darnel growing side by side in the pews.Should we try to root the Darnel out and purify the church so we only have wheat (as we of course perceive it)

Mt 13:24-43 I came across this interesting story. I cannot vouch for its authenticity however but it makes a good point. Story: A man was stopped at a traffic light and when the light turned green he was distracted and didn’t budge. The lady in the car behind him started honking her horn again ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: Anglican

Have A Blessed Life Sermon Vii: Blessed By Assurance Of, Reliance On, The Truth Of God's Word Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Mar 23, 2020

In America we are blessed in ways that the world at large can only dream about and hope for. Christian reliance upon the truth of God's Holy Word is the bedrock of a nation whose God is the Lord in whom the people trust.

BLESSED BY ASSURANCE OF, RELIANCE UPON, THE TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD Everybody needs someone or something they can “rely on” in times of stress or distress. Bill Withers expressed it in the popular song, “Lean on Me”: “Lean on me, when you’re not strong, I’ll ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:153-160, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Rejecting Sin

Contributed by Raymond Williams on Mar 30, 2020

Augustine said, “The punishment for sin is sin.” 2 Peter 2:19 teaches, “by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.” GOD’S HAND REMOVED THERE IS NOTHING TO RESTAIN SIN. Our only hope is radical repentance.

Rejecting Sin Text: Hebrews 9 & 10 I have one big problem, and it is myself. Now I know I am not alone in this; I happen to believe the Bible as it is written. Written by men as moved by the Spirit of God. The medium used to convey the will of God to man is very fragile, changes as to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:19

Denomination: Nazarene

When I Feel Alone Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Apr 30, 2020

Social isolation is not the only cause of loneliness, there are many situations which cause us to feel alone. Jesus identifies with our loneliness and his sovereign grace gives us the ability to move beyond feelings of loneliness to a place of identity and purpose.

Jesus Is Still Sovereign Psalm 68:5-6 When I Feel Alone In these past 5 weeks have you said one of these phrases more regularly. “I feel isolated.” “I want to connect.” “I need other people.” “I feel alone.” There is no doubt that the situation we are faced with at the moment has caused a greater ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 68:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

What Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Nov 1, 2020

When you put your faith in Christ, you will experience pressure and you will be tried but you will also have God who will not only give you the strength to persevere but us them tomold you, to make you more righteous.

For the next couple of weeks, I thought we would take a close look at what has been called the “Achilles’ Heel” of Christianity. What is our “Achilles’ Heel,” you might ask? It is the question of pain and suffering. The Barna Group, founded in 1984, is a marketing research firm focused on the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:5-11, Proverbs 3:11-12

Denomination: United Methodist

What Do Your Eyes See Or Glance At? Series

Contributed by Isaiah Banjo on Nov 30, 2020

Many homes have been destroyed by lack of restraint in sharing information about what they see publicly. There are things meant only for private consumption. You do not expose your secrets to a third party but keep it within your hearts.

Let me start by telling you an interesting and funny piece about some pastors titled, “PASTORS’ PERSONAL PROBLEMS (PPP)” A renowned pastor in diaspora held a crusade and invited two other top preachers from two different countries. After the crusade, the three pastors shared their experiences ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:18-29

Denomination: Pentecostal