Sermons on If Only:

Giving With Grace Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 24, 2003

God not only required a tithe in the Old Testament, He challenged His people to respond to Him when He says, “Test me in this.” This is the only time in the Bible when God tells us to test Him.

Giving With Grace That drama really captures the different attitudes that people have about giving. Some feel pressured or guilty, while others of us find a lot of joy when we give ­ if we remember to bring our wallets! That reminds me of a man and his son who went to church together. On their ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, Malachi 3:10

Denomination: Baptist

Who's Your Daddy?

Contributed by Robbie Parsons on Jun 14, 2003

It is only natural for the children to resemble their parents in looks and manner. The same is true of our spiritual heritage. It is only natural that we should imitate and be like our spiritual father. But too many people want to practice religion an

INCONSISTENT CLAIMS - “ABRAHAM IS OUR FATHER” Verses 39-41a They claimed a linage to Abraham as their ticket to heaven. A Godly heritage can be a powerful influence, but never guarantees righteousness. They were really interested in honoring themselves, not Abraham. Jesus wanted them to see that ...read more

Scripture: John 8:39-47

Denomination: United Methodist

Pray This Way

Contributed by Charles Scott on Feb 2, 2008

Jesus taught us not only the words to say in prayer, but the manner in which to approach God so that prayer becomes effectual in changing not only our lives but enables Christ through the church to change the world around us.

Matthew 6__5-18 THE WAY TO PRAY In my youth, I was very active in a Church that practiced only extempore prayer. On rare occasion someone might bring a written prayer to a Bible study, but other than the Lord’s Prayer, there was no prayer routinely used in worship, and no one who was a prayer ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-18

Denomination: Anglican

Who Is Your Epaphras?

Contributed by Johnny Knight on Aug 11, 2007

I have often said the greatest gift God has given to us (second only to Jesus) is the Church. There are so many benefits to being not only a part of the body of Christ on the earth, but a part of a local body of believers.

WHO IS YOUR EPAPHRAS? Text: Colossians 4:12 “Epaphras, who is one of you, says ‘hello’. What a trooper he has been! He’s been tireless in his prayers for you, praying that you’ll stand firm, mature and confident in everything God wants you to do. I’ve watched him closely and can assure you that he ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Knowing The Power Of The Resurrection

Contributed by Allan Quak on Jan 2, 2006

It is so easy to put the hope of our salvation onto our achievements as believers. Paul not only shows us the uselessness of such an exercise, he also points us to the only source of our hope which is the resurrection of Jesus.

Philippians 3:1-11 Knowing The Power of the Resurrection Scripture Readings:- Romans 6:1-14. Philippians 3:1-11. Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, I want you to recall for a moment the transformations which took place in the lives of various people who witnessed the resurrection of our Lord ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Tears That Touched Jesus’ Heart Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 15, 2012

Jesus only raised 3 people (that I know of) from the dead. Why didn’t He raise everybody out of the grave? Why just people like this only son of the widow of Nain?

OPEN: One of my favorite radio preachers is a man named Tony Evans. I remember listening to him use an illustration about standing in a cafeteria line – and he made it sound intriguing and almost exciting. What I want to share with you this morning (copying as best I can Evans’ distinctive way of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Entering By The Front Door

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 31, 2010

Annual Theme sermon for 1989. Some of us have entered the fold by the back doors, for all the wrong reasons. We need to get that right, and then obey the Lord's invitation to bring others to the only door to the only fold.

One day as we/were here in the church building we heard a loud banging noise, as if somebody were trying to get inside the building. It was an insistent loud knocking, but at first we couldn't find out where it was coming from. Our secretary went down the hallway to the door on the alley, but it ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Food Sign Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 20, 2017

Jesus did many miracles but only 2 are told about in all four Gospels. One is the miracle of Jesus' resurrection... and the other is the miracle of the feeding of the 5000. The question is "Why are these 2 the only miracles listed that in all 4?"

(Note: I put a large piece of Matzah bread on the communion table for a physical illustration later in the sermon) OPEN: (We put a “McDonald’s sign” – without the word McDonalds – up on the screen) Does anybody recognize this? That’s right, it’s the symbol for McDonalds. The first McDonalds ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Recognition In Heaven Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 9, 2021

We will not only know each other in heaven, but we will not really know each other until heaven. We know each other only in part in this life. In heaven all the problems that prevent complete intimacy will be gone.

F. W. Borham tells the story of the English cricket player who lost his sight in his old age. This was a cause for great grief, because he could not watch his own boy play the game in which he excelled. His son became the crack bat on his school team, but the father got small satisfaction from ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Who's Controlling Your Narrative?

Contributed by Bruce Hadley on Apr 19, 2023

There are only two narratives at play in the world, and we are living to one narrative or another When it comes to life, humanity and the world, there are only two narratives at play and being told, God’s narrative and the world’s narrative!

WHO’S CONTROLLING YOUR NARRATIVE Controlling the narrative is the buzz phrase today. It is among the most prevalent phrases in society, business, politics, sports and life in general: "controlling the narrative." Controlling the narrative is, telling it your way, before someone else ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:23, 1 John 5:19, Genesis 3:1-6, Psalm 119:89, Psalm 119:160  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"When It's Good To Be Poor" Series

Contributed by Bruce Hamsher on Aug 6, 2002

It is only when we are poor in spirit that we can be rich in Him and His Righteousness.

“When It’s Good to be Poor” Matthew 5:3 Beatitudes - #1 Intro: Today we will begin a series on the Teachings of Jesus known as “The Beatitudes.” One would have a difficult in history, finding so few words spoken with so much meaning. The word “Beatitude” defined means “Supreme ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Denomination: Mennonite

When Honesty Takes A Holiday

Contributed by Charles Clary on Jan 7, 2002

Someone has said, "Honesty is the best policy." This sermon will show that honesty is the only policy.

Recently, a story broke in the media concerning George O’Leary, who had just been appointed as the new football coach at the University of Notre Dame. Some untrue statements were found in his resume that forced him to resign his new position. What a tragedy! The old-fashioned virtues of honesty ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Seeds Are A Plan For Growth

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 18, 2002

YOU CAN COUNT THE SEEDS IN AN APPLE, BUT ONLY GOD CAN COUNT THE APPLES IN A SEED!

SEEDS ARE A PLAN By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Our text: 2 Peter 3:18 BUT GROW IN GRACE, AND IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST... I ponder: You can count the seeds in an apple; BUT ONLY GOD CAN COUNT THE APPLES IN A SEED. Sickly oaks from sickly ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18, James 1:27

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Visitor From A Strange Planet Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 5, 2002

Why was Samson the only Nazirite to be born with superhuman strength. The answer may surprise you.

OPEN: (We played the opening to the original Superman series, as well as displaying a picture of George Reeves - which stayed on the overhead thru the first illustration - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2l4bz1FT8U) "Faster than a locomotive. More powerful than a speeding bullet. Able to ...read more

Scripture: Judges 13:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Questions And Answers

Contributed by Rae Fitch on May 9, 2002

Very often the answers to life’s questions only result in still more questions.

The story is told of a man who took an evening flight on which dinner was to be served to the passengers. Of course he was in first class, so we can expect that he would have received first class service and a first class meal. He was a bit hungry as he had missed lunch that day in order to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22, Jeremiah 3:33

Denomination: Methodist