Sermons on Ill Gotten Gains:

Listen To My Voice Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Apr 25, 2021

The real question for us today is not, “Will God speak to me, to us today?” Instead, will we listen for that voice that is speaking? Jesus doesn’t say, “Listen and maybe I’ll have something to say.”

On this Fourth Sunday of Easter as you look at the lectionary the gospel lesson shifts from historical recounting of the events following to resurrection to Christological reflection. The goal is to assist us as we, like Mary and the disciples, seek to understand what happened and is happening to ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-18

Denomination: United Methodist

Greetings To The Church Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Sep 2, 2020

Paul's welcome in Thessalonica was less than favorable. Although he had been ill-treated while there, being forced to flee for fear of harm, his commitment and love for the church never diminished.

Greetings to the Church 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-4 In the book of Acts we discover Paul receiving the Macedonian call, Acts 16: 8-10. This led Paul initially to Philippi and then on to Thessalonica. In that day, Thessalonica was the prominent seaport and capital city of the Roman province of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Anxiety (Part 1): Understanding Anxiety, Its Symptoms, Types, And Cases In The Bible Series

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Oct 7, 2021

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. That is why we need to understand what anxiety is, its symptoms, various types of anxiety, and the factors that cause it before we learn to deal with it biblically.

Intro: A pastor in the countryside was retiring after 35 years of serving in the church. As he came to clear out his bedroom, he found a small bowl with five eggs and $1,000 in it. Baffled, he called his wife, "Honey, what is this little basket under the bed with five eggs and $1,000 in ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:10-11, Matthew 6:25-34, Philippians 4:6, 1 Peter 5:7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Envy Trap Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 10, 2002

God tells us that godliness with contentment is great gain. But there is one trait that gnaws at the heart of many Christians that can deprive them of that contentedness. What is it, and how can we defend against it?

TEXT: I Timothy 6:3-10 TITLE: The Envy Trap OPEN: How many of you have heard of the tooth fairy? (The question met with a little laughter as everyone raised their hands). I read a story not so long ago about a woman whose 2nd grader had collected a fair amount of money from the "tooth fairy." ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Leaders & Martyrs Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Oct 25, 2013

We have gotten so used to novelty in the church that a common response to this theme, was a rather sympathetic gesture inferring, “What, have you run out of good ideas?” Preaching and prayer just don’t seem that innovative and frankly to many, are the boring part of church.

For the first few chapters of Acts we have heard about the beginnings and growth of the early church in Jerusalem after Pentecost. This was done almost exclusively through prayer and preaching. And Satan was working hardest through the religious leaders, not to stop miracles and such, but to stop ...read more

Community Series

Contributed by Patrick Slack on Sep 26, 2011

Have you ever gotten into a fight with a next door neighbor? Have you ever just felt alone in life? Maybe even in a room full of people? Have you felt like nobody really cared about you? It sometimes seems easier to just become a loner or not to try

Community Video- I belong Have you ever gotten into a fight with a next door neighbor? Have you ever just felt alone in life? Maybe even in a room full of people? Have you felt like nobody really cared about you? It sometimes seems easier to just become a loner or not to try to develop ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Generation Of Spoiled Children

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 19, 2018

As a church body of believers separated to God we have rejected God’s call to repentance collectively just as Israel as a nation has rejected Jesus as Messiah. We have gotten comfortable with our sin. So much so we don’t even call it sin anymore.

A Generation of Spoiled Children Matthew 11:16-30 Have you ever tried to please a group of children by suggesting they all pick out just one game or one activity to do together? Some of you may be dealing with this as part of your daily life and others may have to go back to your babysitting ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"what Are You Afraid Of?"

Contributed by Dave Nichols on Feb 25, 2021

I wonder if there is anything you are afraid of? For me as I have gotten older I have a small fear of heights. Now as you know I am not afraid to fly, but when going up a ladder I do it a bit more slowly than I used to.

What are you afraid of? Holly Springs 2/21/2021 I wonder if there is anything you are afraid of? For me as I have gotten older I have a small fear of heights. Now as you know I am not afraid to fly, but when going up a ladder I do it a bit more slowly than I used to. I can remember when I was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

Heavenly Parent, Earthly Child

Contributed by Chris Thron on Oct 18, 2000

There are many parallels between our relationship with our children and God’s relationship with His. We may gain much profit and insight by comparing these two relationships.

And you fathers, do not provoke your children to anger: rather, bring them up in the training and exhortation of the Lord.(Ephesians 6:4) For this is the love of God -- that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.(1 John 5:3) There are many parallels between ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Then Will We Have?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 24, 2008

Gaining authentic riches means embracing the way of life over the way of death. The way of life means constant companionship and reconciled relationships, all in the risen Christ.

They promised me an income of up to ten thousand dollars a week. It would come in the easiest of ways; all I would have to do would be to sit at home and wait for it to pour in. They said the money would mount up effortlessly. Up to ten thousand dollars a week, made by promoting certain ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

Thanksgiving: 3 Ways To Look At It

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 16, 2005

An INWARD look, an OUTWARD look, and an UPWARD look will help us gain a new understanding of true Thankfulness. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Presentation.

Thanksgiving: Three Ways to Look at It Psalm 95:1-11 PowerPoint for this and all our sermons available at http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons.html ----- Introduction Rudyard Kipling, author of “The Jungle Book”, at one time was so popular that his writings were getting ten shillings per word. [about ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Slave Who Became A Conqueror

Contributed by Arnold Anoya on Dec 2, 2005

God still desire to see people who can be history-makers like Caleb. Caleb’s dedication and faith gained him an inheritance and overcame the enemy.

THEME: “THE SLAVE WHO BECAME A CONQUEROR.” TEXT: Joshua 14:6-15 INTRODUCTION: Do we remember the Israelite slaves who became history-makers? Twelve spies were sent by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan. Out of twelve, only two spies rendered a positive report. They were Joshua and Caleb. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 14:6-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jeopardy Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Apr 20, 2008

As the last week of Christ’s life gains momentum he reminds us that His impending death will conquer the enemy and rescued us from eternal "Jeopardy".

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY: JEOPARDY Mark 12:1-12 Sermon Objective: As the last week of Christ’s life gains momentum he reminds us that His impending death will conquer the enemy and rescued us from eternal Jeopardy. Special Note: For this sermon I used a singer who played/sang “I will Sing the Wondrous ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:1-12

Denomination: Nazarene

The Eye Opener

Contributed by Chris Beam on Mar 21, 2015

There are several important eye-openers that we can gain from this miracle that will help give us a positive outlook when we face problems in our lives.

The Eye Opener John 9:1-11 Over the past several weeks we’ve been looking at the miracles recorded in the Gospel of John so that we can see how Jesus’ can make our impossible situations possible. This week, however, I want to skip over the fifth miracle of Jesus walking on water since ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Cross Of Suffering... See Through It! Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 5, 2012

We are invited to willingly take up our crosses and follow Christ completely, fully aware that eternal gains far out weigh earthly suffering and loss.

Lenten Series: The Crosses of Lent Series Key Verse: I want to know Christ and experience the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His suffering, becoming like Him in His death, and so somehow, to attain the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11 Title: The Cross ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational