Sermons on Illusion:

The Mystery Of Pain And Suffering

Contributed by John Lowe on Dec 20, 2012

Christians have a problem with suffering that non-Christians don’t have. Christianity proclaims that God is love and that He loves the whole world. But, if this is true, why does He permit undeserved suffering?

May 1, 2003 Title: The Mystery of Pain and Suffering Text: “And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?” Scripture Reading: Luke 13:1-5 Some people see no ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Controlling What Controls Us

Contributed by Jon Lipka on Jan 27, 2013

Part of preparing to celebrate Easter is examining ourselves, whether there is anything not of the new creation in us.

I’d like to talk to you this evening about humility. Humility has been much misunderstood and, frankly, is quite unpopular today. We can say, “Pride cometh before the fall,” but to really live that out requires radical commitment—a lifestyle that the world is unable to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-21

Denomination: Anglican

A Request For Prayer Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Feb 11, 2013

Paul needed prayer. He asked his readers to pray for him. God delights to hear the prayers of His people on behalf of others, especially pastors and missionaries.

ROMANS 15: 30-33 A REQUEST FOR PRAYER [Acts 20:22-25; 21:10-11] Paul's ministry plan was to go to Jerusalem to deliver an offering sent by the Gentile churches to the needy Jewish congregations. After completing the relief offering, Paul hopes at last to be free to pursue his mission to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:30-33

Denomination: Baptist

Case For A Creator (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Sep 6, 2013

In this five part apologetics series, based heavily on the work of William Lane Craig and Reasonable Faith, five arguments are presented in favor of the existence of God: the evidence of Cosmology, Creation, Conscience, Christ, and Conversion.

The Case for a Creator (1) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 4/7/2013 Twenty years ago, back when I was attending Algonquin Middle School in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Lee Strobel was a pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in Algonquin, just a few miles from my house. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-4

Denomination: Christian Church

Easter: Hope

Contributed by David Kinnan on May 2, 2013

When we lose site of God’s promise, we lose site of God’s hope.

Have you ever lost hope? All three of those families just said hope seemed to be gone. That’s a big deal – that’s hard to speak out loud, but I have no doubt that nearly 100% of us have looked at a situation and wondered if there was any hope. KEY: Hope seems to go to invisible ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Wesleyan

Selfishness Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Jun 16, 2013

It is so easy to judge and condemn the perceived selfishness of others. But rarely do we turn that discerning eye and critical judgment toward ourselves leaving our personal selfishness virtually unchallenged.

Selfishness Philippians 2:3-4 If you look around, you see endless examples of selfishness. We often lament their existence: We lash out at the pork spending of politicians for their constituents. We despise the self-serving culture of corporate greed. We protest the selfish motives of many wars and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-4

Denomination: Methodist

Giving - #6 Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Aug 13, 2012

This culture is longing for an authentic view of Christianity and God demands it. This series paints a picture of the Authentic Christian.

GIVING Authentic Christianity – #6 of 7 Jerry Watts Luke 6:38 * In the ‘hay-day’ years of the train a young man from the country got hired as a switchman on the train. We’ll call him, Leo. As part of Leo’s training, he was taken to a switch by his supervisor. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38

Denomination: Baptist

Born In Sin, Fact Or Fiction

Contributed by J. Edward Brown Iii on Dec 17, 2013

Blinded To Truth Study Series The above text would teach that men are born sinners if it were meant to be taken literally. But the language of this text is not literal, it is figurative. Both context and reality demand a figurative interpretation of this text.

Born In Sin? FACT OR FICTION? Teaching Series By Rev. J. Edward Brown III 2013 We Were Born In Sin, And Shaped In Iniquity What does this really mean? Introduction This doctrine is accepted as fact almost universally in our churches, the doctrine that all of humanity sinned in Adam ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel In The Seven Sayings Of The Cross—pt. 8 (Rest, Peace, & Comfort) Series

Contributed by Bobby Mcdaniel on Nov 6, 2013

By placing His spirit into God's hands, Jesus demonstrated that we have promise of rest, peace, and comfort when our time on earth is done.

1. Introduction a. This morning we finish our series The Gospel in the Seven Sayings of the Cross by focusing on Christ’s seventh and final statement made from the cross. 2. A place of rest, peace, and comfort. a. Read Luke 23:46—Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:46

Incarnation

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Dec 16, 2011

The Word creates the universe and all that is within it and centuries later he presents Himself in human form as a helpless little baby, all to woo us.

Incarnation Advent #3 Dec 11, 2011 Blackness. Deep, inky, heavy, darkness. The kind that presses in from all sides, crushing, chaotic and formless, and yet powerful. It is not eyes-shut blackness – it is eyes wide open blackness, pupils straining to dilate further, desperate for the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Mary’s Secret For A Merry Christmas

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Dec 20, 2009

Mary rejoiced in God, her Savior. That’s where we want our Christmas joy to come from as well. Parts: A. Recognize our lowliness. B. Rejoice in his greatness.

Text: Luke 1:39-55 Theme: Mary’s Secret for a Merry Christmas A. Recognize our lowliness B. Rejoice in his greatness Season: Advent 4c Date: December 20, 2009 Web page: http://hancocklutheran.org/sermons/Mary_s-Secret-for-a-Merry-Christmas-Luke1_39-55.html Grace and peace to you from God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Lutheran

"The Transformation"

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Oct 16, 2010

How God transforms us into His image and 4 things we need to do to change.

“The Transformation” October 17, 2010 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

Denomination: Holiness

Fear, Death, Life

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 26, 2010

It may seem strange to embrace death. But John could do so as he learned of fellow believers being killed, because he had a vision of the risen Christ as lord of life and death and even as lord of all human history.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC July 27, 1986 The picture is indelibly etched on my memory, I'm sure because at the time the incident seemed so bizarre, so peculiar. The scene was an elementary school talent show; all of us had been groomed and polished and persuaded that we had ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:4-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Fiery Furnace - Walking Through Fire Series

Contributed by Gregg Barbour on Feb 8, 2010

Take a look back at a familiar story in this sermon on the 3 amigos- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Tonight, we’re beginning a series on Old Testament Bible Stories. These are the stories your parents may have read to you before bed, or you may have learned in Children’s church, and stories that may have molded the faith that you now have. It was probably easy for you and I to see ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30

Denomination: *other

Faith

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Feb 10, 2010

A few weeks ago I spoke to you about faith...and I gave you each a mustard seed to illustrate just how small a measure of faith was really needed to perform all the things God has for you to do...just that little bit of faith can move mountains!

FAITH 1 SAMUEL 17:20 40, 48 50 A few weeks ago I spoke to you about faith...and I gave you each a mustard seed to illustrate just how small a measure of faith was really needed to perform all the things God has for you to do...just that little bit of faith can move mountains! This morning I want ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:20-50