Sermons on Illusions:

Available For Life-Shaping Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 12, 2003

If we want to be worthwhile, trustworthy, respected people, we must be available for life-shaping. That means to downplay disappointment, pick perceptive people, consider consequences, and accept affirmation.

Worthwhile lives are made, not born. No one gets to get be great just by dumb luck or by the genes they inherited. Worthwhile people, trustworthy people, respected people are made. They are formed. They are shaped. Somebody has to take raw material and shape it into something useful. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Culture Of Hope Series

Contributed by Bob Lentz on Dec 7, 2006

In a broken, fragmented and angry world, the church must realize that we stand as the only legitimate source of hope.

The Culture of Hope 12-10-06 Series: Creating a New Culture…in the church Rom. 15:13 I am indebted to John Burke’s book, “No Perfect People Allowed” for many of the basic ideas expressed in this series. It’s a great read! Intro. I want to pray a special prayer ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:13

Denomination: Baptist

There Is Hope

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 5, 2004

We have hope because of: 1. Who we are. 2. Whose we are. 3. Where we are.

On November 21, 1943, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote a letter to his fiancee, Maria von Wedemeyer, while he was imprisoned by Hitler during World War II. In the letter, he talked about a spiritual lesson he was learning from his life as a prisoner. He wrote: “A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:14-21

Denomination: Methodist

I'm Mrs. Nesbitt

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jun 11, 2007

The Second in a Series ’Hearing the Word of God’

(1) Nine years ago, after seeing the movie ‘Toy Story’ many times over, I wrote a four week study guide using clips from the movie and corresponding Bible passages, to be used with teens. I am using it again in Sunday School with our teens and we have had good discussions about relationships and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-5

Denomination: Church Of God

To Hear, Fear, And Find Him Near

Contributed by Hansel Young on Oct 11, 2007

personal steps towards revival

To Hear, Fear, And Have Him Near Psalm 85:6-13 Why do we need revival? A lady asked Billy Sunday: "Why do you keep having revivals when it doesn’t last?" And Billy Sunday in turn asked her, "Why do you keep taking baths?" Regular revival is necessary to keep a church cleaned up. A man was ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:6-13

Denomination: Holiness

An Invitation To Joy Series

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on Nov 2, 2007

Jesus challenges our common ideas about what it means to live the good life.

An Invitation to Lasting Joy “What does God expect of me?” “How should a Christian act under pressure?” “Am I pleasing the Lord and honoring Him?” Answers to these questions can be found throughout the Bible, but there is one section of the Word, where Jesus Himself answers these questions and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:2-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Trialful Joy

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 8, 2009

Trials and tests are no fun. James doesn’t tell us to consider it fun but to "consider it all joy." Trials and tests are gut wrenching and drawn out at times, but the one thing that we must know is that God is with us through the whole ordeal.

Opening illustration: After William Carey was well established in his pioneer missionary work in India, his supporters in England sent a printer to assist him. Soon the two men were turning out portions of the Bible for distribution. Carey had spent many years learning the language so that he could ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life Signs Of A Healthy Church Series

Contributed by David Welch on Oct 19, 2009

Sermon 9 in the series dealing with the Biblical signs of a healthy church.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ “Life Signs of a Healthy Church” INTRODUCTION What determines whether something is dead or not? A medical doctor checks for VITAL signs. Pulse, blood pressure, oxygen levels, brain function Some remain alive but are pronounced brain dead because there is no longer ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Glory In Persecution [rated - R]

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 6, 2009

The time is coming when Christians will be persecuted right here. How do I know it? I have already traveled that road before. How will you deal with it? Let us not try to run and find a way to escape persecution but face it like Jesus did.

Opening illustration: Video clip of persecuted Christians worldwide. Let us turn to 1 Peter 4 and check out what to expect while being persecuted for Christ. Introduction: In the nature of things persecution must have been a much more daunting experience for Gentiles than it was for the Jews. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

True Lies Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Nov 9, 2009

The people of Lystra are held captive by not only false belief, but also by the spirit of darkness that they serve.

Common Lies that plague our lives: The check is in the mail. (Well, internet banking has made that one less popular) I’ll start my diet tomorrow. (No comment) We service what we sell. (I won’t mention any of the places you are thinking about right now) Give me your number and the doctor will ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:8-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Getting It Wrong Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 29, 2009

This passage is hard on the disciples, no getting around it. They fail, repeatedly. But when I step back and look at me, and at today’s church, I refuse to condemn the disciples because I see these very same failures in me and in today’s church. We’ve

Getting it Wrong: Breaking Boundaries Luke 9:37-50 May 17, 2009 Intro: What we usually do when we study Scripture is good – we break it down into smaller pieces so we can really get into the stories and try to understand them, see Jesus in them, and reflect on what they mean for who we are and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:37-50

Denomination: Baptist

Escaping Judgement

Contributed by Charles Cockroft on Aug 30, 2009

We are living in the Last Days and Jesus described it.

This sermon was composed from several resources but inspired by the Holy Spirit EXCAPING JUDGEMENT Lu 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:26-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Church Of Pergamum (The Indulgent Church) Series

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Sep 8, 2009

examines the church of Pergamum to learn how it relates to us and the church today.

“Revealing Revelations - III The Church of Pergamum (The indulgent church) September 13, 2009 Revelation 2:12-17 The city of Pergamum (or Pergamos in the KJV) was the center of an imperial cult. There were many cults and religions here – but ‘Gnosticism’ probably influenced them all – including ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Holiness

Jesus: The Greatest Preacher Series

Contributed by David Moore on Jan 29, 2010

This message shows how Jesus doctrine and deeds amazed those who heard Him. Emphasis is given to His primacy, power and passion in preaching.

Studies in the Gospel of Mark The Greatest Preacher Aim: To show that Jesus was a preacher with passion, and power. Text: Mark 1:21-28 Introduction: With all the preparations in place the Lord Jesus now throws Himself into His mission. John has pointed to Him as the Lamb of God, the father has ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

Peter: The Power Of Peer Pressure

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 5, 2010

Calverton Baptist Church, Silver Spring, MD, 1983: Our denials, like Peter's, reflect our confusing loudness with loyalty and our seeing ourselves as victims rather than victors. But Christ is able to look at us, evoke repentance, and turn us around.

The fire crackled in the crisp air, casting shadows on the walls not five yards away. It looked inviting, this bonfire, for not only was the night air chilly, but also this whole episode had been so draining, so terrifying, that the body cried out for comfort, for something, anything, that would ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-62

Denomination: Baptist