Sermons on Illusions:

Whose Idea Was This?

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Mar 15, 2016

THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT - It’s been said that, “With God, our lives are an open book.” Sometimes, however, we may find ourselves in the middle of the book and still asking, “Whose bright idea was this anyway? It sure wasn’t mine!”

WHOSE IDEA WAS THIS? Isaiah 55:1-9; 54:10 John 14:1-7 Luke 1:36-37; 13:1-9 Ps 63:1-8 1 Jn. 5:4 Rom. 8:28; 12:2 1 Cor. 2:9; 10:1-13 It’s been said that, “With God, our lives are an open book.” Sometimes, however, we may find ourselves in the middle of the book and ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Ruled By Peace Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Mar 15, 2016

All of the traits are to be connected with Christ, of course, but the Apostle Paul seems to emphasize the connection between peace and Christ. What happens when we contemplate the “peace of Christ”?

Colossians 3:15 Ruled by Peace 1/18/15 D. Marion Clark Introduction You are wearing the perfect outfit. Every part looks good; they all match; and they fit the occasion. Everything is fine as long as no one catches on to how you feel inside. Our verse takes us inside to the heart. Text And let ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fate Or Freedom Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 25, 2021

Every day the word comes to us, choose you this day whom you shall serve, and every day we choose either for Christ or for some lesser value.

One of the best known stories of the ancient Greeks is that of Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. The story is had an influence on both theology and psychology. Briefly the story is this: A child is born into a royal family, and the oracle brings bad news, for he says the child is destined to murder his ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-38

The Complexity Of Christmas

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 8, 2021

We often see the first Christmas though rose colored glasses tinted by centuries of tradition. But the plain facts are that Mary and Joseph had a very difficult time with all the events surrounding that first Christmas.

Approaching the Christmas season in 1972, Fred Putman decided to have a evening in front of a cozy fire. He used two boxes of matches, one pint of started fluid, and the Sunday addition of the New York Times, and still could not get the fireplace burning. Bent on romance by fire-light, he decided ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:18-45

This Old House

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 3, 2010

I'm going to have a glorified body [house] someday that will make a mansion look like a shack, and my God has already paid for it in full! Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

This Old House 2 Corinthians 5:1-9 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/ThisOldHouse.html At Christmas we visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, and I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to live in a house like that. Then I thought about the bills! But I'm going to live in something ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Taking Inventory Series

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Mar 4, 2010

Paul's culture and ours are simular. Likemindeness that Christ provides gives a church the ability to make a difference. It comes down to a spiritual inventory.

A matter of the heart – Taking Inventory - This week we are looking at another portion of Philippians. The overall theme of this book is an expression of what Paul believes that Christians should be no matter what a person’s or nations physical situation. We know from the letter ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Congregational

Farmville - Life On The Farm Pt. 3 Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Mar 5, 2010

Farming is no game. Understanding life on the farm is necessary for survival. Learn the laws and learn the lessons in order to live successfully in Farmville.

Movers Card Video roll in Farmville Life on the Farm – Part 3 I. Introduction I told you last week that I never really spent that much time on a farm. Isn’t it interesting that farming has invaded the lives of urban folks through the internet. However, truth be told, we have been saturated with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Way Of Jesus #1: I Have Begun Following Jesus...

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jan 8, 2017

The Way of Jesus is an initiative of my denomination, Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada. As prep, we're doing a 7-part series. The first message is on the first marker of the Way of Jesus: I have begun to follow Jesus, depending on the God's Spirit.

The Way of Jesus #1 - “I have begun following Jesus, and am depending on the Spirit of Jesus in my journey”. - January 8, 2017 It's the new year, still, but I don't want to talk about New Year's resolutions. I don't want to talk about the effort involved in adjusting our lifestyle, changing bad ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:2-5, Matthew 19:13-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

At Ease In Zion Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 9, 2022

Amos 6:1-14 shows us the perversions and punishment of people who profess to belong to God.

Introduction The title of this sermon is “At Ease in Zion.” It comes from Amos 6:1a, which states, “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion.” Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines “ease” as “the state of being comfortable.” So why would Amos pronounce a “woe” on those who are at ease? The ...read more

Scripture: Amos 6:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Dancing With Wolves

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 17, 2023

The false prophets dance around the cost of discipleship, but dancing slippers don’t suit the hard road that leads to the narrow gate, and the wolves never warn their people that they need hiking boots instead

I am trying to navigate the theological tsunami that is threatening to permanently alter the face of our denomination. The amendments to the constitution regarding ordination standards, diversity, inclusiveness, interpretation of Scripture, and so on, are incredibly important to our identity as a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-19, Revelation 22:18-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Remember O Lord, Your Great Mercy (November 28, 2021)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 10, 2021

Isn’t Advent a time of expectation and preparation? Doesn’t Advent challenge us to make changes in our lives? ... Didn’t David write this Psalm expressing remorse as well as the hunger for righteousness that only God could give him? Do we have that yearning in common with David?

Remember O Lord, Your Great Mercy Text: Psalm 25 Psalm 25:1-10  Of David. To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.  (2)  O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.  (3)  Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

More Than A Mother

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 3, 2023

No matter how deep the scars that life has left us with, the mother-love of God can restore the broken places and refill the empty places. There is nothing that we have lost that cannot be transformed or redeemed.

Many of you met my sister Kathleen and her son Brian when they came down for my installation. Brian is the only child in our generation, my mother’s only grandchild. And that’s surprising because, of the two of us, Kathleen didn’t want children and I did. I was the one who played with dolls. I was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:15-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Return Of The King: Judgement Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Oct 10, 2025

Our lives are to be an ongoing announcement of Jesus’s presence among us.

The Return of the King: Judgement Jeffery Anselmi / General Adult Kingdom Come / Last Judgment; Second Coming / 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 Our lives are to be an ongoing announcement of Jesus’s presence among us. INTRODUCTION OPENING SLIDE • We live in a world that loves countdowns. • We count down ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Where Is God When It Hurts?

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 22, 2025

When life hurts, God’s presence sustains, His sovereignty prevails, and His purpose transforms suffering into glory through the Cross of Christ.

There are times when life just doesn’t make sense. You love God. You serve Him. You try to walk uprightly. Yet pain seems to find you like a heat-seeking missile. You look around, and the wicked are prospering, the proud are climbing, and the people who mock God seem to have the easiest lives of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:18-23, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Revelation 21:4

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Rebels Met Grace

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 27, 2025

Three rebels faced Jesus at Calvary. Only one surrendered to the King and will wake at the resurrection into eternal paradise.

THE REBELS MET GRACE 1. The Rebel Who Walked Away There are days when history itself shakes, when heaven bends low, when hell trembles, and when humanity stands face-to-face with a God who refuses to abandon His rebels. Calvary was that day. Soldiers thought they were carrying out a routine ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:33, Luke 23:42-43, John 20:17, Isaiah 53:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist