Sermons on Imitate:

Our Living Hope

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Thesis: What we hope for affects the way we live.

Thesis: What we hope for affects the way we live. Intro.: 1. We live in a world of dashed hopes, a place of shattered dreams. a. Peace --> WW 1 = "war to end all wars." b. Society --> FDR "New Deal"; LBJ "Great Society"; MLK "Dream." c. Personal --> Family, job, health. 2. For the Christian ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12

The Unlovables

Contributed by Jason Winters on Dec 8, 2007

Loving the difficult to love people in your life

The “UnLoveables” “We love each other as a result of his loving us first” 1 John 4:19 NLT). I. God loves the U . “The LORD did not choose you and lavish his love on you because you were larger or greater than other nations, for you were the smallest of all ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Reality Check

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Aug 28, 2007

Examining what it means to live a "real" and authentic Christian life

The text reveals four characteristics that describe a "real" Christian - a believer who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. By asking four questions we can give ourselves a realtiy check. 1. Are you HONEST? (v. 3) We must be honest in the way we live our lives. Message paraphrase: "But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Inconveniencing Ourselves For The Kingdom Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 15, 2009

As the young man in the Gospel was challenged to be inconvenienced to follow Christ, so the challenge to facilitate human development may inconvenience us.

August 17, 2009 Caritas in Veritate The sure path to eternal life, to enjoying the presence of God continually even before we die, is to imitate Jesus and Mary. They–and Jesus, the source of grace, first of all–are the great examples of bringing the Good that is God into contact with a world that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Catholic

Facing The Challenge Of A Warped Society

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 29, 2023

Paul expected all of his congregations to listen to their minds and order their hearts in the right way. He told the folks at Thessalonika that they had no need for anyone to write them about loving their neighbor.

Saturday of the 21st Week in Course 2023 Ordinarily we tend to associate St. Paul’s teachings on chastity and lust with the letters to the Corinthians. But that’s shortsighted. Remember that even as far back as Plato and Aristotle, the virtuous life was associated with men and women who would ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30, Psalm 98:7-9, 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11

Denomination: Catholic

Enjoy Your Trials

Contributed by Eric Grenier on Feb 6, 2018

Finding joy in our trials

Enjoy your Trials James 1:2–4 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, when you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. The Point: ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus Forgives Sin, But. . . Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 13, 2024

Jesus remains focused on His mission. Note that He doesn’t say something like, “well, these guys are products of their environments.”

Saturday After Ash Wednesday 2024 Jesus was in conflict with the Jewish religious leaders of His time pretty much all the time. The other day we heard in Mark that Jesus told the disciples to “beware” of the “leaven” of the Pharisees and the Herodians. Today Jesus is having dinner with His new ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:9-14, Psalm 86:1-6, Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Catholic

The Deception Of Lying Spirits Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Aug 30, 2024

The Bible provides numerous examples of lying spirits and their tactics, serving as a warning to believers and non-believers alike.

Lying spirits, also referred to as deceiving spirits or false prophets, have been a part of human history for centuries. These malevolent entities have the ability to deceive and manipulate individuals, leading them away from truth and righteousness. The Bible provides numerous examples of lying ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 22:22-23, Proverbs 26:28, 1 Kings 18:20-40, Acts 16:16-18

The Tongue Series

Contributed by Dr Fr John Singarayar Svd on Jan 30, 2023

The Tongue

The Tongue Scripture Reading: Mark 3:20-21 Jesus came with his disciples into the house. Again the crowd gathered, making it impossible for them even to eat. When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” Reflection Dear sisters and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-21

Denomination: Other

Loved In Truth Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 27, 2010

Christians are taught to love one another. However, what is it that causes us to love one another? How shall we love? John gives us a glimpse of the love we are to have in this brief letter to a man named Gaius.

“The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Gambler - Philippians 2:25-30 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 27, 2022

We are to celebrate and honor people like Epaphroditus, who risked his life for his (support) ministry.

Philippians 2:25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs (lit: and your apostle and minister of my needs). 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:25-30

Good Anxiety - Philippians 2:19-21 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 17, 2024

Have you ever heard of someone being disqualified for ministry because of a lack of anxiety? That happened with everyone in the Roman church ... except Timothy.

Philippians 2:19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-21

How To Be A Timothy - Philippians 2:22-24 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 17, 2024

The preaching of the Word won’t have an effect on the hard, rocky, or weedy soil until someone gets down on the ground of that person’s heart and does some gardening.

Philippians 2:19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:22-24

God Is The Author Of My Identity

Contributed by Kyle Meador on Sep 26, 2001

God has created, shaped and redeemed you with a specific identity, common to all of His creation, unique to you. Discover this wonderful identity that God is writing on your heart.

God is the Author of My Identity “I’ve always wanted to be somebody. But now I see I should have been more specific.” – Lily Tomlin “Who am I?” One of the great myths of our day is that in your teenage years you figure out who you are and then you live out that identity after you’ve grown up. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:3, 1 Corinthians 15:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Works, Works. Works!" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 16, 2002

We’re not saved by works, but are God’s works, created to walk in good works. (#19 in the Every Spiritual Blessing Series)

In verses 8 and 9 of Ephesians 2 we come to some words that are so familiar to those who have been Christians for a while, that they are almost too familiar. We’ve heard them preached and taught and debated; used as a sword against legalism, and unfortunately, a shield against any call to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-10

Denomination: Orthodox