Sermons on In Control:

Is Christianity Reasonable? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 17, 2014

The question of whether Christianity is reasonable all depends on what answer you're looking for. What answers does the world seek and what is it about the answer the cross gives that is better than what many folks want?

OPEN: I once read about a dishonest manager who was wanting to hire someone for his accounting department who thought like he did. He ended up with 3 applicants for the job and he proceeded to interview them the next day. The first applicant came in and sat at the desk and he and the manager ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Playing Monopoly With God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 4, 2015

Christ warned about the mindset of Monopoly, but all board games have some way to measure success: determining how you win or lose. How do measure success in how we live for Christ? How do we know whether we've actually stored up treasures in heaven?

Lead-in with the following video: http://discoverychurch.com/messages/actually-win-losing/ (first 24 seconds) How many of you have ever played Monopoly? (ask for a show of hands). Me too. I hate the game. I never win. However, Monopoly is one of the THE most popular games in the world. As I did ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Calm In Wild Weather – Peace In Life’s Storms (Message December 2023) Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 19, 2023

I have just been through flooding rains, and in the past, in the eye of the storm (cyclone, hurricane). Peace and calm from God is present in life’s storms in turmoil all around us. In His hand there is comfort when all this world wants to do is to batter the life out of us.

CALM IN WILD WEATHER – PEACE IN LIFE’S STORMS (Message December 2023) Who controls Nature? Is it some arbitrary force often personified as “Nature”, or is it climate change (if you are desperately seeking an answer), or is it some random series of happenings. It is none of these. The One who ...read more

Scripture: John 1:3, Psalm 18:2, Matthew 7:24-27, John 14:5-6, Matthew 11:27-29, 2 Timothy 2:11-13, John 14:15-18, Hebrews 3:7-8, Matthew 11:28-29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bad Judge Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 2, 2014

God dedicated 57 verses to a wicked judge who ruled as king in Israel for about 3 years. Why would He do that? Is it possible the story of this evil man has something to us about how we should think as Christians?

OPEN: In Clay County, Kentucky there was a judge named R. Cletus Maricle. He was one of the rare judges I could find online who had been permanently disbarred. You might ask: “Jeff, why was he disbarred?” I’m glad you asked. R. Cletus Maricle was disbarred because he and 7 other ...read more

Scripture: Judges 9:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Scarecrow And The Pelican – Very Apt Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 3, 2022

The message begins with the insanity of idolatry. Idols are no more than scarecrows in a cucumber field. In great distress David resembled a pelican in the wilderness. Applications are drawn from these two objects to Christian living and personal affliction.

THE SCARECROW AND THE PELICAN – VERY APT PART 1 - A SCARECROW IN A CUCUMBER FIELD {{Jeremiah 10:1-5 Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel. Jer 10:2 Thus says the LORD, “Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens although the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 10:1-5, Jeremiah 10:6-10, Psalm 102:1-13, Jonah 2:5-7, Psalm 61:1-4, Psalm 77:1-10, Psalm 102:19-28, Psalm 107:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ministry Of Motherhood Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 8, 2016

In his instructions of the role of older women, God tells us what he really thinks about the role of women in the church.

As I read the text at the beginning of the sermon I asked the audience to pay special attention to the instructions Titus received in what he was to teach each specific group in this passage - Titus 2:1-10). Have you ever seen a child with lots of freckles on their face? I read the story about ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Message 6 - 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 – Paul Answers Matters Of Eschatology Asked Of Him – Part 1 (Verses 1-8) Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 29, 2022

This chapter opens with teaching on the Day of the LORD and then progresses to practical issues in the Christian life. We will look at the breastplate and the helmet, items for our protection. Paul loved these people at Thessalonica.

MESSAGE 6 - 1 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 5 – PAUL ANSWERS MATTERS OF ESCHATOLOGY ASKED OF HIM – PART 1 (Verses 1-8) PART 1. PAUL ADDRESSES TEACHING ON THE DAY OF THE LORD {{1Thessalonians 5:1 “Now as to the times (stretches of times) and the epochs (particular times), brethren, you have no need of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, John 10:10, 2 Peter 3:10-11, Revelation 16:15-16, 1 Thessalonians 5:4, Matthew 24:3-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8, John 1:4-5, 1 John 1:5-7, 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 5:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who's The Boss? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 22, 2020

I need to submit to "that person?" Seriously? Why?

A man once said: “I am not the boss of my house. I don’t know HOW I lost it. I don’t know WHEN I lost it. I don’t even think I ever had it. But I’ve seen the boss’s job, and I don’t want it.” The text we’re looking at today has been debated for centuries. It seems that the only part anybody is ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Deliberate Unity

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 20, 2016

Unity in His church is important to God... but do you know why? (Preached at a Unity Service with English, Spanish and Burmese speaking worshipers)

(I went over to the thermostat on the wall that we have on stage) Over here on the wall we have a box. I look closely here and I see a number. It says “70”. What does that mean? That’s right – it means that that’s the temperature here on stage. Now is that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6, Ephesians 4:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Word To The Wise On Your Tongue Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 19, 2013

James says the tongue is a filthy and foul organ of the body. But Proverbs 15 tells us that that very tongue has ability to do mighty things for God. What does Proverbs tell us are the good things we can use this muscle to do?

OPEN: The tongue. The tongue is considered a very important part of our culture. So much so that it is central to many of our common sayings. Sayings like: • I just said that “Tongue-in-cheek” • Or “are you tongue tied? • “Will you quit sticking your tongue out. • Or “That’s a real tongue ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hey Jude Don't Be Afraid Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 3, 2017

Jude speaks of people who "infiltrate" the church to damage it. Who are they and why do they do that? And how can we "contend for the Faith" when faced with these kinds of folks?

It was the winter of 1944. The German army was in a desperate situation and ultimately launched what became known as the Battle of the Bulge. A key part of their strategy was to disrupt and mis-direct reinforcements that the Allies would be sending into the battle. They called it “Operation ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who's In Charge

Contributed by Bubba Mcreynolds on Nov 17, 2004

This sermon addresses the question, "Who should really be in charge when it comes to our families?"

Today we will be looking at the question; Who Is Really In Charge Of Your Family? A Battle for Control In the Pacific Ocean, there is a small volcanic island, it only has an area of about 8 square miles and today the island is practically uninhabited. But in 1930’s it was inhabited by about ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Titus The Trouble Shooter Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

No where do we find the Apostle Paul so troubled and restless that he cannot stand still and preach the Gospel. He had to hear from Titus, and until he did he could not concentrate on his ministry. This is the only record we have of Paul failing to go through an open door.

Somebody has to do the dirty work in life, and so all leaders need men who are trouble shooters. George Washington needed one when Benedict Arnold betrayed the colonies and escaped to the British forces. Washington was angry and was determined to get him back. He choose Sargent Major John Champe ...read more

What Can Be Sweeter? A Study Of All The Scripture References To Honey – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 26, 2022

Honey occurs often in the scriptures and the word is associated with sweetness. There is a wonderful study of its applications in the bible and I hope to do that. This is a study in two parts looking at 24 references. Here is PART 2.

WHAT CAN BE SWEETER? A STUDY OF ALL THE SCRIPTURE REFERENCES TO HONEY – PART 2 HONEY IS GOD’S PROVISION - THE APPLICATION OF HONEY IN THE SCRIPTURES This study continues the thoughts we saw in Part 1. I hope you found some value in it. God’s word is meaningful in every way. Honey is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 24:13, Proverbs 25:16, Proverbs 25:27, Proverbs 27:2, Proverbs 27:7, Song of Songs 4:11, Isaiah 7:15, Ezekiel 3:3, Matthew 4:4, Ezekiel 16:19, Matthew 3:4, Revelation 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Selfcontrol Series

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Jun 28, 2004

This is the final sermon in the Series on "The Fruit of the Spirit" from Galatians 5:22-23."

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS SELFCONTROL—GALATIANS 5:22-26; LUKE 9:23-27 The date as I can best recall was Saturday, June 4, 1977. It was about mid afternoon, and Liz and I were returning from Annual Conference at McKendree College in Lebanon, Illinois, to Marissa, to begin our fifth year in my ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-26

Denomination: Methodist