Sermons on Incomprehensible Riches:

Separation Anxiety - Mark 10:17-27 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 20, 2024

Why did Jesus tell the rich young ruler the way to eternal life is to keep the law? And why was he the one guy who had to sell everything in order to be saved? And what does all that have to do with your daily life?

Mark 10:17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good-- except God alone. 19 You know the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-27, Matthew 19:16-30, Luke 18:18-30

Your Money Or Your Life?

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 25, 2023

Jesus asks us to hold ALL of God’s gifts lightly, to be ready to give them up, if necessary, to follow him. But it’s hard. And the more you have, the harder it is.

Do any of you remember the story of the poor fisherman and his wife, who caught a magic fish, who granted them 3 wishes? Or Aladdin and his wonderful lamp (not the Disney version)? Or all the other fairy tales involving magic and wishes and unexpected consequences? When I was young I used to spend ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Making Distinctions; Doers Of The Word Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Sep 4, 2021

James points out the economic distinctions that we are all too likely to make in our hospitality ministry. But it wouldn’t be too big a leap to talk about racial and immigrant and gender and orientation distinctions at the same time.

Making Distinctions Doers of the Word FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR B September 5 2021 James points out the economic distinctions that we are all too likely to make in our hospitality ministry. But it wouldn’t be too big a leap to talk about racial and immigrant and gender and orientation ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-9, James 2:14-17

Denomination: United Methodist

What Is Our Part?

Contributed by David Nolte on Jan 20, 2021

Sometimes we presume to play God's part and forget about our part.

Things are not always as we want them to be. Disappointments, disasters, distresses, diseases, dilemmas, discouragement and depression destroy our dreams and desires. Problems seem to be the norm and solutions seem inadequate. Our need is urgent, and we see no light at the end of the tunnel. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Power Toward Us Who Believe

Contributed by Mike Bryant on Mar 3, 2021

Man has always sought unlimited power. God has given believers just that. What is this power that God has given us, and how do we avoid squandering it?

I) The search for unlimited power has been constant theme of history. A) Politically, we see this in attempts throughout history to rule the world. For example, Alexander the Great ruled Greece at the age of sixteen and soon set out on a conquest that saw him ruling most of the known Western ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:19, Ephesians 3:20-21, Matthew 19:26, Genesis 18:14, Matthew 13:30-50, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, Matthew 6:19-21, Romans 2:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Let The Brother Of Low Degree Rejoice In That He Is Exalted: Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 26, 2021

As James talks about the poor (9) and rich Christians (10), he has his mind set on more than current positions, wealth, and actions. He knows that God will be inspecting our lives not as they are now but as a completed work made up of millions of decisions.

Tom Lowe 1/19/2021 Text – James 1:9 (KJV) Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: INTRODUCTION As James talks about the poor (9) and rich Christians (10), he has his mind set on more than current positions, wealth, and actions. He knows that God will be inspecting our lives ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9

Denomination: Baptist

Treating Others With Compassion, Kindness, And Respect Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 29, 2025

How do you treat those who can do nothing for you?

In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon writes, "The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern" (Proverbs 29:7). This verse highlights a fundamental principle of the Christian faith: treating others with kindness and respect, regardless of their social ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46, Luke 14:12-14

The Challenge And The Call Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Nov 1, 2025

The Rich Young Ruler is the only person we see in the New Testament who was invited to follow Jesus who walked away. This message takes a deeper dive into the story of the Rich Young Ruler

I remember when I used to answer every call that came in on our telephone with a sense of excitement and anticipation. In the days before caller ID, spam calls, and scam offers, answering the phone was always a bit of a mystery. You never knew who might be calling. And of course, you always hoped ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22

Denomination: Wesleyan

Child Of God, Family Of God Series

Contributed by Robert Higgins on Apr 15, 2008

Because we do not know who we are, we don’t know how to live. God desires that we know the incomprehensible truth that we are His family and to learn how we can act like it.

Being the Family of God – Part One (Introduction) Rhetorical questions. How many sinners are there in this room? Can I see your hands? (Some of you know I’ve asked this before so you know better don’t you?) Why do so many of us see ourselves as sinners? Is it because…well, because we sin. For ...read more

Scripture: John 1:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

# 2 - Letter To The Church At Smyrna Series

Contributed by Michael Collins on Apr 28, 2025

This sermon deals with the letter to the Church at Smyrna

Letter # 2 – To the Church at Smyrna Revelation 2:8 – “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:” The First and The Last In the letter to the church at Ephesus, Jesus begins by introducing Himself with the phrase, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11, Revelation 1:8, John 1:1, 1 Corinthians 15:12-19, Matthew 5:11-12, Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 2:17-24, Romans 8:18, Romans 8:38-39, Luke 22:31-32, Matthew 28:20, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Revelation 20:14-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Will You Gain? Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Aug 11, 2023

There are two sharply contrasting philosophies of life. One is seen in the rich fool story. It is about going for what the world offers. The other philosophy of life is about going for what Christ offers. Our passage contrasts these two philosophies.

What will you gain? Mark 8:34-38 The story is told of a rich farmer, his fields were particularly fruitful, so much so that there was not enough room to store everything. He tore down the barns and built new and bigger ones. After the new barns were built, he felt like he could sit back and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38, Luke 13:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

Money Series

Contributed by Steven Spillman on May 2, 2008

“I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor and believe me, rich is better.” My dad told me that.

“I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor and believe me, rich is better.” My dad told me that. I’ve mentioned it before. He was just kidding around when he said it and he sure wasn’t rich, but the saying stuck with me. Funny how some things stick, isn’t it? Everybody’s got an opinion about money. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Find Contentment

Contributed by Jason Jones on Feb 19, 2019

The teaching here is two-fold: contentment versus greed and instructions to the rich. The common bond is the purpose of blessing and contentment with provision for the greedy and for the rich.

A. Opening illustration: Contentment in wedding vows, “for richer or for poorer,” 80% 5.6 billion people live on less than $10/day ($3650/yr), half are less than $2.50/day ($912/yr). US poverty line is over $12K/yr, 4X the global rate, 44 million people. 20% of Troup Co. below poverty line, 13,510 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

So You Want To Be A Millionaire?

Contributed by James Bryant on Apr 28, 2001

Looking for Riches? This is where you will find it!

SO YOU WANT TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? Haggai 2:12 (12) If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No. How many of you have seen ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:12

Denomination: Baptist

The Compassion Of Jesus Christ

Contributed by Naveen Balakrishnan on Mar 16, 2004

The LORD Jesus Christ and the Rich Young Ruler

“Decision Time” Matthew 19:16-22 1. The REQUEST of the Rich Young Ruler (v. 16) Jeremiah 33:3; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22 a. The man LIVED as a rich ruler. Luke 18:18, 23; Romans 8:5-6 b. The man asked the LORD Jesus about LIFE-ETERNAL (v. 16b) John 3:4-7; 6:47; 10:27-28; ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Baptist