Sermons on Inconvenience:

Down The Jericho Road Again Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 17, 2003

Sermon for Martin Luther King Day: we must go "down the road" of compassion, understanding that human hurts are both physical and spiritual, that we must see hurting people as our neighbors, and that we must devote substantial resources to caring for them

There’s something we say every time we find ourselves repeating an unpleasant experience. Whenever you see yourself about to get into the same trouble you’ve already been in, you say, “I don’t want to go down that road again.” For example: Some fellow comes to your door and says, “We’ve been ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Promise Of Advent Series

Contributed by Charles Wall, Jr. on Oct 29, 2003

The Promise of Advent. We have established that there is a need for Advent & now flowing out of that need let’s reflect on the promise that God made of the advent of Christ in order to meet that need.

Today is the 2nd Sunday of Advent. Advent, as I mentioned last week, means the coming or the arrival. Historically, Advent has been a time for Christians to reflect on the meaning of the coming of Christ. And that is what I am trying to help us do over these 4 Sundays of Advent. Last week, we ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:4

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

When Christ Confuses Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 14, 2008

God’s Messiah gives abundant life to all who accept him as he is offered in the Gospel.

Scripture Introduction A thermostat and a thermometer both relate to temperature. But they differ: a thermostat senses heat and starts the air conditioner. A thermometer only reports the heat. The apostle John weaves a thermometer through his book. As he tells about Jesus, he also “feels the ...read more

Scripture: John 7:25-36

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Getting On God's Agenda

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 16, 2007

God’s agenda is to give freedom to the oppressed, and He will not be stopped. But our disobedience can frustrate Him. The church needs to get on God’s agenda quickly.

A little book called “Kids’ Letters to Pastors” provides some fertile ground this morning for us to begin thinking about getting on God’s agenda. You see, you and I know the words we are supposed to say, whether we mean them or not. But kids say what they think, without editing. And so I suspect ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Disciples At The Crossroad Series

Contributed by Brent Zastrow on Mar 13, 2008

What is involved in choosing to follow Christ

Disciples at the Crossroad – Ma. 5:1-12 Are most people happy? Dennis Wholey, author of Are You Happy? reports that according to expert opinion, perhaps only 20 percent of Americans are happy. One morning a deacon was asked to go to the airport and meet the preacher who was coming to his church to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't You Get Weary, Children

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 26, 2010

Revision of earlier sermon, done for Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church, Washington, DC. Spiritual weariness comes when we see obligation instead of privilege, or when we see no results from our efforts. But God in Christ will bring ultimate victory.

Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church, Washington, DC, February 6, 2005 Last May our son got married. He and his bride passed out little bottles of soap instead of the traditional rice, so we all celebrated at the end of the wedding by blowing bubbles. Well, my daughter’s child, a little less ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Don't You Get Weary, Children

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 30, 2010

Revised for use at the Chapel of a retirement complex: Life is burdensome if it is merely obligation and not love, or if we think our work means nothing. Christ's victory shows the power of a meaningful life.

Riderwood Village Chapel, Silver Spring, MD August 8, 2004 In May our son got married. He and his bride passed out little bottles of soap to be used instead of the traditional rice, so we all celebrated at the end of the wedding by blowing bubbles. Well, my daughter’s child, his niece, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Two Side Of The Coin Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Oct 1, 2008

We sit. We soak. We sour. There has to be more! How do we shake off the apathy and impact our culture? It is time to get engaged.

Let’s Get Engaged Pt. 4 – Two Sides of the Coin We have talked about assuming the position. We are called to be gap standers between the living and the dead and stop the plague. We have been challenged to examine our priorities . . . pigs or people? Money or men? And finally I told you last ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-37

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christmas Is Coming! Are You Ready?

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Dec 10, 2008

This message is about how we are to be like John the Baptizer and simply point people to the true light, Jesus. The message has illustrations from Rick Warren, Hannity and Colmes (their interview with Rick Warren) and the Salvation Army bell ringers, etc

In Jesus Holy Name December 14, 2008 Redeemer Text John 1:6-8 “Christmas Is Coming! Are You Ready?” “It’s the largest celebration around the world each year. Other holidays get a single day, but Christmas gets an entire month. During the Christmas season, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Created For Community

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Jun 28, 2010

The greatest need for our time is genuine community.

Created for Community Big idea: As bearers of the image of the Triune God, the greatest need of our time is genuine community. I am convinced that the greatest need of our time is genuine community. For instance, I see it ozzing out in the world cup of soccer. I am seeing people spending money ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Just When You Think You Have Arrived

Contributed by James May on Jan 4, 2009

We haven’t arrived until we reach that place that Jesus has prepared for us. No amount of success in this life means that we have arrived.

Just When You Think You’ve Arrived By Pastor Jim May John 13:36 – 14:6 Simon Peter had made an assumption, and it’s the same assumption that we all make from time to time. He assumed that he had reached a place in his relationship with Jesus where he would never forsake Jesus and would never ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Marks Of An Effective Christ-Follower

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 12, 2009

Effective Christ-followers... Keep Paying it Forward, Work as a Team, Listen to the Holy Spirit, Act on the Revelation They Receive

Marks of an Effective Christ-Follower Acts 16:1-12 Intro: The world today is confused about what it means to be a Christian. They’ve seen enough scandals and double standards that many of them have completely lost all faith in the church, religion, or Christians. In fact, in many settings it is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:1-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Marks Of An Effective Christ-Follower Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Dec 10, 2009

Effective Christ-followers are those who learn to lovingly do what God wants them to do. Let’s take a look at some of the identifiers of an effective Christ-follower.

Marks of an Effective Christ-Follower Acts 16:1-12 Intro: The world today is confused about what it means to be a Christian. They’ve seen enough scandals and double standards that many of them have completely lost all faith in the church, religion, or Christians. In fact, in many settings it is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:1-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Yup - I’m The One"

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 15, 2009

Message about Jesus’ declaration before the Sanhedrin after His arrest.

“Yup – I’m the One.” Matthew 26:57-68 September 6, 2009 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT IS FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." Introduction: I loved comic books growing up. Especially Spider-Man and other super-heroes like Batman, Superman, and the Avengers. In fact, I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:57-68

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Mystery Of The Stable

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 20, 2009

If you were God wouldn’t you provide a special place for your son to be born? So why a stable?

The Mystery of the Stable Everybody loves a good mystery and the Christmas story if full of mysteries, full of whys and hows and whos. If you’ve been with us over the past few weeks you know the theme we have chosen for this advent season is “The Mysteries of Christmas” We started with the Virgin ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Wesleyan