Sermons on Initial Excitement:

The Father’s House

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jul 7, 2002

A look at the Father, the rebellious son, the eldest son and possible endings to the story.

Jolene Horn, in writing for Today’s Christian Woman magazine, tells about reading her daughter the story Jesus told, which we have just read together. She writes, “While putting my 4-year-old daughter to bed one evening, I read her the story of the Prodigal Son. We discussed how the young son ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Methodist

Raise Voices, Flattened Walls Series

Contributed by Monte Wike on Sep 13, 2005

The effects of praise, and success of small increments

Roaring Springs and Matador United Methodist Churches June 4, 2000 Rev. Monte Wike, Pastor “RAISED VOICES, FLATTENED WALLS” The Effects of Praise, the Success of Small Increments A Look at Leadership, #4 GREATER TEXT: Joshua chapters 4, 5 and 6. TEXT: Joshua 6: 16, “And it came to pass at ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Soil Spirituality

Contributed by David Flowers on Sep 13, 2006

On this Friend Day at Wildwind, Dave makes the case that a local church is kind of like soil. As the health of a plant is determined in large part by the soil in which it is planted, so the health of a Christ-follower (or God-seeker) is determined by the

Soil Spirituality Friend Day Sept. 10, 2006 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers I want to begin by welcoming all our guests this morning. At 10:30 on a Sunday morning, especially as summer wraps up and we look toward fall, there are ten-thousand other things you could be doing at this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-8

Denomination: Free Methodist

God Bless Us With Happiness - Part Iii

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Aug 1, 2005

Most people want some happiness in life but do they find it? Not where they might think.

INTRO.- Why would I preach about seeking happiness? Because I think this is a goal that most people have in life. Most people would like to have a certain amount of happiness in life and they go looking for it in all kinds of ways but they don’t always find it. Haven’t you noticed? The world ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are You Listening?

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 7, 2004

In the parable of the sower we have four different types of hearers or listeners.

INTRO.- ILL.- An excited little boy was telling his daddy about something that had happened to him that day. His daddy said, "Slow up, honey, you are talking too fast!" His boy shot back at him, "Oh, no, Daddy, I’m not talking too fast. You’re just listening too slow!" ARE YOU LISTENING? ILL.- ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:18-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Thrill Of Discipleship Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on Feb 18, 2004

There is a true joy in being a follower of Jesus only if we are totally dedicated to Him in all aspects of life

“The Thrill of Discipleship” Introduction: Brother Dan Shafer sings a song that says, “When you walk with the Lord you won’t get bored”. I think Brother Dan is right. In the world today there are many misconceptions about Christianity and what it means to be a Christian. Most Americans claim to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The First Gifts Of Christmas

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 9, 2002

This message looks at gifts given that first Christmas.

When I say Christmas, what do you think? The birth of Christ, Joy to the world, peace on earth and good will to men? Poppycock, when I say Christmas you think: presents, gifts, goodies. For all of the noble and pure motives that we claim we’d be awful disappointed if there wasn’t anything under ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Wesleyan

Say What?

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 9, 2002

A look at Phillip and the Ethopian Eunuch

It’s a unique story, actually it’s an eunuch story as well but we’ll stick with unique. We don’t know the exact reason he had travelled the miles that separated his home land from Israel, it may have had to do with his job, after all he was the treasurer of Ethiopia, we are also told that he was a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-39

Denomination: Wesleyan

Reflect The Purposes Of Christmas #2 - Proclaim Freedom For The Prisoners Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 9, 2002

Second in series looking beyond the glitter of the holiday to the purposes of the Messiah.

Reflect the Purposes of Christmas #2 – Proclaim Freedom for the Prisoners and Release for the Oppressed. December 8, 2002 Introduction Today we continue our Christmas series on reflecting the purposes of Christmas, as seen in Luke 4:18-19, which is printed at the top of your bulletin. I’d like ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:14-17, Luke 4:18-19

Denomination: Wesleyan

You Have Tasted That The Lord Is Good

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Aug 7, 2003

PENTECOST 7(C) - Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good the believer is invited to drink deeply of God’s Word and rejoice in God’s blessings.

YOU HAVE TASTED THAT THE LORD IS GOOD ISAIAH 66:10—14 JULY 27, 2003 ISAIAH 66:10-14 10"Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. 11For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 66:10-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Sensation Chasers Or Jesus Chasers

Contributed by Gary Regazzoli on Aug 24, 2003

Jesus’ congregation drops from 5000 to 13 in one day because he wants followers who are Jesus Chasers, not Sensation Chasers

John 6:52-70 – Sensation Chasers or Jesus Chasers Let’s say for a moment you are responsible for hiring and firing your church pastor • The church is doing great. You have more than 5000 people attending • The senior pastor is a great guy, people like him, he’s a captivating speaker, and has ...read more

Scripture: John 6:52-70

Denomination: Christian Church

Open Your Eyes!

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Jan 22, 2006

Message "based" on John 4:35 - using the concept of the harvest. Warning!! This is not how I would normally use this passage! It is used in relation to a celebration coming to our city this year.

Open Your Eyes! John 4:35 January 8, 2006 Introduction This is not going to be your typical Sunday message from me. Rather than the type of message where I take a passage of Scripture and walk us through it to find principles to apply, I want this to be a kind of "where do we go from here" ...read more

Scripture: John 4:35

Denomination: Wesleyan

Glory Of The Story Series

Contributed by Ryan Akers on Jul 8, 2006

Stories have helped shape our lives. They are emotionally driven and have caused us to look at who we are and how we want to live. In this series we will look at how stories particularly Christ parables would used to challenge, charge and change the peopl

Power of the Parables Pastor Ryan Akers Part 1- The Glory of the Story James 3:4-6 (Read The Foot Book) How many of you remember being read to as children? (Story time in 2nd grade in Mrs. Imgarten’s class reading Where the Red Fern Grows) Some of my most vivid memories or a time in my life ...read more

Scripture: James 3:4-6

Denomination: Wesleyan

I-Give Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 18, 2009

The early church sold their lands to help the poor and needy amongst them. Were they setting the pattern for a communist commune? Were they socialists? Or was there something more basic going on here?

OPEN: The past two weeks we’ve been talking about iPods. Ever since Apple Computers began marketing these miniature music machines in 2001 they’ve been a popular item with both adults and kids alike. iPods have been marketed in various shapes and sizes and colors, and there are all kinds of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:15-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Passion Of The Magi Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Nov 3, 2008

Today, we look at the wise men. There is one thing which sets this God encounter apart from the others in the Nativity story. Mary, the shepherds and Joseph weren’t expecting or looking for anything special to happen in their lives. The Magi weren’t eithe

The Passion of the Magi Matthew 2:1-12 Jeff Vanderhoof writes, Earlier this month I was privileged to fly to England with the incoming class of ordinands, the Bishop, and others from our Conference. It was an outstanding experience, one that I will treasure for years to come. Part of me expected ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist