Sermons on Institutional Survival:

Sown In Peace

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 4, 2005

Funeral message for Velton H. Edmonds, former chair of the church’s Music Committee. Gentleness and wisdom together, without an ounce of envy or ambition, yields a harvest for those who survive.

The poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson has the ancient Greek hero Ulysses say, “I am a part of all that I have met”. More completely, I am a part of all that I have met; Yet all experience is an arch wherethro’ Gleams that untravell’d world, whose margin fades For ever and for ever when I move. How dull ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

What If There Is Not Enough? Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Oct 18, 2009

How do we live fearless lives as Christians? Gods heart is that we not just survive, but thrive (adapted from a series taught by Pastor Larry Osborne, North Coast Church

Many things today to worry about even be afraid of. What is it that causes you to toss/turn at night? There is a biblical place for fear, however there is a … -ROCK we can stand on, -spiritual stability we can experience that enables us to stand in the face of our fears. Last week I wore my ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:11-12

Denomination: Charismatic

Provisions For The Powerless Series

Contributed by Mark Adams on Oct 23, 2015

Second in a series on Elisha. In a world that believes in the survival of the fittest, God's people have resources available to us that go beyond what the world thinks is possible. Church is to be a culture of life, not of scarcity.

======================================================================== VIDEO CLIP BEGINS THE SERMON…BE SURE AUDIO IS UP ======================================================================== => INTRO: Bill Collector Video. Taken from YouTube, a former bill collector talks about making ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Revival Follows Persecution

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 23, 2014

For centuries, Christians have been hated and viciously opposed in many nations. But persecution has not destroyed Christianity. Even under the direst circumstances, it has not only survived but thrived and revived the church.

Opening illustration: Did you know that if one of the arms of a starfish is severed, a new one will grow in its place? In fact, if a starfish is cut up, any piece that contains a part of the central disc will develop into a new starfish. Some oyster fishermen found that out, much to their dismay, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Standing In The Storm

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Oct 24, 2014

The Storm tests our faith and reveals our character, but what separates those who survive it are those who built their hopes on Jesus, not merely hearing but doing what He says.

Standing in the Storm Introduction: In today's culture the lines that divide what is right and what is wrong are blurred. While there may be ambiguity in the world, there is no ambiguity in the word. The word of God is described as a two edged sword in Hebrews 4:12 It is so sharp it separates ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29, Acts 27:21-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

King Agrippa Ii Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 30, 2022

In 70 he aided Vespasian’s son Titus in the final conquest of Jerusalem itself. After the war, his territory was enlarged by Titus, and he apparently survived until 93 CE.

Herod Agrippa II, or AGRIPPA II, officially named Marcus Julius Agrippa and sometimes shortened to Agrippa, was the last ruler from the Herodian dynasty, reigning over territories outside of Judea as a Roman client. Agrippa was overthrown by his Jewish subjects in 66 and supported the Roman side in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Keeping The Altar Burning

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 14, 2025

The command to keep the fire burning is not optional—it is essential for spiritual survival and effectiveness. When the fire burns, you remain sensitive to God, empowered for purpose, and protected from spiritual coldness.

KEEPING THE ALTAR BURNING By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Leviticus 6:12-13 Supporting Texts: Romans 12:1, Hebrews 13:10, 1 Kings 18:30-39, Revelation 3:15-16, Psalm 51:17 INTRODUCTION: The altar is a spiritual meeting point where man offers sacrifices and God responds with His fire. In the ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 6:12-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Connectivity To Divinity Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 14, 2025

One of the greatest privileges of the believer is access to divine connection. Just as a branch cannot survive without being attached to the vine, so also no man can thrive without a connection to God.

CONNECTIVITY TO DIVINITY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: John 15:5 "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." Supporting Texts: James 4:8; Psalm 91:1; Isaiah 40:31; John 14:6; ...read more

Scripture: John 15:5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Sanctity Of Marriage

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jul 17, 2004

How does the Bible define marriage? Why did God institute marriage in the first place? It must be clear from the outset that our final authoritative standard for our lives is the Word of God. God’s standards do not change.

THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE MATTHEW 19:4-6 INTRODUCTION: This coming week Congress is slated to vote on a Federal Amendment defining marriage. There are those who want to establish a traditional definition of marriage. Others oppose any traditional definition and are seeking to redefine marriage. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:4-6

Denomination: Baptist

No Excuse Day---Own It & Repent

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 7, 2015

The can be an attitude to bypass the plan of God and institute our own systems. We hear forgive yourself, that is good, but God demands us to REPENT. It is not enough to forgive yourself, we come to the foot of the cross and take ownship of our sins.

NO EXCUSE DAY ... OWN IT AND REPENT... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I. EVER DREAMED OF NO EXCUSE DAY? A NO COMPLAINING DAY? Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Greatest Qualification

Contributed by Simeon Akindele on Nov 20, 2014

Some people consider qualifications earned in conventional educational institutions like primary, secondary, polytechnic or university as the best platform capable of opening doors of greatness to any man. That may be true in some respects but not necessarily so in all circumstances!

THE GREATEST QUALIFICATION? Some people consider qualifications earned in conventional educational institutions like primary, secondary, polytechnic or university as the best platform capable of opening doors of greatness to a man. That may be true in some respects but not necessarily so in all ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:9

Denomination: *other

Marriage Part 4: The Four Horsemen Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 16, 2025

Part four of this five part series on marriage focuses on how to handle conflict based on the Gottman Institute identifocation of the Four Horsemen that can destroy a marriage. I highly recommend everyone to visit their website for resources for addressing marital conflicts.

Marriage Part 4: The Four Horsemen Scripture: First Peter 3:7; Matthew 5:22-24; Ephesians 4:26-27 Good morning Strangers Rest. This is part four of my series on marriage. The title of today’s message “The Four Horsemen” and I will be focusing on when we face conflict within our marriage. In part ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7, Matthew 5:22-24, Ephesians 4:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Open Tomb, Closed Case Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Apr 26, 2025

In our cynical world today, it's hard to trust anyone. All the institutions have been shown to be engaged in fraud, lying, and deception. But we can trust the Word of God and the God who gave us that Word.

Open Tomb, Closed Case Text: John 20:1-29 So we just celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And like I said last Sunday, it’s the most amazing event in all of human history. So even though we’re going to be back in John’s Gospel this morning, we’re right at the point ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-29, Romans 1:1-4, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Corinthians 15:14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Ruth Scene 2 Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Feb 15, 2013

2 Ruth knew the Israelite custom of gleaning. What a beautiful Law it was that God instituted to help the poor. He didn’t set up government welfare where people were given money to do whatever they wanted with. He provided a plan that if a person was will

The rich farmers or business people could allow the poor to work for something that the wealthy person didn’t need. Because let’s face it, most of us even half way well off people have way more than we need. A car dealer could spare a used car for a person’s use if the person was ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-23

Christian Optimism

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 17, 2003

Using quotes from sailors who survived the sinking of USS Indianapolis this sermon demonstrates how perspecive and point of reference impact our state of happiness. Several reasons for Christian Optimism are discussed.

Christian Optimism II Tim. 1:12 6-23-02 On July 16, 1945 the USS Indianapolis left the San Francisco Bay carrying mysterious box to Tinian, a small island in the west Pacific. Nobody knew that in the box was the Atomic Bomb that the Enola Gay would soon drop on Hiroshima. After making the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:11-12, 2 Timothy 1:12

Denomination: Charismatic