Sermons on Institutional Survival:

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

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

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

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 impacts 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

Failure And Rejection Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Oct 4, 2009

How do we live fearless lives as Christians? God’s heart is that we not just survive, but thrive (adapted from a series taughty by Pastor Larry Osborne, North Coast Church).

Part 5- Fearless (adapted from a series by Pastor Larry Osborne/Chris Brown from North Coast Church). Review How do we master our fears/respond properly to life? I want us as a church to understand … who we are and the high calling on our lives. Jn 15:15-16 Many times we look at the giants in our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Charismatic

How To Worry Well Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Oct 27, 2009

How do we live fearless lives as Christians? God’s heart is that we not just survive, but thrive (adapted from a series taughty by Pastor Larry Osborne, North Coast Church).

Introduction Fearless the series continues- last installment. We will be addressing the topic of worry today. Much to worry about today and even be fearful of. How do we master our fears/concerns as Christians? How do we worry well? Do you know someone who worries? Do you worry? What do you worry ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Charismatic

Facing Your Fear Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Sep 7, 2009

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

Introduction Part 2- Fearless (adapted from a series by Pastor Larry Osborne/Chris Brown from North Coast Church). Review Last time-looked at Daniel/his captivity in Babylon- Babylon was a very dark culture Premise of what we discussed- based on this question- How do we survive and even ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9

Denomination: Charismatic

A New Encounter With God

Contributed by Jonathan Falwell on Jun 13, 2007

In the desert, they were pressing toward a goal they could only dream of; in the Promised Land, they actually began to believe God for greater things! They were no longer satisfied with survival…now they wanted to succeed.

A FRESH ENCOUNTER WITH GOD Two weeks ago, we opened the book of Joshua and found great promises that God had for us. Promises that would bring us through difficult days. We read of how Joshua was told by God to rise up and cross the Jordan. To cross that river that seemed like such a challenge. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Riding Out The Storms Of Life

Contributed by Nick S Panico on May 20, 2016

In all our lives we must face storms. Sudden and unexpected winds of adversity which blow in and blow up. How do we not just survive the storm but thrive in it and through it.

“Riding Out the Storms of Life” (Mat 14:22-33 NIV) Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. {23} After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Do We Beat Death? Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Sep 13, 2009

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

Introduction Part 3- Fearless (adapted from a series by Pastor Larry Osborne/Chris Brown from North Coast Church). Review First week-looked at Daniel/his captivity in Babylon- Premise of what we discussed- based on this question- How do we survive and even thrive in a culture that is accelerating ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Charismatic

Passing The Torch Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Sep 20, 2009

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

Introduction Part 3- Fearless (adapted from a series by Pastor Larry Osborne/Chris Brown from North Coast Church). How do we live the Christian life in the middle of situations that would cause others to buckle. How do we master our fears/respond properly to life? Review 1st week-Daniel living in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Denomination: Charismatic

Encouraged To Endure Sermon I: Encouraged By A Hope That Is Sure Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 7, 2020

Going through difficult times causes anxiety and uncertainty, even among devoted Christians, but God our Father has provided for our survival and encourages us to endure by the certainty of a hope that is sure.

Encouraged to Endure by a Hope That Is Sure “Encouraged to Endure by a Hope That Is Sure” is a fitting motto for those of you who, like me, have joined the Four Score Overtime Club. It is also a motto apropos to the 1st ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

The Church Is Prevailing

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Mar 10, 2019

With so many scandals inside the Church and attacks from outside the Church, we can sometimes wonder if the Church will survive. Jesus promises that His Church will prevail! And as it prevails, we prevail, too.

Opening Remarks and Introduction In the past few years, Christian churches have been rocked by problems both inside and outside the church. In 2017, we saw a shooting at a church in Sutherland Springs, and recently a mega-church in town hit the news recently with one youth worker and some of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18, Philippians 1:12-14, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 8:14-17, John 8:11, Ephesians 2:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

The Burning Book

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 28, 2022

If you were shipwrecked on a deserted island, what book would you most want to have? Maybe Ship-Building for Beginners! But to survive the storms of life, we need God’s revelation.

If you were shipwrecked on a deserted island, what book would you most want to have? Maybe Ship-Building for Beginners! But to survive the storms of life, we need God’s revelation. Karl Barth said, “We must read the Bible through the eyes of shipwrecked people for whom everything has gone ...read more

Denomination: Congregational