Sermons on Intentional Friendship:

Can I Forgive?

Contributed by William Hooper on May 3, 2011

Three conditions for forgiveness: I can forgive if I know what forgiveness is not; I can forgive if I know what forgiveness is; and I can forgive if I receive forgiveness myself.

CAN I FORGIVE? Psalm 32:1-6 Matthew 18:21-35 William L. Hooper, PhD Minster to Senior Adults First Baptist Church, Bolivar, MO April 23, 2006 When I have been wronged, what response should I give? This is a universal question for all people. In our own time we have seen this question answered ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

"Come And See" (Belonging I) Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Sep 29, 2014

Throuoghout the gospels Jesus treated outsiders like insiders, extending a sense of belonging to people even before they believed. As his followers we befriend people by helping them belong as a first step toward believing.

Title: “Come and See” (Belonging I) Text: John 1:35-46 Thesis: Throughout the gospels Jesus treated outsiders like insiders, extending a sense of belonging to people even before they believed. As his followers we befriend people by helping them belong as a first step toward ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Passion Of Self-Gratification Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 30, 2009

God’s wisdom gives peace but the churches to which James wrote were experiencing chronic hostility & sharp confrontations. They fought, coveted, quarreled & condemned others to obtain their desires. They were dominated by self-will

JAMES 4: 1-5 THE PASSION OF SELF-GRATIFICATION [Romans 7:14-25] Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy wrote of a man who was dominated by the driving desire for self-gratification. To possess land was his highest pleasure. Someone promised him that he could own all of the land he could walk around ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

If You've Seen Me Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on May 19, 2022

What do you picture when you picture God: A heavenly tyrant and scrupulous bookkeeper? "Every idea and assumption, says Trevor Hudson, must be measured against the person of Jesus."

Last Sunday I asked you to mentally or physically draw a picture of what you think God looks like. It may have sounded silly or trite, but I was very, very serious. As preacher, author, and lecturer Trevor Hudson so powerfully and succinctly put it: “In each of our hearts and minds there is ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Hearts Ablaze For Serving Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 3, 2001

Thesis: We need to have hearts that are ablaze and that burn with the passion for serving God and serving each other. Only then will we find fulfillment and happiness in life! Only then will we make a difference for all eternity.

Hearts Ablaze for Serving? Thesis: We need to have hearts that are ablaze and that burn with the passion for serving God and serving each other. Only then will we find fulfillment and happiness in life! Only then will we make a difference for all eternity. Illustration: While I was helping to ...read more

Scripture: John 13:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Best Friends Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 28, 2003

Fully following followers of God express God’s love like Jonathan did with David.

I begin this morning with a question, “Who would you call your best friend?” For some of us, it is our spouse. For others of us, a sibling is our best friend. For others, a childhood friend whom we still communicate with today holds the title of being our “best friend.” Best friends are very ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-4

Denomination: Church Of God

What Does It Mean To Be The Family Of God?

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Aug 13, 2006

What does it mean to be the family of God? What does it look like for us to live in community? 1. A commitment to the hard work of relationships. 2. Having compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 3. Risk

Max Lucado, in his book In the Grip of Grace tells the story of the family of God in the form of a parable. He writes, “God has enlisted us in his navy and placed us on his ship. The boat has one purpose — to carry us safely to the other shore. This is no cruise ship. . . . We aren’t called to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Methodist

Emotionally Unfaithful

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 30, 2019

A study in the book of Hosea 1: 1 – 11

Hosea 1: 1 – 11 Emotionally Unfaithful 1 The word of the LORD that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel. 2 When the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Connecting Together Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Feb 12, 2009

Adapted sermon of Rick Warren on the need for being in true Biblical fellowship with one another.

Today, we are beginning the third week of our 40 Days of Community, that’s day 15 for those who are doing the daily devotions. We are continuing to explore what God’s purpose is for us here on earth, which we have said is to love Him, and love others the way he does. That’s what we are here for. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:46

Denomination: Methodist

Everyday Heroes - Part 1 Parents Series

Contributed by Art Good on Jun 20, 2017

Pastor Steve O'Dell brings the first in the series honoring everyday heroes in our community. These people are often unsung heroes who deserve to be recognized for all they do.

Funny Parenting tweets - (Title Slide) One of the reasons we are honoring parents today is very simple...parenting is often a hard and thankless job! So we want to recognize and thank you for your commitment to the task of raising your children. I remember the first time I did a sermon series on ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2, Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 12:26, 1 Corinthians 15:33

Denomination: Wesleyan

Knowing God's Will Series

Contributed by Bob Groves on Sep 29, 2001

Helping people learn to recognize God’s will and direction in life.

Today – We Will Refocus on the Series Derived from the Questions that Were Submitted by YOU Looked at Salvation...Trinity... TODAY – KNOWING GOD (HIs Will & Voice) How He leads...Does he lead... How far is God into that leading? QUESTIONS Scripture Ps. 23 PRAY I. Can I Know God’s ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6, Psalm 23:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

You And The Messengers Of Comfort Sent To You Series

Contributed by Dove Inspirations on Feb 21, 2022

suspicion , lack of discernment and the resultant chaos and redundancy

You and the messengers of comfort that were sent to you An incident that resulted in war and death of many is narrated twice in the Bible. In 2Samuel 10 and 1 chronicles 19. Read both accounts. The incident ends with battles, reinforcements and death of more than forty thousand people . The ...read more

Be Penitent Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Oct 13, 2022

So when we talk about being penitent, having a willingness to repent when we live against God’s law, we are talking about humility, sorrow, and turning away from sin.

Be Penitent 2 Samuel 11-12, Psalm 51 Introduction If there’s one thing that most people do not like to do, it is to admit a fault or a mistake. But that can be a spiritual disaster for the disciples of Jesus. We’ve been looking at signposts for the journey - reminders of the life we ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fighting Fear With Fear Pt 7 Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jun 28, 2018

Judges series pausing on the topic of fear. This is the last of seven messages.

Judges Series #16 Life Cycles “Fighting Fear with Fear” Part 7 The Benefits of the Fear of the Lord Review From our study of the book of Judges, we discovered that our all-powerful God uses the improbable to accomplish the impossible. In reality, He has no other option since everyone lives ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:21-23, Deuteronomy 6:12-15

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Whom Shall I Fear Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Sep 2, 2025

Things and people that we fear take a variety of forms. Jesus urges us to not fear those who can only do things to us in this life, but to fear Him who has power over eternity - and yet because of His great love, we should not fear Him.

Introduction There are things that all of us fear. What may cause me fear might not be what causes you fear and vice versa. Last night we were visiting with some folks and were reminiscing a bit about one of the fear inducing and adrenaline pumping experiences we had - bungee jumping. Fear, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:4-12

Denomination: Baptist