Sermons on Intentional Friendship:

Songs We Sing: "the Old Rugged Cross" Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 18, 2025

The death of Jesus is the central thought, intention, and focus of the classic "The Old Rugged Cross." The death of Jesus is a worthy topic for a worship song because the death of Jesus is central to our faith.

SONGS WE SING: “THE OLD RUGGED CROSS” Romans 5:1-11 #theoldruggedcross INTRODUCTION… Funeral this past week (p) Some of you may know, but some may not, that I am on a short list for a few of the funeral homes around the area for emergencies or when a family has lost a loved one and the family is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Psalms 27, 37, And 84 Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Mar 7, 2020

Passages in different locations are often interconnected in such a way that one avenue of thought springs from another. Although these psalms were not written with the intent that they be interconnected by us today, they collectively express a message relevant today.

For Sermon Central researchers: I have posted a series of 15 sermons on the Psalms. In recent personal studies I have found the psalms to be richer and more thought-provoking than I had fully appreciated. I had too often swept swiftly through psalms without slowing down to inquire as thoroughly as ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-14, Judges 6:26-27, Deuteronomy 27:1-7, Joshua 8:30-32, Exodus 24:4, Exodus 17:15, 1 Samuel 7:17, Genesis 35:1-3, 2 Samuel 24:21-25, Genesis 33:20, Psalm 37:25, Philippians 3:20, Acts 7:1-49, 2 Samuel 12:10-13, Psalm 84:1-4, Psalm 37:1-40, Psalm 27:13, Genesis 26:25, Psalm 84:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dealing With Division Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 7, 2022

When people are bound together with a common goal and purpose they are able to get along and work with one another; however, when intentions are unclear and people are lacking direction, they will often begin fighting each other.

The Israelites, in conquest of Canaan, were united in purging the land. They had a purpose that brought them together. However, when they started settling down, then disagreements began erupting. When people are bound together with a common goal in mind and fighting for the same thing, they are ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 22:10-31

Denomination: Baptist

Galilee Departure And Samaritan Rejection Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 4, 2017

Matthew calls our attention to the movement of Jesus around Palestine. Jesus enters Judea again and moves to Jerusalem for the last time before He is crucified. There is definite intention in everything He does and says.

Galilee Lesson: Galilee Departure and Samaritan Rejection Matthew 19:1, Luke 9:51-56, John 7:10 Matthew calls our attention to the movement of Jesus around Palestine. Jesus enters Judea again and moves to Jerusalem for the last time before He is crucified. There is definite intention in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-56

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Daily Devotion

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 5, 2025

In a world filled with distractions and spiritual dryness, daily devotion is like fresh manna for the soul. It is the consistent, intentional practice of seeking God's face through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word.

THE POWER OF DAILY DEVOTION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 119:105 Supporting Texts: Joshua 1:8, Mark 1:35, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Isaiah 50:4, Matthew 6:6 INTRODUCTION: In a world filled with distractions and spiritual dryness, daily devotion is like fresh manna for the soul. It is the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:105, Joshua 1:8, Mark 1:35, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Rejection Test

Contributed by Doug Morrell on Dec 5, 2005

It is completely unnatural, painful and difficult to risk friendships when you are truly about God’s work, but Jesus never flinched in His pursuit of God’s will - in the end you will discover those who are there for the show and those who show Christ-like

As I was reading in I Peter 4:1-19 from The Message I came across some passages that appear to be very timely: Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Story About Money... Keep The Change

Contributed by Troy Borst on Feb 17, 2004

Jesus is telling us to use our money to help people, and to gain their friendships. And when our money is all gone, we will be left with eternal riches and our friends at our side in Heaven because they came to believe because of our good gifts.

A STORY ABOUT MONEY... KEEP THE CHANGE LUKE 16:1-15 INTRODUCTION... Bark worse than the Bite, Campus Life, December 1980, p. 19 What is the most outrageous thing you would do for $10,000 cash? That’s the question posed by Chicago radio station WKOX, which attracted responses from more than 6,000 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Greatest Desires For Our Lives Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jun 23, 2019

1. Jesus wants to be our constant companion (vs. 1-2). 2. Jesus wants to be our finest friend (vs. 2). 3. Jesus wants us to be confident in His care (vs. 3-4). 4. Jesus wants us to point other people to Him (vs. 3-5). 5. Jesus wants us to follow Him to the fullest (vs. 6-10).

God's Greatest Desires for Our Lives The Gospel of John John 2:1-11 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - May 4, 2016 (Revised June 23, 2019) *Think about how many miracles Jesus performed. In John 20:30-31, the Apostle John tells us that: 30. . . truly Jesus did many other signs in ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Together

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Apr 26, 2009

This word was given before our 3 year stewardship commitment. Two being better than one speaks of union, marriage, friendship,and communion. One man once said, "A man without a companion is like a left hand without the right.”

Show video on "a cup of Unity" from Sermon Spices Together Text: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Overcoming Divisive Attitudes

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Many great congregations have suffered from people with divisive attitudes. The Lord has placed each of us in His body to be lovingly united in spirit, intent on one purpose, striving together for the faith of the gospel.

Overcoming Divisive Attitudes Illustration:A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. After the first 10 years his superior called him in and asked, "Do you have anything to say?" The monk replied, "Food bad." After another 10 years the monk again had opportunity to voice his thoughts. ...read more

Scripture: Judges 8:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living With Purpose

Contributed by Benjamin Sharpe on Aug 16, 2002

God has a specific goal and purpose for his Church and for each individual Christian. Satan’s intention is to cause the Church and the individual Christian to deviate from that destiny and, in so doing, to thwart the will and design of God.

Luke 4:1-13 Living With Purpose The temptation of Jesus was for the purpose of distracting him from his ultimate goal and purpose in life. And that goal, that destiny, was to go to the cross as the atoning sacrifice for humanity. Satan’s intent in the wilderness was to defeat God’s purpose for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Biblical Marriage

Contributed by Tony Abram on Aug 9, 2010

Marriage was included as a part of the original creation, it is clear that God's fundamental intention for marriage applies to all human beings. However, a look at the whole of Scripture reveals that marriage has special meanings for the people of God. Ma

Biblical Marriage Marriage is an institution created by God. That much is clear from Genesis 2:18-24. 18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." 19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-24

Framing Your Life (Thanksgiving)

Contributed by Chris Surber on Nov 16, 2007

Your life is not the product of random forces acting upon random events to create random circumstances. Your life is the result of a very intentional God who is working out a divine plan in and through your life.

Framing Your Life, Romans 8:28-31 Introduction A few years ago I purchased an old house in Tarpon Springs, Florida. It was a real “fixer-upper.” It was built in the early 1920’s just a few blocks from the Anclote River which spills into the Gulf of Mexico less than a mile from there. As a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-31

Denomination: Christian Church

Listen Like Jesus

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 6, 2004

Jesus did everything according to the will of the Father because He constantly commune with Him. From His example, we want to learn to (1) LISTEN INTENTLY to God’s Word, and (2) listen WITH A HEART TO OBEY.

There is one aspect of Jesus that we want to learn today - to LISTEN... to listen carefully to the Word of God. So that we can understand His heart and His will for us. Jesus said in John 8:28-29 "...I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 29 The one who sent me is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Loves Families!

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Oct 1, 2009

Ordinary Proper 22: Our individualistic orientation as a culture has brought many ills upon us. Among those is the deterioration of the family. This message looks at Jesus’ teaching on the intention of God for men and women and children.

Leonard Sweet, professor of theology at Drew University was the keynote speaker at a theological convocation that I attended last fall. Part of Dr. Sweet’s message focused on the rampant individualism that has become so much a part of our culture. Here is a paraphrase of part of what he said: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:2-16

Denomination: Lutheran