Sermons on Intrusive Thoughts:

Dirty Dancing

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jul 9, 2018

Herodias thought she won the day when John the Baptist was beheaded.

Dirty Dancing Mark 6:14-29 John the Baptist had been thrown into prison not long after he had identified Jesus as the Messiah. Having been given the great privilege by God to introduce the bridegroom to God’s people, the bride, John’s role was essentially done. He realized this and said as much in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Help My Unbelief Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 18, 2022

The disciples thought they could drive out the demon themselves. How silly!

Monday of 7th week in course The encounter Jesus has with the man, the boy, the disciples and the scribes, but most importantly, with the power of evil, happens right after the transfiguration of Jesus in Mark's Gospel. The little village at the bottom of Mount Tabor is still there—a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29, James 3:13-18, Luke 22:42-43

Denomination: Catholic

5 Ways To Stay Encouraged In A Lonely World

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 24, 2023

Hope is the secret weapon of the Christian. Hope is the weapon of our mind to defeat any discouraging thought. Use this powerful weapon, by training your mind to counter any pessimistic thought with the truth of the scriptures.

According to a study by Harvard, 36% of Americans, so more than one in three, described their level of loneliness as "serious." In a lonely world, how can we find encouragement? How can we find a mindset that leads to stability and peace? That is the challenge in this world. The battle ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:11-15, Hebrews 12:2, Psalm 123:1

Denomination: Salvation Army

As It Is In Heaven

Contributed by Scott Sutton on Aug 14, 2022

Reading the Lord’s Prayer recently, I thought about something that it says in a way that I had never thought about before. It says in verse #10 “...Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

Then it occurred to me, if we are to do God's will on Earth then we must know what is going on in heaven first! Because that was how Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray. So that means we also need to know what is happening in Heaven and how God’s will is being accomplished. The first ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

Fixed With Gold

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Jan 16, 2022

This thought is a work in progress. I have been meditating on how the Japanese art of repairing pottery with gold displays the gospel. I'm sure I will preach this thought again and better.

Fixed With Gold In our home there are a few dishes that are highly prized. They have value to us because of the giver. There are a couple of glasses that were gifts from my father-in-law to my mother-in-law. There are stories behind them. There is a candy dish Sister Burnett gave us recently. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-6, Jeremiah 19:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Betrayal And Arrest Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jun 27, 2022

The betrayers come into the garden of Gethsemane with the force and arms they thought necessary to seize Jesus. He faces this dark hour directly yet with restraint and compassion.

LUKE 22: 47-53 [JESUS’ LAST NIGHT SERIES] THE BETRAYAL AND ARREST OF JESUS (Matthew 26:47–56; Mark 14:43–50; John 18:3–11) Luke now turns his attention from the spiritual warfare in the Garden to the arrest of Jesus. Satan, finding himself baffled in his attempts to terrify and dissuaded our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:47-53

Denomination: Baptist

The Protecting Helmet Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on Nov 13, 2015

This sermon talks about the helmet of salvation, Satan's tactics for our mind, and what salvation is.

So far, we have studied the breastplate of righteousness that insures that we are in right standing with God. This piece of armor protects us from the accusations of Satan of being apart from God. We looked at the shoes of peace that gives us a firm foundation. This piece of armor protects us from ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:17

Denomination: Foursquare

Accuser Of The Brethren Outline Series

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on May 12, 2020

Forgive because you have been forgiven and maybe of worse things than the other person did to you!

Accuser of the Brethren To live above with Saints we love, o that will be glory, But to live below with Saints we know, now that's another story! Have you ever failed and asked forgiveness, but did not get it? Proposition: You must forgive the sins of the Brethren. I. Because of your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:1, Obadiah 1:10-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Lord Save Me

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Nov 4, 2010

The crowds followed Jesus into the wilderness without a second thought. Almost like children, they seemed to respond to Jesus in a manner that they truly believed that Wherever Jesus is; He will care for us. Do we feel that way about Jesus?

Remember the back country trip that we read about last week, when Jesus sought solitude after He received word of John the Baptist's arrest. The crowds followed Jesus into the wilderness without a second thought. Almost like children, they seemed to respond to Jesus in a manner that they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:18-25, Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Anglican

Unexpected Converts

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 26, 2000

Grace. Those most people thought were least likely to become God’s people are the ones who come to Christ; while the ones often thought to be most likely became his enemies.

Two of the surprises that we come across as we read the New Testament are the people who become close to Jesus, and the people who are alienated from Jesus. It is surprising because it is exactly the opposite of what we would expect to find. We would expect Jesus to be close to the religious folk ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

A Magnificent Obsession Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 6, 2018

Most people have experienced bizarre or inappropriate thoughts and have engaged in repetitive behaviors at times. However, people with obsessive-compulsive disorder find that their disturbing thoughts and behaviors consume large amounts of time . . . . .

7-1-04 Title: A Magnificent Obsession Text: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) Bible Reading: Philippians 1:21; 3:7-11 Introduction: The title of today’s lesson is “A Magnificent Obsession.” So let’s begin by answering the question, “What is an obsession?” I ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Who's Report?

Contributed by Kevin Taylor on Nov 24, 2000

Who are you going to believe? The world? Your own thoughts? The enemy? Or God!?

Who’s report will you believe? (Isaiah 53:1) We shall believe the report of the Lord.You say, but, I believe in my healing…. yes, but did you receive it? Believing is one thing; receiving (or getting a revelation of) is another! You may have believed in Jesus before you were saved, but you had to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1

Going Out Of Your Mind

Contributed by Anne Robertson on May 26, 2003

The understanding of Holy Communion comes through experience more than rational thought.

GOING OUT OF YOUR MIND TEXT: Luke 24:13-35 One of my favorite books for mindless reading is the Science Fiction parody, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, probably because it contains one of my favorite illustrations of being mindless. The people of the universe are burning to know ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Methodist

When Is Enough Enough

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jan 2, 2004

This message deals with the thought -- "When is enough enough when we are serving Christ"

WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH? ACTS 20:17-27 $3 Worth of God I would like to buy $3.00 worth of God, please. Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don’t want enough of Him to make me love a black man or pick beets with ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:17-35

Denomination: Baptist

Consider Him

Contributed by Bud Martenn on Mar 25, 2002

The highest thoughts a man can have is when he considers Jesus Christ

CONSIDER HIM Heb.12:1-3 1. The word “consider” > analogizomai > ana = up, upon + logos word, logic 2. Literally to - analyse, think upon, study, contemplate, meditate, concentrate 3. The entire book of Hebrews is a consideration of Jesus Christ (3:1)(7:4)(12:3) 4. We (like the Hebrews) so ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Baptist