Sermons on Irreducible Complexity:

Christmas Is Not Your Birthday: Scandalous Love Series

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Dec 7, 2011

A sermon for the 3rd Sunday in Advent

Hosea 1:2-3, 3:1-5 Luke 1:39-56 “Christmas Is Not Your Birthday: Scandalous Love” Based on a book by Mike Slaughter I think everyone wants to know that he or she is important to someone. Remember how kids used to pass notes back and forth in Middle School? “I like you. Do you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-56

Denomination: United Methodist

The Woman Who Nursed A Grudge Series

Contributed by Steven Angus on May 20, 2013

Third sermon in series studying characters involved in the beheading of John the Baptist. This sermon looks at Herodious and the effects of bearing a grudge.

Herodias: The Woman Who Nursed a Grudge Psalm 14:1-7; Ephesians 3:14-21; Mark 6:14-19 (NIV) Tragically, the names Aurora, Colorado, James Holmes, and Batman will always be connected. Slightly over a week ago, James Holmes age 24 went on a shooting rampage in a movie theater leaving 12 dead and 58 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: United Methodist

Learning Through Examples

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 18, 2013

If we do not heed to Paul's warnings by alluding to the poor examples set by Israel and straighten our path, we are walking on very thin ice.

Opening illustration: Commercial aircraft carry two flight-data recorders called “black boxes.” One logs the performance and condition of the aircraft in flight, and the other records the conversation of the crew with air-traffic controllers on the ground. These boxes are insulated to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ingredient Of Repentance Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jan 20, 2012

Ingredient number 3! Repentance.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • I want to give you some ingredients for a couple of products, which one sounds better or better for you? • Meat by-products, water sufficient for processing, chicken, poultry by-products, rice, artificial and natural flavors, calcium phosphate, guar gum, added color, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:37-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Benefits Of Fasting, With Prayer Series

Contributed by Margaret Olubiyi on Mar 5, 2013

Are you a woman who prays? If your answer is yes, praise God, but if you are not or you feel in your heart that you do not pray/talk to the Lord as much as you should, my prayer is after this series, you will be fired up to open that communication line wi

There is a saying "Prayer is the Key, it is the Master Key" meaning it is the key that unlocks or opens up the door to your blessings, breakthrough, etc. Today we will be looking at the benefits of integrating fasting with prayer. And so, this is a message that will be beneficial not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Framed - Pt. 1 - Mind Games Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Nov 1, 2012

You are shaped by these forces. They determine your outlook, actions, and habits. Are you framed correctly?

Framed Pt. 1 – Mind Games There are many influences that have bearing on who you are. Your environment. Your education. The region in which you were raised. However, I believe that when it comes to defining you and determining the type of individual you will be there are a couple of factors ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Do You Have Eeyore Syndrome?

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Nov 5, 2012

Could your nickname be ‘Eeyore’? Are you known as ‘Negative Nellie’ or, ‘Gloomy Gus’? Being a negative person and being a Christian is not a workable combination. Let’s see what we can do about that.

DO YOU HAVE EEYORE SYNDROME? INTRODUCTION: "Good morning, Pooh Bear," said Eeyore gloomily. "If it is a good morning; which I doubt." "Why, what's the matter?" "Nothing, Pooh Bear, nothing. We can't all, and some of us don't. That's all there is to it." "Can't all what?" said Pooh. "Gaiety. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Powerful Persuasion

Contributed by Ken Henson on Nov 26, 2012

In any non-profit organization, especially like a church, you have to persuade people, either to invest time in the church or to do something that is right, or change an area that they might have chosen. How do you persuade people? Paul gives a beautiful

Philemon ILLUSTRATION: Cicero's (106 - 43 BC) was one of the most powerfully, persuasive people of his day. He had this to say about the public in 1st Century BC, Rome. The poor: work and work, The rich: exploit the poor, The soldier: protects both, The taxpayer: pays for all three, The ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

Denomination: *other

The Side Effects Of Suffering

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Dec 27, 2012

Redeem your suffering by searching for understanding, asking the right questions, comforting others, developing a teachable spirit, identifying with Christ, and by becoming sensitized to other’s suffering.

The psalmist asked; Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain (Psalm 73:13-14 NLT). After shooting his mother in the head four times while she lay asleep, Adam Lanza dressed himself in black, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Road To The King

Contributed by Lance Hostetter on Dec 27, 2012

This story takes a look at the Magi's visit to see Jesus

The Road to the King Matthew 2:1-12 Introduction: Roads of life! 1. One of the things my wife likes about the valley is the straight roads! Motion sickness is one of the worst! 2. Roads and highways have often been used to symbolize life! --John Bunyan’s Christian classic Pilgrim’s ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fitting In

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Feb 13, 2011

comedian Lenny Bruce gives our Christian psychology a metaphorical cattle prod shock when he said, “Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God.’” I suspect it has a lot to do with fitting in.

“Fitting In” John 17:11-19 I read the prologue to a story called Girl in the Middle. The girl is Kim Satinsky who is in eighth grade. She says, “You would think that being in a clique is fun but take my word for it: It’s not. They make me wear expensive things when I’m not really rich and tell me ...read more

Scripture: John 17:11-19

Denomination: Salvation Army

A Servant's Heart Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 16, 2011

Giving, Forgiving, Forgetting, and Serving. “Father, please transform my life so I can become more like Jesus every day.”

Who was the greatest person who ever lived? Without question, no person more greatly impacted the course of history than Jesus Christ. He didn’t do it through wars, conquest and domination. He changed the world by serving others. Jesus was the supreme example of servanthood. So how can we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Christian Church

He Gave His Life Series

Contributed by Jon Miller on Mar 1, 2011

Part of a series on the Gospel of John this message shows how Jesus willingly gave his life for us on the cross.

He Gave His Life John 19:28-42 -There is a lot of ground to cover in this passage this morning -I Want us to see something that is so important for us as Christians and that is the details in Jesus' last moments on earth. -Our faith rest in the details. The Christian faith is not based on just ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28-42

Ash Wednesday Emtional Wounds--Emotional Healing

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Mar 15, 2011

This message was preached on Ash Wednesday and it deals with the power of Jesus Christ to bring healing to the emotional wounds of our lives.

Ash Wednesday Emotional Wounds & Healing 3/9/11 Isaiah 53:1-15 Luke 4:14-20 Ash Wednesday is a time when we begin to become clean with God and accept what God says about us. I came across the following section from the book “Imitation of Christ” “I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Harambee Not A-New Jack City

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Mar 22, 2011

Sermon Preached at the April 2010, 125 servant leaders from around the nation gathered on the Children's Defense Fund Alex Haley Farm to participate in a Youth Advocate Leadership Training (YALT) to address issues involving our youth. At the April traini

Jeremiah 1:17 "But you—up on your feet and get dressed for work! Stand up and say your piece. Say exactly what I tell you to say. Don't pull your punches or I'll pull you out of the lineup. 18-19"Stand at Up while I prepare you for your work. I'm making you as impregnable as a ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:17-19

Denomination: United Methodist