Sermons on Jack Strite:

The Santa Clause - Christmas At The Movies Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 20, 2004

Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) "put on" the Santa suit and it changed his life forever. The Bible tells us that we "put on" something as well that changes our lives.

Show film clip from “Santa Clause” - Where Tim Allen is in the Doctor’s Office receiving a check up and complains about the changes that have taken place in his life – about an hour into the movie) OPEN: A couple of nights ago, my daughter came downstairs in tears. Her brother had informed her - ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's A Wonderful Life Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 27, 2004

What would it have been like if Jesus had never been born?

(Showed Clip of “Clarence” trying to convince George Bailey he’d really had a wonderful life. Used scene where they were drying their clothes out after George “saved” Clarence from drowning) OPEN: A Sunday school teacher once asked her class of children: “What is Christmas a time for?” Many of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How The Grinch Stole Christmas - Christmas At The Movies Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 13, 2004

Why did Herod want to kill the Christ child? His motivation has much in common with those today who want to kill Christmas.

OPEN: (I sat on a stool on stage, reading the following from “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.” I taped my sermon into the pages of the book and used the book as both prop and way to hide my sermon notes). Every Who down in Who-ville liked a Christmas a lot… But the Grinch, who lived just north of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Unsafe Savior Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 26, 2005

Why is Christmas seemingly under attack? Why would a seemingly harmless story of a baby in a manger stall elicit such anger and opposition?

OPEN: James Martin (in an article in the devotional "The Upper Room") wrote the following: On a trip to the Holy Land, I bought a nativity set for my Sunday School. It was carved out of olive wood in Bethlehem itself, and had all the traditional figures - sheep and oxen, wise men and shepherds. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Paying The Price Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 9, 2003

This passage is perhaps one of the greatest texts on giving known to preachers... but it is also one of the most difficult, raising questions many of us would just as soon avoid.

OPEN: Back in 1995 (“Bits & Pieces” pamphlet) I read the following story: Every February on George Washington’s birthday, the late newspaper columnist, Frederick C. Othman, used to visit the West Wing of the Smithsonian Institution, look at a certain statue there among the antique printing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 24:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Unknown Quality Of Love Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 13, 2006

Believe it or not, love is hard for the world to define. Even psychology and psychiatry have difficulty explaining it. But God doesn’t. Why is that so?

OPEN: A visiting Revivalist was impressed by an older couple in the church where he was holding Revival. The wife seemed to be half-turned toward her husband holding both his hands in hers. Every time he looked toward them he was impressed by the fact they were holding hands. After the service ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Plugging The Leak In Your Joy Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 20, 2006

Billy Sunday observed "If there’s no joy in your religion, you’ve got a leak in your faith." In a world that is often discouraging and frustrating, how can a Christian keep the Joy of the Lord as their strength?

OPEN: In 1937 architect Frank Lloyd Wright built a house for industrialist Hibbard Johnson. One rainy evening Johnson was entertaining distinguished guests for dinner when the roof began to leak. The water seeped through directly above Johnson himself, dripping steadily onto his bald head. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Prescription For Powerful Peace Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 26, 2006

According to a Gallup Poll, many people believe "peace of mind" is critical for success in life. So why doesn’t everybody experience this peace?

Begin by reciting Galatians 5:22-23a “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” OPEN: Some time back the Gallup organization polled Americans about their most important criteria for judging personal success. They ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Idea Of Kindness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 6, 2006

We all like to think of our selves as good, decent, and kind people. But, I was shocked to find out that the Bible tells us kindness doesn’t come naturally to us.

(this was a sermon centered on the “Fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5:22-23a) Open: A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:25-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Tree Of Goodness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 12, 2006

The Bible tells us that we should strive for goodness in our lives... but Jesus said no one was good except God. How can we be asked to do something that only God can accomplish?

Open with audience reciting the following verse: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...” Galatians 5:22-23a OPEN: A preacher once spoke of the fact that some of the people in his congregation had gotten in the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Getting A Booster Shot Of Faith Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 20, 2006

Some Christians never grow up in their faith. And yet, Galatians 5 tells me that God’s Spirit can help me have more faith in my life. How does He do that?

OPEN: When I listen to Christian radio in the evenings, I’ve often tuned in to a call-in program featuring a wise, grandfatherly gentleman who has that calm reassuring voice capable of melting fear. One night a lady, who was obviously crying, called in and related the following: “I was born blind, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Leave Jesus Behind Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 13, 2006

The "Good Confession" is the foundation of our faith. If we don’t understand what it means, it could have a serious effect on our relationship with Jesus. Do you understand it as you should?

OPEN: The warship had just returned from a tour oversees and the young ensign shown himself to be responsible and efficient. Because of that he was given the opportunity to take command of the ship as it made its out to sea again. As the ship was to pull away from the dock, the ensign gave a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Would You Have Me Do For You? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 21, 2006

It would appear that Jesus never asked this question of anyone else in the Gospels. Didn’t He know what these blind men needed?

OPEN: A man walks into a dentist’s office and says, "Excuse me, can you help me. I think I’m a moth." The dentist replied "You don’t need a dentist. You need a psychiatrist. His office is just down the hall" "Yes, I know." Says the man. "So, why did you come in here?" asked the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:29-34, Matthew 20:30-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Shall You Escape Hell? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 28, 2006

One of the harshest questions Jesus asked was asked of the Pharisees: "How shall you escape Hell?" As much a byword of legalism as they were, we must be careful we don’t fall into the traps that ensnared them.

OPEN: Down thru the ages, there have been rare occasions when different printings of the Bible have been found to have small errors them · For example in 1653 Christians were upset to find that one Bible which declared: “Know ye not that the UNRIGHTEOUS shall inherit the kingdom of God?” · The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:15-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fake Vs. Real Christianity Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 3, 2006

Was Jesus teaching us that we can "buy" our way into heaven by doing good works?

OPEN: One night a woman dreamed that she was having a conversation with God. She was angry about all the suffering and evil she saw around her, so she complained to the Lord. “God, why don’t You do something about all this?” God gently replied: “I did. I created you.” APPLY: Over the next ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ