Sermons on Jack Strite:

Seeing Is Believing Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 27, 2021

Peter, John and Mary Magdalene all saw the empty tomb... but they all came away with different conclusions. What can we learn from these first three witnesses of the risen Christ?

On May 4, 1865, after weeks of his body being on display in Washington D.C. and a few other cities, Abraham Lincoln was “laid to rest” in a cemetery near his home in Springfield, Illinois. But Lincoln didn’t "rest in peace." In 1876, there was a plot to raid his grave and steal his ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Want Me To Do What For My Enemy? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 12, 2018

Jesus said we should love our enemies. But I don't even like them, why should I even want to show them love?

OPEN: I’ve always loved limericks, and years ago I ran across this one: “There once were 2 cats from Kilkenny Each thought there was one cat too many They fought and they spit, and they clawed and they bit. Till instead of two cats (pause) there weren't any.” (Pulpit Helps 3/97 p. 8) Now that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Teacher's Pet Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 19, 2018

I want to be Jesus' teacher's pet. I want to be His favorite pupil. This passage gives us the key to pleasing Jesus and becoming more like Him in my life. (Spoiler alert - it has to do with how I treat people I don't like)

OPEN: A great scholar was once asked about a young man who was in his class. The person said, "So and so tells me that he was one of your students." The scholar just smiled sadly and said, "Well, he may have attended my lectures, but he was not one of my students.” What was that scholar saying? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:37-45

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Firm Is Your Foundation? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 26, 2018

Jesus stressed the importance of laying a good foundation for your life. But WHY should I be concerned with my life's foundation, and HOW can I make sure I've laid the right foundation?

Several years ago there was a new housing subdivision in Mesquite, NV. It was a beautiful building project and absolutely brand new… but there was a problem. Several months after many of the families had moved in, serious cracks began to develop in the driveways and roads, and there was a constant ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:46-49

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Won't You Be My Friend Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 9, 2018

God said it was not good for the man to be alone, and yet too many people are more isolated than ever. Using a clip from the popular TV series "This is Us" we address the question of "How can we witness to others?"

OPEN: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn9aSZ7uPXI – video clip from “This Is Us” of conversation between Katie and a woman she’s helped. See Footnote) APPLY: That clip came from a scene in a popular TV series called “THIS IS US”. Katie (one of the main characters in the show) is helping a girl ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sibling Rivalry Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 23, 2018

Sibling rivalry starts with one person feeling they've been slighted. They deserved to be treated better. And expect this kind of rivalry in children - it's when we become adults that this desire to "be the star" can destroy families, churches and relationships.

OPEN: Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVI2fX-1uPU That clip was from a popular TV series called “This Is Us” where a couple of the main actors (brothers Kevin and Randall) get into a fight. The scene is an excellent example of a common conflict most families experience called ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Then Jesus Came Calling Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 5, 2019

Why would people not want Jesus in their lives? Why did John 1:11 say Jesus came to His own, but His own did not receive Him?

OPEN: There’s a true story told about a plastic surgeon who had a patient that had been injured in a fire. The patient had attempted to save his parents from a burning house, but he couldn't get to them in time... and they died. His own face was burned and disfigured. And (as sometimes happens ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Living Hope For The Hopeless Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 12, 2019

When Jesus rose from the dead, Thomas got a 5 minute show and tell. By contrast, the 2 men on the road to Emmaus received a 3 hour dissertation. Why the difference? Perhaps Jesus spent more time with these hopeless men, to show us how to have a living Hope in a hopeless world.

OPEN: A preacher told of going through his father’s effects after his dad died, and among the things he found was father’s 7th grade report card. Back in the Fall of 1941 this 7th grade report card showed the grading scale on the back of it. There was A, B, C, D, F, and something he’d never seen ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:10-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Peace Rules The Day Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 19, 2019

Jesus gave his disciples 3 things that day that created peace for men without peace. What did the disciples learn that day that can help us gain Christ's peace?

OPEN: Dr. Don Colbert wrote a book called “Stress Less” and noted that 75 to 90 % of all visits to a primary care physicians were stress related. Americans (he said) consume five billion tranquilizers, five billion barbiturates, three billion amphetamines, and sixteen tons of aspirin every year. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Released From Chains Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 26, 2019

Jesus offers to give us "newness of life" - a rebirth and a 2nd chance put our lives right. How does that work, and what do I need to do to lay hold of that promise?

OPEN: His name was Harry Houdini, one of the greatest escape artists of all time. He freed himself from handcuffs, chains, ropes, and straitjackets and even jails. He first attracted notice in vaudeville in the US and then, later, as "Harry Handcuff Houdini" on a tour of Europe where he ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prosperity Gospel Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 3, 2019

The Prosperity Gospel promises its followers health, wealth and success. What could be wrong with that?

There’s the story about a soldier who was in the midst of a battle. Bullets were flying, bombs exploding all around him, and he’s digging a foxhole for all he’s worth. Suddenly (as he’s digging) he feels something metal and he grabs it. It’s a silver cross! Just then, another shell explodes ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Called To Do Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 9, 2019

There's a difference between church people who are "hearers" and those who are "doers." Do you know the difference? And do you know how to tell which group you're in?

OPEN: I read once about a certain Chinese church, where – when converts were baptized for the forgiveness of sins – when they came up out of the water they were told: “Now, Jesus has new eyes. And Jesus has new hands. And Jesus has new feet.” When we became Christians, we became the eyes and ...read more

Scripture: James 1:16-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Image Is Everything Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 24, 2019

We live in an image-driven culture and our churches seem to be buying into the concept in their efforts to reach people, but more than ever, what people need is for us to be genuine followers of Christ. Consider these thoughts from our Family Minister Scott Jewell.

*Disclaimer- You need to know your audience to do what I did. It could probably be tamed down with wearing just a pair of sunglasses. I started behind the closed doors at the entrance of the sanctuary. When the entrance music for WWE’s The Big Show started to play, I flung the doors open and ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

They're Only Words Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 30, 2019

James tells us that "no one can tame the tongue." So, what do we do about it? How can we recognize when we've misused our tongue and spoken curses that bring shame to Christ?

OPEN: Words have meaning. (We showed a video clip by www.vidangel.com/ that explained the impact of curse words on our families using paint balls fired at a family watching TV to visualize the sharp increase of swear words in our “entertainment” mediums) (You can find the video we used at ...read more

Scripture: James 3:5-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Switching The Price Tags Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 7, 2019

When Christians fight and quarrel they show that they've embraced the world and its ways of dealing with conflict. God's wisdom is different than the world's. Do you know what that difference is?

OPEN: Years ago, Tony Campolo wrote a book about Christianity called “Who Switched The Price Tags” He told about the time he and his best friend decided to break into the basement of the local five-and-dime store. They didn’t plan to rob the place (Sunday School boys after all); instead, they ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ