Sermons on Jigsaw Puzzle:

"The Paradox Of Persecution" Series

Contributed by Bruce Hamsher on Aug 6, 2002

How to recognize spiritual persecution as a blessing.

“The Paradox of Persecution” Matthew 5:10-12 Beatitudes - #8 Intro: It is safe to say that if you follow and are obedient to the progression of the Beatitudes, you will experience some sort of persecution. -If you are “Poor in Spirit” people will think you are being ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Mennonite

Jesus, A Friend To Sinners Series

Contributed by Chris Hodges on Sep 7, 2003

To note that Jesus loves us despite our shortcomings.

The Gospel of Mark #7: Jesus, a Friend to Sinners Text: Mark 2:13-17 Thesis: To note that Jesus loves us despite our shortcomings. Introduction: (1) “Mark has shown Jesus’ fame and popularity spreading like wildfire. In this next unit (2:13-3:6), he shows opposition to Jesus from religious ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fasting Together For God's Blessing Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Nov 26, 2004

The Antioch team took the call of Christ so serious the Lord selected from them missionaries to take the gospel to the Gentile world.

The Church in Antioch – the first place where the disciples were called Christians – was a team building church. Earlier in Acts 11 we hear of how this church began and how the gospel began to spread outside the borders of Israel into the Gentile world as certain brave souls began preaching the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Time Factors In The Book Of The Revelation Series

Contributed by George Barton on Jan 22, 2006

Gives my understanding of the three-and-one half year period.

TIME FACTORS IN THE DRAMA OF THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION I. FACTORS WHlCH MAKE UNDERSTANDlNG DIFFICULT 1. First, we are dealing with visions which are often highly symbolical Let me illustrate. Suppose l have a dream which lasts a total of seven minutes. In the dream I see one week of my life ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fire On The Earth

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 17, 2013

We should understand that the fire Jesus wanted on the earth both purifies and activates Christians for mission.

Twentieth Sunday in Course 2013 Fire on the Earth Fire on the earth, a baptism with which to be baptized, a shameful cross to be endured–those were the destinies that drove Jesus on as He fulfilled the Father’s will. Moreover, in our own ways those are the destinies that beckon us to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-53

Denomination: Catholic

Tearin' Down The Wall

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 14, 2013

Jesus came to break down the wall of separation. Does that wall still exist in your heart? Allow God to break it down now!

Tearin' Down the Wall Ephesians 2:11-22 When the Berlin wall came down it was a monumental event, but nothing compared to the wall which came down in v. 14. v. 14 both = Jew and Gentile. v. 13 'But Now'. What a contrast when Jesus comes on the scene. v. 17 'which were afar off' = Gentiles. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Invitation - Refused And Accepted Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 9, 2011

Our Lord issues an invitation to come and live in his kingdom. Many are distracted and refuse the invitation. The invitation is extended to all people.

Matthew 22:1-14 “The Invitation—Refused and Accepted” INTRODUCTION Tens of millions of people sat glued to their televisions on April 29, 2011 in order to watch the wedding of the decade. This was the day that Prince William and Kate Middleton were married. Of course some ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Matthew 5 - Part 1 - Woodstock Without The Drugs, Sex And Rock And Roll? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Dec 18, 2009

What was "Woodstock"? It was a Rock music festival that took place in America in 1969. It was characterized by drugs, sex and rock music. When Jesus drew a crowd, he didn’t have to rely on those things. Large crowds followed Him everywhere He went.

Discipleship, Equipped for Ministry, Teaching, Matthew 5, Leadership | report Matthew 5 - Part 1 - Woodstock without the drugs, sex and rock and roll? I was only 14 years old when Woodstock took place. I had just become a Christian that Christmas. What was Woodstock? It was a Rock music festival ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Part 13 - Matthew 8:23-34 - Does Jesus Sleep During Your Storms Too? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Mar 5, 2010

Jesus knew what He was doing! He always does. He had just finished giving peace to his discipes troubled by an angry demonic storm. And He would not be thwarted in giving peace to some troubled men who were in the grip of demonic influence.

Part 13 - Matthew 8:23-34 - DOES JESUS SLEEP IN YOUR STORMS TOO? "I got into the boat with the other disciples and we started across the lake. Some Pharisees seemed annoyed and the crowd was disappointed that we were going, but I saw Jonas, a man who had been healed of leprosy placating the crowd ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:23-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Align Your Life: Godly Ethics For Daily Use Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 20, 2011

ligning our life with God’s wisdom means integrating godly principles into who we are; we must be alert, catch ourselves, and evaluate choices in light of these principles.

Align Your Life: Godly Ethics for Daily Use (Proverbs 18:5-9) 1. It is getting old, spending time in the basement because of tornado warnings. 2. Then there is the rain the strange change is temperatures. The weather through much of our nation has been difficult to contend with. At last count, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:5-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Do Not Be Afraid

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 26, 2012

Sermon for the ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Year B

Do Not Be Afraid / John 6: 14 - 21 Intro: One day a very small, sickly-looking man with thick glasses rode into a western town on the stagecoach. He was hired to be the new bartender for the town saloon. He was warned by his new boss, “Remember, drop everything and run for your life if ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:14-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Christmas Of Contrasts Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 23, 2019

As we consider the first Christmas season, we are struck with contrasts that illustrate how God works in His providence and among people.

A Christmas of Contrasts (Luke 2:7, 16-19; Matthew 2:1-10) 1. What Christmas memories do you have? “When I was 9 years old, I ran into my mom and dad’s room to wake them up to open presents. I tripped over a rug while I was running and smashed my teeth against my parent's bedpost. Blood was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:7, Luke 2:16-19, Matthew 2:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Physical Versus Spiritual Worlds? Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jul 31, 2017

Was John's baptism from heaven or from human origin?

Before reading our passage this morning, let us remind ourselves of what we noted last week. We are to grow our faith in God and faith comes by hearing (reading and learning) the Word of God. Let us also note 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-33

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Perspective Of Our Enemy

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Jul 6, 2015

We are living in a war zone! We are being attacked from within and from without!

2 Kings 6:8-17- Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, "My camp will be in such and such a place." 9 And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, "Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there." ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:8-17

Denomination: Baptist

Creation Theories And Lessons

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 15, 2022

Is there a purpose for the creation narratives? With so many theories, what lessons can we learn?

Is there a purpose for the creation narratives? With so many theories, what lessons can we learn? Creation Theories Let’s first examine a few of the many creation theories and some of their strengths and weaknesses 1. Godless Evolution claims to be honest with geology and biology, but denies ...read more

Denomination: Baptist