Sermons on John Shelby Spong:

James Put To Death Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 15, 2017

If the apostles remained largely untouched by the persecution that followed Stephen’s death, the situation radically changed when Herod Agrippa assumed rule over Judea. The apostles then became the specific targets of the king’s efforts to suppress the...

June 5, 2014 By: Tom Lowe Lesson: III.F.1: James Put to Death. (12:1, 2) Scripture (Acts 12:1, 2; KJV) 1 About ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

When The Wind Is Blowing Against Us What Do We Do? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 1, 2020

In times of crisis, in plagues and wars and economic disaster, we are called by God to minister to each other in this way

Tuesday of the 18th Week in Course: St. John Vianney I’d like you to get out of your wallet or picture in your mind a hologram. You know, it’s the image imprinted on many credit cards to help merchants validate them. You look at it from different directions and it looks three-dimensional. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 30:1-22, Matthew 14:22-36

Denomination: Catholic

Great Wisdom About God From An Eyewitness Of Christ Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Aug 5, 2020

John gives us some great wisdom about God: 1. God gives us a limited revelation (vs. 20-22). 2. God gives us a worthy obligation (vs. 22). 3. God gives us needed clarification (vs. 23). 4. God deserves our glorification (vs. 24-25). 5. God gives us a confident expectation (vs. 24-25).

Great Wisdom about God from an Eyewitness of Christ The Gospel of John John 21:20-25 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - September 5, 2018 (Revised August 5, 2020) MESSAGE: *Please open your Bibles to John 21. This chapter records the third appearance of our Risen Savior after He ...read more

Scripture: John 21:20-25

Denomination: Baptist

Thou Shalt Not Kill

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on May 25, 2018

Thou shalt not kill.

THOU SHALT NOT KILL By Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (May 25, 2018) “Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13, King James Version, [Ten commandments]) Greetings in the Holy Name of Jesus, My sisters and brothers let us firstly pray: Heavenly Father, I just want to say thank you for the ...read more

Denomination: Friends

Woman Of Sorrows, Hoping Only In Christ Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 15, 2020

Whatever honor and respect is due to Mary is solely because of the life, death and resurrection of her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lady of Sorrows, Woman for All September 15, 2020 If there is one title of the Virgin Mother of Christ that all Christians should agree on, it is “Our Lady of Sorrows.” John the Evangelist is very clear that in the hour of Jesus’s passion, crucifixion and death, He was guarded by a handful of ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:12, John 19:25-27

Denomination: Catholic

Easter Impact

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Feb 20, 2018

Mary Magdalene has the biggest “narrative impact” on Easter morningI: “I have seen the Lord." Which speaks of her life-transforming experience.

John, called the Beloved Disciple, is clearly the hero of Easter morning! He is spiritually superior with love and understanding; runs fastest. Between John, Peter, and Mary Magdalene— all of whom were at the empty tomb on that first Easter morning— only John had faith in the Physical ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-9

Denomination: Catholic

Jesus Comes To Jordan To Be Baptized

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Dec 31, 2019

Why is baptism so important? And what is meant by Jesus, the sinless One submitting to baptism?

Jesus Comes to be Baptized by John Matthew 3:13-17 The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist is mentioned in all four gospels. Even though it is not explicitly stated in the Gospel of John, it is strongly implied. What was the relation of John the Baptist to Jesus? All of the gospels deal with this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The 2000 Year Question

Contributed by Walter Troup on Jul 23, 2018

People were always coming to Jesus to receive something, but one of the leaders of the Pharisee's came to Jesus with a question that everyone needs to ask for themselves.

Open your Bibles to John 3. This morning we are going to continue with one of the things that we talked about last week and that is the word “believe.” Now this morning we are going to look at a conversation that Jesus had with a man named Nicodemus. Now before we read from the scripture, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15, Numbers 21:5-9

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Eve Sermon: "Am I 'strong In Spirit'?"

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 5, 2017

A look at Luke 1:80 where it says that John the Baptist "become strong in spirit." This is the verse before the famous Christmas story (Luke 2:1-7). The sermon encourages people to "train themselves in godliness" and become more like Christ.

- Story from Preaching Today of the person pointlessly trying to visit every Starbucks in America. - “Accomplishing” something that really doesn’t amount to much. - What we accomplish with our lives is what v. 80 got me to thinking about. - This verse comes just before that famous Christmas ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Consequences Of Repentance Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 13, 2023

John the Baptist's words about repentance draw a strong conviction from his hearers. They ask for practical instruction on how to move forward. What does John tell them?

THE CONSEQUENCES OF REPENTANCE: It’s striking that John’s answers are very practical. - Luke 3:10-14. - vv. 10, 12, 14 – Requests for practical answers. - The previous passage (and last week’s sermon) focused on the nature of repentance. Now these that were convicted by the message - Now we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Blame Game

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 9, 2023

Excuses and forgiveness are opposites. What can be excused does not need to be forgiven.

What do you suppose happened at the palace the next morning, when Herod woke up with a hangover the size of the Roman Empire and a public relations problem twice as big? I can hear them all spinning the story, can’t you? It’s not the way it seems! It’s not my fault! I’m not to blame! Let’s listen ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Mom Said: Off With His Head!

Contributed by Troy Borst on May 7, 2024

Ladies, moms, grandmas, aunts, sisters… How do you use your influence for the Lord?

MOM SAID: “OFF WITH HIS HEAD!” MATTHEW 14:1-12 #MothersDay VIDEO INTRODUCTION… https://youtu.be/P3YmUx1rM8M [45secs] INTRODUCTION… theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/apr/04/off-with-their-heads-the-10-greatest-quotes-from-alice-in-wonderland [adapted] Lewis Carroll’s children’s classic, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Preparing The Way: The Dawn Of God's Tender Mercy Luke 1:76-78 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 2, 2024

Luke 1:76-78 is a prophecy given by Zechariah about his son, John the Baptist. This passage is rich with promises and truths that can transform our lives.

Preparing the Way: The Dawn of God's Tender Mercy Luke 1:76-78 Luke 1:76-78 (NLT): “And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:76-78, Isaiah 40:3, Acts 13:38, Lamentations 3:22-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Chapter Of Murder And Miracles (Matthew 14:1-36)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on May 16, 2025

This chapter describes the death of John the Baptist by Herod and the continuing ministry of the Lord Jesus.

The fourteenth chapter of Matthew opens with the death of John the Baptist, who had been imprisoned for preaching against the wicked ruler Herod Antipas. His father, Herod the “Great” had been the “ruler” of Judea from 37 - 4 BC at the behest of Rome and the emperor Augustus Caesar (ruled from ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-14, Matthew 14:1-36

Denomination: Baptist

Rejoicing When You Want Fiery Justice Instead!! Series

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Dec 16, 2023

John the Baptist sits in jail, waiting for Justice to rain down upon Herod. Meanwhile Christ preaches Good News, rather than wrath. How can we rejoice when there is no justice in this world?

Good Morning! As someone who grew up in a liturgical church, I realize that Lent and Advent can be easy to confuse. I say the wrong name quite a bit and might accidentally say the wrong name this morning. That’s one of those pastor cliches. My pastor, from our parish down in Baltimore, kept putting ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-11

Denomination: Anglican