Sermons on Joy And Meaning:

Life Is Full Of Surprises

Contributed by David Nolte on May 3, 2021

You never know what surprise will come next.

Life is full of surprises, some are pleasant, some are unpleasant, some are funny, and some bring tears, some are enjoyable, exciting events and some are dreaded, dismal disasters. Let me tell you about one of Marlene’s surprises. When Wayne Goodman was my assistant minister at Eastside, he was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mothers Of Messiah-Rahab Of Jericho Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 8, 2021

She was a harlot, and an enemy of Israel. But she found salvation and received a place as one of the mothers of the Messiah!

Introduction: she was one of the most unlikely candidates to ever be in the Messiah’s family tree. She lived in a wicked city in a wicked land, and did not have a very good reputation. But somehow she became a believer in the God of a foreign country and had the privilege of being one of the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Leadership Pain Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 12, 2021

Leadership is a magnet for pain and if pain is handled correctly it leads to spiritual growth and maturity.

FCA Connect meeting “Lead Pastors” - May 11, 2021 Topic: Leadership pain – the school of personal growth and ministry growth! Introduction: I heard a song a few weeks back listening to IHOP Kansas City and praying and a spontaneous song broke out that said “Pain is the school to growth – growth ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46, 2 Timothy 2:15, Galatians 6:9, 2 Corinthians 3:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Stubborn Evangelist: Part Two Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Jonah also knows about the ocean’s deep waters. But he didn’t go intentionally. And what he finds at the bottom of the ocean is not just for those who read National Geographic but for all of us. God has a massive mercy.

Today we continue a four part series entitled Jonah: The Stubborn Evangelist. Many of you know the story of Jonah, a man on the run from God. Many of us know this as an amusing story about a prophet and a “whale.” Yet, Jonah is also a man on the run from his responsibility – to share the message of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Great Message Of Encouragement

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jan 8, 2022

At the start of 2022 most of us probably feel that the future looks very uncertain. We want to hear God's message of encouragement. As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, God had a great message of encouragement for them.

THE SCENE I’d like you to imagine a scene. It’s about 1500 B.C. We’re in a wilderness a little to the south of the Dead Sea in what was then Moab and is now Jordan. Around us there are people, tents, and animals. The people look tough, weather-beaten. For forty years they’ve been living as ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Loneliness (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Jan 12, 2022

This sermon explains the signs of loneliness and how to deal with it biblically.

Illustration: A lonely grandmother eavesdrops on the conversation of a teenager who was dating in the park. Girl: "You don't love me?" Boy: "I do!" Girl: "We've been dating for four months. What's the proof?" Boy: "ABCDEFG." Girl: "What's ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Romans 12:10, Galatians 6:2, Ephesians 2:19, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 27:10, Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 1:23, 2 Corinthians 1:22, Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 3:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Manner Of Person Ought Ye To Be

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 20, 2022

Why did Peter say, “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be...”

Let me show you. These words appear in Peter’s great chapter on the second coming of Christ. Peter was telling us some of the things that would occur before Christ’s second coming. -In verses 3-4 he tells us there will be scoffers. We read, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

"Be Sure Your Sins...”

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 26, 2022

Years ago a newspaper reporter asked then Governor of Arkansas, William Jefferson Clinton, who was seeking to get the nomination of the democratic party to be the next candidate for president of the United States,

“Sir, it has been stated that you have had many adulterous relationships, is this true, or not true?” Mr. Clinton, with anger in his voice for being asked such a question, looked that reporter in the eye and said, “If it was true, I would not tell you!” And he walked away from the reporter. Mr. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 32:23

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From The Life Of Abraham (4-5)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 27, 2022

We all have had some strange unexpected things happen to us.

Illus: A lady was walking down the street to work and she saw a parrot on a perch in front of a pet store, and to her surprise, the parrot said to her, • "Hey lady, you are really ugly," The lady was furious! She stormed past the store to her work. • On the way home she saw the same ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Lose Your Lonliness Series

Contributed by Steve Meenho Kang on Jan 31, 2022

Loneliness is real. Loneliness is normal. Loneliness is pervasive. Even some very socially connected people can feel deep loneliness at times. Therefore, loneliness is a common problem. It is the painful awareness that we lack meaningful contact with others. So how should we handle our loneliness?

Lose Your Loneliness Habits of Happiness Part 6 Luke 19:1-10 Steve Meenho Kang www.evergreencommunity.org Happiness is a choice. If we want to be happy, we must choose to be happy. And today we will talk about the importance of losing our loneliness. We are living in the age of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Siege Of Jerusalem

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Feb 1, 2022

We probably don't like to think about God's justice. The siege of Jerusalem by the Romans, in A.D. 70, forces us to. In this event we see God's justice but we also see that God protected his people in a time of wrath.

Note: this was a talk I gave to a small afternoon congregation. I wouldn’t give it in our main morning service. INTRODUCTION We’re presently following the theme of discipleship, picking up some of the big things that are part of being a follower of Jesus. But it’s good to have some variety so ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-41, Luke 19:41-44, Luke 21:2-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Three "Bears”

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 3, 2022

Most folks have heard about the fairy tale of the “Three Bears”. We all know a fairy tale is not real, but I want to talk to you about THREE “BEARS” that are for real.

The Bible tells us also about these THREE “BEARS”. The first BEAR deals with our BEARING the burden of a brother. That is- I. WE "BEAR" THE BURDENS HE CAN NOT BEAR Look at Galatians 6:2, we read, “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” The Bible makes it ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Just Visiting

Contributed by Benjamin Gibbs on Feb 7, 2022

We are Children of God, ambassadors of Christ and Children of the Most High God. we are not from here! and whats more:

John 17:16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 2 Cor 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. We are all citizens our country, but did you know that Christians have dual ...read more

Scripture: John 17:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

More Than Just Sending Cards Or Giving Chocolates And Flowers

Contributed by Benjamin Utomo on Feb 12, 2022

Americans spent $21 billion on Valentine's Day in 2021 to send cards or buy chocolates and flowers for their loved ones. God wants us to show our love more than that. As Christ always loves us, He wants us to love others every day!

Opening: A husband always carried a photo of his wife in his wallet. Whenever he faced a difficult situation, he opened his wallet and saw the picture of his wife. When his friends saw what he did, they said, "You love your wife so much, don't you?" He replied, "When I saw my ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:27-29, 1 Corinthians 1:18, John 15:13, Galatians 2:20, 1 John 3:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Racism: Our Past And Present Sins

Contributed by The Rev Deniray Mueller on Feb 19, 2022

racism in the United States and the churches is counter to Jesus' teachings

LUKE 6:17-26 During the month of February, you may have noticed that we have been singing hymns from Lift Every Voice and Sing. This hymnal is part of The Episcopal Church’s recognition of Black History Month and its African-American congregants. We will continue to use these hymns as part of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: Episcopal