Sermons on Joy And Meaning:

Recognizing The Sovereign

Contributed by Kyle Blanton on Mar 26, 2008

Not so much a description of "whosoever" or "elect" as it is a recognition of the sovereignty of God and His right to do what He chooses.

Recognizing the Sovereign Romans 9:14-33 3-30-08 a.m. (PDBC) This passage of scripture has presented the church with much difficulty. Here we have the clashing of philosophies regarding “Whosoever” and the “Elect”. I admit that I wasn’t looking forward to dealing with it this week. I know that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:14-33

Denomination: Baptist

One Last Thing Before I Go Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Mar 27, 2008

Jesus left us the Holy Spirit to empower us to accomplish the great commission.

One Last Thing Before I Go Text: Acts 1:1-11 Introduction 1. Illustration: While I was in Bible College, I had a professor who was famous for saying at the end of class, "One last thing before we go." The problem was, his one last thing usually lasted another 15-20 minutes, which made you late ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

The Savior Of The World Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Mar 31, 2008

The woman’s bold witness opened the way to Jesus. That stage of belief is only introductory. They needed a personal encounter with Jesus. The magnificent climax is that the Samaritans come to settled conviction & acclaim Jesus as the Savior of the World.

JOHN 4: 39-45 THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD [1 John 4:7-17] The revival or great harvest among the Samaritans is noteworthy. It is evidence that because of the rejection by Israel (1:11) Jesus moves into a wider ministry. These few verses also indicate two necessary and ...read more

Scripture: John 4:39-45

Denomination: Baptist

Four Principles For Following Jesus Series

Contributed by Wes Richard on Apr 1, 2008

What might happen if our church were to follow the Starbucks example and temporarily close its doors to examine the way we follow Jesus?

Starbucks Opens A new Starbucks has opened, of all places, at St. Rita’s Medical Center. We had never tasted Starbucks coffee, so last Wednesday we stopped in to see what it was like. With all the flavors and sizes and prices up on the board, it wasn’t easy to decide what we would order ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-6

Denomination: Brethren

We Thirst, Jesus Quenches

Contributed by Mike Cleveland on Apr 6, 2008

Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman who is "drinking" of the water of relationships. 6 men can’t satisfy her. But the 7th Man, the God-Man Jesus Christ perfectly satisfies!

Please open your Bibles to John chapter 4. We have a very interesting story here before us this morning, a story of Jesus speaking with a Samaritan woman at a well. This story is interesting because the Jews did not speak with Samaritans. Samaritans were called “half-breeds.” You see when Assyria ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Worship: All Or Nothing Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Apr 7, 2008

I think the problem most of us have with worship is that we’ve never made that “phone call” – the one where we seek to discover more about the One who has saved us. Many of us have a vague awareness that we’ve avoided hellfire, but we don’t feel any part

Worship: All or Nothing Genesis 18:2 Genesis 22:17-18 Intro A few years ago, a young lady had moved to London, England and had bought herself a nice little flat on the top floor of a tenant building to live in. She had brought her share of great dreams to the great city. But what happened next ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:2

Denomination: Baptist

God's Invitation Leads To A Crisis Of Belief Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Apr 10, 2008

Part 6. When we hear from God we are at a crisis of belief where we will have to choose whether we will step out in faith or not.

We have been in a series titled “Knowing and Experiencing God” because, truth be told, many times in our Christian life we are just going through the motions. Perhaps we go to church on Sunday, maybe we do our daily devotions (reading the Bible & praying), generally we try to be a good person, do ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

It's All About Love

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Aug 27, 2007

Christmas Season

It All About The Love Scripture: Mark 12:30-31; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:16-19 Introduction There is a controversy going on right now in reference to the use of the word Christmas to describe this particular holiday season. It is politically incorrect to wish someone a Merry Christmas ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:30-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keeping Balance

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Aug 28, 2007

The importance of being balanced.

Keeping Balance Matthew 4:1-11 This is the time of year when we make new resolutions about things we are planning to do this year. Although we start out with good intentions, most of our resolutions fall by the wayside soon after the year begins. The temptation to return to what is normal and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your Home Of Shared Tastes: Hospitality Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Aug 30, 2007

THE FINAL IN THE SERIES: Your Home of Shared Taste: A Regular Mystery Time for You & Your Friends. here are five challenges for you to consider as you seek to obey God’s word of pursuing hospitality.

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME Your Home of Shared Taste A Regular Mystery Time for You & Your Friends Romans 12:13 Five Challenges of Hospitality Mysteries. I love a good mystery! I enjoy a good “who done it?” story. I like watching stories like that, I enjoy telling my kids stories like that and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:13

Denomination: Methodist

God Why Don't You Do Something

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Sep 2, 2007

As we stand at the foot of the cross it is easy to demand of God how could you allow this happen, why don’t you do something?

How many times have we asked ourselves the same question that Jesus asked as he hung dying on the cross? “God why don’t you do something?” Surely if we had of been standing by watching as this man of peaces, as the Son of God was humiliated in a sham of a trial, as he was scourged and beaten in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-39

Denomination: Wesleyan

Doing Good Can Be Habit Forming

Contributed by Monty Newton on Sep 2, 2007

It pleases God when we are conscientious about being grateful and doing good.

Title: Doing Nice Things Can Be Habit Forming Text: Hebrews 13:1-8 and 15-16 Thesis: It pleases God when we are conscientious about being grateful and doing good. Introduction Stephen Ambrose wrote the book, Band of Brothers… it is the story of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Good People Do Bad Things

Contributed by D. Marie Hamilton on Sep 3, 2007

An examination of how good people can make bad mistakes. This is a personal illustration of the 51st Psalm

When Good People Do Bad Things Generous in love- God, give peace! Huge in mercy- wipe out my bad record. Scrub away my guilt, Soak out my guilt, Soak out my sins in your laundry. I know how bad I’ve been; My sins are staring me down. You’re the One I’ve violated and you’ve seen it all, Seen the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-5

Denomination: Methodist

Enough Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Sep 4, 2007

26th in a series from Ephesians. For Paul, God’s power in his life, as described in the first three chapters is enough.

Just a few minutes ago, I asked you to share one of your favorite Bible passages with someone else. Now it’s my turn to share one of my favorites with you. Let’s read it out loud together: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

Our Call To Worship

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Sep 4, 2007

The beginning of the Church year (Fall) and all of its activities calls for a renewal of commitment and repentance to do the Lord’s work. This Psalm is a call to worship and a call to battle for the church and its ministries.

OUR CALL TO WORSHIP Last week as I was walking my dog a verse came to my mind: “The earth is the LORD’s and everything in it…” I had not memorized this phrase, nor do I recall a song that would grab me the way this phrase did. I shrugged it off and continued the canine ritual. A few days ago I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:1-10, Psalm 24:7-8

Denomination: Mennonite