Sermons on Larry Philips:

Keeping Your Eyes On The Prize Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 8, 2018

The primary purpose of the church is win people to Jesus, baptize them into Christ and teach them what Jesus wants them to know. But how do we, as individual Christians go about doing that?

OPEN: Back in the 1960’s there was a young High School boy named John Baker who loved to run. In fact he loved running so much that his dream was to be on the High School track team. The only problem: the coach wasn’t interested. John was too short and too slight to be a runner. But John’s friend ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Praying Like You Mean It Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 14, 2019

God says that we need to pray like Elijah did. But Elijah seems so far above me I'm not sure I could pray with the same power as he did. But apparently I can. Do you know why?

I read the true story of a couple of men from Alberta, Canada who were driving home late one night. The weather was freezing - well below zero. Somehow, they ran off the road and got stuck in a ditch. And – as far as they could see – there was no one around for miles. They knew they were in danger ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-18, 1 Kings 18:41-45

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sacrifices We Make Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 16, 2023

Joseph sacrificed a lot because Jesus was in his life, and he never complained. Are we called to make sacrifices when we follow Jesus, and what kind of sacrifices could we make?

There was a Christmas play where a little boy desperately wanted to be Joseph. But when the parts were handed out, his biggest rival was given that part, and he was assigned to be the inn keeper instead. He was really bitter about this. So, during all the rehearsals he kept plotting in his mind ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tender Mercy Makers Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 19, 2015

God is merciful and calls us to be as well. But what does mercy look like and how can we know when we've gotten it right?

OPEN: I once read the true story of a preacher was organizing an evangelistic outreach using small acts of kindness to demonstrate Christ's love. He phoned several neighborhood grocery stores and Laundromats for permission to do specific services. On one call, the employee who answered the phone ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Duck Calls Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 27, 2014

The Robertsons have made millions producing duck calls that sound real and authentic to ducks. And they've reached 1000s with a witness that sounds real and authentic to the lost. What can we learn from their styles of witnessing?

OPEN: (I preached this sermon in hunting gear with a “deer call” around my neck. The opening 6 minutes were from a video of Jase Robertson telling of his first attempt at witnessing – answering a “prank” phone call at midnight and witnessing for 3 hours. You can find ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Holy Nudges

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Apr 23, 2008

A devotional talk prepared for a men’s breakfast about how the Holy Spirit tries to communicate with us if we allow Him to. I also invited the men to share "Holy Nudges" that happened to them.

“Holy Nudges” (Inspired by Article written by Clark Cothern, Discipleship Mag. Mar./Apr. ’08, Issue #164, p. 57-59) An example of a “holy nudge:” At one point in my previous ministry in Santa Fe. Tx. I remember getting a repetitive urging to call on a man named Larry who was attending our church ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:16-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Isaiah Saw The Cross Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 16, 2018

A Christmas Sermon that points to the cross. The cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it the main focus of God's message of salvation. But the cross is not a comforting symbol, so why would God use it as the symbol of our faith?

OPEN: I once read about an evening chapel service at Christian summer camp. The preacher was forcefully telling the 4th & 5th graders how Jesus had been betrayed, arrested, beaten and ultimately died on the cross. His message was so powerful, that a hushed silence fell across the young ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Gates Of Hell Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 22, 2016

This is the 5th in my travelogues telling of my visit to Israel. In this lesson we visit 4 "gates" in Northern Israel including the "gates of Hell".

Tonight we’re going to be visiting four different “gates” in the northern section of Israel. The first of these “gates” is figurative. It is the gate to the source of the Jordan River (Showed a slide of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:15-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Singing A New Song Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 7, 2022

David speaks of singing a "New Song." What does that mean, and what difference can singing songs about Jesus make in our lives?

OPEN with song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjF_xGUS6X8 gives example of melody) “Sing unto the Lord a new song, sing unto the Lord all the earth (repeat); For God is great and greatly to be praised (repeat). OPEN: Years ago, I was at a Christian camp, where the Dean of that week challenged ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

20 20 Vision

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 29, 2019

With this year being 2020, its worthwhile to ask: what would 20/20 vision look like for us as Christian and for our church?

OPEN: Three ladies were in a restaurant and as they picked up their menus each one put on a pair of glasses. A little embarrassed, the first woman said "I really only need mine for close reading." The second shyly remarked, "I only use mine when the light is bad." The third ...read more

Scripture: John 12:17-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ancient Paths Are Ripped Up And Crooked Ways Prevail Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 13, 2024

Our nations have bulldozed out the ancient paths that were set for us by more decent legislators and leaders in the past; indeed, by God Himself. Every moral statute of God has now been trashed – marriage, creation, birth, sexuality. Judah did that and met God’s judgement.

ANCIENT PATHS ARE RIPPED UP AND CROOKED WAYS PREVAIL {{Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see, AND ASK FOR THE ANCIENT PATHS WHERE THE GOOD WAY IS, AND WALK IN IT, and you shall find rest for your souls, but they said, ‘We will not walk in it. Jeremiah 6:17 “I set watchmen ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 9:20-21, Jeremiah 6:16-19, Matthew 11:29-30, Revelation 6:15, Psalm 125:5, Proverbs 22:28, Deuteronomy 19:14, Hosea 5:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Enduring Pressure Series

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Aug 5, 2019

How God used Persecution to bless the church

Acts 8 - 3/19/17 Turn with me this morning to Acts 8.  The book of Acts is the transitional book, leading us from the life and ministry of Jesus and taking us into the church age.  As Jesus ascends back up to heaven, he said to his disciples, "But you will receive power when the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Servant Of Freedom Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 3, 2015

Moses was sent by God to free His people from slavery and he is a model for us who are sent by God to free people from their slavery of sin. What can we learn from what God gave Moses for his task and how can we use those tools effectively?

There’s the story of the college professor who always began his first day of class at the University dramatically telling his students he could prove that God did not exist. Looking up toward the ceiling he would say, "God if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Real Leadership Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 22, 2019

If you want to be a real leader that inspires people to real greatness, define the vision, delegate the work; but most important, deny yourself just like Jesus did. That’s because real leaders are real servants.

Several years ago, a 19-year-old man, desperate to get to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, hopped a bus and demanded that the driver take him there. Some say the man was drunk, others that he was disturbed. Either way, only a few of the passengers were concerned, and everyone stayed calm. That’s because ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 18:1-10, Joshua 19:49-50, Philippians 2:3-11

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Going Forward Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 21, 2009

We must work to understand what God has revealed, but it takes determined people to put that truth to work.

Going Forward (Acts 11:19-30) 1. Sometimes in life we want to do something, but we feel awkward about it. 2. At a funeral, we sometimes have a sharing time; I usually say, "Nobody likes to be first, so who will be second?" 3. And sometimes we simply don’t make the changes we need to make because ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible