Sermons on Lay Down The Dream:

The Way Up Is Down: Serve One Another Series

Contributed by Dan Raymond on Mar 7, 2016

However, for many people, serving doesn't conjure up a positive image. Instead, they think of endless menial chores, cleaning up other people's messes, and catering to their vain whims. Yet the New Testament calls us to become servants of one another.

What do you think of when you hear the word serve? No, I don't mean the opening hit of the racket in a tennis match. I'm not even talking about your waiter or waitress at Shiela’s. I mean what does a servant look like? What picture comes to mind? It's possible that you have a positive image. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13

Denomination: Christian Church

Right Side Up In An Upside Down World Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Oct 1, 2015

Rather than giving a list of ideals to strive for, Jesus was showing the people how widely available God’s kingdom was – even for ordinary, poor, ignorant, imperfect, despised people. The beatitudes describe their struggle & grace to thrive in adversity.

Right Side Up in an Upside Down World Intro: The more I study the Sermon on the Mount, esp. the Beatitudes, the less prescriptive and the more descriptive they become to me. Here is what I mean by that. Last week as I shared them, I introduced the first one (poor in spirit) as a requirement for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Worlds Matter: They Lift Up Or Knock Down!

Contributed by Kelly Durant on Nov 9, 2015

Words are real things! They have the ability to lift up, or to knock down, to inspire, to encourage, or to discourage!

Words Matter! Captain Kelly Durant Scientists have studied how many words we speak a day. They have determined that men speak about 10,000 per day and women speak about 20,000. The problem is when men get home from work they usually have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:36-37

Denomination: Salvation Army

Tearing Down The Strongholds Of Hell Part 1 Series

Contributed by James Lee on Dec 4, 2015

I would like to thank Pastor Jerry Shirley for sharing this series on Acts. It has been a blessing as well as a great help. I have used these for our church, as I spend my days caring for my dying father.

Tearing Down the Strongholds of Hell Acts 19:8-27 [2Co 10:4 NIV] “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” Paul stayed in Ephesus for 3 full years because there was much work to be done there. He was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:8-27

Denomination: Baptist

Tearing Down The Strongholds Of Hell Part 2 Series

Contributed by James Lee on Dec 4, 2015

I would like to thank Pastor Jerry Shirley for sharing this series on Acts. It has been a blessing as well as a great help. I have used these for our church, as I spend my days caring for my dying father.

Tearing Down the Strongholds of Hell Acts 19:8-27 Part 2 [2Co 10:4 NIV] “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” Last time we looked at the open door of opportunity, placed in front of Paul. We ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:8-27

Denomination: Baptist

Bringing Down The Strongholds Of Hell Part 3 Series

Contributed by James Lee on Dec 4, 2015

I would like to thank Pastor Jerry Shirley for sharing this series on Acts. It has been a blessing as well as a great help. I have used these for our church, as I spend my days caring for my dying father.

Bringing Down the Strongholds of Hell Acts 19:8-27 Part 3 [2Co 10:4 NIV] “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” Last time we looked at the open door of opportunity, placed in front of Paul. We ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:8-27

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven Came Down/ Christmas Eve Service Series

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Feb 15, 2019

Can we stop for a moment to imagine the excitement of heaven as Jesus comes to begin His redemption of mankind on earth. That God would send His Son Jesus is mind blowing.

Heaven came down Yesterday, we read the Christmas story as recorded in Luke 2 as part of the service. I spoke of God’s love for “all people”. That God would send His Son Jesus to redeem mankind. (God’s love blows my mind) We saw God’s love was unconditionally for all and God’s love does not go by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-24

Denomination: Nazarene

The Pride Of Thine Heart Will Bring Thee Down

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 4, 2022

Edom was proud of its accomplishments, but in the long run, God would bring her down. Whether they are a nation, a business, a church, or a family, those in positions of authority should not be overly self-assured.

Obadiah is the shortest book of the Bible. It is titled The Vision of Obadiah as it prophesies the judgment to fall on the nation of Edom. The Edomites were descendants of Esau which made them related to the children of Israel (Genesis 25:19-27:45). Because of Edom's defiance of God, their ...read more

Scripture: Obadiah 1:3-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Upside Down--The Drama Of The Church Of God

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 2, 2024

The world turned upside down. Over and over again did this drama repeat.

Friday of the First Week of Advent 2024 G. K. Chesterton was fond of writing how history seems to turn the plans of humans upside down and backwards. He tells the story of Constantine summoning the bishops to judge the teachings of Arius, in the year 325. The priest Arius taught that Jesus is Son ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:27-31, Isaiah 29:17-24, Revelation 21:23-24

Denomination: Catholic

Facing Life's Ups And Downs

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Feb 20, 2024

Elijah, facing depression, is comforted by the Lord while on the run.

Facing Life’s Ups and Downs 1 Kings 19:1-18 Good morning, One day in a philosophy class, the professor decided to talk with his students about the emotional extremes people go through. The professor asked the class, “What’s the opposite of sadness?”, and one of the students answered, “Joy”. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Build Up While Others Tear Down Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Mar 17, 2024

Jude gives his readers seven commands and a promise t keep us from failig

Jude 1:17-25 (Part 5) Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 3-17-2024 I am God Jude has spent the majority of his letter warning his readers about false teachers and the dangers they pose to the church. Unless we are tempted to think that false teaching was only around in Jude’s ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:17-25

Denomination: Baptist

Letting Go Of What Holds You Down Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Mar 14, 2025

This is the 15th Sermon from the Gospel of Luke Series, "Jesus- Son Of Man".

Series: Jesus- Son Of Man [#15] LETTING GO OF WHAT HOLDS YOU DOWN Luke 5:17-26 Introduction: In our text, a paralyzed man was brought to Jesus, who not only healed him physically but also addressed his need for forgiveness. This teaches us that true freedom starts from within. Just like the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26, Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

People Who Turn The World Upside Down Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Mar 21, 2025

Acts 17:1-15 teaches us what characterizes people who turn the world upside down.

Introduction Years ago, I saw an advertisement for the “perfect” pastor. Here is what it said: • The perfect pastor preaches exactly 10 minutes. • He condemns sin roundly but never hurts anyone's feelings. • He works from 8 AM until midnight and is also the church janitor. • ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"When ‘bad Luck’ Knocks Us Down” Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 4, 2023

The story of Joseph being sold into slavery provides a compelling example of moments when it seems like "bad luck" has come our way when God may be up to something else.

WHY DID THAT HAPPEN? There are moments when we feel like bad luck knocked us down. - We will get into the specifics that this passage details as we go through the sermon, but this is obviously a passage with some “just-so-happened” moments. - To use the common vernacular, someone might say, “Oh, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:12-36

Denomination: Baptist

I Can't Come Down

Contributed by Patty Groot on Jul 14, 2025

Funeral of a believer who was very involved in social justice. The sermon is based on the life of Nehemiah.

Funeral Sermon for Brother Jimmy L. M Scripture Text: Nehemiah 6:3 “I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down.” Church, if you don’t mind, I want to talk to you today from the subject: “He Stayed on the Wall.” Yes, he did. Brother Jimmy M was a man who did not come down. He didn’t come down ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:3