Sermons on Lay Down The Shovel:

Daniel’s Friends: "But If Not—“

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 8, 2020

Suppose your employer or ruler demanded you worship an image or idol, and would be put to death if you refused? That happened to Daniel's three friends, who were willing to die for their faith before ever bowing down to any other god besides the God of Israel.

Daniel’s friends: “But if not—“ Introduction: Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon during Daniel’s youth, certainly did not lack a sense of ego or self-importance. In chapter 2, he made an impossible demand on Babylon’s wise men, instructing them to repeat the king’s dream and what it meant or else ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Wicked Serving The Godly Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Jan 10, 2026

In a divine reversal, the wicked will serve the godly, as God's justice prevails. Those who oppressed and mistreated will bow down, and the meek will inherit the earth. It's a powerful reminder that God's ways are higher than ours, and His justice will ultimately be served.

The Bible teaches that God is a just and righteous God, who brings justice to those who suffer at the hands of the wicked. Psalm 37:11 says, "But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace." One day, the wicked will serve those they have oppressed. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-24

Anger Is A Threat To Self-Control

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 2, 2022

Anger is dangerous is because it can hinder the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22 -23) if it is left unchecked. Paul warns us not to let the sun go down our anger in Ephesians 4:26.

ANGER IS A THREAT TO SELF-CONTROL Text: Ephesians 4:25-5:2 “A small girl was showing a friend the bathroom scale: "I don't know what it is . . . but my mom and dad use it every day. All I know is, when you stand on it, it makes you really mad!".” (Steve May. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32, Ephesians 5:1-2

Denomination: United Methodist

Resurrection: Fact Or Fiction?

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 16, 2025

Some of you have played Jenga with your family, right? You seek to pull piece after piece out without the tower collapsing. If Christianity were a Jenga tower, the resurrection is the one block that, when pulled, the tower comes crashing down every single time.

Dead people stay dead.1 “Nobody goes to funerals and says, ‘What’s the over/under if this person comes alive again?’” I have yet to see one dead person come back to life. I doubt you have seen any dead person live again, either. Once people have gone down the road of death, they just don’t return.2 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Devilish Dilemma Of Doubt Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 15, 2015

There are at least 3 different Greek words translated "doubt" in the New Testament, but the doubt Thomas exhibited was the most dangerous form of doubt in Scripture. What was Thomas doubting, and why was it so dangerous for him to do so?

Does anyone know who Kirsten Powers is? (A few hands went up). Kirsten is a columnist for USA Today, and Newsweek and a contributor to Fox News. Some time back she told of her transition from being an atheist to believing in Christ. She explained that at one time no one she knew was a Christian ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don’t You Dare Even To Omit A Word, Any Denier Of The Truth! Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 5, 2024

We can not play games with God for the preaching of His inspired word is so essential, and we become deniers if we omit from our preaching that which we might not find pleasing to ourselves or others. Preaching must not omit a word as Jeremiah learned from the Lord. Be faithful.

DON’T YOU DARE EVEN TO OMIT A WORD, ANY WHO WOULD DENY THE TRUTH! [1]. INTRODUCTION Some events in the Christian world cause me distress when I learn of them for there are too many practices that are downright dishonouring to God. Those of you who listen to me or read what I write will know I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-4, Jude 1:10-13, Jeremiah 26:2, Matthew 25:23, Romans 6:17, Jeremiah 36:21-23, Jeremiah 26:3-6, Romans 10:14-17, Jeremiah 26:10-11, Mark 8:38, Luke 4:10-11, Psalm 91:11, Jeremiah 26:8, Jeremiah 26:15-16, 1 Corinthians 9:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Imitating Christ’s Humility

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 10, 2016

We'll have unity when we have humility, we'll have humility when we do like Christ did, and we come all the way down. I hope that every time you read that passage you'll not only think about Christ but you'll compare yourself to the standard because ...

Opening illustration: Bill, a college student, was a new Christian. According to author Rebecca Manley Pippert, one Sunday he visited a church near campus. He walked in barefoot and was wearing a T-shirt and jeans. The service had already started, so he walked down the aisle looking for a seat. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Nothing Can Separate You From God's Love Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Mar 18, 2003

Do you feel discouraged, down, like you don’t "measure up" to God’s love? Then take heart and be encouraged. This most wonderful chapter in God’s Word tell us that no person, no event, nothing at all - can separate you from God’s love.

For an audio copy of this message go to: www.LivingWatersWeb.com At the core of every human being is the desire to be approved – to be liked. We often set our self esteem on the opinions others have of us. Why is it that so many of us feel so badly about ourselves? Is it because deep down we have ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-39

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Helping The Hand Of Moses

Contributed by Elvis Chinguwa on Oct 27, 2005

When Moses held up his hand, Joshua prevailed and when he let down his hand Amalek prevailed..Amalek represents the devil, evil all that is satanic. How many times has Amalek prevailed in your life? Its time to defeat the Amaleks of your lfe!

Some time ago the children of Israel were travelling to the promised land under the leadership of Moses. They were on a journey. Do you know that you are in a journey of life to a promised destination? God predestined your life to a glorious future just as the Israelites were meant to be in Canaan. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:8-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sticks And Stones Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Apr 27, 2009

Just as a tiny spark has the power to start a devastating fire, one word has the power to devastate lives, homes, churches and communities. Words can tear down but they also can build up. How do you think the Lord would have us use our words?

http://brushforkbanner.blogspot.com/ We have all either heard or used the phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Is that true? We’ve had kids all over this church who have broken bones in the past year or so. Things like that happen. People get hurt. ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

And They Will Never Perish

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Jun 3, 2007

If you have dedicated yourself the following Christ, to live as Jesus lived and do what Jesus did, he will never let you go. Remember, God is reaching down to us. When we reach back up and grasp his hand, he’s the one doing the holding.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Our Gospel reading today begins by mentioning the “Feast of the Dedication” which took place in Jerusalem. We don’t hear too much about the Feast of the Dedication. It’s also known as the Festival of Lights, or Hanukah. In ...read more

Scripture: John 10:22-30

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

240 - Strongest Man's Weakness - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Joel Vicente on Nov 9, 2002

Tore a lion with his bear hands, struck down thirty men, caught three hundred foxes and tied them tail to tail, killed 1,000 men with a donkey’s jawbone. Is it Superman? Is it Spiderman? Is it Batman? No - it’s SUPER SAMSON! What stopped Samson can s

Sermon Study # 240 – STRONGEST MAN’S WEAKNESS – part 1 If Samson was a superhero – his introduction would sound something like this: Tore a lion with his bear hands, struck down thirty men, caught three hundred foxes and tied them tail to tail, killed 1,000 men with a donkey’s jawbone. Is it ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Break Through- 2013!

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jan 14, 2013

Hebrews 11:30NLT says “It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down. Note: Not by force, firepower, or fighting...but by FAITH.As children we used to sing songs about O.T. Bible stories,

Break Through- 2013! Joshua 6:1NIV Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. Jericho was shut up tight as a drum because of the People of Israel: no one going in, no one coming out. (Joshua 6:1TM) Over and ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 6:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Wrap And The Woof

Contributed by Samuel Fulkerson on Apr 14, 2013

I have heard it said: “living for God easy is hard; living for God hard is easy.” It is the difference between getting in the boat and setting down and standing on the edge and trying not to fall out. The latter isn’t a question of ‘if’ you fall out, it

Quotes: “Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do--then do it with all your strength.” ― George Washington “Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your purpose.” –Aristotle “Faith is taking the first step, even when you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 97:9-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Great Banquet Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jul 26, 2012

Jesus launches into a parable about a wedding feast where he is essentially saying that in the kingdom of God the humble are exalted and those who seek to exalt themselves are humbled. It’s an upside down Kingdom from what people are used to. So that’s t

Two weeks ago we looked at the parable of the sower whose main theme was the impact of the world on our hearing and doing of the Word. Last week’s Good Samaritan parable spoke to the fact that real love is action based on compassion. And now this week the main theme is about us realizing our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:12-24