Sermons on Lay Down The Shovel:

Compassion: More Than A Bleeding Heart

Contributed by Lee Mefford on Apr 18, 2017

One of the great needs in the world today is the need for compassion. Compassion has been defined as "sorrow for the sufferings of another, with the urge to help.",

Luke 10:33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. There lived in India a well-known poet named Tagore. One morning his servant was late coming to work. Tagore became more angry by the minute as he waited for him to arrive. Finally, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:33

Denomination: Christian Church

The Great Omission Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Oct 13, 2025

To keep the Great Commission from becoming the Great Omission, we must live on mission by glorifying God and making disciples of Jesus in our families, among our neighbors, and among the nations.

The Great Omission Luke 24:44-49 Rev. Brian Bill October 11-12, 2025 A young boy asked his mother and grandmother to play with him in his new sandbox in the front yard. He gave each of them a shovel and pail, and they eagerly started scooping sand. Before long, they became engrossed in their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-49

Denomination: Baptist

Shining Moments

Contributed by Jeeva Sam on Mar 20, 2001

The Transfiguration of Jesus calls us to reflect upon our own shining moments

When I was in seminary, I’d drive along a stretch of Highway 33 between Bath and Kingston, Ontario every school day for three years. It was right along the lake, a scenic drive for sure. But, when you’re part of a steady stream of traffic, all trying to get into the city on time, you don’t always ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-8

Denomination: Methodist

Behaving As We Believe Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Feb 15, 2012

Faith is more than a mental understanding of God and his good things, it is action.

1There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: 2a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Not Going It Alone Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 13, 2021

I suspect there was one last "excuse" Moses had for why he didn't want to obey God. Do you know what that excuse might have been?

There was an advertising tycoon Albert Lasker who asked one of his top executives to move from California to the New York office. The man refused. He didn’t want to move. He liked it right where he was. A couple days later, Lasker changed tactics. He brought the executive into his office and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:13-17, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sin Accomodating Churches-3 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 1, 2017

3 of 7. Paul admonished the Corinthian church because they had allowed/accommodated heinous sin in their midst. The church must not tolerate/accommodate sin in their midst. But How are they to act against such? Sin Accommodating Churches skirt...

SIN ACCOMODATING CHURCHES-III—1Cor. 5:1-13 Attention: In the days of wooden ships & boats—A ship or boat whose hull is known to have shipworms below the water-line. Shipworms have an overwhelming presence in every ocean. In the 1700’s the British covered the hulls with copper. In the 1800’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Day Of Death Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 23, 2022

Would you baptize someone on Halloween? One preacher refused to do that because he saw Halloween as a focus on death... and he didn't want the young girl he was baptizing to become confused by the aura of death in the season, and having that connection ruin her walk with Christ.

Ordinarily I read a Scripture before each sermon because anything the Bible says is more important than what I have to say. But today I'm not going to do that. The text will still be there in the body of the sermon, but I'm not reading first because I don't want to spoil the surprise. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sin Of Omission

Contributed by Adrian Rogers on Oct 11, 2011

The great sin in our lives is not the sin of commission. It’s not the darkness; it’s the failure to let in the light.

Introduction I want to talk to you today on this subject, the sin of omission. Now, most of us think of sin as something that we do wrong. That is, we have a list of things that are wrong and we say, “Well, we better not do them.” Don’t lie, don’t steal, don’t ...read more

Scripture: James 4:17

Denomination: Baptist

It Really Is A Wonderful Life Series

Contributed by Douglas Bryan on Dec 31, 2003

The second in a series of messages called "A Classic Christmas." This sermon uses a short video clip from "It’s a Wonderful Life" and seeks to show people that a life in Christ really is terrific.

A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS IT REALLY IS A WONDERFUL LIFE 1 John 5:11-13 INTRODUCTION: A. The older I get the more amazed I am about how the mind works 1. First of all, I am amazed by the important things that I forget 2. Secondly, I am amazed by the trivial things that I seem to remember. ILL> ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:11-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Gay, But Not Happy

Contributed by Brad Froese on Jul 18, 2006

An encouraging (but reforming) sermon for people who are ’gay’ but not happy.

Today, I will be using the term ‘gay’ in both its original form and its contemporary form, so let me define it both ways for you this morning. Originally, GAY meant: to be characterized by colorful and lighthearted excitement: MERRY. As in, “Have a GAY day!” In the old days, wishing your neighbor ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Blessed

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Nov 17, 2002

I have this little quotation on my bulletin board in my office. It is entitled, “Life – But No Living”. It reads: First I was dying to finish high school and start college. And then I was dying to finish college and start working. And then I was dying

SERMONIC / WORSHIP THEME Opening Statement: I have this little quotation on my bulletin board in my office. It is entitled, “Life – But No Living”. It reads: First I was dying to finish high school and start college. And then I was dying to finish college and start working. And then I was dying ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5

The Archeology Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Dave Kinney on Dec 6, 2008

Archeology cannot form faith, but it can inform faith. Archeology brings forth the tangible remnants of history so that faith can have a reasonable context in which to develop.

No doubt that Christmas has some incredible claims contained within the narratives found in the Bible! Claims that could make the skeptic or searcher scratch their head wondering is this an episode of the “Twilight Zone”? Maybe you have felt this way at times and maybe you still have some major ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Flattery – Not Welcomed Here! Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Apr 2, 2014

A study of Psalm 12 verses 1 through 8

Psalm 12: 1 – 8 Flattery – Not Welcomed Here! 1 Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. 2 They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 12:1-8

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Jesus Is The Word Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on May 2, 2019

The first in a series on the Gospel of John. This sermon provides an introduction to John's Gospel, and touches on what it means that Jesus is the Word.

John Series 2019 Jesus is the Word Text: John 1:1 – 2 Well here we are… the first Sunday of 2019. Think about that for a second… can you imagine that it’s been almost two decades since the year 2000… I mean… I still remember back when the Y2K scare was all you heard about on the news. Everyone ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-2

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Doesn’t The American Church See More Changed Lives?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 11, 2018

A look at Jesus' selection of the twelve disciples and what that means for the way that we should organize our efforts if we want to have maximum impact.

THE BEST STRUCTURE: Does the American church have the best structure for changing lives? - Matthew 10:1-4. - Here I have a golf club. If I need to dig a hole, I can make it happen with a golf club. Now, it certainly will not be particularly efficient, but I will eventually get the job done. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:1-4

Denomination: Baptist