Sermons on Lay Down The Shovel:

How To Hold On When You Feel Like Giving Up

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 4, 2001

How do we keep holding on when we feel like giving up? How do we find the strength to persevere, to go on?

Ever feel like giving up? Ever feel like quitting? Ever feel like your situation is so hopeless that the only thing you can possibly do is leave? Just walk away, head out the door and never come back? In extreme circumstances, people can feel so much emotional pain that they take their own lives. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:17

Denomination: Baptist

The Paradox Of The Gospel

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Aug 28, 2011

The inherent paradox in scripture and Christian life

Exodus 3:1-15 Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 16:21-28 Which came first, the chicken or the egg? This is probably the best known paradox of all time. Here are some more light-hearted paradoxes are that you might like to consider: Computer security Political science Tight slacks Definite maybe Pretty ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Whether Awake Or Asleep

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Jul 22, 2009

Paul had been in Thessalonica only a short while. While there he taught the believers about the triumphant return of Christ, but some questions went unanswered. People were concerned that their departed loved ones would miss the glory of the Lord’s return

Whether Awake or Asleep Text: "For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him" (1 Thess. 5:9-10 RSV). Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 Introduction Paul had been in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Power Of The Tongue Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Aug 14, 2021

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken” (Mat 12:35,36).

The power of the tongue Prov. 10:11-22 The mouths of those who do right are a fountain of life. But the trouble caused by what sinners say destroys them. Prov. 10:11. Later on in Proverbs Solomon said, “The tongue has the power of life and death” (18:21). The old adage, “Sticks and stone may ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:11-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Lumberjack God

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 7, 2019

John threatened the Pharisees and Sadducees that God would cut them down. We are all cut down to size from time to time, and we need it.

12.8.19 Matthew 3:10 Already the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. God has compared Himself to a dove, an eagle, a lion, a tower, a fortress, a counselor and a friend. Today God puts on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-17, Matthew 3:10

Denomination: Lutheran

When God's People Are Locked Down: Reflections, Responses, And Responsibilities

Contributed by Joel Tejedo on Apr 6, 2020

Our journey in life is sometimes parallel to the people of Israel, who came out from Egypt, given a promise to inherit the Promise Land, but in between these journeys, they were "stationed" in a place, a trap, with nowhere to go.

When God's People Is Locked Down: Responses, Reflections, and Responsibilities A Sermon Message on Exodus 14:1-20 By Dr. Joel A. Tejedo, D.Min. Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ Exodus 14:3 Introduction In 2011, my ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Praying For Rain Series

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Feb 19, 2016

Sometimes it is harder to get the rain going that it is to have it stopped. Elijah had to labour in his prayer for rain.

ELIJAH—A MAN OF LIKE PASSIONS 10 Praying for Rain TEXT: 1 Kings 18:41-46 1 Kings 18:41-46 KJV And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. [42] So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:41-46

Denomination: Pentecostal

5. Low Is High Series

Contributed by E. True Neilson on Nov 26, 2022

Watch the message video on YouTube at UCSZ0yPUBE_3382Mlb5fE8og

Check out the book "The Upside Down Kingdom" by Donald ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:7-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Letters Of Recommendation

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Sep 13, 2025

Paul reminds the Corinthians that true Christian leadership isn't about  credentials but pointing people to Christ. Our transformed lives are the Holy Spirit’s “letters of recommendation,” of God's truth.  

Letters of Recommendation GOOD MORNING. This morning, we’re looking at our Epistle lesson, and letters of recommendation if you saw that. You might have needed one for a job, a college application, to rent an apartment. I’ve written lots. But what is your ultimate letter of recommendation? We can ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:1-7, 2 Corinthians 3:1-3

Denomination: Anglican

When God's Spirit Moves Series

Contributed by David Dewitt on Nov 14, 2007

This is the begining of a lay ministry series.

When God’s Spirit Moves In 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 October 28, 2007 Morning Service This message is based in part on John Maxwell’s message Let God’s Spirit Move In Introduction I tell you of a true story of a soldier who was in Pearl Harbor. On the night before they were attacked by the Japanese ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, 2 Corinthians 3:1-3

Denomination: Church Of God

Not Of Lords ---Not Of Swords

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 17, 2007

God is looking for more than bosses to lay down rules. God is looking for more than swords to cut ears off those coming in force. God wants you to know Him personally.

NOT OF LORDS --- NOT OF SWORDS --- By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I. GOD HAS MADE A CHOICE. GOD’S SYSTEM IS NOT OF LORDS AND SWORDS. MANY WOULD DIE FOR THE LORD? THEY JUST WON’T LIVE FOR HIM? DO YOU DESIRE AN ADVISORY POSITION WITH GOD? BOSS OR SERVANT? A. God has often baffled ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:24-29

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Greater Kindness Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Mar 18, 2013

Sacrificial love is willing to lay down its life, and do the hard things that love demands, on behalf of another. This is the love that we experience in Christ and this is the love that we are challenged to live out with each other.

A Greater Kindness - Ruth 3:10-18 - March 17, 2013 Series: From Heartache to Hope – The Redemption of Ruth - #8 Let me ask you a question as we start this morning: How many decisions do you figure you make in an average day? A hundred? A thousand? Ten thousand? Any ideas? Any ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:10-18

Denomination: *other

Brothers: Rivals, Partners, Or Soul Mates?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 17, 2010

For Masonic Divine Service: Brothering can be an accident of birth or proximity, but it often becomes competitive because of insecurity or exploitive because of sin. Christ chooses us to be brothers and lays His life down for us.

It's almost time to elect a president of the United States. Every four years we go through this little exercise called a national election. And even though every four years we tell one another that the election is about issues; about the economy and about foreign policy and about defense and about ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

"Have I Moved The Ball Today?”

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 8, 2023

The objective measure of the progress of a football team is whether they can advance the football toward their goal-line. Paul lays down 4 hash marks to show Christians how to judge their own progress in Christ.

“HAVE I MOVED THE BALL TODAY?” Col. 1:10 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR Why will all of the referees check their voicemail immediately after the Super Bowl? So they can hear someone say "no missed calls." B. TEXT “...So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Don't Let Anything Slow You Down Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Sep 12, 2004

This the second of 4 based on an Olympic theme. I used many sources including several from Sermon Central

Go for the Gold The Olympics: If you have ever watched the Olympics on TV. you have probably been amazed at the feats the human body is capable of doing! It has always amazed me how some of these people have spent their entire childhood preparing for a single event that in some cases is over ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ