Sermons on Left Margin:

What About Fake Christians?

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Jul 2, 2020

Fresh, relevant approach to the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares. Focuses on the gospel for people whose life doesn't match their churchgoing, and how to reach them. Practical references to church history as well.

WHAT ABOUT FAKE CHRISTIANS?—Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Does it bother you when you see and hear prominent personalities act like God is their best buddy, while they live very ungodly lives? Politicians, athletes, superstar performers—all say, “God bless,” and identifying themselves as Christians, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Parable Of The Lost Coin

Contributed by Gary Smith on Nov 23, 2013

This message describes the job of Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Believer in seeking the lost and bringing them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

“The Parable of the Lost Coin” TEXT: Luke 15:8-15:10 Luke 15:8-10 (KJV) 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:8-10

Denomination: Church Of God

The Truth About Power Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

Jesus doesn’t tell Zacchaeus, “I’ll stand in your doorway, but I will not come inside.” Jesus doesn’t tell Zacchaeus, “I’ll look in your window, but I will not come inside.” No, Jesus says instead, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” (Luke 19:5b)

We are in a short series of sermons entitled The Truth about You. And we conclude this series with a very famous story, the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus. This is the last of Jesus’ personal encounters (in Luke’s gospel) before He arrives in Jerusalem to be tried, crucified, and eventually ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Worship And Justice

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on May 28, 2023

We deplore the loss of morality, the loss of civility, the loss of social stability - and yet how many of us recognize that those are only the deeper symptoms of a greater loss, the loss of our sense of accountability before God?

Judah, the Hebrews’ southern kingdom, was big on denial. By 740 BC, when Isaiah began to preach, the brutal and ambitious kingdom of Assyria had amply demonstrated their intentions and abilities. They were bent on conquering Egypt, the prize of the Mediterranean, and had to conquer everything else ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:1-20, Hosea 4:1-6, Amos 5:21-23, 1 John 2:9-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Lost Oil - Refilling What's Been Depleted Series

Contributed by Barry Tallis on May 3, 2025

This sermon addresses spiritual depletion and teaches believers how to be refilled with the Holy Spirit through surrender rather than striving, emphasizing the power that comes when divine presence is prioritized over performance.

INTRODUCTION Church! Last week we talked about the broken altar - that place of worship and surrender that many of us have neglected. Today, we're diving into something equally critical - THE LOST OIL! In Scripture, oil represents the Holy Spirit, the anointing, the presence of God. And let ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:6, Psalm 46:10

More Than A Denomination: Challenges Facing Baptists In A New Era Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 9, 2011

The defining truths that make Baptists a distinct people, and the dangers of neglecting those truths, is explored.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

Staying On Track (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 14, 2020

Message deals with current deception "Progressive Christianity" while expounding Philippians 3:19. Many young Evangelicals are being drawn into the Progressive Christianity error which denies Christ as only way of salvation and supports ungodly lifestyles.

We are at a crucial time in our nation, and the best response we can have to all that’s going on around us is to seek the Lord. As Christians we should vote responsibly. We should be light and salt. We should engage the culture with the truth of God’s word. But our most powerful weapon against evil ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:24, Jeremiah 8:11-12, Revelation 22:15, 1 John 5:12, John 14:6, Colossians 3:5-6, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Luke 9:23, Isaiah 5:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Process Of Human Translation (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Dec 12, 2023

To establish that the “word of God” was given to the apostles through divine revelations and recorded by them through divine inspiration. We’ll explore if the truth of God has been preserved during its translation from Greek into our English language.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 3. The Process of Human Translation Introductory Remarks. 1. This series of lessons will discuss the theme: “Divine Revelation and Inspiration.” In truth, we can only say these two processes, revelation, and inspiration, are the work of the “Hands of the Father, the Lord, and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-7, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Purity Exam Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 6, 2009

1)The deed of adultery, 2) The desire behind it, and 3)The deliverance from it.

A common back to school ritual is the wardrobe selection. For some it means the latest fashions and for others it means the school uniform. Ironically, the latest fashions are the uniform. There has been a unique development this year in the elimination for many schools of the tartan skirt. Meant ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-30

Denomination: Other

The Dangers Of Self-Indulgence Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 1, 2019

How I steward my wealth reveals my spiritual health.

The Dangers of Self-Indulgence James 5:1-6 Rev. Brian Bill March 30-31, 2019 When I was about 12 years old I was asked if I would be interested in cleaning out the house of a woman who had passed away. I eagerly agreed, thinking this would be an easy way to make some shekels. I wasn’t prepared ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Catastrophic Choices

Contributed by Scotty Killingsworth on Feb 13, 2003

In essence Dr. Luke says, anything we use as an eternal strategy that is outside of the shed blood of Jesus is a tragic mistake and will cause us to be in peril of eternal death.

This sermon was preached by Scotty L Killingsworth to the congregation of Evergreen Church on Sunday morning February,16 2003 Catastrophic Choices series part one Luke 12 Last Sunday we followed Zacchaeus around for 30 days. We watched as he became aware of the consequences of his life, and the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:1-34

Denomination: Baptist

When To Be Stubborn

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 25, 2002

There are times to be definite, clear, even stubborn: when you know the truth, when you understand your own motives, and when you can turn your stand into good news. Parts of the sermon were drawn from testimonies solicited earlier in the service around

Indelibly etched on my mind is the photograph of one of our members, now deceased. If you go to Frances Flippen’s apartment, you can see a picture of her late husband, John, a military man, in full battle dress, helmet and all, standing with his legs spread apart and his arms folded, and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:14-17, Proverbs 25:25-26

Denomination: Baptist

What Reactiondo We Have To The Christmas Story Today?

Contributed by Dennis Selfridge on Dec 20, 2002

There are three reactions to the Christmas story given ion this Scripture.

WHAT REACTION DO WE HAVE TO THE CHRISTMAS STORY? How do we respond to God coming to us? Matthew 2:1-12 Washington, DC -- In December of 1944, General George S. Patton summoned his Third Army Chaplain into his office and asked him to write out a prayer for good weather. Patton’s ground troops had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Wesleyan

Beware's

Contributed by Wendell Blackburn on Feb 16, 2005

The Second Coming..

BEWARE 2nd Thess Chap 2 In today’s world We have to be prepared for what Could happen at any second!!! THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST! Or the Rapture- Or The Great Tribulation! Our English Bible’s don’t use the word Rapture, But we all know what it means when we hear Things like – The coming ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Can't Buy Me Love

Contributed by Carl Greene on Oct 16, 2007

A Different way to look at Luke 16: 19-31. It really does matter how we live now!

“Can’t Buy Me Love” There is a fellow named Dr. David Demko who’s Death Device projects the date of a celebrity’s demise using lifestyle information such as smoking and exercise. Whitney Houston? 2022. Keith Richards? Should have died in‘95. But maybe it’s more important to discover when we are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Methodist