Sermons on Left Margin:

The Gift Of Limitations

Contributed by Mark Opperman on May 6, 2015

In light of the fact that we only have so much to give, I’d like to attempt to bestow a Mother’s Day gift today- the gift of limitations. God can do everything, but you and I cannot! So, here's permission to set some limits and boundaries in your life.

The Gift of Limitations -(Matthew 25:1-13) We all have limitations. We are finite beings who are limited by time and space, and by a finite supply of energy and focus. Furthermore, you could say we are limited by our mission or purpose in life, although some never learn to set limits that keep ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"reaching Across Boundaries"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 19, 2023

A sermon about following Jesus by reaching out to people who are outside of our circles.

“Reaching Across Boundaries” Luke 8:26-39 After studying passages like this one, author Mark Scandrette and his friend Joseph became convicted that God was calling them to reach out, not just to folks who showed up at their church or were already a part of their circles but to outsiders, people ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39

Denomination: United Methodist

Ministry Heart

Contributed by Nate Herbst on Dec 31, 2008

Joy in ministry is not only possible but guaranteed if we’re doing what He has called us to with the right motives and heart - this message to Christian workers will encourage you in the battle!

Eph.3:7-8 - “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Mt.3:11, Mk.1:7, Lk.3:16, Jn.1:27, Acts ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit Series

Contributed by David Smith on Feb 4, 2011

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they wil

We have as our Gospel reading this morning what is certainly one of the best known and best loved portions of the Bible. Along with 'The Lord is my Shepherd' and 'For God so love the world ...', these verses from the beginning of Matthew Chapter 5 must be amongst the most frequently quoted words ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Unveiling Injustice PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 4, 2024

This sermon addresses the misuse of spiritual power, monetary exploitation, and abuse within the church, urging believers to seek truth and wisdom in these challenging times. 2 Timothy

Greetings, dear friends and fellow sojourners in the faith. It's a joy to gather together in this sacred space, where the echoes of hymns still linger in the rafters, where the whispers of prayers have seeped into the walls, and where the Word of God is the foundation upon which we stand. Today, we ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 5:1-13, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Ecclesiastes 4:1-6

Topics: Abusive Power, Exposing, Overcoming

"is God's Church For Everyone?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Sep 27, 2023

A sermon about God's inclusion in this period of polarization and division.

“Is God’s Church for Everyone?” Acts 8:26-40 When I was a brand-new Christian a friend of mine and I were doing some street witnessing. What I mean by that is we were meeting strangers on the street and asking them if they knew Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We were 18 years old and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: United Methodist

Only One Translation? Series

Contributed by Thomas Cash on Dec 17, 2009

Third in a series on the reliability of the Bible, this messages deals with the debate about Bible translations. If the words of Scripture mattered to Jesus, they should matter to us.

DISCLAIMER: The material in these three messages come from others who are better scholars than I! Contact me if I can credit anything in this series to its original source. Sermon Notes Only One Translation? Deuteronomy 4:1–14; John 8:12–26; 2 Timothy 3:14–17 (Third in the series Our Still Point ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Question Is Not: "is God Relevant?"

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Dec 5, 2013

He who has the last laugh determines relevancy. This is Christ the King.

The Question is Not: “Is God Relevant?” Matthew 25:31-46 Introduction Often what is put last is of the highest importance. For example, Luke ends Jesus’ public teaching at the Temple with the story of the widow’s mite, noting that she gave more than the rich who gave much in that she gave her ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:33-46, Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Building Church With Jesus And Peter Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 16, 2024

They had two things to “sell.”

Saturday of the Third Week in Easter 2024 Why did the Church grow in membership so rapidly in the last half of the first century? There must have been many reasons; we were largely an assembly of the poor and marginalized, and there were a lot of those people in the Roman Empire. News of the ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-69, Psalm 116:12-17, Acts 9:31-42, Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40-46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

A Leper Cleansed By Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 14, 2022

Leprosy is often used as a figure for sin.

A LEPER CLEANSED BY JESUS. Luke 5:12-16. The various skin diseases which fall under the Biblical heading of ‘leprosy’ have long stood as a metaphor for that worst of all human diseases: sin. However, this does not detract from the historicity of the incident which Luke now sets before us. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Guaranteed Guarantee Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on May 28, 2016

Rahad received a guarantee that was irrevocable.

Guarantees. We all like guarantees. They give us a sense of security. We can rest knowing that if events work against us we have a card to play that will fix our problem. Everywhere you go you are faced with the options on buying a warranty on an item. This is your guarantee that you will be ...read more

Denomination: Foursquare

God's Day Off Series

Contributed by Mary Lewis on Aug 3, 2003

Fourth Commandment, Part 2: The Value of Sabbath in a Fast-Paced Society

God’s Day Off Introduction – Busy, Busy, Busy Tattoo Syndrome A Tacoma, Washington, newspaper carried a story about a basset hound named, “Tattoo.” One evening, Tattoo’s owner accidentally shut the dog’s leash in the car door and took off for a drive with Tattoo still attached to it. Tattoo didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Touched By Jesus

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jun 12, 2012

Jesus restored the leper, literally one whom society had pushed away, driven away, piled into the dump and forgotten about.

Touched By Jesus June 3 2012 Mark 1:40-45 Intro: At first he tried to hide it. Perhaps no one would notice. Maybe it would go away. It could be nothing. But instead of shrinking, it grew. His skin started to get blotchy. It broke open, began to ooze puss. The fear that had been ever ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Denomination: Baptist

What Does God Want From Elders? (Job 29:1-25; Joshua 20:1-9; Acts 6:1-7) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 28, 2022

Job was the ideal role model, for a good "elder" in ancient Israel. Authority is used for the vulnerable, to create authentic unity. Part 3 of cities of refuge.

I'd like to begin this morning by simply reading Joshua 20:1-9, from start to finish: (1) And Yahweh spoke to Joshua, saying, (2) "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, "Make for yourselves cities of refuge, which I had spoken to you by the hand of Moses, (3) to flee there, a ...read more

Scripture: Job 29:1-25, Joshua 20:1-9, Acts 6:1-7

The Rewards Of Love And Respect Series

Contributed by Dan Carroll on Jul 28, 2011

Help couples in your congregation earn the rewards of a good marriage.

INTRODUCTION • Why do some couples seem so happy? • Beware of outward appearances - they are deceiving. • Happy couples work at it. • They have made the tough decisions I. WHY DO SOME COUPLES SEEM SO HAPPY? • I Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love...always protects, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational