Sermons on Literal Approach:

The Journey Of Transformation Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

Being a follower of Jesus is more than just admiring Him from a distance or giving him our time on Sunday mornings. It is literally taking on the person, the mind, and the heart of Jesus. We are called to be worshippers with our whole lives not just an au

The Journey of Transformation Romans 12:1-3 Kyle Idelman writes, It was a Thursday afternoon, and I was sitting in our sanctuary where 30,000 people would soon be coming to one of our Easter services. I had no idea what I was going to say to them. I could feel the pressure mounting. I sat there ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3

Denomination: Methodist

I Am Not Ashamed Of The Gospel

Contributed by Monte Brown on Apr 20, 2010

The gospel is The Good News of Jesus Christ. It has been around for over 2,000 years. Literally millions of messages have been preached about the gospel. It has been shared in the dark cold streets to the beggar and in palaces with all their gl

Introduction The gospel is The Good News of Jesus Christ. It has been around for over 2,000 years. Literally millions of messages have been preached about the gospel. It has been shared in the dark cold streets to the beggar and in palaces with all their glory to Kings and noblemen. The ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16

Denomination: Baptist

God In A Tent

Contributed by Fred Mueller on Apr 28, 2009

This sermon takes off on the Greek text of Revelation. In 7:15, we are told God will shelter them - the literal translation is "tabernacle them" - or "spread his tent over them." The sermon then explores God in a tent with his people in Exodus, comparing

Hillsborough Reformed Church at Millstone April 29, 2007 Easter IV Exodus 24:15-18, 25:8,9, Rev 7:9-17. John 1:14-18 “God in a Tent” The Book of Revelation is a vision of the future, but a vision of the future with a purpose. The Book of Revelation was written to Christians ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Matthew 5 - Part 13 - Am I Going To Hell For Calling Someone A Fool? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 3, 2010

Does calling your brother a fool make you guilty of hell. Is this what Jesus means? The NASB softens it down by adding the words "guilty ENOUGH TO GO into the fiery hell." but literally it says "whoever says ‘Fool’ will be sent to fiery hell"

Matthew 5 - Part 13 - AM I GOING TO HELL FOR CALLING SOMEONE A FOOL? I’ve been thinking about "Murder". Not committing murder but the subject of "murder". Jesus uses "murder" as a teaching unit on the mountain for His disciples. But He takes the view that it’s what happens on the inside that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Purpose Of The Creation Story

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 3, 2018

Is Genesis theistic evolution, day-age theory, a gap, literal 6 days, a polemic, an allegory, majestic prose, intelligent design or something else? If Christians can’t agree on the timing of creation, can we agree on the purposes of the creation story?

Prelude Berasheet bara' Elohim et hashamayim ve'et ha'aretz In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. What are the secrets behind the creation stories in Genesis? Is Genesis literal, allegory, or majestic prose? What are the forgotten purposes of the creation stories? Purpose: ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Imagine: No Hell Below Us; Above Us Only Sky Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 28, 2018

Two-thirds of Americans believe there is no hell. Let's imagine for a moment there is no hell. Lest you take me literally, I DO believe in the existence of heaven and hell. But what would you do if you wanted to eliminate the distasteful idea of hell?

INTRODUCTION There are many theories about the afterlife. Some people believe in reincarnation. Three men died and stood before God, who asked them how they wanted to spend their next life on earth. The first man said, “I want to come back as myself, but I want to be 10 times smarter.” “Poof,” God ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:42-49

Denomination: Baptist

T-R-O-U-B-L-E Right Here In River City?

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Feb 16, 2014

The life of unworthiness and the devils condemnation..is about as close as you can get to hell on earth.. And I'm not exaggerating, when I tell you...there are literally millions upon millions of people that are living there, that need to be set free!

"T-R-O-U-B-L-E" Right Here In RiverCity! Has anyone ever seen the musical, "the music man"? If you haven't, it's a story about salesman..who is also a con man And he comes into a trouble free town named river city and he convinces them of how much trouble they had and didn't even know it. It's ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Gotta Find Bubba Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jun 3, 2020

Jesus says the greatest love is when someone else lays down their life for us. That is the definition of the Son of God! Forrest literally laid his life down when he went back into enemy territory to save his friend Bubba.

AT THE MOVIES 2020: “I GOTTA FIND BUBBA” John 15:12-17 #CCCAtTheMovies INTRODUCTION The movie scene I am going to share with you today comes from the 1994 film Forrest Gump. Forrest, Forrest Gump is a simple fellow with good intentions. He struggles through childhood with several impairments. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Called To Be A Covenant People (2017)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Oct 23, 2022

…. one of the four Servant songs. The message seems to be about the nation of Israel at face value. However, the message can be applied to when Jesus came in the first advent. Jesus literally embodied what this text meant as a prophecy that was fulfilled through Him.

Isaiah 42:1-9 1. "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. 2. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 3. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9

Denomination: United Methodist

Riches Or Righteousness Series

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Aug 23, 2021

The omniscient God, seeing and knowing all things, takes very close interest in the ounces and pounds, liters and pints, dollars and cents, of your daily life. Let every greedy and stingy thief beware! He does not watch from a distance

Riches or Righteousness Prov.11:1-11 Before standardized weights and measures, and a government department to enforce them, merchants were responsible for accurate scales and weights. You bought and sold most of your commodities and foodstuffs by weight. This was no small matter, as the integrity ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Rufus And His Mother Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 27, 2022

His mother has also been like a mother to me. "His mother in a literal sense, and mine in a figurative one." An instance of the delicacy and tenderness of Paul, of his love for this disciple and his mother, as if he were of the same family.

Rufus and His Mother (Romans 16:13, NIV) Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. Paul continues to list people he would like his Roman readers to greet for him. Now he comes to Rufus. It is not known if this Rufus is the same one mentioned in Mark 15:21 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Asleep

Contributed by Phillip Smith on Nov 11, 2023

As humans we grow tired and require a nap; at least I do in the afternoon. Does God grow sleepy and require a daily nap in the afternoon? If we take the days of the week literally as with the creation, does God sleep every seventh day?

In the beginning God made the heavens and the earth. After creating everything, God rested. Does that mean God went to sleep? As humans we grow tired and require a nap; at least I do in the afternoon. Does God grow sleepy and require a daily nap in the afternoon? If we take the days of the week ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:14, 1 Kings 19:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Holy Spirit & The Believer Series

Contributed by Thomas Donelan on Oct 4, 2010

As we continue our Sgt. Joe Friday approach of "just the facts" look at the Holy Spirit, we examine what happens when a person is saved and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the believer.

Introduction Last week we saw how the Holy Spirit ministers to the non-believer in convicting them of their wrongs and drawing them to Jesus Christ the only hope of salvation, but what happens then? Does the Holy Spirit stop or does He go further? Emphatically yes! He stays with us and goes much ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gospel Happens In Athens Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jul 2, 2018

When it comes to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, it helps if we understand the approach Paul took. Let’s look at 3 principles that will help us become more frequent sharers.

The Gospel Happens in Athens (Acts 17:16-34) 1. Philosophers can be interesting and sometimes deep. Joke about 2 Greek philosophers arguing: Euclid tells the other: You've been a very good pupil this past year, Eubulides, but now it's time for you to pay the 50 drachma you owe me for all the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Value Of A Woman Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on May 12, 2002

1. A woman’s place is in the home (NOT the approach you might think). 2 A woman’s place is in the world. 3. A woman’s place is in the church.

When I was growing up we watched family sitcoms like “Ozzie and Harriet,” “Leave it to Beaver,” or “Father Knows Best.” When my girls were growing up it was “The Brady Bunch” and “The Cosbys.” Gender roles were pretty clear, and parents were pretty much in charge of the home. Now a genre of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:1-16

Denomination: Methodist