Sermons on Literal Approach:

Instead Of Worrying

Contributed by Eric Hanson on Aug 4, 2010

God's will for believers is peace and joy, not worry and fear. his message is a practical approach to moving from the former to the latter. Let's bring our actual experience into line with God's word in these matters.

Instead of Worrying… Pastor Eric J. Hanson July 11, 2010 Read Philippians 4:6-7, I Peter 5:6-7, & Luke 12:27-31. It is a real struggle for many or even most people to walk free of worrying about tomorrow, carrying crushing emotional burdens today, and feeling that things will never get ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Admitting Our Blindness In Human Development Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Nov 14, 2009

Jesus can act as Messiah when He is approached by humans who admit their blindness, weakness and sin; so we must admit decades of blindness in our human development policies.

November 16, 2009 Caritas in Veritate “Deeds without knowledge are blind, and knowledge without love is sterile.” As Luke portrays Jesus making his pilgrimage to the Holy City whose inhabitants will murder him, He finally responds to one who is publicly calling him The Messiah–Son of David. But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:45-53

Denomination: Catholic

Eye Witness News - Midnight Candlelight Service Series

Contributed by Spencer Homan on Jan 2, 2010

This series approaches the Christmas Story by examining the lives of those present from a very historical perspective. This is the Midnight Service that follows all four stories into the culmination of a candle lit service at Midnight.

“Midnight Mass 2009” GATHERING MUSIC Our worship begins with the first note of our Gathering Music. If you must whisper, let it be a prayer. * CALL TO WORSHIP (Isaiah 9:6) For a child has been born for us, A son given to us; Authority rests upon his shoulder, and he is named: Wonderful, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God's Tender Mercies

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 29, 2008

God does discipline His children who approach the Lord’s Table with unholy attitudes. This is does as an act of love. If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged.

1 CORINTHIANS 11:31, 32 GOD’S TENDER MERCIES “If we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. When we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.” No doubt the title of the message appears strange to some people. How can discipline be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

From Sadness To Singing

Contributed by J. Allen Lucas on Mar 25, 2009

It is normal to fell forsaken when we feel forgotten and all of our efforts seem to be useless. But there is One who is touchable and approachable when we’re struggling with feelings of infirmity.

From Sadness To Singing Psalm 13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? [2] How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? [3] Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Power In Weakness

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jan 6, 2006

We love power in all its forms. But amazingly, when God set out to save the world, He sent His Son in abject weakness. Could it be that this is His typical approach?

Passage: Luke 2:1-7 Intro: We live in a world in love with power. 1. we cheer for the teams who can dominate their opponent. 2. we idolize the strong, the wealthy, the winners. 3. and frankly, we find ourselves a little conflicted with how God has chosen to manifest Himself to the sinful ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

Contributed by Michael Tkachuk on Aug 10, 2014

While Jesus was praying on the mountain, the disciples were in a boat trying to cross the sea. Jesus approaches the boat walking on water. They thought it was a ghost and it frightened them until Jesus spoke up.

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Our Gospel reading this morning talks about the apostles’ struggle with fear as a raging storm tosses their boat like a cork on the churning sea. Now fear could be a good thing or it can be a bad thing. It can cripple us or it can be a lifesaver. Someone once ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-34

Denomination: Catholic

Cain & Abel Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 18, 2012

Genesis 4:1-16 gives a picture of faith and how it is only by genuine faith through an approved sacrifice, that we can approach God. The rejection of this means rejection by God Himself.

Canada made international news recently for the Shafia murder trial. What should have been a refuge for the healthy development of family, became an environment for intimidation that eventually lead to murder. A misplaced understanding of honor, resulted in the murder of siblings. Tooba Mohammad ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-16, Genesis 4:3-8

Denomination: Other

…and Forgive Us Our Debts… Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jun 2, 2014

So just what is Jesus speaking about when He says, "...and forgive us our debts (transgressions)..." If properly prayed this statement changes how we approach God!

Sermon Brief Date Written: June 02, 2014 Date Preached: June 04, 2014 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Study on the Lord’s Prayer Sermon Title: …and Forgive US Our Debts…(Sermon 9) Sermon Text: Matthew 6:9-13 [HCSB] Essence of the Text: Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming People Of Grace

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Nov 10, 2010

We think that we can approach forgiveness with some half-measures that look pretty good to us. Jesus sets a standard that is incredibly high, but one that He has already met.

Passage: Matthew 18:21-35 Intro: Few things we can do will have such a powerful impact on our lives. 1. this is an area where the battle will rage with great force, because of what is at stake. 2. there is something about holding grudges that fills a great need in us. 3. there are few thing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Taking A Stand Series

Contributed by David Owens on Aug 5, 2013

I cover the part of the story where Esther approaches the king and asks for the king and Haman to join her for a banquet. I talk about waiting on the Lord before taking important stands.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a man who went to church one Sunday and was very tired from his late night activities the night before. 1. Finding the sermon to be long and boring, the sleepy man finally nodded off to sleep. 2. The preacher, who had been noticing the man nodding off, ...read more

Scripture: Esther 5:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God’s Loving Kindness

Contributed by Dennis Lee on May 8, 2022

Approaching this Mother’s Day message, two distinct things came to mind. The first was the lovingkindness of God, and the second was the story of Hagar. Therefore, what we will be looking at is then Hagar and the lovingkindness of God.

God’s Loving Kindness Psalm 63:3 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b38ttun-apc As I was approaching what to say for this Mother’s Day message, two distinct things came as I was in prayer. The first was to look at the lovingkindness of God, and the second was the story of Hagar. Now, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:3, Lamentations 3:22-23, Isaiah 43:1, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 107:43  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Foursquare

The Gospel Of John: An Introduction Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 31, 2021

Arguably with no other book, is there a larger disconnect between academic, scholarly understanding, and the way the church reads it. The intro is designed to bridge part of that gap, and explain my own approach to John.

First of all, a note on my approach: This series uses a literary/narrative approach to John, along the lines proposed by scholars like Adele Berlin, Frank Kermode, Robert Alter, or Charles Talbert, to name just a few. I assume that the author/narrator of John-- who I call "AJ"-- had ...read more

Scripture: John 9:22, John 12:42-43, John 16:1, John 2:23, John 6:66  (view more)  (view less)

Hope And Light - Carrying Forth The Mysteries Of God (Advent)

Contributed by William Akehurst on Nov 26, 2022

As we approach Christmas, let us remember that it is time to shine forth the message of JESUS. The HOPE and LIGHT of this World. We carry the Torch of HIS LIGHT and HOPE as Stewards of the Mysteries of GOD.

2022.11.27 The Wilderness Experience Stewards of the Mysteries - The LIGHT of our HOPE William Akehurst, HSWC 1st Sunday of Advent…HOPE and LIGHT. The advent candle of HOPE is lit. JESUS is OUR HOPE. And we are to not only serve HIM, but care for the message, the mysteries of GOD, which are all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Isaiah 9:2, Hebrews 11:1-3, Matthew 5:14-16, Isaiah 60:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Have Been Delilvered

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Oct 11, 2021

In our text today from Romans chapter seven, there is a reference to marriage. But the purpose of the reference is to point to a spiritual truth about our freedom from the requirements of the Law as a means to approach God..

Alba 10-10-2021 WE HAVE BEEN DELIVERED Romans 7:1-6 K. Edward Skidmore was a student at Ozark Bible College (now Ozark Christian College) back in the early 1970s. He told how when he was working as a janitor at O.B.C. there were two or three times he had the opportunity to clean the floors in the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ