Sermons on Literal Meaning:

Spiritual Adoption - What Does That Mean?

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jul 20, 2014

Adoption during the writings of Paul meant something totally different then it does today. Adoption signifies that you are legally a child of God. You are a full fledged member of the family. A joint heir with Christ. Updated July 2023.

For Those Not Familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scripture Readings that proceed the Message. Today's Readings were Isaiah 55, Psalm 65, Romans 8:7-17 and Matthew 13:1-9 & Matthew 13:18-23. A young man entered the movie theater ... loaded down ......with popcorn, ... drinks, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1, Romans 8:12-25, John 15:15, Galatians 4:1-7, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 3:29, John 3:7, 2 Corinthians 6:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

What Do You Mean The Bible Is Inspired?

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Jun 19, 2006

An examination of how the Bible explains what is means that the Scriptures are inspired.

What Do You Mean The Bible Is Inspired? In 2 Timothy 3:16, the Apostle Paul makes the statement that “All Scripture is inspired by God.” What exactly does Paul mean by that statement? Paul is stating the fundamental truth about the source of all Scripture. Scripture comes from God. The phrase ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Meaning Of Jesus’ Baptism

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Apr 12, 2018

A LOOK AT SOME OF THE REASONS THAT JESUS WAS BAPTISED

THE MEANING OF JESUS’ BAPTISM MATTHEW 3:1-17 I HAVE HEARD MANY STORIES ABOUT BAPTISM OVER THE YEARS. A YOUNG MINISTER NAMED JAY UTLEY TOLD THIS STORY OF HIS FIRST BAPTISM. THE PERSON HE WAS BAPTIZING WAS ALSO A YOUNG MAN, BUT IT HAD BEEN A NUMBER OF YEARS SICE JAY WAS BAPTIZED AND WONDERED HOW ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Pray Like You Mean It!

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Oct 31, 2009

Our prayers are affected by the way we understand God. Jesus uses this quirky parable to drive home that God is passionate about humanity and, in particular, your well-being.

Sermon for CATM – November 1, 2009 – “Pray Like You Mean It!” A young man went into a drugstore to buy 3 boxes of chocolate: small, medium, and large. When the pharmacist asked him about the three boxes, he said, “Well, I’m going over to a new girlfriend’s house for supper. Then we’re going out. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Does This Mean?

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 1, 2015

A sermon for Baptism and Communion in the same service

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? Today we are blessed because we are observing baptism and communion. Both of these are very meaningful and symbolic. Today I want to explain what both of these mean. BAPTISM We began the service with baptism of 6 people. Why do we baptize? What does the scripture say? What ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:26

Denomination: Baptist

An Awesome Purpose

Contributed by Richard L. Brown on Oct 31, 2016

This sermon explores the question, What is the meaning of life? With the answer being found in God and his purpose for our lives.

“An Awesome Purpose” Jeremiah 1: 1-10 A little boy came home from church looking visibly upset. His mother asked what was wrong. "We learned a stupid song in Sunday School today." "What was the song?" the mother asked. "It says Jesus wants us to be his sunbeam." ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Christmas Means...

Contributed by Steve Malone on Dec 23, 2002

In this message we will look at 6 things that Christmas means that are totally independent of food, family, gifts and snow.

What Christmas Means… [show a clip from Jingle All The Way – in the beginning of the movie where Arnie goes to the store and meets Sinbad… start clip when it shows sky line and it when Arnie goes outside of store…] I don’t know about you, BUT like the character that Arnie is playing in the clip ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It Says What It Means! Does It Mean What It Says? Series

Contributed by James Mccullen on May 9, 2005

Please read all the introduction before judging this sermon. It is my desire to preach the Bible during the entire sermon. Please note all points and sub-points are tied to the scripture. This sermon is expository in style, you will have to open, and k

It Says What It Means! Does It Mean What It Says? James 5:13-15 (13) Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises. {14} Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-15

Denomination: *other

The Names Of Jesus, Whats In A Name?

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Dec 26, 2009

A look at names and Jesus name and names.

What’s in a name eh? Who here has a middle name they don’t like, what is it etc? Well I’ve done a bit of research into some names. Sydenham Means from the old English, ‘sid’ meaning wide and ‘hamm’ meaning water meadow and here was thinking it had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Resurrection Means Hope!

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Jul 23, 2001

Christ’s resurrection guarantees the believer’s resurrection; the believer’s resurrection gives life meaning; and the believer’s resurrection makes death a gain.

Illustration Thomas Jefferson, a great man, nevertheless could not accept the miraculous elements in Scripture. He edited his own special version of the Bible in which all references to the supernatural were deleted. Jefferson, in editing the Gospels, confined himself solely to the moral ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:25-27, 2 Corinthians 5:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

"What Are The Meanings Of Signs?”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Nov 9, 2001

Year C. twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost Luke 21: 5-19, November 18, 2001 Heavenly Father thank you for giving us signs to find your hidden presence. Amen. Title: “What are the meanings of signs?”

Year C. twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost Luke 21: 5-19, November 18, 2001 Heavenly Father thank you for giving us signs to find your hidden presence. Amen. Title: “What are the meanings of signs?” In all three Synoptic gospels, just before the passion narrative, there is a “sermon” on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19

Denomination: Lutheran

A Search For Meaning Of Life

Contributed by Douglas Nieuwstraten on Oct 18, 2000

Introduction Believe it or not, all of us are engaged in a search either for happiness or to find the meaning of life.

Introduction Believe it or not, all of us are engaged in a search either for happiness or to find the meaning of life. Look around you and think about what you see going on. As I look at the media, liturature, and culture itself I notice these six things: 1) A culture attempting to define human ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Walking In The Light Means..

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

Walking in the Light Means Taking Sin Seriously 1.

Walking in the Light Means Taking Sin Seriously 1. By Not Denying Sin a. In Principle -- "we don't have a sin nature" (:8) self deception; divorced from the truth b. In Practice -- "we haven't sinned" (:10) blasphemy; divorced from God's Word 2. By Confessing Sin (:9) a. In Accordance With ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:8-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Abiding In Jesus Means: Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on May 5, 2001

Jesus, the vine and the Father the vinedresser and the Holy Spirit the witness all work to help us bear fruit that will last

John 15 Abiding in Jesus means: 1. Bearing fruit 2. Answered prayer 3. Obeying the commands 4. Facing opposition from the world 5. Holy Spirit witness In the Bible we see that stories have principles. The Jews called this the haggadah and the halakah. The haggadah is the story or narrative ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

‘what Mean These Stones?”

Contributed by Evie Megginson on May 22, 2001

Memorial Day is an important day to our Nation, but every Christian should have a “memorial stone” to go back to that reminds them of a certain time and place they experienced the power of God.

‘WHAT MEAN THESE STONES?” Joshua 4:6-7 In April 1863, in Columbus, Mississippi after decorating graves of her two sons, an elderly woman walked to two mounds at the corner of the cemetery. "What are you doing? Those are the graves of two Union soldiers." The reply, "I know. I also know that ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:6-7

Denomination: Baptist