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

Chasing The Wind: Awe-God-You Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 26, 2017

The believer must come to church with a sense of awe for God and listen to what the Spirit is saying. If we fail to invite God into our lives then we will live a meaningless life and that life will be a life of misery and be like chasing the wind.

Opening Video Illustration: It’s Only Cookie Dough (trailer) Why show this story? I showed you this story to inspire awe in you for God! This table has many resources which I have watched and read that inspire in me a holy awe and respect for God. Just yesterday as I was driving I saw a license ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

No Joke: God Means It Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 10, 2025

God values every soul, judges with mercy, and calls each heart to freedom—because He takes us more seriously than we ever imagined.

1 · When Nobody Seems to Notice High school can make you feel invisible. You walk down a hallway packed with noise, and somehow nobody really sees you. They see the grades, the jersey, the hoodie, the attitude— but not the you underneath it all. You start to think maybe the world runs on ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27, Luke 12:6-7, Romans 2:5-11, John 8:10-11, Isaiah 43:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

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 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

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

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

What It Means To Be A Pentecostal

Contributed by George Rennau on Feb 16, 2001

Every Christian deserves to have the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Title: What Does it mean to be a Pentecostal To discuss this question we must talk about the Holy Spirit. Text: ACTS 2:1-4 The most remarkable aspect of this era that we live in is The pouring out of the Holy Spirit Many times people in the church relegate the experience of the baptism in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

The Meaning Of The Ten Commandments

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 10, 2001

To lead the people to understand the meaning and importance of obeying the Ten Commandments.

The Ten Commandments – Exodus 20:3-18 1. Aim: To lead the people to understand the meaning and importance of obeying the Ten Commandments. Illustration;Peter T. Forsythe was right when he said, "The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master". Warren W. Wiersbe, The ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Funeral - Meaning Of Death

Contributed by Barry Hidey on Jan 12, 2001

Wat does death mean to a Christian?"

THE MEANING OF DEATH Dying, Christ destroyed our death. Rising, Christ restored our life. Christ will come again in glory. Here and now, dear friends, we are God’s children. What we shall be has not been revealed, But we know when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-27, Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, Ecclesiastes 3:1

Denomination: Methodist