Sermons on Literal Meaning:

What Does It Mean To Be Perfect?

Contributed by Austin Lamos on Oct 31, 2019

Message on Matthew 5:43-48. What does it mean to love our enemies? What does it mean to be "perfect" as our heavenly Father is perfect?

Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV) Love for Enemies 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Nazarene

Oh, We Mean Well!

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Sep 6, 2011

The Christian life is the best possible life anyone could ever live...but it's not an easy road.

OH, WE MEAN WELL! LUKE 14:25 35 Read Luke 14:25 35...............PRAY There is a story about 2 men from New York who had never been out of the city. And they got so fed up with city life that they bought a ranch down in Texas so they could live off the land like their ancestors had done. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Order From Chaos - Creation Day 2 Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 13, 2021

What was the purpose of the second day and how does our identity in Christ give us meaning connected to that second day?

Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD, USA www.mycrossway.org View this and other messages at: https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/channels/8118 Before anything else happened… there was God. Scripture DIDN'T start out: “In the beginning, the earth was without form ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-7

Denomination: Brethren

What Do These Stones Mean? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 31, 2008

For a Children’s Day message; twelve varying stones used as visuals to speak of original innocence, sin and accountability, and the redemptive work of Christ.

For centuries, people have raised up stones as a witness. Stone monuments testify as to who they are and what happened among them. Just this week news came of discoveries at the ancient monument of Stonehenge on the Salisbury plain in England. Those great Sarsen stones were raised to honor the ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:8-24

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean To Be Saved?

Contributed by Thomas Donelan on Dec 1, 2011

I remember when I was taking the bus to work. A young lady walked up to me and asked me if I was saved. Saved from what? Not from people accosting me at the bus station asking me if I was saved! I did assure that God had saved me but what does the word sa

Introduction What does it mean to be saved? I remember when I was living downtown and I was taking the bus to work. A young lady walked up to me and asked me if I was saved. Saved from what? Not from people accosting me at the bus station on the way to work asking me if I was saved! In reality I ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Kingdom Of God Comes To Earth Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on May 30, 2015

Eventually a literal kingdom is set up in the New Jerusalem. Christ's people literally reign over a literal planet with a literal King, Jesus. We stress "literal" because of so many who love to "spiritualize" texts.

5 . THE KINGDOM COMES TO EARTH A. The day of the Lord! No less than fifteen Bible characters speak of a unique day that is to come at the end of this present age. All of their descriptions point to a time that has not begun as yet! They speak of an unrepeatable time, as exceptionally ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Can A Person Interpret Scripture And Give Their Own Meaning?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Oct 23, 2019

Some believe that the 66 books that make up the Bible are insufficient, so they continuously look for private prophetic words, dreams, or visions for a more meaningful personal experiential revelation from God. - A Multi-Part Message

There is a growing belief in the church today that a person can interpret and give their own meaning to Scripture because Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27-28 ESV), as well as, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and ...read more

Scripture: John 10:27-28, Revelation 3:20, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 3:16, John 1:1-3, 2 Timothy 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dwelling In His Presence

Contributed by Pastor Amos Dele Dada on Jun 11, 2020

It is with delight and great joy I welcome you to the year of DWELLING IN HIS PRESENCE! May the Lord give you the ability, patience, the resilience and capacity to dwell in his presence this year and enjoy all the encompassing benefits in Jesus name.

It is with delight and great joy I welcome you to the year of DWELLING IN HIS PRESENCE! May the Lord give you the ability, patience, the resilience and capacity to dwell in his presence this year and enjoy all the encompassing benefits in Jesus name. The word of the Lord says: 'The Lord ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:37-39

Denomination: Pentecostal

No Rest For The Righteous Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

No one takes this literally and tries to stay awake 24 hours a day. What Paul means, he does mean very literally, and that is that the Christian must be always wide awake in his relationship to Christ. We must at all times, and in all places, be conscious that we are Christians

While I was visiting in the hospital one of the workers came in and a patient said, “Are you still working?” “Yes,” she said, “No rest for the wicked, and I guess I am awfully wicked.” We have all heard this at some time or another, but the thought came to me that it is ridiculous to apply that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:6-11

Ohana Means Family And Family Means Nobody Gets Left Behind Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Apr 10, 2015

Jesus didn't just come back for "doubting Thomas" - first he came back for the other "doubting ten" when they did not believe Mary Magadalene. Jesus, the non anxious presence, doesn't leave anyone behind.

“The doors were locked for fear of the Jews” Bolt it. Double lock it. Put the chain on. Fasten the padlock. “The doors were locked for fear of the Jews” Let me share with you two stories that happened within two years of each other in the second decade of the Twentieth ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-29, Luke 24:1-43, 1 John 4:18

Denomination: Anglican

Twenty-Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time- Yes Means No And No Means Yes.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Aug 21, 2023

Statistically, in St. Matthew’s Gospel, words and expressions which emphasize obedience, the doing of God’s will, are among his favorite.

Nikos Kazantzakis was a tortured Greek writer who was constantly haunted by God. He once wrote of an experience he had when he climbed Mount Athos to visit a monk at a monastery. “Father Makarios,” he said to the old monk, “I remember that in your younger days you wrestled with the devil. Do you ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:25-28, Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Catholic

Why Church #8 Who Do You Look Like? Series

Contributed by Robert Malcolm on Jan 8, 2025

No literal portrait of Jesus exists either. But the likeness of the Son who makes us free can be seen in the lives of His true followers.

Communion: The Deep surrounding love of God ~ Intro: On a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is a portrait with the following inscription: "James Butler Bonham--no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

What Do These Stones Mean? Series

Contributed by Doug Warren on Jan 15, 2001

The commemoration of the crossing of the Jordan offers us insights into the symbolism of the bricks and mortar in our new worship center.

Intro:When the waters of the Jordan rolled back allowing the Priests to cross on dry land as they carried the Ark of the Covenant, they were instructed to gather stones as a commemoration of the event. In explaining this, Joshua said "your children will come in the future and ask ’WHAT DO ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 4:6

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?

Contributed by David Smith on Jul 15, 2001

A look at what being a Christian is, and is not

What does it mean to be a Christian? Matt 16:24 - 27 KJV-- disciple. 3101 mathetes (math-ay-tes’); from 3129; a learner, i.e. pupil: I - What does to mean to be a Christian? A - To love God? 1 - many profess such 2 - their actions will either prove or deny this claim John 14:15 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-27

Denomination: Pentecostal

What's The Meaning Of All This?

Contributed by Edward Frey on Aug 18, 2001

In Christ we find true meaning to this life and eternity

WHAT’S THE MEANING OF ALL THIS? The meaning of life – What is it? Who understands it? Those are the questions people badly want answered, but nobody seems to know how to obtain them. Believe it or not, all of us are engaged in a search to find these answers. Take a look around. We live in a ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran