Sermons on Lively Hope:

Trying To Bottle The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Mar 23, 2023

The Holy Spirit cannot be bottled, but he will go where he is welcomed.

TRYING TO BOTTLE THE HOLY SPIRIT Text: Acts 8:9-25 Introduction 1. Illustration: Dr. John Maxwell said, “Manipulation is moving together for my advantage. Motivation is moving together for mutual advantage.” 2. The Holy Spirit was given to the Church for the benefit of the Church, not the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-25

Denomination: Methodist

Pity Party

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jun 16, 2022

How to stop the pity party from Psalm 77; Psalm 77 invites us to look, learn and love Adapted from Eugene Peterson's book, "Where Your Treasure Is"

HoHum: Back in the 60’s there was a singer named Lesley Gore who recorded, “It’s My Party.” The lyrics were written by Seymour Gottlieb, a freelance songwriter. The song lyrically portrays the discomfort of a teenage girl at her birthday party when her boyfriend Johnny disappears, only to return ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:30, Psalm 119:71, Psalm 136:12, 1 John 4:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Do I Want More Than Jesus? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 24, 2022

This is a passage that clearly indicates what Pilate prized more than anything else. What can we learn from him?

- Paint a picture of all the conflicting priorities we try to hold onto simultaneously: money, family, relationships, morality, power, religion, etc. THE BIG QUESTION FOR THIS MORNING: What’s the last thing in your hands? - When we think of all those things, there are situations where we have to ...read more

Scripture: John 19:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Using Money To Direct Our Hearts Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jul 25, 2022

Jesus tells us not to store up treasure on earth but to store up treasure in heaven. Doing that is certainly a much better investment! But an even bigger reason to do that is that where we put out treasure directs our hearts.

We’re continuing in our series in the Sermon on the Mount and today we’re having the last talk in the series for the time being. Today, I’m going to focus on the first three verses of today’s passage, verses 19-21, and one phrase in particular. In v.19, Jesus says, ‘DON’T store up treasure on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

Do People See Jesus In Me? Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Jul 11, 2023

When we allow a lost and dying world to see Jesus in us, it goes to the glory and praise of God.

Introduction We come to our third and final message in this series today. If you remember the first two messages Paul is praying for the entire church family at Philippi. There are problems in this house church at Philippi, mainly a couple of people are not getting along, and so instead of praying ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

"the Crown Of Life" Series

Contributed by John Huyser on Jul 18, 2023

This city’s unique relationship with Rome made Smyrna a primary target for persecution. Assuring them he knows what they are about to go through, Christ promises them (and us) the crown of life.

To best understand the letter to Smyrna, we need to understand this city’s close relationship to Rome and the Empire. Compared to the others, Smyrna and Rome are the most closely aligned for good reason. Two hundred years before Christ, Rome was at war with Hannibal and the Carthaginians. That ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:7-12

The Triumphant Entry Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Aug 25, 2023

The Roman authorities paid little attention to Jesus riding in on a donkey, but in the scheme of all eternity it was the most significant event.

This passage that we know as Jesus triumphant entry is also well known to all Christians because it is the focus of Palm Sunday the week before Easter. It is an annual tradition of the church to make this an emphasis at the beginning of holy week. Almost every Sunday School child has carried a palm ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Comforting God’s People

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 4, 2023

Today’s text echoes what we see throughout scripture about how the Lord disciplines His children. God disciplines us because He loves us.

COMFORTING GOD’S PEOPLE (December 6, 2020) Text: Isaiah 40: 1 - 11 Isaiah 40:1 -11: Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

In His Time

Contributed by Joe Mack Cherry on Dec 10, 2023

Bringing someone to Christ requires patience, love, and prayer. How we approach them with the gospel can either encourage them or turn them off completely. We have to give God and His Spirit the chance to work in people.

“Conversion In His Time” by Joe Mack Cherry I. Preface – Bringing Others to Christ A. We are all called to bring others to Christ! 1. We are commanded to teach and admonish others. a. Mk 16:15 – “preach the gospel to all creatures.” b. Mat 28:19-20 – “go ye into world and make disciples of all ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:15, Mark 16:15, James 3:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Holy Spirit & Christmas

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 12, 2023

At Christmas, we think about the shepherds, the Magi, the trip of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, and the murderous plots of King Herod, but we overlook all HE, the Holy Spirit, does.

THE HOLY SPIRIT & CHRISTMAS INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Two Aggies moved to a northern Canadian island. At Christmas they boarded a ferry off the island and went deep into the woods on the mainland, searching for a Christmas tree. 2. After hours of subzero temperatures and a few close ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:15-35

Denomination: Assembly Of God

3rd Advent – Joy

Contributed by William Akehurst on Dec 15, 2023

Advent 3rd week – JOY. The Advent of CHRIST brings JOY to the WORLD. Too often we get all wrapped up in the busyness of the Christmas Season and miss the whole meaning of CHRISTMAS. Take time and stop and pause, and consider the TRUE JOY we are celebrating.

2023.12.17.Sermon Notes. 3rd Advent – JOY William Akehurst, HSWC BIG IDEA: Advent 3rd week – JOY. The Advent of CHRIST brings JOY to the WORLD. Too often we get all wrapped up in the busyness of the Christmas Season and miss the whole meaning of CHRISTMAS. Take time and stop and pause, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:8-14, Psalm 98:1-9, John 1:14, Romans 5:8, Luke 15:10, Revelation 19:11-16, Deuteronomy 10:17-18, 1 Timothy 6:11-16, Genesis 3:17-19, 2 Corinthians 5:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Behold, The King Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 22, 2023

The birth of Jesus in Matthew 1:18-25 shows us that Jesus was the unexpected king of the Jews.

Introduction Our Advent Sermon Series this year is called, “Advent: The Unexpected King.” The Bible contains a record of some remarkable births. So far this Advent, we have examined the births of Isaac, Moses, and John the Baptist. Each of these births foreshadow the greatest birth of all, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Seeing Jesus In The Old Testament Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jan 18, 2024

The point is that Jesus is the focus of the Old Testament, so don’t ignore it, but rather embrace it.

SEEING JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT Text: Acts 13:13-23 Introduction 1. Illustration: One of my biggest heroes was a man named Dr. Stanley Horton. Dr. Horton was the leading theologian in the Assemblies of God for over 50 years. One day, I had the pleasure of having lunch with him, and then ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:13-23

Denomination: Methodist

No Deposit, No Return

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 24, 2024

Let's consider God's 5 investment funds; these reflect the 5 purposes of the church (5 investment funds comes from Rick Warren at: https://pastors.com/five-funds/)

HoHum: For many years, soft drink and milk companies reused their bottles. Each bottle had it’s own deposit created to motivate people to return them. Buy a soft drink, pay a deposit, and get it back when the bottle was returned. Later, ways were found to make plastic bottles that did not need to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6, 1 Timothy 6:18-19, Proverbs 3:9, Galatians 6:10, Proverbs 22:23, Proverbs 19:17, Luke 16:9, Revelation 3:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Gifts Are Available Today Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 29, 2024

Session 2: This second study looks at three more passages on spiritual gifts. It also discusses "the view of cessation" and "the difference between talents and spiritual gifts."

Last week, we began our study on spiritual gifts by discussing the work of the Holy Spirit. We learned that an individual is filled with the Spirit at the very moment of salvation, when he or she confesses Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We discovered that the phrase “being filled with the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11-13

Denomination: Baptist