Sermons on Locked Up:

Ready To Give Up? Series

Contributed by William Yates on Sep 22, 2001

I have battled depression much in my own life. I know that many Americans are depressed over the events of Sept 11th, 2001. This devotion I shared with my youth has continually been a source of hope for me.

Ever found your back against a wall? Ever been in a situation you weren’t sure you would make it through? Maybe you are going through something right now. It’s like finding yourself in a canoe on the Niagara River and you can hear the thunder of Niagara Falls just ahead. Maybe it’s depression ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:9-24

Lay Up For Yourselves Treasures In Heaven Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 29, 2008

In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus looks at materialism-particularly in regard to luxuries-from the three perspectives of 1) Treasure, 2) Vision, and 3) Master.

There is a new problem reported this week that you may not be familiar with. In one situation, farmer Lawrence Penner. Mr. Penner ran short of storage space and loaded his canary seed, due to be delivered to a buyer the following week, into his truck ahead of time. He and his partners left it there ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Other

Panic Room

Contributed by Carla Powell on Apr 20, 2002

References the movie "Panic Room" (Jodie Foster). Recalls the disciples’ reaction to hide out in a locked room after finding the tomb empty. The "Panic Room" can be both a safe haven and a well-fortressed prison.

"Panic Room" - Easter 2A April 7, 2002 - John 20:19-31 This week I saw the newly-released movie "Panic Room". In this movie, "Jodie Foster plays a wealthy single mom with a teenage daughter. They buy a fancy brownstone in NYC that has a ’panic room’, a fortified hi-tech room in the center of ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Chained Up But Not Chained In

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 10, 2005

The eighth sermon in a Fall 2005 series through Acts

(To the reader: I created the following dramatic reading for this sermon. I recorded it onto a CD and then played it during the worship service. I portrayed Peter writing his account of the event to Timothy several years after it occurred as the CD played.) My Dear Timothy, I am sorry to hear of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-5

Denomination: Church Of God

Tearing Up The Checklists Series

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on Nov 2, 2007

Do you think that pleasing God means making and keeping a long list of rules? Think again.

Tearing up the Checklists It’s Monday evening at your house. You have had a long day and now after dinner you are going through the mail at the kitchen table. A long envelope falls out of the stack of junk mail that is hand addressed to you. The feel of the paper is rich and textured; the stamp ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

High And Lifted Up

Contributed by James May on Nov 28, 2004

God’s view from his Holy Mountain is much clearer than our view, even in the valley.

High and Lifted Up By Pastor Jim May As I think back upon the past week and of the mountains that we traveled through, I am reminded of a few passages of scripture that I want to bring to your remembrance today. Standing upon the mountains and looking down into the valley, I was impressed with ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Wake-Up Call

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Nov 27, 2016

(Appropriate for Watchnight or New Year's Eve service as well.) As Christians we live in the certainty that Jesus is coming again. It could be today, tomorrow, or any moment. We need to wake up, clean up, and grow up.

Romans 13:11-14 A Wake-up Call A priest and pastor were standing by the side of the road holding up a sign that read, "The End is near! Turn around before it's too late!" One speeding motorist yelled out his window, “Leave us alone, you religious nuts!” as he flew by. From around the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 25:1-13, Romans 7:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Clean Me Up: Create, Renew, Restore!

Contributed by Gregory Newhouse on Jul 28, 2008

There are some sins in our lives that we know we have, yet they have gone un-repented because there’s no Nathan in our lives to confront us

Psalms 51:10-12 (KJV) Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. I don’t know about you but is there anybody in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Facing Life's Ups And Downs

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Feb 20, 2024

Elijah, facing depression, is comforted by the Lord while on the run.

Facing Life’s Ups and Downs 1 Kings 19:1-18 Good morning, One day in a philosophy class, the professor decided to talk with his students about the emotional extremes people go through. The professor asked the class, “What’s the opposite of sadness?”, and one of the students answered, “Joy”. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Breaking Up With Jesus

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 30, 2006

A sermon based on Matthew 8:28-34 (and other gospels) about the Gadarene Demoniacs. Sermon asks the question of why the whole city wanted Jesus to leave their region.

Sermon for 1/29/2006 Introduction: Seinfeld episode where George breaks up with his girlfriend "It’s not you, it’s me." ~George. Before George can say his line, his girlfriend beats him to the line. "If it’s anybody, it’s me." I get this in our text. They don’t threaten Jesus with His life. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:28-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Peter! Wake Up!

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Aug 31, 2016

In the 12th chapter of Acts we see the deliverance of Peter from the hand of Herod. It is an amazing deliverance. James is executed and Peter delivered. Both were ready to die. Shouldn't we be as well?

Acts 12:1-19 (As people look up this Scripture briefly explain the first phrase in the first verse ...) The first verse says, “It was about this time …” The events leading up to Chapter 12 Stephen is martyred Great persecution breaks out Believers are scattered ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Nazarene

The Command To "Cheer Up!"

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 4, 2015

In one of Paul's most discouraged moments, the Lord Jesus appeared to him and told him to cheer up, giving him several reasons why. We too should be buoyed by the same command and encouragements.

THE COMMAND TO CHEER UP Acts 23:6-11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Dear Abby: One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good minister. A member of an official board had watched the pastor search committee reject applicant after applicant for some fault, alleged or otherwise. It was time ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:6-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The 7 Ups Of Life

Contributed by Bobby Mcdaniel on Nov 1, 2003

Seven ways to be "up" in our life even when everything seems down.

The 7 Ups of Life Scripture Ref: Psalm 118:24 1 Samuel 16:7 Proverbs 3:5-6; 13:3 Galatians 6:9-10 Philippians 4:6, 13 Matthew 6:25-33 Other Ref: The Bible Knowledge Commentary 1. Introduction a. Are you a Tigger or an Eeyore? Do you start each day with a smile and full of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7, Psalm 118:24, 1 Samuel 16:1

1. Down Is Up Series

Contributed by E. True Neilson on Nov 26, 2022

Watch the message video on YouTube at UCSZ0yPUBE_3382Mlb5fE8og

Check out the book called "The Upside Down Kingdom by Donald ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-53, Luke 3:4-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rise Up And Walk

Contributed by Terry Hovey on May 19, 2023

Every time I read this account I’m reminded of the account where Jesus healed the man who had been born blind. I guess it’s because they’re so similar in that both men were born in their condition...

Rise Up and Walk Acts 3:1-10 I really wish I had been here last Sunday to hear what Scott had to say, because the Day of Pentecost is such an important day in Christian history. It was the day when the promised Holy Spirit came upon the 120 disciples in the upper room and gave birth to the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Methodist