Sermons on Losing Hope:

On A Morning Like This

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Mar 18, 2019

Mark's ending, unique among the gospels, connects the empty tomb to real-life struggles, as it ends with the women "bewildered and afraid." As we join the women there, we grasp the life-changing impact of the resurrection.

ON A MORNING LIKE THIS—Mark 16:1-8 “In the sky the song of the skylark greets the dawn in the fields wet with dew The scent of the violets fills the air on such a lovely morning as this Surely on such a lovely morning as this Lord Jesus came forth from the tomb.” John Carden, A Procession of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Forgiveness And A Fresh Start Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 29, 2021

Forgiveness allows us to leave the suffering and guilt of past offences and step into the bright hope of tomorrow.

March 24, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson John 8:1-11 Forgiveness and a Fresh Start Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Offenses chain us to the past. This is true for both the victim and the wrongdoer. The victim is ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Heaven Has Come Near Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Mar 31, 2021

When the Son of God is born as man, we’ve already seen His plan.

A couple weeks ago, NASA landed their 8th Mars lander, InSight, on the surface of Mars and started a photoshoot. They kind of look like selfies on Mars to me. They were thrilled at a successful landing - the first of its kind in a few years. It cost a lot of money, and NASA hopes to learn a lot ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-17, John 1:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Let Your Light Shine

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Apr 15, 2021

A look at how the disciples encountered Christ post resurrection, and how this speaks into the present day filled with hopelessness and apathy, and how as modern disciples the torch has passed to us to continue the work

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. As we continue to journey through our Easter Season, the Gospel continues to speak to us about the impact that the Resurrection had upon the disciples. Last week, the Gospel focussed on Thomas and his disbelief, and this week, we continue by ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-48

Denomination: Anglican

Joyful Expectations Beyond Covid 19

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Apr 27, 2021

Covid 19 has so many despondent and hopeless. The discovery of a vaccine has been a source of encouragement, but the journey has been long and hard. Yet, this psalm gives us a hope of a great turnaround.

Psalm 126 is called an ascension Psalm is psalms filled expectation and hope. It was one the song sang as the children of Israel went up to worship at Jerusalem. Some associate this psalm with the time after Israel was released from the Babylonian Captivity. Israel’s history is filled with ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Avoiding The Syndrome Brought On By The Pandemic

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on May 25, 2021

Trouble came upon Elijah suddenly and unexpectedly, when he promised to himself peace and prosperity, because He had obeyed God. But Trouble came. Elijah runs until he is completely exhausted. Exhaustion opens the door of discouragement. The pandemic did all the above!

Avoiding the Syndrome Brought on by the Pandemic Introduction: A fifty-five-year-old woman threw herself from her fourteenth-floor apartment to the ground below. Minutes before her death, she saw a workman washing the windows of a nearby building. She greeted him and smiled, and he smiled and said ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-9, James 5:17, 1 Kings 18:46, Psalm 37:7

Denomination: Methodist

The Power To Start Again

Contributed by Dove Inspirations on Jun 10, 2021

The only permanent thing in life is change

The only constant thing in life is change. Change requires changes and adjustments. Change is permanent and constant. Some change causes permanent damage and loss and require rebuilding and redoing. Other changes require people to start afresh at the beginning. There is also change that elevates, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:3

These Are The Days Of Elijah – "Days Like These Require A Sustained Effort”

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jun 22, 2021

During Elisha’s ministry, the Jordan River parted instantly, poisoned waters were healed, the borrowed iron ax head flowed to the surface, dead children had been raised to life, but the miracle Israel needed now would be difficult. This miracle will require a sustained effort.

What a great blessing Elisha had been to the nation of Israel. He faithfully used his God given double portion for the benefit of others. Israel was facing another persistent enemy, the Syrians. Prophet Elisha is on his death bed, over 80 years old in a weakened condition, yet God’s people are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 13:14-19, Psalm 119:89-91, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Galatians 6:7-10

Denomination: Methodist

Effectively Waiting On The Lord Amid A Pandemic

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jun 24, 2021

Genesis chapter 18 teaches us how to effectively wait on the Lord. We all tend to struggle most when we are watching the clock and waiting for time to past. If you have ever gone on a road trip with Children, the one question asked again and again is, “Are we there yet?”

In Genesis 17-19, we have a revealing story of an interview between God and Abraham, His friend. Abraham proved to be a true Friend of God, while Lot proved to be a friend of the world. Not only is God Abraham’s friend, God is a friend of Sinners. After years of holding on to a promise from God, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-22, Hebrews 13:1-2, John 3:16-17

Denomination: Methodist

Mourning Lessons

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 11, 2023

It is right to mourn out loud when something that is precious is lost or destroyed.

This is a really depressing passage, isn’t it, especially the first part. You can certainly see why this book of the Bible was called Lamentations. It was written by Jeremiah after the fall of Jerusalem. Our hearts really have to go out to him, don’t they? He spent forty years, his entire adult ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Conservation, Cooperation, Regeneration

Contributed by Raymond Williams on Sep 18, 2023

Never before in our history has man looked back and forth trying to find an answer to his many and varied problems.

(Editor’s note: This sermon dates to the late 1950’s early 60’s and references some of the causes of the great depression and dust bowl and the conservation practices that were put into place.) Conservation, Cooperation, Regeneration Matthew 4:4; “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:4

Denomination: Nazarene

The Davidic Shepherd.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 25, 2023

A prince from the house of David.

THE DAVIDIC SHEPHERD. Ezekiel 34:11-16, Ezekiel 34:20-24. 1. The Good Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:11-16). First, we see the Good Shepherd as the one who seeks out the lost sheep, Ezekiel 34:11. ‘If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,’ teaches Jesus, ‘does he not go to the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:11-16, Ezekiel 34:20-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Signs Of The Times Part 3

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Oct 11, 2023

The Abomination of Desolation

The Signs of the Times Pt. 3 Mark 13:14-23 The question I have been asked as a pastor. by far more than any other is, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” The Lord created man in His image as we read in Genesis 1:28. Genesis 1:28, “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:14-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Judas Iscariot: The Betrayer Lesson 12 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 12, 2023

Judas’ repentance was sorrow for being caught, true repentance is sorrow to God for breaking His standards and sinning against God.

A. THE MOST TRUSTWORTHY WAS NOT 1. Name, Judas is Latin, his birth name is Judah (means praise) the tribe from which Jesus was born. Iscariot means a northern portion of Jordan. 2. Importance? Always mentioned last among the twelve. 3. Trust. Judas was treasure, assuming trust by the eleven ...read more

Scripture: John 6:70, John 13:21, Matthew 26:25

Denomination: Baptist

An Outline For A Believer's Funeral Sermon

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 22, 2023

This is a sample outline for a believer's funeral. Based on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, the outline should provide a guide for those who are hurting to have hope and future happiness when we see Jesus!

Introduction: This is an outline for a message I’ve used a few times whenever I was asked to preach a funeral message. The text is often used and known as “the Rapture passage” and has words of comfort and encouragement for those still living after their believing loved one has gone to be with the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Baptist