Sermons on Loving Hearts:

Whitewashed Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Aug 30, 2012

Christians can't settle for lives whitewashed on the outside--looking good. Our lives need to be inwardly transformed.

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 “Whitewashed” INTRODUCTION Most of us spend a fair amount of time making ourselves look good on the outside. Here, in Arizona, we may not be into suits and ties for men, or business attire for women. We may not live the credo, “dress for ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Failure Is Not Final Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 23, 2012

God has significant plans for his people. We must respond to him in an appropriate manner -- with our whole hearts!

1. ILLUSTRATION: ON DESTINY There was a frog that absolutely knew his destiny was to turn in to a handsome young prince. But for confirmation, he decided to visit a fortuneteller. The fortuneteller brought the frog in and gazed into her crystal ball. She said, “Oh, I see something. You are ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:10-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Little Risk, Little Faith

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jul 5, 2016

How can you say you are living in faith if you are not willing to risk everything for Jesus? Abraham risked everything on only one thing: God's word to him.

How many of you have ever invested money in the stock market? One of the first things the investment counselor wants to do is a risk assessment. He wants to find out how much of your money can you afford to lose and not be unhappy. But when you really look at a risk assessment, you are really ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Secret To Generosity

Contributed by Rev Ken Shedenhelm on Oct 12, 2013

People give for many different reasons, but the key to joyful giving is love.

It was in the fall of 1968... I interviewed for a job with the Iowa Commission for the Blind. I was sitting across the desk from Kenneth Jernigan, Director of the Commision and President of the National Federation of the Blind. "How much do you want?" he asked, and I said, "$6800." It was strange ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God's Doorkeepers

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Oct 31, 2024

This message was written for our 99th Ushers day. Ushers, by the roles they play, are God's doorkeepers.

God’s Doorkeepers Scripture: Psalms 84:10; First Chronicles 9:19-29 Good morning Strangers Rest. Today we are celebrating Stranger’s Rest 99th Usher’s Day. Before I say anything else, I want to ask all current and former ushers of Strangers Rest to stand. On behalf of this Church, thank you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:10, 1 Chronicles 9:19-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Wish For A Change In Christ's Teaching Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 19, 2025

Marriage is a sign of the union of Christ and the Church. Don’t mess with it. You’ll be messing with your own salvation.

Friday of the Fifth Week in Easter 2025 What does it mean to have a steadfast heart? We know from living with the Scriptures that the heart is more than the beating muscle that pumps blood through our body. Our heart of hearts is our inmost part, the action of mind and body that makes decisions ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17, Acts 15:22-31, Psalm 57:8-11

Denomination: Catholic

Comfortable In God’s Presence

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Jan 19, 2011

God is not moved by our works; He’s moved by a heart desperately in love with Him.

Introduction I. God’s heart is moved not by our works done in the flesh or attempts to do good. 1. He is moved by a heart that has fallen desperately in love with Him. A. Once we’ve realized our spot (on the mercy seat with Him) we realize there is a deeper relationship possible with God ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:13

Denomination: Baptist

Going All In, In Loving Him Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Aug 7, 2018

In this message we will talk how to begin loving God with our heart, mind, soul and strength. God has offered us an incredible invitation to enter into intimate relationship with himself.

Going All In, In Loving Him OKAY… I don’t know about you, but I am never going back! NOW – I would like to start out this morning with a brief devotional thought that comes from one of the chapters some of us read this week in our FCFH… Matthew 8, I read it on Friday what an amazing chapter! ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:29-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"do You Love The Church?" Series

Contributed by Larry Vollink on Nov 14, 2020

To love our Lord Jesus Christ with all of our heart, then we must love His Church just as much!

Introduction: Evangelist Tony Evans, describes the Church as an Embassy. It is a designated place in a foreign country, where Americans can go when the foreign country is under attack and can be safe within the desiganeted area called an Embassy. The Church is taken out of this world and put into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Shall I Give Thee Up ... My Heart Is Turned Within Me

Contributed by Riaane Rheeder on Oct 18, 2000

1. Introductory Hosea 11 is probably one of the most touching melodious descriptions of this kind of love in the Bible, but not of any love, Divine love, love that God has for you and me Hosea 11 is a declaration of love; such as a parent for his child, as a betrohed for his inten

1. Introductory Hosea 11 is probably one of the most touching melodious descriptions of this kind of love in the Bible, but not of any love, Divine love, love that God has for you and me Hosea 11 is a declaration of love; such as a parent for his child, as a betrohed for his intended, as a ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 11:8-9, John 3:16

Show Me Your Love

Contributed by Rev. M Edmunds on Mar 26, 2003

As dear children, how do we perfect or develop God’s love if we do not know the true sense or meaning of love. This is our task today; to know what is true love, who is love, and why should we develop love in our heart and in our conduct.

Elder M. Edmunds Co-Pastor of United Ordained Church February 2003 “Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.” Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Heart To Honor Authority - A Man After God's Own Heart Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 20, 2005

It’s easy to submit to someone in authority when we agree with them. But what if those in authority over us aren’t "good" men? What if they make immoral decisions? What if they are mean, spiteful, and dangerous?

OPEN: The first words that a child says always seem so cute. Brad’s baby daughter’s first word was “Wow!” Other children learn to say “mommy” or “daddy.” But there is a word that children learn to say that’s not quite so cute. Do you know what it is? That’s right: “No!” As they grow older we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Goal Of Instruction

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Mar 9, 2011

The whole point is love.

The Goal of Instruction January 17, 2010 Evening Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: The whole point is love. Focus Passage: I Timothy 1:1-7 Now the goal of the commandment is love - Eng Majority NT But the effect of the order - BBE The whole point of what ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Testing God!

Contributed by Rod Elmore on Feb 18, 2013

After the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered and taken into exile, the Assyrians brought in foreign people to replace the Samarians. These people mingled with the remaining Israelites and introduced new religious ideas.

1. It is not healthy to test God Mat 4:7, Luke 4:12 Mat 4:7 Jesus said to him, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD yourGod. Luke 4:12 And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'you shall not tempt the LORD your God. Luke 16:15 And He said to them, "You are those who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Christian Church

Building A Healthy Church Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Apr 26, 2013

Jesus loves the church and He wants to see if strong, growing and healthy.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • I want you to think about FCC for just a moment. When you think of FCC, do you see FCC as a strong vibrant church or do you see a church that is on life support? • This is an important question because the church is special to Jesus and it is up to each ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ