Sermons on Lowell Strite:

The Woman Who Impressed God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 15, 2002

What was it about Ruth that impressed God so much more than many others. After all, she was one of only 2 women to have a book dedicated to her story. Why?

OPEN: A Ph.D. candidate at the University of Southern California, was eager for the title of "doctor" - until one newly degreed professor shared his story. He said: A friend had called his home and asked, "Is the doctor in?" The Professor’s 10 year old son replied, "Yes, but he’s not the kind ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hearing God When He Speaks

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 17, 2002

People tend to listen only to what they want to hear. Why do we do that to God and how can we learn to listen when He speaks?

People have a tendency to listen only to what they want to listen to… Keith Downing shared a story about his Uncle Dick. Apparently his uncle noticed that every time he ate his favorite food, chitlins, his foot pained him immensely that evening. The family physician confirmed his suspicion of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-8, 1 Samuel 3:1-3, 1 Samuel 3:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Body Building

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 17, 2002

Corinth was a fractious church that you’d have thought God would have given up on... but He didn’t. Why?

(need yard stick & tape) OPENING: You may remember a few years ago when Snoopy, the lovable beagle in the Peanuts cartoon, had his left leg broken. Hundreds wrote letters to Snoopy or sent sympathy cards. Snoopy himself philosophized about his plight one day while perched on top of his doghouse ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Dead Dog Syndrome

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 17, 2002

Shimea suffered from a spiritual illness that plagues many Christians. How did it reveal itself and how can we be healed?s

THE DEAD DOG SYNDROME 9/98 ILLUSTRATION: There’s a story about a crazy old woman who was known to be crazy because she would walk down the streets talking to herself. One of her best known pastimes was talk to Jesus... and Jesus would talk back. One day a new preacher came to town and thought ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:5-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Pattern For Fatherhood

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 18, 2002

God is very interested in men becoming good fathers. Here in this passage we find some of the leading characteristics of a successful father.

ILLUSTRATION: (From "It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It" by Robert Fulghum) It was Molly’s, age 7, job to pack the lunches for her family. She would put in the sandwiches, cookies, fruit and so on in a paper bag. One day, in addition to the paper bag she usually packed for her father, she gave ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Pray Like A Righteous Man

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 30, 2002

James gives us the example of how to pray by referring back to Elijah’s prayer for rain. What did he do that we can copy in our prayers?

OPEN: A man by the name of Harold Lamb told this story of a sales presentation he made at a church board meeting: "My co-worker and I were making a sales call to a rural Baptist church. We gave our presentation to the church committee, and then the group’s chairman walked to the altar and knelt ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Will You Do With Jesus?

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 2, 2002

What will you do with Jesus? is a question we often ask of non-Christians. But what about Christians. How do we answer that question?

OPEN: At the turn of the century, the "Des Moines Register" ran a scathing review of an Iowa singing group named the Cherry Sisters. Their reporter wrote that "Their long skinny arms, equipped with talons at the extremities... waved frantically at the suffering audience. The mouths of their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:11-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Welcome To Golgotha

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 2, 2002

According to a recent survey, a surprising number of people admitted that their Christianity would not be changed if Jesus hadn’t died on the cross. What importance was the cross to our faith?

OPEN: A little boy was not exactly happy about going to church on Easter Sunday morning. His new shoes were too tight, his tie pinched his neck, and the weather outside was just too good to be cooped up inside. As he sulked in the back seat of the family car, his parents heard him murmuring: “I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:32-56

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Resurrection Power

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 2, 2002

There are more hymns celebrating the cross than the open tomb which might lead some to think Jesus’ death was more important than His resurrection. But, how important is the resurrection to us?

OPEN: Women: are there times when your husbands don’t seem to be paying attention? One man wrote: The ears are a marvelous creation: A piano has 88 keys, but each of your ears has a range of 1500 keys. They are so finely tuned that you can hear the blood running through your vessels. The ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living With The Enemy Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 27, 2002

Jesus taught us to forgive our enemies... but I’d just as soon not, thank you. Why is it so important for me to forgive people who have worked so hard at being my enemies?

OPEN: Clarence Darrow, the famed criminal lawyer once joked: "Everyone is a potential murderer. I have not killed anyone - but I frequently get satisfaction out of obituary notices." APPLY: Now, why would we find that humorous? We find it funny because it comes so close to the truth. Of all the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Giving Love To Get Love

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 1, 2002

"Love One Another" is repeated again and again throughout the pages of the New Testament. Why dwell so heavily on this command when it would seem there is so much more to learn about God?

OPEN: "That’s marvelous, having a lion and monkey in the same cage," said the visitor to a small zoo. "How do they get along?" "Okay, usually," answered the zookeeper. "Occasionally they have a disagreement, and we have to get a new monkey." APPLY: Now, why do they need to get a new monkey? ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Money Trap Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 3, 2002

What is it about money that could cause Christians to cripple their faith and witness?

OPEN: Many years ago a Chicago radio station, WKOX, offered $10,000 to the individual who could devise the most outlandish way to get the money. More than 6,000 people responded to the challenge. The eventual winner was Jay Gwaltney of Zionsville, Indiana, who consumed an 11-foot birch sapling - ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Exciting Promise Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 17, 2001

It went just like in the cantatas... except of a couple of small things. (Good physical illustration toward the end that can be used in almost any Christmas sermon)

OPEN: (I began the sermon by bringing out a gaily wrapped golf bag, complete with clubs & irons - I tried hard to make sure it was fairly obvious what was wrapped)Then I asked: “Does anybody know what’s in the package?” The audience seemed to enjoy the humor of the obvious. Then I gave this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Gift Of The Warm Heart Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 24, 2001

Christmas can be a very stressful time. But Simeon and Anna hold 3 secrets to getting hold of the peace and tranquility that Christmas is supposed to offer us.

AP story reported in the Indianapolis Star 12/25/99 Dateline LOS ANGELES – A shopping mall Santa Claus had a meltdown after refusing to cuddle a bawling toddler, calling the mother evil and ripping off his beard and costume in front of startled children. Kelly Fornatoro, 33, said she told Santa ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Almost Perfect Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 8, 2002

Perfection is often thought of as being sinless. But there is more to the Biblical ideal of "perfection" than that. Opening illustration is humorous and informative.

OPEN: This morning I’m going to give you a quiz, and I don’t want you to think real hard about your answers. I just want you to answer as you feel you should. Question #1: How many of you believe you are perfect? Question #2: How many of you believe it is possible for someone WHO IS STILL LIVING to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ