Sermons on Lowell Strite:

Giving As An Act Of Worship Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 2, 2003

What are we declaring when we give our weekly offering to God. Powerful insights are given by Solomon to his son. (A couple of families changed their giving practices as a result of this sermon)

OPEN: In 21ST Century Christian Magazine a mother told this story: Our 3 year old daughter was in the habit of giving half of her 2 quarter allowance to God each week. One Sunday we were out of town, so the next Sunday, we gave her an extra quarter to teach her about “making up” our giving when ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Paying The Price Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 9, 2003

This passage is perhaps one of the greatest texts on giving known to preachers... but it is also one of the most difficult, raising questions many of us would just as soon avoid.

OPEN: Back in 1995 (“Bits & Pieces” pamphlet) I read the following story: Every February on George Washington’s birthday, the late newspaper columnist, Frederick C. Othman, used to visit the West Wing of the Smithsonian Institution, look at a certain statue there among the antique printing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 24:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Envy Trap Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 10, 2002

God tells us that godliness with contentment is great gain. But there is one trait that gnaws at the heart of many Christians that can deprive them of that contentedness. What is it, and how can we defend against it?

TEXT: I Timothy 6:3-10 TITLE: The Envy Trap OPEN: How many of you have heard of the tooth fairy? (The question met with a little laughter as everyone raised their hands). I read a story not so long ago about a woman whose 2nd grader had collected a fair amount of money from the "tooth fairy." ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Debtor's Prison Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 17, 2002

What can we learn from the story of the Prodigal Son about dealing with debt?

OPEN: I have a quiz for your today (I found this at two different sermoncentral sermons and I don’t know who to it credit to): 1. Ellen is 30 years old. She has a $3,500 balance on her Citibank credit card at 18% interest. She makes the minimum payment each month. How old will she be when her ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Does Jesus Have Lordship In Your Life? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 17, 2002

The heart of Peter’s problem was that Jesus did not have the "position" of Lordship in His life. What does that mean?

OPEN: A teacher was telling about the time their new elementary school was raising the American flag for the first time. To make the day special, they had invited a marine Corps color guard to come out and perform the duty for them. The day before the ceremony, the Marine in charge of the unit ...read more

Scripture: John 13:2-16, John 13:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We've Got A Secret Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 25, 2002

There’s a secret to being contented and thankful. Do you know what it is?

(During the Song Service, we sang “Blessed Assurance,” “Tell Me The Story,” and “Near the Cross” = and I prefaced their singing by noting that they were all written by Fanny Crosby) OPEN: In Budapest, a Jewish man went to his rabbi and complained, "Life is unbearable for my family & I. There are ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Purpose Driven Strength - Purpose Driven Life Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 22, 2004

Paul rejoiced in his weaknesses and hardships and difficulties... was he crazy? No, he had learned the source of strength in his weakness.

OPEN: Years ago, the story was told of a Sunday School teacher who – on the Sunday before Thanksgiving - was encouraging the children in her class to share things they were grateful for. A little boy was asked what he was thankful for, and he thought for a moment. Then the boy went through a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Miracle On 42nd St - Christmas At The Movies Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 6, 2004

The miracle in the movie: "Miracle on 34th St" depended upon letters from the US Post Office. But the miracle on "42nd" St depended upon a different paper trail.

(Suggest playing a clip from Miracle On 34th St. – Where the Post office delivers mail for Santa Claus to the Court Room proving Kris Kringle to be Santa Claus) OPEN: Is there a Santa Claus? Nearly a century ago or more, there was a newspaper article written to a little girl named Virginia. Do you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How The Grinch Stole Christmas - Christmas At The Movies Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 13, 2004

Why did Herod want to kill the Christ child? His motivation has much in common with those today who want to kill Christmas.

OPEN: (I sat on a stool on stage, reading the following from “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.” I taped my sermon into the pages of the book and used the book as both prop and way to hide my sermon notes). Every Who down in Who-ville liked a Christmas a lot… But the Grinch, who lived just north of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Santa Clause - Christmas At The Movies Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 20, 2004

Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) "put on" the Santa suit and it changed his life forever. The Bible tells us that we "put on" something as well that changes our lives.

Show film clip from “Santa Clause” - Where Tim Allen is in the Doctor’s Office receiving a check up and complains about the changes that have taken place in his life – about an hour into the movie) OPEN: A couple of nights ago, my daughter came downstairs in tears. Her brother had informed her - ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Confession Is Good For The Soul Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 22, 2002

Confession is more than just what we say... it is what those words really mean to us. What is it God wants us to confess?

OPEN: A woman went to court and told the judge she wanted a divorce. "Do you have any grounds!" the judge asked. "Just two acres," she said. "That’s not it, lady. I mean do you have a grudge!" "No, we park the car in front of the house." By now the judge was frustrated: "Does your husband beat ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Eating At His Table

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 22, 2002

The Church at Corinth had a problem with communion. What was their problem and what can it tell us about our worship today?

OPEN: Author Max Lucado tells of an episode from his youth. He was part of a group of young people from his church who, as a service ministry, took the Lord’s Supper to homebound or hospitalized members of the church. He and his friends visited one elderly gentleman in particular who was in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Of Pride And Prejudice Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 23, 2002

Aaron and Miriam lead a rebellion against Moses’ leadership that incenses God. What did they do wrong, and what can it teach us?

OPENING: Joe had ordered an expensive suit for a banquet, and the tailor finished alterations just in time. But as Joe left the shop, a sudden rainstorm doused the jacket and shrank one of the sleeves. "We can’t do anything about it today," the tailor told Joe when he returned to the shop. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 12:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Strike The Rock Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 25, 2002

Moses dealt with a difficult situation and prevailed because he kept his eyes on the right things.

OPENING: A small boy dialed "O" and asked the operator to call a number for him. He didn’t speak clearly, so she couldn’t understand him. After repeating it four times, he blurted out, "You operators are dumb," and slammed down the receiver. Hearing this, his mother was shocked. She called the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Talking To God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 27, 2002

Uses someone to act for God (on a microphone interacting with the speaker) for good effect.

(Preacher) "Our Father who art in heaven..." "YES?" (voice off stage with booming bass and reverb) "(pause)Our Father who art in heaven..." "YES? WHAT DO YOU WANT JEFF?" "Who is this?" "WHO DO YOU THINK IT IS? "Well, not too many people I know sound like this!" "I SHOULD HOPE NOT" "Come on now, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ