Sermons on Lowell Strite:

Just Say No Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 22, 2008

These principles are so simple and basic that we should instictively know they are right. Christians really shouldn’t have to be taught to them... but we do. Why?

OPEN: The popular author Robert Fulghum once wrote in the Kansas City Times, “Most of what I really need to know about life… I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but it WAS always taught in the sandbox at nursery school. These are the things I ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sweet, Sweet Spirit Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 28, 2008

Why does a successful church do what it does? Is it because they do everything right... or is it something else?

OPEN: Sesame Street has been a popular children’s educational show for years. With the exception of a few “human” actors, the show revolved around the learning experiences taught by hand puppets called “Muppets”. Kermit the Frog, The Cookie Monster and Bert and Ernie have all been favorite ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The - First Light - Factor Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 5, 2008

To some people, the world is a dark and difficult experience. But in the midst of their frustration, there is the hint of eternity that makes them hope that there is something more than they are presently experiencing.

(Twenty years ago I heard a preacher give a sermon with the same kinds of opening and closing illustrations. It left such an impression on me that I have waited all this time to preach this specific sermon.) OPEN: Nine men lay trapped more than 200 feet beneath the ground in a coal mine in ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Abraham Factor Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 13, 2008

God did more than start a "religion" with Abraham. He started a "relationship" - a relationship that models what God desires to do in our lives.

OPEN: A third grader once wrote a homework assignment where he was supposed to "Explain God." "One of God’s main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn’t make grown-ups, just babies. I think because ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stewardship Of The Garden Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 17, 2010

Why does Jesus tell us that each servant received only one mina? (as opposed to the parable of the talents). And what does this parable tell us about our role as stewards of God’s gift?

OPEN: A famous preacher once delivered a powerful sermon on the subject of “God’s Ownership” and – since it spoke of the things we have belonging to God - this made a certain rich member of the church a little upset. The wealthy man took the preacher to his home for lunch, and then walked him ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stewardship Of The Seed Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 25, 2010

How hard is it to throw seed on the ground? What does this parable say to us about what Jesus wants from us in witnessing?

OPEN: One of the most beloved of American artists was Norman Rockwell. But, though many of the common folk loved and cherished his paintings, many other artists did not, deriding him as nothing more than a common illustrator. Rockwell once explained the difference between his style of painting ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stewardship Of The Bell Rope Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 31, 2010

Uses a powerful illustration of a bell rope to drive home how we can forgive people who've sinned against us.

OPEN: I get a daily devotion from a website called “heartlight.org” Back in August, I read the following story by Patrick Odum. Apparently, in New Hampshire, a man named Josh Muszynski stopped at a gas station and bought a pack of cigarettes with his debit card. A few hours later he was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Just "That Close" To Loving God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 7, 2010

Jesus told the young man that he "close to the Kingdom of God." What did He mean by that?

OPEN: In my files I have the observations someone made about how our culture uses the word “heart.” • For example, a person without compassion is described as "heartless," and we urge them to "have a heart." • The truly evil are "black-hearted" while godly saints have ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Deal With The Enemy Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 21, 2010

Jesus says I have to love my enemies. But there’s a reason they’re my enemies - I don’t like them! So why should I do this?

OPEN: The military apparently understands the need to make their instructions memorable and so they occasionally resort to humor to explain the basics. For example: Instructions printed on Rocket Launcher tells soldiers to "Aim towards the Enemy." U.S. Marine Corps tells its recruits that when it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 28, 2010

Why wouldn’t people love their neighbors? And do I have to love myself before I can show this kind of love to others?

Today is our Friend Sunday, and many of you invited your neighbors to worship with you this morning. So, this morning I thought I’d give you a little quiz on neighbors. Years ago PBS featured a program where the host would enter the studio, take off his cardigan sweater, and his dress shoes and put ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Son Is Given Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 5, 2010

The prophecy of the virgin in Isaiah 7 has been denied by many religious "experts". But what does their denial say about them... and what does it tell us about what the prophecy actually said?

OPEN: There’s a story told about a man who was a very militant atheist but he sent his son to Trinity School because, despite its Christian roots, it was a great school. After a month, the boy comes home and says casually, "By the way Dad, do you know what Trinity means? It means the Father, the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Christmas Light Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 13, 2010

A light was going to illuminate those living in darkness, in the land Naphatli and Zebulun. Why did God only mention those two fairly insignificant tribes in this prophecy? And what was this light to accomplish in our our lives?

OPEN: How many of you have ever been in a cave? How many of you have ever been to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky? My family and I have been there several times ourselves and I’ve always been impressed by the beauty and grandeur of that cave and others we’ve visited. I once read about a tour of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Christmas Tree In Bethlehem Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 19, 2010

God planted a Christmas tree in Bethlehem. But it was a differnent kind of tree than the one folks often decorate and place in their homes for Christmas.

Back in 2008 an Englishman named Greig Howe bought a 35-foot tall Christmas tree for his house. Now that’s a pretty big tree. And you’d expect that Mr. Howe must then have a fairly large house. But he didn’t. His was a two story dwelling that was only 30 feet tall. So, did he just put the tree ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10, Isaiah 11:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Reason To Party Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 26, 2010

It’s an odd phenomena: people stealing the baby Jesus from Nativity scenes. It’s called the "Stolen Baby Jesus Syndrome." Why would people do that, and what does it tell us about mankind and God?

OPEN: A few years back, Wellington, FL had their baby Jesus stolen two years running. This was a wealthy community and their Jesus was worth around $1800. The third time around they put a GPS inside and traced the thief to her home. But the baby Jesus doesn’t have to be expensive. In 2008, in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 12:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Predict God Will Be With You This Year Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 2, 2011

If God has promised that He'd never leave me or forsake me... shouldn't that mean I won't encounter any difficulties or frustrations in my life? No, but the reason what this is true may change your life.

OPEN: Some years back I read the true story of a conversation a traveler had with a farmer in New York State. They got to talking about the weather, and the farmer assured the traveler that he could tell what the weather was going to be - by watching the behavior of his cows. "When the cows are ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ