Sermons on Lowell Strite:

Christ's Lights All Year Long Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 2, 2012

Jesus said we should be "the light of the World." But just how and why should we shine that light?

I asked the congregation: “How many of you have already taken down your Christmas lights?” (This was 7 days after Christmas Day, and about a 1/3 raised their hands) “Well, how many of you will take down your decorations NEXT week? (a few more raised their hands). How many of you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Divine Dirt Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 9, 2012

God says we were created in His image. But what does that mean to us and how can that effect our lives?

OPEN: In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth. On the 1st day He spoke “Let there be Light” – and there was light. On the 2nd day He spoke and He created the sky (atmosphere) above the earth. On the 3rd day He spoke and dry land appeared/ and plants & trees began ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:24-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tending Your Garden Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 16, 2012

God created man and planted a garden for him in Eden. What lessons can I learn about what God expects of me from what God did for Adam?

Someone once wrote a poem about their garden: "Our radishes are puny things; Our peas and beans are dying; And as for the potatoes, well, those things aren't even trying And that's the way our garden grows - I tell myself, "Who needs it?" But down inside, it hurts to have it bite the hand... ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Family Who Stole From God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 21, 2011

Achan stole from God... but all of Israel was guilty? How did that happen? And what can it tell us about our responsibility before God?

A man told this story at his first AA meeting: He’d gone to a party and had too much to drink. His friends pled with him to let them drive him home but he said no, he only lived a mile away. About 5 blocks from the party, the police pulled him over for weaving and asked him to get out of the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Man Who Listened To Fools Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 28, 2011

The Bible tells us to seek advice. But not all advice is good advice. It pays to pay attention to whom you pay attention to. But how do I know the difference between good advice and bad?

OPEN: In my files I have the following pieces of advice that you may want to consider: · Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them. · Never buy a car you can't push. · When everything's coming your way, you're probably in the wrong lane. · Find out what you don't do ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 12:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Man Who Went To Hell Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 11, 2011

Does Hell exist? And, if so, why did the Rich man end up there? What had he done that was so terrible that he deserved that type of punishment?

POEM: An old man sat by an open fire and dreamed the years away, While, outside in the battle of life, many perished in the toils of day. He never did any good, nor did he ever do any wrong. He just sat by the open fire and dreamed the whole day long. Now he’s left a vacant chair and they say ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The 2nd Thief Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 18, 2011

Both thieves on the cross insulted Jesus... to begin with. Why did the 2nd thief refuse to accept the love and promises of Christ? What drove him to curse Jesus even as he was dying?

When the police arrest a suspect – what’s the first thing they are required by law to do? That’s right - “read him his rights”. "You have a right to remain silent ..." etc. What’s the official name for that process? The Miranda Warning. When a suspect has been read his rights they often say ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Biggest Losers Who Ever Became Winners Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 25, 2011

Why would Peter repeatedly tell his audiences that they were guilty of the death of Jesus? Why didn’t he just preach a more comforting and positive message?

For the past couple of months we’ve been preaching our own version of the “Biggest Loser. Unlike the popular TV show, the losers we’ve dealt with 8 different Bible characters who made poor decisions and lost BIG. But today we’re looking at the biggest losers in Scripture who ever became ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:22-41

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

The Most Expensive Meal In History Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 22, 2012

Adam and Eve ate one of the most expensive meals in history. Why did they do it? And was there a more expensive meal than that one?

OPEN: A few years back George Beane of Palmdale, California, stopped at a local Burger King and ordered 4 sandwiches at the drive-through window. Total cost of his bill: $4.33. However, when he handed the girl at the drive up window his debit card she absent mindedly punched in the numbers ... and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Poison Of The Apple Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 29, 2012

Adam’s bite of the fruit damaged his relationship with God which led to the damage it did to his wife. What can we learn from Adam’s failure here and how can we avoid the same harm to our lives?

OPEN: A mother was telling about her 7-year-old daughter, named Jessica. She said they were re-reading the story of Adam and Eve and how sin came into the world and that led them to discuss why bad things happen sometimes, Later in the week, Jessica became ill and had to stay home from school. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:6-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Training In The Wilderness Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 6, 2012

I Kings 17 is a litany of the events that shaped and prepared Elijah for his greatest challenge (facing the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel). How did God use these circumstances to train Elijah... and how does God use events in our lives to train us?

OPEN: A junior high music teacher had just organized a band in her school. The principal was so proud of the music teacher's efforts that without consulting her, he decided that the band should give a concert for the entire school. The music teacher wasn't so sure her young musicians were ready ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ