Sermons on Lowell Strite:

The Puzzle Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 25, 2018

The story in Acts 8, that tells of Philip's preaching in Samaria resulting in an Evangelism Explosion, contains 3 puzzles that many folks overlook. What are these puzzles and what can they teach us about our walk with Christ?

OPEN: People have created puzzles for centuries. There’ve been crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, Rubik's cube, and scads of others in all shapes and sizes. The better the puzzle, the more difficult it is to solve, and by that standard, one of the Holy Grails of such puzzles is this one: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:3-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 5, 2018

Acts 10 is a pivotal chapter in Scripture. From this point on the church exploded in growth. In this story there are 3 groups of people who were "surprised" by what they saw. Why were they surprised, and what difference does that mean to us?

(Before reading the Scripture I noted that Acts 10 is a pivotal chapter in Scripture. It was after this event at Cornelius’ house that the Church exploded with growth and numerous churches were set up throughout the known world). (After the Scripture reading and prayer, we showed the following ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Centurion At The Feet Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 11, 2018

The story of this Centurion is listed in 3 of the Gospels because God wants us to see what he saw. What did the centurion see that day, and why did he cry out "Surely this was the Son of God"?

In the days of Jesus the most feared soldiers on the face of the earth were those of the Legions Of Rome. These men were practically invincible. It seemed to no nation of the day could stand against them. And one of the reasons they were so powerful and so feared was because their armies were led ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Man From Arimathea Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 19, 2018

How did Joseph become a member of the Sanhedrin and ultimately become a secret follower of Jesus? This first person presentation explores one possible explanation.

(I entered the auditorium from the side entrance to our baptistery – reading a scroll and entranced in thought. Much of the message was presented on floor level with me standing close to the audience and speaking directly to them) (Looking up, a bit surprised) Oh… shalom. I am afraid I am a bit ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:57-66

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

From Death To Life Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 28, 2018

There's a repetitive theme in Scripture: heroes and heroines of the Bible seemingly all go through the process of being given a vision by God, followed by the death of that vision, and ultimately the rebirth of that vision. How did that pattern apply to Jesus and how does it apply to us?

OPEN: (We showed the image of a fallen tree (https://imgur.com/iP32qff) I saw this picture on the internet about a month ago and it took me a while to realize what I was looking at. Obviously the tree has been uprooted and it’s lying on the ground with its dead limbs extending along the ground. But ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:33-51

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Rich Fool Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 4, 2018

Why was God angry at the "rich farmer?" What had this farmer done wrong and what can we learn from his story about the need to being rich toward God?

OPEN: The year was 1347. The Black Plague was raging across Europe and people by the 100s and by the 1000s in field and cities all across that part of the world. Some began to suspect the deaths were brought about because of the wrath of God and in one of the cities of Germany (Lubeck, Germany) ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bumper Crop Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 11, 2018

Why does God put such an emphasis on giving? He makes you promises of what He'll do if you give cheerfully and generously... but why would He do that?

OPEN: A preacher told his church this story about an airplane trip he’d recently taken from Chicago to California: "I was on the plane when they ran into some very severe turbulence. The plane began to shake terribly and the passengers were getting alarmed. Even the flight attendants were looking ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:5-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Measure Up

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 18, 2018

God asks us to help build His ONE church - and how we measure things can make all the difference in how the local church turns out. What measuring stick does God want us to use in making the right measurements?

(This sermon was preached at our annual “Unity” service, where we bring our English, Spanish, and Burmese churches together for one big worship service. On this occasion, we ordained one Hispanic man to the preaching ministry and another as an Elder for the Hispanic church). OPEN: Years ago I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:12, Mark 16:16, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Much Is It Worth? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 25, 2018

Freud once noted that people (with a few exceptions) were worthless. God said that we were worth the price of His Son. How much you think people are worth will determine who you agree with.

Several years ago this advertisement was placed in a New England are newspaper: "Unknown item for sale. We know it's valuable; we just don't know what it is. If you can identify it, we'll sell it for $250.” (Reader’s Digest 9/02 p. 145) Sometimes it’s hard to decide what something is worth. My ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Congratulations - It's A God! Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 2, 2018

Isaiah said the virgin birth was a "sign." Matthew picked up on that, as did the angels. But why was this "sign" so important to us?

OPEN: A Sunday School put on their own impromptu Christmas pageant. The teachers read the story and provided some props; then they stood back and let the kids dramatize the story on own. One girl grabbed the doll and said, “I’ll be Mary.” A boy shouted, “I’ll be Joseph,” Some of them put on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Isaiah 7:14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Isaiah Saw The Cradle Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 9, 2018

Isaiah tells us this newborn Messiah would bring light to a dark world. In what ways is our world "dark" and how does Jesus change that in our lives?

OPENING: Video – Christmas, The Nativity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu6A9fMLnsY) (The video was all dramatic music and words on a screen. After the video was done, I spoke the words to open the sermon) “His birth… foretold in ancient writings a miracle that would threaten an empire. His ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-6, Matthew 4:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Isaiah Saw The Cross Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 16, 2018

A Christmas Sermon that points to the cross. The cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it the main focus of God's message of salvation. But the cross is not a comforting symbol, so why would God use it as the symbol of our faith?

OPEN: I once read about an evening chapel service at Christian summer camp. The preacher was forcefully telling the 4th & 5th graders how Jesus had been betrayed, arrested, beaten and ultimately died on the cross. His message was so powerful, that a hushed silence fell across the young ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Funeral Of A Good Woman

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 22, 2018

Barb loved many things, but she loved two things above all else: her husband and her savior. She was a "good" woman" but she realized that being enough would not be good enough to go to heaven

I once heard the story of a young girl who walked thru a cemetery every night because it was the shortest route to her house. When asked WHY she HAD NO FEAR of passing thru the graveyard she responded "The reason I’m not afraid…my home is just on the other side.” This morning we have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

He Leadth Me Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 3, 2019

The Lord is not "the shepherd" and He's not "a shepherd." David says He's MY shepherd. What does that mean for us?

(I started the sermon by singing the first verse of “He Leadeth Me” and then asked the congregation to join me in the chorus) “He leadeth me, O blessed thought! O words with heav’nly comfort fraught! Whate’er I do, where’er I be, still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.’ (CHORUS) He leadeth me, He ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-3, Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Valley Of Shadows Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 10, 2019

In a world that is dominated by those who defy, avoid and simply fear death, David simply says "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil." Why was it that David could be so confident?

OPEN: “Life is short, and death is sure. Sin the cause. Christ the cure.” Vladimir Lenin - the first communist dictator of Russia - died in 1924. Shortly after his death, authorities decided to maintain his body in a mausoleum. So, for the past 95 years Lenin’s body has been on display in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-4, Hebrews 2:14, Hebrews 13:5, Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ