Sermons on Lowell Strite:

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

Feeling The Weight Of The Cross Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 8, 2010

Why would Jesus use an instrument of death to represent His kingdom and His power? And how do I "carry" my cross daily?

OPEN: The year was 1889 on the continent of Africa. Menelik II became emperor of Ethiopia and reigned for 20 years. He was a powerful ruler who transformed his country from a collection of semi-independent states into a united nation. As part of his efforts to modernize his country he ordered 3 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Moving To The Head Of The Line Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 14, 2010

Jesus hated pride and used the Pharisees to highlight the evils of that sin. But why would God hate pride, and how would I know if I suffer from it?

Last Sunday we introduced the “Upside Down Teachings of Jesus”. The teaching of Jesus that just don’t make sense to most people. Today’s sermon will continue that theme by focusing on Jesus’ teaching: “the Last shall be First, and the First shall be Last”. OPEN: When my dad first married my mom, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Slave Or Free? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 21, 2010

The world believes that if they can be free of God, they’ll be free to do as they wish? But the Bible teaches us that everyone is a slave to something, but does that really make sense?

OPEN: I’m not sure who wrote the following words, but this story says a lot about mankind: When my oldest son was about three years old, I was outside doing some yard work one afternoon. I took Kevin outside to play while I trimmed the hedges. Holding his hand, I knelt down beside him so that we ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pass, Shoot, Score Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 26, 2012

A great basketball player knows where the goal is at and continually practices until his body instinctively know how to put the basket through the hoop. Knowing where the goal is important in any sport... and it’s important in Christianity as well.

OPEN: We opened with a youtube video that highlighted the basketball career of Bill Bradley. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_BJg4rhFNs (24 second begin… 3:25 end) In 1964, Bill Bradley was captain of the Olympic Basketball team that won gold at Tokyo. In 1965, his senior year at Princeton he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Fool That Jesus Loved Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 1, 2012

What makes a man a fool? And what could this young fool have done to actually inherit eternal life?

OPEN: On April 1st 1976 British astronomer Patrick Moore made an announcement on BBC Radio 2: “At 9:47 a.m. today there will be a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ astronomical event occurring.” The planet Pluto would pass behind Jupiter, he said, temporarily causing a gravitational alignment that would ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christ's Compassion On The Cross Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 8, 2012

Why would Jesus deliberately go the cross to die? And why would He say "Father Forgive Them"?

OPEN: Ever since the 1950s, the men of the Philippines have had unusual tradition around Easter. It has grown to the point where from 50,000 to 75,000 people attend every year. McDonalds sets up a temporary store to sell burgers, fries and ice cream to those exhausted by the tropical heat. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Tears That Touched Jesus’ Heart Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 15, 2012

Jesus only raised 3 people (that I know of) from the dead. Why didn’t He raise everybody out of the grave? Why just people like this only son of the widow of Nain?

OPEN: One of my favorite radio preachers is a man named Tony Evans. I remember listening to him use an illustration about standing in a cafeteria line – and he made it sound intriguing and almost exciting. What I want to share with you this morning (copying as best I can Evans’ distinctive way of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Day Jesus Wept Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 22, 2012

Odd things about this story: Why does the Bible tells us "Jesus wept"? And why didn’t Jesus "show up" a few days earlier and make sure Lazarus didn’t die? Why allow this close personal friend to die, and allow his friends and family to mourn?

OPEN: Back in March of 2008, the mayor of a city in SW France had a problem. It seems his village was running out of space. Not in housing, nor in the retail district, nor even at City Hall. It seems they were running out of space… in the cemetery. There was no room for any more graves. It was ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Gave Jesus Joy? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 29, 2012

Do you know the difference between the "Joy of the Lord" and the "Joy of the World"? What does this text teach us about both of those?

OPEN: In my files I have comments by several people about what they felt would make someone happy. Daniel Boone - “All you need for happiness is a good gun, a good horse, and a good wife.” Albert Schweitzer - “Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory.” Johnny Carson - “Happiness ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-21, Ephesians 2:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Devil Wears Prada Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 6, 2012

A commercial we watched for Prada didn’t try to sell clothes or accessories. It’s intent was to sell an "image". Satan’s the same - his goal is to sell us an "image". But what does he try to sell us on, and how can we avoid being snared by his sales pitch

OPEN: The minister’s group I’m part of came up with this title: The Devil Wears Prada. It was based on a movie by that same name (and I found out later there was a Rock group that same name). But in researching this sermon I found that Prada is a high class Italian fashion Company known for it’s ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

On The Catwalk Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 13, 2012

The catwalk is a tool that fashion houses use to display their best products. And II Corinthians tells us that God has His own kind of "catwalk" that he leads us down in "triumphal procession." Why is God "showing us off" like this? And what is He selling

OPEN: (We opened the sermon with about 30 seconds of a video showing a group of modestly dressed models walking down a catwalk at a fashion show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHPq4nMA2ZI) (Then we switched to a youtube video of a veteran fashion model describing the purpose of the catwalk in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Electing A Savior Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 24, 2012

Jesus wasn’t "attractive" enough to be elected president, let alone Savior. But why wasn’t Jesus desirable to the people of His day? What message did He preach that the masses reject Him?

OPEN: How many of you have noticed that there’s a Presidential election coming up? (This met with a certain amount of laughter). Just a few weeks ago, the Republican Party - and then the Democratic Party - had their political conventions where they officially nominated their candidate. There was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Spirit Is, Therefore I Think. Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 30, 2012

Paul teaches us that the world will not see as being eloquent, wise or persuasive. We're never going to impress the world by "who" we are. So how can we possibly overcome the world and win it to Christ? What (or Who) is going to give us the edge?

Ravi Zacharias did a lectureship at Ohio State University. As he was being driven to the lecture, they passed by the Wexner Art Center. The driver said, “This is a new art building for the university. It is a fascinating building designed in the post-modernist view of reality.” * ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ