Sermons on Lower Third:

Jesus Stays On The Road To His Death

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Apr 4, 2021

Jesus didn’t sit on Death Row. Yet his life was always moving toward that certain and terrible end: He’d be killed on the cross. He knew this, because the Scriptures pointed to it. He knew this, and He predicted it himself more than once during his ministry.

In some prisons in America there is an area known as Death Row. It’s where those who have been sentenced to die go to wait for the time of their execution. Every day on Death Row is a day closer to death. So for a prisoner, after five or ten years, there might be only 30 days left. Then only 20. ...read more

Scripture: John 12:27-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Believing Without Seeing

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Apr 4, 2021

On the day of Jesus's return we will see him, in person, face to face. Until that great day, we are those who have not seen, yet believe. We are those who have not touched and seen and heard.

There are some things about us that we just have, naturally. Think about how children look. Every child receives some features from his or her parents, like red hair or brown eyes or a certain shape of nose or chin. And sometimes we think faith is like that too. We say, “I’m pretty sure I have ...read more

Scripture: John 20:28-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hope For The Hopeless Series

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 5, 2021

God has given us the ability to feel the emotion of hopelessness, so that we will look for the ultimate source of hope. I believe that the resurrection of Jesus is the greatest source of hope in the universe.

A. Happy Easter to everyone – I’m so thankful we get to worship the Lord on this Easter Sunday! B. As we get started, I want to share this cartoon – it really tickled me. 1. The cartoon shows Jesus telling the angel that resurrection morning: “I want you to fold up my burial clothes, wait for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-7, Ephesians 1:18-20, 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christian Education Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

Severe suffering will cause most Christians to go through some sort of conflict like this, and that is why Christians need to be taught to have sound endurance. This is the ability to not give up, but to hang in there and do the will of God even when it does not seem to pay off.

One of the most remarkable stories in the history of horse training is that of the horse named Snow Man. There is an old verse that jockeys supposedly whisper into the horses ear before a race: Roses are red, Violets are blue. Horses that lose Are made into glue. Snow Man apparently heard this ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-10

The Battle For Success Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 6, 2021

Paul is convinced that failures can become successes. He knew this for he was one of the most successful failures in history. One of the great themes of literature and the Bible is this theme of success out of failure.

In the 35 years following the Civil War 3 success writers towered high above all others, and they became successful by writing about success. All 3 were ordained men. One of them was Russell Conwell who was the pastor of the Baptist Temple of Philadelphia. He delivered his famous lecture over ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-15

The Father's Job Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

Fathers are God's agents of the law, but they are also God's agents of grace. To be the first, and not the second, is to be one testament shy of a Bible, or shy of God's full revelation. A half of a Bible is not the Bible, and half of a father is not a father.

Dick Van Dyke tells the stories of how children act toward their father when they are angry. In his book Faith, Hope and Hilarity he tells of a boy who had been spanked by his father for making too much noise. The boy climbed into his mother's lap and said, "Mama I wish you had married ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Warnings From The Dead Sea

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Apr 11, 2021

On Tuesday March 16, 2021, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced the discovery of two new Dead Sea Scroll fragments. This sermon discusses how the message contained within these fragments addresses what is happening in America and the world today.

On Tuesday March 16, 2021, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced the discovery of two new Dead Sea Scroll fragments. This is an extremely significant find, since the last discovery was made sixty-five years ago in 1956! This recent surprise occurred in what is called the Cave of Horror near ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 8:16-17, Nahum 1:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Commission: Marching Orders Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Apr 11, 2021

Jesus gave the Great Commission to Go, Baptize, and Teach the Word to make disciples of all nations,

Discipleship Matters: Marching Orders Matthew 28:16-20 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 04-11-2021 Seth and Jeff - Discipleship 101 The first time and only time I ever smoked marijuana was about six weeks after I became a Christian. After committing my life to Christ on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Living Stones Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 15, 2021

If you want to overcome your fear of introducing people to Jesus, KNOW that you are part of God’s holy temple and God’s special people, designed to be a living display of His greatness. Then BE the witness God has called you to be.

The abbot of a monastery called a novice into his office and instructed him to give the homily at the next morning's chapel. The novice was struck with fear. The next morning, chapel came. He stood in the pulpit. The brothers were there. His hands were trembling. His knees were knocking. His ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-12, Hebrews 13:15-16, Romans 12:1, Romans 15:15-16, Exodus 19:5-6, Hosea 2:23, Isaiah 43:20-21, Matthew 16:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Under The Shadow Of His Wings (Part 1)

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Apr 16, 2021

This message was written in June 2020 to address the Corona Virus pandemic. This passage from Psalm speaks of how God will deliver us from the snares of the enemy and from the pestilence.

We have endured some crazy events in America during the first six months of 2020, with the impeachment trial and political drama; the Corona Virus pandemic; and now racial and civil unrest, accompanied with looting, rioting and terrible violence. During the quarantine period, the Lord laid a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Remembering The Holy Innocents Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Apr 17, 2021

This Bible passage, about the “Massacre of the Innocents,” can be applied to abortion. This message shares some insights into the driving force behind the killing of babies, and speaks of what can be done to stop it.

I’ve entitled our message this morning, “Remembering the Holy Innocents.” “In the New Testament, the ‘Massacre of the Innocents’ is the incident in the nativity narrative . . . in which Herod the Great, king of Judea, orders the execution of all male children two years old and under in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Crazy Little Thing Called Love Series

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 19, 2021

The emotion of love and living a life of love can be very complicated. How do we navigate through all the confusing and emotionally charged stuff involved in love? By knowing God and walking in God's ways.

A. One day two men named Bill and Steve were discussing the possibility of love. “I thought I was in love three times,” said Bill. 1. Steve asked, “Thought you were in love, what do you mean?” 2. The man explained, “Three years ago, I cared very deeply for a woman who wanted nothing to do with me, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-12, Romans 5:5, Matthew 22:37, John 13:34, Ephesians 5:1-2, 1 John 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What If Jesus Told A Story About Your Life?

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 20, 2021

1. God recognizes the story of our life (vs. 9-15a). 2. God reveals the story of our life (vs. 9). 3. God wants us to reconsider the story of our life (vs. 15-18). 4. God wants to rewrite the story of our life (vs. 18-19).

What if Jesus Told a Story about Your Life? Luke 20:9-19 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared April 18, 2021) BACKGROUND: *Today we will study one of the Lord's parables. But what is a parable anyway? The best definition I've ever heard is simply this: "A parable is an earthly story ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:9-19

Denomination: Baptist

Unbelievable Scars

Contributed by K. Heath Mcdougal-Deans on Apr 20, 2021

I heard it once said, 'nobody likes scars.' Yet, I beg to differ. Scars, and what they often represent, Truth, Light, Love, Strength, and Determination... are powerful.

Unbelievable Scars A small orphaned boy lived with his grandmother. One night their house caught fire. The grandmother, trying to rescue the little boy asleep upstairs, perished in the smoke and flames. A crowd gathered around the burning house. The boy’s cries for help were heard above the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:8, Luke 24:36-48

Denomination: Other

Faith And Politics Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 22, 2021

Submit to all human authority, because of Christ, because of your critics, and because you are free!

At the spring 2000 opening of the Florida Senate, Donald L. Roberts, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries, offered a prayer. I think you’ll appreciate the candor of it. In part, this is what he prayed: Holy and Eternal God, it must be great to be God, to get what you want—when you want it—how ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-17, Acts 4:19, Acts 5:29, Romans 13:1-2, Romans 5:8, Hebrews 2:14-15, Galatians 5:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free