Sermons on Make It Count:

Will Anything Really Change?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 2, 2010

Revised from an earlier message for a church making a major turn in direction and leadership. Change is hard for us, for some of us fear change, some of us do not think change is real. But God is able and willing to complete what He begins among us.

Bethesda First Baptist Church, Bethesda, MD, September 19, 2004 Will anything really change? I mean, really?! So often change is only apparent, and not real. So often we tinker with things, but we do not really change them. We lack the will to change things, really. We lack the imagination ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

But I Say To You...

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 14, 2011

1. Jesus reinterprets the law and makes it a more difficult way (not less). 2. Jesus’ way had to wait until the human family was able to hear it and follow it. 3. We cannot live the way Jesus taught us without each other.

• Peter Kreeft, professor of philosophy at Boston College, tells this story from his childhood: “I remember to this day exactly where I was when it hit me: riding north on Haledon Avenue between Sixth and Seventh Streets in Paterson, New Jersey after Sunday morning church with my parents. Isn’t it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Methodist

"the Strength Of The Ox."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on May 15, 2024

Beloved, the ox is a metaphor for a pastor's need for freedom to lead and expand the Church's impact. Working together in unity and harmony as one body, we can make a substantial difference in our community by spreading love, hope, and kindness to those in need.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Proverbs 14:4) “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.” (Proverbs 15:17) “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” (1 ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:4, Proverbs 15:17, 1 Timothy 5:18, Luke 9:62, Hosea 10:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

What's It Going To Cost Me? Series

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Feb 3, 2021

We can know the price of an item but not necessarily understand what it's going to cost us. Jesus asks us to make and informed and deliberate decision about deciding to follow Him by outlining what it's going to cost us. (spoiler alert: it's everything - but it's worth it.)

You can hear the audio of the sermon on my podcast at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/697261/7655599 Following Jesus - Counting the Cost Intro: • Price is Right show – fascinating and compelling game show where we are entertained by watching people guess the price of various products. (use logo ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-26, Mark 7:9-13, Ephesians 5:25, Mark 10:16, Luke 6:27, John 13:34-35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christ And His Church Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Feb 17, 2011

The challenge for the church is not what we do when we call our Sunday morning huddle, but what we do when we break our huddle ... When Satan lines up against us, what difference does it make that we are Christians?

Opening illustration: The job of the church is not to impact the church, but to impact the world. It’s like a huddle in a football game. 67,000 people don’t pay $25.00 a ticket to watch the Titans huddle. What if you went to a Titans game and for 2½ hours you watched 11 men stand in a circle and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Dangers Of Relying On False Idols Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 2, 2025

False idols (or false gods) are worthless & unable to follow through with anything, but they appear to be attractive because they make us feel what WE crave (to be in control). Are we in love with our false idol, or our false god, and also don’t want to give it up?

Isaiah, Part 19 The Dangers of Relying on False Idols Isaiah 46:1-13 Introduction - Welcome to Seasons, we are so glad you are here today! - Last week, we reviewed the importance of what God has done: -- He made a way, provided escape, delivered hope, & gave us a redeemer -- FACT: ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 46:1-13, Hebrews 13:8, James 2:19, Genesis 6:5, John 14:6, Psalm 10:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Father Abraham

Contributed by Kimberly Belken on Aug 23, 2020

The faith of Abraham made him righteous. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, our faith makes us righteous and leads us to trust in God and God's promises. We never know what these promises will mean for us, but we can know that God works them together for our good.

Father Abraham had many sons And many sons had Father Abraham I am one of them And so are you So, let’s all praise the Lord I know our Sunday School kids know that song and perhaps some of you do as well. In fact, it is probably the most well-known song and story about the great patriarch Abraham ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6, Luke 3:8, Romans 4:13-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Pulling Down Strongholds

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Jun 21, 2019

This is our introductory message on pulling down strongholds and we will be talking about a strategy that will make us more effective in that area. People who have bondages and especially when dealing with people who can't/won't endure sound doctrine.

Pulling Down Strongholds This is our introductory message on pulling down strongholds and we will be talking about a strategy that will make us more effective in that area. Especially when dealing with people who can't/won't endure sound doctrine. In general I think about negative ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, Jeremiah 1:10, 2 Timothy 4:3, Acts 7:54-60

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Two Pillars Of Godly Support: Belief And Love - 1john 3:23 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 5, 2022

Some Christians, when they are more established, very imperceptibly, lessen the trust in the Lord, and place it more in their own ability and decision-making. Not consciously, but bit by bit, they take back control of their own lives, and wonder why God seems absent. We look at belief and love.

MESSAGE – THE TWO PILLARS OF GODLY SUPPORT: BELIEF AND LOVE - 1John 3:23 We will be looking at a verse in the first letter of John but just to place it into context we will look at 4 verses – {{1 John 3 v 21-24, but it is verse 23 that is our focus. 1John 3 v 21 “Beloved, if our heart does not ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:21-24, Hebrews 3:12, Acts 17:30, Philippians 2:9-11, John 3:36, John 13:34, John 15:12, Matthew 22:36-40, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, John 15:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Bookkeeping Method Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 6, 2004

Unlike the world, which assumes that we must make a profit and we get what we pay for, God’s bookkeeping says that giving is receiving, and you get more than you pay for. You get grace paid for by the blood of Jesus.

In the last several months I have learned more about bookkeeping than I ever wanted to know. Because the church is converting from bookkeeping by hand to an accounting software, and because our financial leadership does not yet have access to all of that, I began to record transactions on the ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Double Or Nothing Series

Contributed by Pastor Dempsey Daniels on Jan 8, 2007

Good stewardship doing the most with whatever God gives. So as he gives you time, it is your responsibility as a good steward to use it the best you can. Ephesians 5 says we are to redeem the times, but the NIV of the same verse says that we are to make t

Double or Nothing - Sermon 4 of 4 Matthew 25:20 - And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. Sermon: This week as we bring this time of sharing on this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:20

Denomination: Baptist

Love Isn't Just For Weddings! 1 Corinthians 13

Contributed by Wendy Gravolin on Mar 2, 2016

Love isn't just fro weddings Paul is encouraging the church to live out of the fruit of self sacrificial (agape) love but he isn't ruling out using the gifts of the Spirit which God has given to empower the church for its mission to make disciples.

Love isn’t just for weddings: 1 Corinthians 12:31- 13:1-13 Reverend Wendy Gravolin St Thomas Anglican Church Winchelsea, Victoria Australia We live in a culture that is obsessed with erotic & romantic love. Doing a quick search on the internet for a love song I quickly found list after list ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Seeing Yourself Through His Eyes Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Feb 14, 2020

So many of us for various reasons when we look at ourselves the image is distorted, but when we see ourselves through the eyes of the Father's love (when we make our Maker our mirror) that distortion is driven away.

Seeing Yourself Through His Eyes #20/20 Vision Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:14-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Darkness & Light Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Aug 8, 2006

We need God’s light to make sense of life; without light we’re stumbling in the dark without direction…yet people all around seem accustomed to darkness and opposed to the light. They’ve so adapted to the darkness that they forget what true light is. Li

Sermon Series on First John, “Collecting Evidence of Faith” “Darkness & Light”, 1:5-10 -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts “God is light,” verse 5. As I was working on this message Tuesday afternoon, the lights went out and stayed out. It was ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10

Denomination: Congregational

Greed Series

Contributed by Thomas Black on Jan 28, 2005

Greed with it’s power to grab hold of your soul will rob you of making wise decisions, and will turn you into a fool. Greed is costly, it’s not a cute little sin that just sits there being harmless, it’s robs, steals, kills and destroys all that you hold

Passage: Genesis 13:10-13; 2 Peter 2:7-8 A woman decided to have her portrait painted. She told the artist, "Paint me with diamond rings, a diamond necklace, emerald bracelets, a ruby broach, and gold Rolex." "But you are not wearing any of those things," he replied. "I know," she said. "It’s in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:10-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational