Sermons on Make Sense:

Why? Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

Job does not offend God with his whys. Instead, he makes God proud of him, because of his patience and persistence in spite of having no answer to his whys.

Paul Aurandt shares this true story of James Macie. He was an illegitimate child, which is really a foolish idea, for it is the parents that are illegitimate, and not the child, but as is so often the case, the stigma of this followed him for life. The laws of England, in the 18th century, denied ...read more

God's Hero

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Aug 14, 2013

What makes a person a hero in God's eyes

“God’s Hero” July 28, 2012 Hebrews 11:32-39 “And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-39

Denomination: Holiness

What Is Happiness? Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 11, 2021

Both Jesus and Paul make it clear that it is more than a right to be happy, it is a duty. It is part of our commitment to Christ to overcome all that would make us unhappy.

Epictetus, the ancient philosopher said, "If a man is unhappy, this must be his own fault, for God made all men to be happy." A Christian writer, St. Bernard, said something similar. "Nothing can work me damage except myself; the harm that I sustain I carry about with me, and never ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Part 3 - Family Birthmark Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on May 21, 2009

The good choices members of God’s family make

A dendrochronologist can look at a tree stump and tell us the life story of that tree. They can look at the rings and chart the tough years and the good growth years. Raising a family is not all that different from tending trees – it’s a lot of work, you don’t do it overnight, there are storms ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist

Grace And Our Struggle Series

Contributed by Martin Wiles on May 3, 2011

The Christian life is a constant struggle to make the right choices.

Romans 7:14-25 Introduction: A. Do you ever struggle with the doing the right thing or making the right decision? B. Do you ever feel as if you are losing the battle in obedience to God? C. Do you ever feel guilty because you are still waging this war even though you have been a Christian for a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:14-25

Denomination: Baptist

An Exposition Of 1 Peter, Part 8: The Pure Milk

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 17, 2021

Growing in Christ makes us strong in tough times.

An Exposition of 1 Peter, part 8: The Pure Milk 1 Peter 2:1-3 Introduction In the last study Peter told us of the importance of sincere love among the brethren. Love must not be hypocritical. This is necessary for believers at all times as it is a reflection of the love of God. It serves as a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Denomination: Independent/Bible

You Have A Soul

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 22, 2022

New research findings in Science and Medicine now support the Bible's statement that we have a soul, not just a body. People must know this so they can make correct decisions about where they will spend eternity.

YOU HAVE A SOUL OPENING ILLUSTRATION Get 4 kids to front. Turn off lights. Shine flashlights thru hands. You can see the bones inside the skin. “WE HAVE SOMETHING INSIDE!” We know this also because of Xrays and ultrasounds. But today I want to talk about something else we have inside: a SOUL & ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Matthew 15:26, Mark 8:36

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What's So Good About Good Friday?

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Mar 30, 2006

How you view the cross makes all the difference.

I wasn’t raised a Catholic, but I used to go to Mass with my friends, and I viewed the whole business as a lot of very enthralling hocus-pocus. There’s a guy ... nailed to a cross and dripping blood, and everybody’s blaming themselves for that man’s torment, but I said to myself, ’Forget it. I had ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Deserving Poor? (Matthew 15:10-28)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 7, 2007

Why waste time with negative pepole who are never going to make much progress? Because we follow a shepherd who will leave the ninety-nine grazing to pursue one lost sheep....

‘And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from the region came out and cried, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely possessed by a demon.”’ (Matthew 15:21-22) One of the most formative experiences in my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-28

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Watch What You See

Contributed by John Ong on Aug 26, 2015

Today, we are posed with the question of seeing. If for example God will remove 4 out 5 of your senses and will keep your sight, what are the things that you will see? Who would you continue pleasing?

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” –Antoine de Saint-Exupery Our discussion is very much close to the quote of Antoine de Saint-Exupery on his book The Little Prince. Today, we are posed with the question of seeing. If ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:22-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Parable Of Chutzpah

Contributed by Robert Leroe on May 3, 2015

We need to approach prayer with a sense of bold, unhesitating urgency--with chutzpah. We have no worries--unlike the grumpy, groggy neighbor, God never slumbers and is always happy to hear from us.

Jesus gave His disciples the Model Prayer, and followed with a story about someone in need of “daily bread,” a parable that conveys the attitude our prayers should have—we should approach God an unhesitating sense of urgency. The story was a common situation for our Lord’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Congregational

Reward For Being Obedient

Contributed by Rev. Felix Cornelius Agyei on Jun 10, 2023

God's promise of a new beginning are not in a vacuum. It does not just take God to make it possible. Abraham had a part to play. In the same way, the new life and restoration that Jesus brings demand our participation. What then is our participation? THIS IS OBEDIENCE.

THE LORD, OUR OBJECT OF OBEDIENT The one whose voice and command we are to obey is the LORD Himself. The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One who commanded OUR Father Abraham (Gen. 12:1). In Matthew, it is Christ Jesus Christ. We must learn to obey the Holy Spirit who now works in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hell And Being A Disciple Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 11, 2014

So what difference does it make? If Hell is real, what difference not only does it make in how you live your life today but what difference does it make in being a disciple of Jesus

Hell and Being a Disciple Luke 16: 19-31 Dan Kimball writes, “I am passionate about hell. That sounds odd – but I am not passionate about hell itself, but passionate about studying what it is because of the seriousness of what it is. I am passionate about it as I don’t want ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:18-31

Denomination: Methodist

Loyalty (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 13, 2010

Being a follower of Jesus can give people a strong sense of their own identity. Indeed you could even say that to belong to Christ, to be "in Christ", to be a member of his body, is the only identity we need.

Opening illustration: Any person working in the US Marine Corps lives with a motto “Always Faithful.” He is to remain faithful to the US Army – even unto death for the cause of his country. What he doesn’t have to do? • Take orders from enemy leadership • Never quit partway through the military ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ito Ba O Iyun?

Contributed by Norman Lorenzo on Feb 7, 2008

A sermon that will teach how to make wiser decisions.

Ito Ba O Iyon??? How to Make Wiser Decisions Luke 23:18-25 SCRIPTURE READING Ang ating teksto sa umagang ito ay ang ating Scripture Reading sa Lucas 23:18-25. Ito ay nang humarap si Jesus kay Pilato. Nabahala ang mga Pariseo o ang mga Jewish leaders dahil sa popularity ni Jesus Christ. Marami ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:18-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible