Sermons on Manipulative:

Better Late Than Never Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 18, 2007

Jacob, Pt. 3

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER (GENESIS 28:10-29:13) A Chinese fable tells of the owl’s flight to the east to escape its neighbors, who were increasingly tired and vocal of the bird’s incessant noise in the night. As it was packing, the owl met a pigeon, which asked: “Where are you going? Why are you in ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Family Ties: My Big Fat Greek Wedding Series

Contributed by J John on Dec 20, 2007

I am Greek. And if you’ve seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding, you’ll have seen some of my relatives - including my mother, who is a travel agent for guilt trips. (Recently, she returned the Christmas presents that my wife and I bought for her.)

--note-- 2002: IFC Films Directed by Joel Zwick Nia Vardalos as Toula John Corbett as Ian Rated PG for sensuality and language - - - - - I am Greek. And if you’ve seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding, you’ll have seen some of my relatives - including my mother, who is a travel agent for guilt trips. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8

Denomination: *other

Deal... Or No Deal?

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jun 16, 2007

Our lives are defined by the nature of our choices.

Title: Deal… or No Deal? Text: I Kings 21:1-10 (11-26) Thesis: Our lives are defined by the nature of our choices. Introduction Perhaps you are familiar with NBC’s Deal or No Deal game show? Howie Mandel is the host. There is a bevy of beautiful young women on a stage, each is holding a brief ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 21:1-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Test 8: Integrity Test Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 12, 2008

God demands that His children be people of integrity. People who are honest and reliable. This is the next-to-last test of faith that James gives us--the integrity test.

1. The importance of individual integrity 2. The implication of individual integrity 3. The intentionality of individual integrity 4. The incentive of individual integrity This Wednesday night, American TV is hitting a new low. It’s almost hard to say that with all the trash that’s on TV these ...read more

Scripture: James 5:12

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Likes Kids!

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Feb 20, 2008

Message about Jesus’ attitude toward children and the child-like.

Jesus Likes Kids! Matthew 19:13-15 January 27, 2008 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT USED IN MY MESSAGES IS BORROWED FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." Me: You know, I kinda like kids. In fact, I love kids – at least certain ones. I think kids are a good idea – especially ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:13-15

Denomination: Wesleyan

Who Do You Serve? Series

Contributed by Michael Luke on Mar 2, 2008

We are destined to serve somebody or something. Do you really serve the true God?

TEXT: ACTS 16:16-34 TITLE: “WHO DO YOU SERVE?” OPEN: A. A preacher meets an old friend from Bible college while at the North American Christian Convention. The old friend asks the preacher, “How many members are in your congregation?” The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why It Matters Exactly Who Jesus Is Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Mar 4, 2008

God gives eternal life and joy to those who die “in the Lord.”

Scripture Introduction The relationship between Jesus and the religious leadership continues to deteriorate. By refusing to acknowledge their importance, his ministry threatens their power and prestige. Therefore, they turn on him: attempted arrest, entrapment, theological tests, dismissing his ...read more

Scripture: John 8:21-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Source Of The Sweet Life Series

Contributed by Dale Hummel on May 2, 2008

The first message on a series about the Fruit of the Spirit; it reveals the secret to fruit bearing.

Series: The Sweet Life Message: The Source of the Sweet Life Text: John 15:1-11; Galatians 5:22-23 Every spring when we lived out west we would get in the car and drive about forty-five minutes east to a place called Brentwood. It is an agricultural town with all kinds of orchards and farms. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Criticizing God Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Jan 11, 2008

God draws criticism until we are drawn to God.

Scripture Introduction A miller and his son were driving their donkey to sell at the market when they met a group of women: “Look there,” cried one, “did you ever see such foolish fellows, trudging on foot when they might ride?” The old man hearing this, quickly placed his son on the ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Does Our Walk Say About Us

Contributed by Fred Smith on May 5, 2007

Considering Christ’s description of the cost of discipleship.

“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”—Luke 9:62 WHAT DOES OUR WALK SAY ABOUT US? This is a word from Jesus about the importance of commitment. Hand refers to our spiritual motivation. Because of the hand’s ability to seize, control or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

United We Stand – Divided We Fall

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Nov 20, 2010

We are not truly a "church" if we spend our time fighting. God blesses churches that are unified under His leadership.

"The Battling Baptists" ... that's the reputation Baptists have, according to Walter Shurden. Baptists are born fighters because they were born fighting. Early Baptists were known as law-breakers. Shurden writes, "They broke the laws in England and they broke the laws in America. And they broke ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

It's His Day Series

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Nov 24, 2010

The third commandment tells us how to love God.

The Ten Commandments are principles for keeping free. In Exodus 20, these people have become free for the first time in 400 years, and God is telling them, "I gave you freedom. I made you free. Now let Me tell you how to keep it." So these are ten principles for individual, collective, and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Love In This Moment Series

Contributed by David Flowers on Feb 6, 2010

In this message, part 2 in series Love Without Limits, Dave talks about the love of God and looks at our difficulty in accepting that love in the present moment.

Love In This Moment Love Without Limits, prt. 2 Wildwind Community Church David Flowers January 10, 2010 1 Chronicles 16:34 (TNIV) 34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 John 4:10 (TNIV) 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us... Some of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:9-11

Denomination: Free Methodist

Ark, Anger, And Acceptance

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 20, 2010

We who are successful want instant gratification, but must know that God’s timing may be different, and that it is important to do something that enables others to succeed. In prayer we learn that we are accepted and so our efforts have meaning.

Success brings with it its own set of problems. If you get used to being successful, you soon expect it, and then if it eludes you, that can be very hard to take. I know that I am speaking this morning to reasonably successful people, by and large. Most of you, when you face a challenge, are able ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

A Life Of Discipline Week 2 Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Mar 3, 2010

In order to get into better spiritual shape we need to apply certain spiritual disciple. Paul said that working hard does not earn us our salvation; instead it demonstrates our salvation.

A Life of Discipline, week 2: Lent 2010 Feb 28, 2010 Intro: Welcome this morning to the second Sunday in Lent, which is the season of preparation for Easter. I’ve decided to theme our Lenten Journey this year along the lines of “a disciplined life”, recognizing that God calls ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

Denomination: Baptist