Sermons on Mark Twain:

Do You Really Believe?

Contributed by Bruce Ball on May 16, 2006

A shorter sermon about the difference between having true belief versus just thinking you have true belief. Interesting illustration about a pendulum.

Take an empty cola bottle sometime and fill it half full of water. Then, take some vegetable oil and fill it the rest of the way. Then try to shake it with all your might so it will become all mixed up. What happens? The moment you stop shaking, it begins to separate from one another, doesn’t ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:9, Romans 10:9-12

Denomination: *other

"Grownup Christians”

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 13, 2006

What are the marks of a mature Christian believer or the mark of a dynamic, mature Christian church?

Biblical Text: Philippians 1:3-11 “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Speaks In Parables Series

Contributed by Gordon Kroeker on Oct 28, 2003

Only a few parables are found in Mark. Most of those are found in Mark 4.

Mk. 4:1-34 JESUS SPEAKS IN PARABLES A. Recently, hearing about the trial of John Allen Muhammad, has seemed to be a mysterious case to me. 1. He had not only won the chance to represent himself as his own defense and lawyer - but I read that he is out to prove to the nation that he had ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-34

Denomination: Mennonite

What The Bible Can Do For You!

Contributed by James Botts on Aug 29, 2002

What the Bible Can Do For You! (2 Timothy 3:15-17)With all of the information overload in our world today, is it possible for us to hear the voice of God? God’s Word benefits our lives by providing the direction for our greatest areas of need.

The Crossing Community Church “What the Bible Can Do For You” Pastor Jim Botts July 7, 2002 Introduction We live in the age of information overload. Consider the following: - New York Times contains more factual information in one edition than all the written materials available to a reader in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

Cantankerous?

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on May 7, 2009

Special ingredients to establishing unity in the church

Mark Twain once said, "I built a cage and in it I put a dog and a cat. After a little training I got the dog and the cat to the point where they lived peaceably together. Then I introduced a pig, a goat, a kangaroo, some birds, and a monkey. And after a few adjustments, they learned to live in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Encourage One Another Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 10, 2002

one of a series on Building Community

Building Community - Encourage One Another People are less connected, less involved, less active in their communities today. People participate less in organizations and groups of every kind than they did a generation ago. What we are seeing is that the "glue" which holds our society together, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Memorial Day Service

Contributed by Richard Horn on Jun 13, 2010

Reflecting on the fallen heroes and patriots that served our country and comparing them to the martyrs and saints of the church.

May 30, 2010 Memorial Day I want to begin today by reading something I received in my e-mail last week. It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion. It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN, not the poet, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

All Dogs Go To Heaven Series

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Feb 20, 2008

The myth that everyone goes to heaven has gained many followers even in the church.

All Dogs Go to Heaven Debuking the myths of Christianity Luke 16:19-31 There is a growing belief in the church that somehow some way all people wind up in heaven. The movie All dogs go to heaven simply promotes it in a comical way. It seems that we hear less about being lost forever from the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Wesleyan

Strength Through Humility In The Good Soil

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jul 16, 2014

In the parable the seed is sown everywhere without discrimination, representing responses from all people; but in the end, it is only strength through humility that prevails.

This sermon was delivered to St Oswald’s in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 13th July 2014 (a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries). Summary: In the parable the seed is sown everywhere without discrimination, representing responses from all people; but in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Episcopal

If One Should Wander From The Truth Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jul 23, 2012

James tells us what to do with people who wander away from the truth of Christ. 1- Bring them back 2- Remember the good 3- Cover the sins

INTRO.- ILL.- One time a friend from Missiouri visited our church on a Sunday morning. He was a good church member where I formerly preached. He was a hunter and I fished for bass. He use to say to me, “If you’d go turkey hunting with me you’d stop that bass fishing.” What was he saying? Was ...read more

Scripture: James 5:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Smiths

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 29, 2022

Demetrius “Smith” represents someone whose judgement is clouded by selfish desires. Alexander "Smith" represents someone who doesn't want to be alone in his sin; who makes it a point to cause other Christians to stumble.

I’ve entitled our message for this evening, “The Smiths.” Have you heard about the Smiths? Take for instance Zipporah Smith. “Who’s that?” you may say. Well, her husband, Moses, was used by God to deliver the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt. You see, Zipporah was a Kenite, and the word ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:14-16, Acts 19:23-34

Denomination: Baptist

God Has Reason Not To Like Us

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Jun 3, 2024

Understand that Glory and Honor is from Him – it is derived; it is not intrinsic to us. We have no Glory, we have no status apart from what God has given us.

TITLE: GOD HAS REASON NOT TO LIKE US SCRIPTURE: PSALM 8 / JOB 7:17-18 I want to challenge us this morning with an unsettling statement as our thought for the morning – “God Has Reason Not To Like Us.” I will give you a moment to squirm in the pew. This Psalm of David begins and ends with the ...read more

Scripture: Job 7:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Immediately Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 5, 2001

This was done as a dramatic monologue, as if I were Mark; and costumed according to Mark 14:51-52! It makes use of one of Mark’s favorite words, "immediately", and argues that Jesus expects immediate response to His call.

What’s happening? What’s going on here? I came as quickly as I could. If you linger, you will miss Him. He waits for no one. He acts immediately. He is the most urgent person I’ve ever known. He just does not wait for anything. He acts immediately. So, again, what’s happening here? What ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-12, Mark 14:51-52

Denomination: Baptist

The Wonder Of It All

Contributed by Wes Humble on Nov 17, 2006

Christmas message

This week in Columbus Ohio five individuals died in a tragic and senseless manner. I must tell you as I watched the daylong coverage on Fox News and even CNN I found it hard to take seriously the death of someone name after a bag of pot. Dimebag Darrel? His real name was Darrell Abbott; he first ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: *other

Prayer, Treasures And Worry

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 11, 2006

Jesus got to the heart of the matter in regard to prayer, treasures and worry.

INTRO.- ILL.- Dr. Clarence Bass, professor at Bethel Theological Seminary, early in his ministry preached at a church in Los Angeles. He thought he had done quite well as he stood at the door greeting people as they left the church. The remarks about his preaching were complimentary. That is, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ