Sermons on Martha Strite:

Where Does God Fit In? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 12, 2020

We're all familiar with the story of Mary and Joseph and the baby in the manger... but where does God fit into the story?

A Sunday School teacher had her students put a manger scene in a corner of her classroom. It was the Christmas season, and her pupils were excited as they set up the model barn and covered the floor with real straw and then arranged the clay figures of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Wise Men, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-45

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Anticipation Of An Invitation Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 24, 2020

Simeon and Anna don’t get much press. They’re never in any of the nativity scenes; they’re not mentioned in any carols and I’ve never seen a Christmas card with them in it. It’s like … they weren’t all that important! But God thought they were. Find out why.

Frances Green was an 83-year-old woman in California who lived by herself, and whose only means of support was her Social Security check. She didn’t have much money, but for 8 years she’d been sending $1 a year to the Republican National Committee. Well, one day Frances got a fund-raising letter ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The King Is Coming Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 2, 2021

Kaiser Wilhelm II entered Jerusalem through the Jaffa gate mounted on a beautiful white horse. Nearly 2000 years before, Jesus had entered Jerusalem through the Eastern gate mounted upon a humble donkey. Two dignitaries entered the same city in two different ways. Why the differences?

OPEN: The last emperor of Germany was Kaiser Wilhelm II and, in 1898 he decided to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. At the time, the once great Jerusalem was in serious need of attention. So 6 months before the Kaiser’s scheduled arrival, the Sultan replaced the mayor of Jerusalem with a more ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Not The Jesus They Wanted Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 10, 2021

The crowds were looking for a Christ who would "remain" and lead them into glorious earthly kingdom, but Jesus was talking about being "lifted up" and not being with them forever. The Jesus they wanted wasn't the Jesus they were getting.

I’m told these were actual answers that children gave in Sunday School: “Noah’s wife was called Joan of Ark.” “The epistles were the wives of the apostles.” “Moses got the 10 Commandments at Mt. Cyanide.” “King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 porcupines.” “The men who followed the Lord were called ...read more

Scripture: John 12:28-43

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Believe In Me, I'll Save The World Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 17, 2021

Jesus gave the people one final notice before focusing on His disciples before going to the cross.  What reasons does Jesus give to believe in Him and how do we need to respond? Check out these thoughts from our Family Minister, Scott Jewell

When I was a child, I had visions of grandeur. I wanted to be the hero who saves the world. I liked watching cartoons about heroes- I got up on Saturday mornings to see Super Friends and Mighty Mouse. On weekdays, I got home from school in time to watch Thundercats and Heman. I like ...read more

Scripture: John 12:44-50

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Funeral For A Great Mom

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 26, 2021

Sarah was a mother/grandmother/great grandmother who deeply loved her family. The message focuses on her sacrifice and love... and her faith in Christ.

I’m going to something today that I NEVER do. I’m going to modify a passage of Scripture, and I’m hoping God will forgive me for that because this rendering fits my message this morning. “An excellent (Mother) who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. She does good, and not harm, all ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Covering God With Our Love Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 11, 2019

I can worship God anywhere... but Psalm 100 talks about "going someplace" to worship. Where should I "go" to worship, and how and why should I worship?

I read the story about a couple named Mary and Jim and their dog 'Lucky.' Lucky was an unusual dog. Whenever company come for a weekend visit Mary and Jim had to warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Best Laid Plans Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 19, 2019

Robert Burns wrote a poetic apology to a mouse for having destroyed its home. How often are we like that mouse when we try to leave God out? What does the Psalmist have to say about finding balance between faith and effort? Check out these thoughts from our Family Minister, Scott Jewell

There’s a popular saying that goes, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” Where does this saying come from? Many attribute this to John Steinbeck’s book- Of Mice and Men, written in 1937. He actually got the title from a poem by Robert Burns- To a Mouse, written in 1786. ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bless The Lord Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 25, 2019

We often think of God blessing us, but what about us blessing God? David gives us some good reasons to bless God. Check out these thoughts from our Family Minister, Scott Jewell.

Read Psalm 103:1-5 Brother Roger, a reformed minister, moved to Taizé, France in 1940 to re-establish a form of monastic communal living that had been a tradition in that area back in medieval times. The community became known as a place for the down and out. In the 60s, young adults began ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

He Leadth Me Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 3, 2019

The Lord is not "the shepherd" and He's not "a shepherd." David says He's MY shepherd. What does that mean for us?

(I started the sermon by singing the first verse of “He Leadeth Me” and then asked the congregation to join me in the chorus) “He leadeth me, O blessed thought! O words with heav’nly comfort fraught! Whate’er I do, where’er I be, still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.’ (CHORUS) He leadeth me, He ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-3, Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Valley Of Shadows Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 10, 2019

In a world that is dominated by those who defy, avoid and simply fear death, David simply says "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil." Why was it that David could be so confident?

OPEN: “Life is short, and death is sure. Sin the cause. Christ the cure.” Vladimir Lenin - the first communist dictator of Russia - died in 1924. Shortly after his death, authorities decided to maintain his body in a mausoleum. So, for the past 95 years Lenin’s body has been on display in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-4, Hebrews 2:14, Hebrews 13:5, Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fill My Cup Lord

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 17, 2019

David believes God will fill his cup to overflowing. But why would God do that, and what does it mean for us today?

OPEN: There’s a beautiful Gospel hymn I’d like you to sing with me “Fill my cup, Lord; I lift it up Lord. Come and quench this thirsting of my soul. Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more. Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.” The last section of the 23rd Psalm talks about God filling ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 19, 2019

This was a funeral for a woman who had struggled with disease for several years. Every time she went to see the doctor she asked her daughter to play the song "Lord, I hope this day is good."

(prior to the sermon the funeral home played the old Country hit “Lord, I hope this day is good.”) OPEN: Kay was a wonderful woman who struggled with a terrible disease that ultimately took her life. Every day that she had to go to see the doctor she’d ask her daughter to play the song we just ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Set Your Feet Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 24, 2019

1st Peter talks about holiness and says we should "set our hope on the grace." What does that mean and how can we know when we've done it?

Henry Ward Beecher was a fiery preacher in the 1800’s and was a strong opponent of slavery. Early in his life, there’s a story about how he became the kind of man that he did. When he was a boy, there was a story about something that happened at school. According to the story… his teacher asked ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Just Like Dad Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 7, 2019

God calls us to be holy as He is holy. But how can I do that? There's no way I can even begin to become like God.

OPEN: A woman was preparing to cash her husband’s paycheck when she realized her husband, hadn't signed it. So, she sent 4-year-old daughter upstairs to "get Daddy's name on the back of it." Her daughter came back downstairs and proudly handed the check back to her mom, and said, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:14-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ