Sermons on Mature Thinking:

"o Come, O Come, Emmanuel" Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Dec 16, 2018

I have always wanted to so an Advent series based on traditional Christmas carols/hymns. We've gotten so used to them that I think we miss the depth of the theology contained within in them. One of the most ancient is the beautiful hymn that contains the ancient names of Jesus.

I love the way that Pastor and author Robert J. Morgan describes hymns: “Hymns help us praise God. They’re shafts of brilliant sunlight through the clouds. They provide an almost mystical connection with the endless anthems of praise raising at this very moment before the heavenly throne. They ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 11:1

Denomination: United Methodist

God's Purpose For Us

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Feb 20, 2022

These verses show that God's purpose is to provide good for those who love Him and are the called. So what does it mean: "called according to His purpose"? I think the context of this statement provides the answer.

Alba 2-20-2022 GOD'S PURPOSE FOR US Romans 8:26-30 Purpose, it is important in life isn't it. You find it everywhere. There is even a website called onpurpose.org. Its founder and CEO, Tom Tippin made the following statement: “We believe in putting purpose before profit. We're a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Dead Dog Image

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 27, 2022

A dead dog is a very unpleasant image to think about. But, if any of us live in fear on a daily basis, the dead dog we see is ourselves. Mephibosheth had an encounter with fear; and thereafter, looked upon himself as a dead dog.

Back when I was in college, a friend and I used to go cave exploring as often as possible. Sometimes we went caving about twice a week. One evening we followed a lead for a new cave that we heard about, one that was in the top of a ridge and was supposed to be really huge. When someone tells you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 4:4, 2 Samuel 9:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Bridge Builders (January 14, 2018 Second Sunday After Epiphany)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Nov 4, 2021

What is a priest? One way to think about what a priest does is to compare them to being a bridge builder. Why that analogy? A bridge connects pieces of land that are geographically separated, much like a priest helps people connect with God.

BRIDGE BUILDERS (January 14, 2018 Second Sunday after Epiphany) Text: I Samuel 3:1-10 1 Samuel 3:1-10  Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD under Eli. The word of the LORD was rare in those days; visions were not widespread.  (2)  At that time Eli, whose eyesight had ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

(Now Faith)

Contributed by Derrick White Sr on May 11, 2017

IT`S NOW FAITH…THAT MOVES US BEYOND THE OLD WAY OF THINKING AND IT ALLOWS US TO BELIEVE THAT GOD IS ABLE TO DO WHAT HE CHOOSES TO DO WHEN HE CHOOSES TO DO IT AND HOW HE CHOOSES TO DO IT

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) Now faith Isaiah 40:8 (KJV) The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. VERY BRIEFLY THIS MORNING I WANT TO REASON WITH YOU ON THE THOUGHT (NOW FAITH) NOW FAITH …THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPE FOR NOW FAITH …THE THINGS WE EXPECT ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1

Denomination: Baptist

(A Cure For A Troubled Heart)

Contributed by Derrick White Sr on May 15, 2017

BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE A TROUBLED HEART –YOU CAN`T THINK STRAIGHT A TROUBLED HEART WILL KEEP YOU UP ALL NIGHT LONG AND YOU CAN BUY MEDICINE OVER THE COUNTER FOR EVERYTHING EXCEPT A TROUBLED HEART

John 14:1-3 (KJV) 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Number One Distinguishing Mark Of A Leader

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Mar 20, 2017

The #1 distinguishing mark of a leader. Leaders understand the value of vision. “We are not just going to stumble into success. Luck has nothing to do with it. Success happens when you walk in right behavior and right thinking.” P.H.

Number One Distinguishing Mark Of A Leader Nehemiah 2:17-18NKJB Nehemiah 2:17-18NKJB Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:17-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Who Is This Man?

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jul 3, 2018

Ministry is filled with interruptions. Unseen & unplanned events occur while we head towards what we think we are suppose to be doing. God presents opportunities to turn these interruptions into displays of His Grace and Love. Yes it is about the journey.

Who is this man? Mark Chapter 5 Team building is a very important element in leadership. The Team needs clear objectives and purpose. In our time that has translated into "Mission Statements". These are often too wordy or broad to capture the essence of just what the goals are. Jesus was the ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Reward Of Easter

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Mar 31, 2016

Because of what He did for us, we can have; Forgiveness for our sins, Eternal life, Health and Healing in our bodies, Prosperity and abundant life, Joy and every other Blessing, that only God can think of!

The Reward of Easter! Illus. by Andrew Chan A Sunday School teacher asked her class on the Sunday before Easter if they knew what happened on Easter and why it was so important. One little girl spoke up saying: "Easter is when the whole family gets together, and you eat turkey and sing about the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:2-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Suicide, - No Mercy, Or Is There Hope? Thats The The Burning Question

Contributed by Coz Von on Apr 14, 2016

Reason with me: Being haunted by multiple personalities, a schizophrenic can lose the ability to reason, How can God, who is just, condemn someone who is incapable of reasoning - Think about it, which one of the personalities would Be condemned.

Disclaimer: These are the views of the writer, every person should draw his own conclusions based on his own study! Reason with me: Being haunted by multiple personalities, a schizophrenic can lose the ability to reason, How can God, who is just, condemn someone who is incapable of reasoning - ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:31-33, Joshua 31:6, Isaiah 49:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Turning Point In The Ministry Of Jesus

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 2, 2016

When we set out with Jesus, we can hardly begin to understand what paths He might lead us down to get to our destination. It is not always what we think, but we must implicitly trust Him.

A TURNING POINT IN THE MINISTRY OF JESUS. Luke 9:51-62. “When the days were being fulfilled for the receiving up of Jesus, He set his face like a flint to go to Jerusalem” (LUKE 9:51). There is a sense of divine destiny about this statement, yet what does it mean? At first we are reminded of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Three In One, Body, Blood And Spirit

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Oct 11, 2016

Think of it everywhere Jesus walked that day He would have seen the blood being applied to homes in Jerusalem. A constant reminder of what was to come for Him but He kept walking toward it and even celebrated it with His disciples. Communion Passover

Three in One, Body, Blood and Spirit World Communion Sunday Lamentations 3:19-24 Today we celebrate Holy Communion with Christians around the world. The tradition was begun in 1933 by Rev. Hugh Thomson Kerr who ministered in the Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Source: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:17-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Study Of Psalm 39 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jan 22, 2018

David understood what it took to live fully for God. Even under Godly discipline he knew God's ways were better than his. What would our lives look like if we adopted the same thinking?

A Study of Psalm 39 Psalm 39 Introduction - Wed night format; opportunity to study together from our homes -- Re: Invite someone else to join in - not an exclusive study for "just LFC" - Psalms are songs of praise and words of encouragement/warning - We are studying book 1, Psalm 1-41 … ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 39:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Now? Series

Contributed by James Hays on Apr 16, 2020

In times of uncertainty, fear and anxiety can dominate our thinking to the point of spiritual inaction. God's word gives us direction for even our daily lives. Redeem the time, make use of every opportunity - intentionally.

OPEN: Habakkuk 3:17-19 A. Habakkuk is facing uncertain times. 1. a time of questions / fear / unknown. 2. the enemy is coming, what is really going to happen? 3. He knows God is mighty, knows God cares but doesn't know how it is all going to play out. B. Habakkuk offers some ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Know You Are Saved

Contributed by Grant Adams on May 3, 2020

One of the birthrights that God gives to each one of his children is the assurance of their Salvation. I can't think of anything more important in the Christian life than knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have eternal life.

One of the birthrights that God gives to each one of his children is the assurance of their Salvation. I can't think of anything more important in the Christian life than knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have eternal life. Someone once told me, “If Satan cannot get you to drink, he ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:10-13

Denomination: Baptist