Sermons on Merit:

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 16, 2006

Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They’re the only ones who can take it."

Why Does God Allow Suffering? by Paul Fritz James 1:2-1:3 Suffering - To experience adverse effects of something unpleasant. To feel pain, grief or discomfort. Illustration:Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They’re the only ones who can take ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Baptism In The Holy Spirit

Contributed by George Rennau on Sep 26, 2006

God’s Spirit and God’s word always agree. In spite of someone experience we have to follow the WORD.

THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT THIS MORNING I WANT TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT GOD’S EMPOWERING PRESENCE Some of the thoughts I will Share were inspired by Dr. George Wood AS a Pentecostal… I believe that the Holy Spirit Empowers US 1. deepening our worship to the lord by giving us a language of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Motivation: It's The Bottom Line! Series

Contributed by Johann Neethling on Oct 14, 2006

Christian disciples seek to live their lives for an audience of ONE. God’s opinion, God’s approval or disapproval is ultimately all that matters. The applause of heaven is the deciding factor in their life.

MOTIVATION: IT’S THE BOTTOM LINE! Matthew 6:1-18 1. A father wrote a letter to apologize to a certain young man for not allowing him to marry his daughter. The letter went as follows: Dear Marty, I have been unable to sleep since I broke off your engagement to my daughter. Will you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

Come Up Hither!

Contributed by Don Spooner on Jul 13, 2001

After being in the Spirit the apostle John was invited to "Come Up Hither" to the throne of God.

The apostle John had spent his life preaching the gospel and in his old age, about 62 years after the cruxificion, he had been banished to the isle of Patmos. He gives the reason for his imprisonment, "For the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ." Life was not easy in this Roman ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-2, Revelation 1:9-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Is God's Grace Cheap?

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Jul 22, 2001

The nature of God’s grace does not give us an excuse to sin.

In the preceding chapters of the Epistle to the Romans, Paul has shown that salvation is purely of grace (undeserved kindness). Because we are saved by grace we can know that our salvation is eternally secure. But there are many who do not believe in the doctrine of eternal security (maybe ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Contrasting Pharisaical Values And Christlike Love

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 20, 2001

Contrasting Pharisaical Values and Christlike Love - Matt. 9:11,12

Contrasting Pharisaical Behavior and Christ Like Love - Matthew 9:11,12 1. Pharisaical Values Were Rooted in Their Traditions and Rigidity versus Christ’s Values were rooted in Loving the Lord with all of one’s heart, soul, strength, and mind which motivated one to love one’s neighbor as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:11-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Secured To The Dock

Contributed by Brian Shelley on Sep 3, 2001

If, in your spiritual immaturity, you go back to your old religion, expect that God will keep you there.

Hebrews 5:11-6:20 Secured to the Dock Intro William Hazlitt, 19th century English essayist said, “When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest. If Hazlitt was right, this will be one of the most interesting sermons I will ever preach because it comes ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Difference Does Christmas Make?

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 25, 2001

What is the significance of Christmas?

Good morning and Merry Christmas! Welcome to WestShore Community Church. Now, when you hear "happy holidays", what does that refer to? [Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Ramadan, Hindus - Pancha Ganapati, Buddhists - Bodhi Day (Dec. 8), Seinfeld - "Festivus", Christmas]. But this year, all of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Demons--Dominions Of Darkness

Contributed by David Anderson on May 4, 2001

Demons are real and can tempt believers or take over unbelievers. Christ is our only sure defense against their power.

Sermon: "DOMINIONS OF DARKNESS" Anderson Deut. 18:15-20; 1 Co. 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28 + + + We’re going to listen again to some provocative words as they are recorded in our Gospel text for today: 23 "Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:23-24

Denomination: Lutheran

The Ass With 20/20 Vision

Contributed by Howard Flynn on May 17, 2001

To lose your vision is a tragedy, but to restore it is a blessing.

Come with me in your imagination to the battlefield of Saratoga in New York where in 1777 two battles of the Revolutionary War took place. You will notice on that battlefield an obelisk or pillar standing as a monument to what happened there. At the base are four deep niches for the bronze figures ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-3

Denomination: Adventist

Freedom

Contributed by Brent Williams on Jun 7, 2001

The Gospel of Christ gives us Freedom. A study of Christ’s Gospel proclaims 4 things: Self Realization, Upward Search, Challenge, and Hope.

“Freedom” John 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Intro: In these two verses Jesus told us that we could be set free if we would hold to his teachings. ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

How Jesus Approached The Proud And The Humble

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

It is pride which has been the chief cause of misery in every nation and every family since the world began. - C. S. Lewis God pickles the proud and preserves the foolish.

How Jesus Approached the Proud and the Humble (Luke 7:36-50) The Lord Jesus was the Master of approaching people at the point of their need and their level of receptivity. He knew how to move from a person’s felt need to their perceived need to their human need as a gateway to their spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Our heavenly Father knows what is best even when He allows us to go through dark valleys of suffering.

Suffering - To experience adverse effects of something unpleasant. To feel pain, grief or discomfort. Illustration:Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They’re the only ones who can take it." Unknown. "Although the world is full of suffering, it is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Is Your Center?

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Oct 18, 2000

When I told friends and acquaintances in Minnesota that I was moving to New Jersey, one of the commonest responses was, "How close will you be to Atlantic City?" This seemed to me to be an odd reaction, it certainly isn't something I'm particularly attuned to.

When I told friends and acquaintances in Minnesota that I was moving to New Jersey, one of the commonest responses was, "How close will you be to Atlantic City?" This seemed to me to be an odd reaction, it certainly isn't something I'm particularly attuned to. But now every time I turn the corner ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Do You React To Suffering

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

How Do You React to Suffering? - Rom. 8:18

How Do You React To Suffering? - Rom. 8:18 Illustration:Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful, with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational