Sermons on Metaphor:

How To Dwell In Jesus’ Love Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 2, 2009

To be connected to the Vine means that the life of Jesus is flowing in us & through us, & this leads to fruitfulness. Fruitfulness will be the inevitable outcome of an inner spiritual life with Jesus.

JOHN 15: 7-11 HOW TO ABIDE [DWELL] IN JESUS’ LOVE [John 8: 31-35] We have learned that fruit-bearing is a byproduct of abiding in Christ for as Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (15:5b). Having an inner relationship with Jesus (as a branch is nourished and strengthened by a vine), ...read more

Scripture: John 15:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

Thankful Sheep

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Nov 19, 2009

We should be thankful today because we have a Good Shepherd who provides for us in every way.

Thankful Sheep Text: Psalm 23 Introduction 1. Illustration: A little boy offered up a Thanksgiving Day prayer for the family and prayed: "Dear God, this is Jimmy. Thank you for Thanksgiving and Christmas and all of the holidays. Thank you for the turkey and dressing and Mom and Dad and even for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

A Prayer For The Church Family Series

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Apr 2, 2007

This prayer serves as a model for us in prayer, both in praying for ourselves and praying for others in the family of God. This three phase prayer builds, each phase upon the previous, culminating in a request that God’s ultimate goal be reached in us.

A Prayer For The Church Family Ephesians 3:14-19 One of the best ways to discover a Christian’s chief anxieties and ambitions is to study the content of their prayers and the intensity with which they pray them. We all pray about what concerns us and we are evidently not concerned about matters we ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Greatest Show On Earth

Contributed by Tony Myles on May 5, 2007

Much like a circus tent move from town to town, so does Jesus "tabernacle" with us. What happens when we lean a bit further into three key events in Jesus’ life when He did move about on this earth? What might that tell us about God? His love? You and

The Greatest Show On Earth: Three Rings (The metaphor of a circus was used in this series to describe three "rings" of Jesus life and how they each impact us) Ring One: The Incarnation (a.k.a. “What if God was one of us?”) John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: *other

Spirituality - Part Of The Life God Blesses Series

Contributed by Jason Pettibone on May 14, 2007

Spirituality is a term that is much used and equally misunderstood in our time. In the broadest sense, when we define spirituality, we think of that person who is intent on the qualities of soul, whose life is not centered on physical matters such as owni

Series - “Preparing to Prosper” “God loves to bless His children!” That is the declaration of the Bible, a promise that we can live by. In this series of messages, my aim has been to teach how we position ourselves to stand in the flow of God’s blessing, to live in a way that is prosperous, not ...read more

Scripture: John 3:3-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Drama Of Christma

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

Matthew presents what Fred Craddock calls "the hard side of Christmas." But in a world that is getting increasing smaller and tremendously more urban, its message may be more relevant to us than the others for Matthew has a Christmas message for the city.

The Drama of Christmas Matthew 1-2 In our day there is a cultural and social battle over the meaning of Christmas. The battle has extended from the schoolyard to the courtyard. However, the battle over Christmas has not only impacted schools and public places. The struggle over the meaning of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fishing In Our Own Pond

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

The call for the disciples to be witnesses in Jerusalem was the call for them to go fishing in their own pond. It remains the call for us to fish our own ponds, to be a witness within the network of relationships God has placed us, to capture the hearts a

Fishing In Your Own Pond Acts 1:8 The call to be witnesses was a call to go fishing in our own ponds, to be a witness within the network of relationships God has placed us, to capture the hearts and souls of family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and acquaintances, and spiritually reel them ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Running On Empty

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Feb 8, 2007

It is imperative for those in spiritual leadership to spend time in personal prayer.

RUNNING ON EMPTY TEXT: Amos 4:4; 5:4-6 Amos 4:4 -- "Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:" Amos 5:4-6 -- "For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:" ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Going Through A Long Dark Tunnel

Contributed by Monty Newton on Oct 14, 2006

It takes faith to keep trying... to keep believing God is active in yourlife.

20061015 19th Sunday after Pentecost B Slide 1 Title: Going Through a Long, Dark Tunnel Text: Job 23:1-10 Slide 2 Thesis: It takes faith to keep trying… to keep believing God is active in our lives. Introduction Tunnels… The Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel is located on the Continental ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Nativity Story: Love Was Born On Christmas

Contributed by C. Raymond Van Pletsen on Oct 27, 2006

God is love and so, when Jesus was born love entered into human history in a new and unique way. When a person believes in Jesus, love is birthed in him or her by God the Spirit as a by-product of the eternal life of Christ. That’s the message of Chri

LOVE WAS BORN ON CHRISTMAS Luke 2:1-20 THE IDEA God is love and so, when Jesus was born love entered into human history in a new and unique way. When a person believes in Jesus, love is birthed in him or her by God the Spirit as a by-product of the eternal life of Christ. That’s the message of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Realistic Humanism Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 28, 2006

Our chief purpose in being human is to love God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength. How can we do that after the fall? Through God’s power, through God’s Holy Spirit, given to all who have faith in Jesus Christ.

What is it that God desires of us as men and women? Why has he made us in his image? What’s our reason for being here? There are probably a number of answers that someone might give to those questions. The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks: "What is the chief end of man?", then gives the answer: ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-24

Denomination: Anglican

Jehovah Rophe Series

Contributed by Chip Van Emmerik on Nov 2, 2006

We all face disappointments, discouragements in life, even great tragedy. Why does God allow these things into our lives? There were times when Israel faced life threatening circumstances as well, and God’s dealings at these times provide insight for us.

Open I want you to think back to Saturday, May 20, 1978. What, you can’t remember that day? Most of us have no idea what we were doing that day. I was only 7 years old. Some of you were not even born yet. For millions of people it was just another day. But for John and Brnda Vaughn, it was a day ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is Jesus Right Now?

Contributed by Trevor Woodget on May 18, 2007

Ascension of Jesus to encourage our mission and witness for him

Acts 01:01-11 Basingstoke 20th May 2007 Where is Jesus Right now?? I expect you’ve seen the film, “Forrest Gump.” Where Tom Hanks plays a slow witted southern man by whose simplicity, good-heartedness, and good luck, moves from an obscure childhood to become a millionaire shrimping tycoon. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing Jesus Through The Holy Spirit: The Day Of Pentecost Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 29, 2007

For the Day of Pentecost, on the Holy Spirit, prayer, and the reality that God doesn’t do what I want Him to do...

Seeing Jesus Through The Holy Spirit: The Day of Pentecost Acts 2:1-13 May 27, 2007 Call To Worship Time: Acts 2:1-13 (NLT): “On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Risen... Believe It Or Not!

Contributed by Greg Hanson on Feb 19, 2007

Because Jesus rose from the dead, I can have confidence, I can have new life, I can be forgiven, and I can have hope.

Let me give you a quiz. Take your pen and look at the notes you would have found in your Sunrise Update this morning. At the top you’ll see a series of dates. Each one is a specific date in history when something significant happened. Some are easier than others. Just take a few seconds, scan the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-20

Denomination: Wesleyan