Sermons on Middle Ground:

Releasing The Shackles

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 22, 2010

Releasing the Shackles. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Reading: chapter 16 verses 11-41 Ill: Harry Houdini, the famed escape artist; • Issued a challenge wherever he went: • He claimed he could be locked in any jail cell in the country, • And set would set himself free and he would do it quickly and easily. • He ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:11-41

Denomination: Brethren

Christian Compassion Risks Others' Criticism

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 10, 2009

To be an effective and compassionate church, we must risk the criticism of those who would like us to do church within our old confines. But not to take risks may cause our best to leave us. This is a time to work for peace, family life, community.

“Something there is that doesn’t love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun; and makes gaps even two can pass abreast.” "Something there is that doesn’t love a wall …” So speaks the poet Robert Frost, reflecting on the ravages of a New ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Same Old Story!!

Contributed by Jofrey Bustamante on Dec 16, 2009

The story of Christmas has always been the same old story, but it has new meanings, every year!

Introduction: “They were too busy. The day was upon them. The day’s bread had to be made. The morning’s chores had to be done. There was too much to do to imagine that the impossible had occurred. God had entered the world as a baby. Yet, were someone to chance upon the sheep stable on the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Emergency 911, "God I Need Your Help Again"

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Jul 7, 2013

Society, has raised to many generations, they have let the accuser allow them to think, that God is somehow unapproachable and to busy to be bothered with anything but the 911 emergencies of life. He not only has the time, but wants to help His children!

Emergency 911, "God I Need Your Help Again" Mal 3:6 MSG 6-7"I am God yes, I Am. I haven't changed. And because I haven't changed, you, the descendants of Jacob, haven't been destroyed. James 1:17 NKJ 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 23:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Present Fruit Of Heavenly Hope Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Nov 14, 2016

The Letter of Paul to the Colossians has very strong significance for the issues which face the Church today. This "prison letter" is a letter of hope and clear teaching on the deity of Jesus.

“The Present Fruit of Heavenly Hope” Colossians 1:1-8 Introduction We are going to take some time to examine Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae, known as one of Paul’s Prison Letters (the others being Ephesians, Philippians and Philemon) ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Reel Talk - Pt. 2 - Fences Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Oct 1, 2017

Movies + Pop Corn + Church = Reel Talk

Reel Talk Pt. 2 - Fences I. Introduction Some of the women in the congregation feel like they have already had a spiritual encounter just cause I showed a little Denzel this morning. The story line is simple . . . A high school star in baseball feels like life has kept him down. Instead of being ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:22-24

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Deity Of Christ Series

Contributed by Mark Connelly on Aug 24, 2011

There is biblical truth worth contending for. Doctrine matters.

Stories to Tell We all have heroes and we all tell stories. We pass down family stories. We look through photo albums and tell the stories. In school we learn the stories of our forefathers. We are story tellers, all of us. And from those stories come our heroes. For the next 4 weeks I’m going ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Happens To Christians When They Die?

Contributed by Jan Oosthuizen on Jul 23, 2021

What Happens to Christians when they die? Is there an afterlife? How do one prepare for it? How is one certain of resurrection?

“PRECIOUS IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINTS” (PS. 116:15) Death is the one thing we are most certain of, yet most ill-prepared. Is there an afterlife? How do one prepare for it? How is one certain of resurrection? All cultures have shown interest in life after death. Egyptians ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:15, 1 Corinthians 15:1-58

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Trumpet Judgments, Part I The First Four Judgments Series

Contributed by Pastor Jeff Hughes on Jan 22, 2014

Revelation 8 sermon on the first four trumpet judgments

The Trumpet Judgments, Part I The Seventh Seal When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Rev 8:1, NKJV J. Vernon McGee in his "Thru the Bible" commentary related this story: "Many years ago I was speaking at a conference to about three or four hundred ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 8:1-13

Denomination: Bible Church

Being There--- My Hands

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Apr 11, 2020

This looks at faithfulness. How important is it to be faithful to your post of duty? Whom shall God send? Can God count on you to standfast at your post of duty. Refuse to take the coward's way and run away? God needs you.

BEING THERE… MY HANDS… By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com WHERE DO WE FIND GOD? I have learned that I find Jesus is some of the strangest. I love to study nature, bees, birds, and ants. I have laid on the ground and watched the ants and been amazed. Linda knew my love of ants ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:8, Matthew 28:1-7, Exodus 17:10-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Paul And Ephesus

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Jul 29, 2019

We hear Paul's letter to the Ephesians like we might overhear someone talking on the phone. We get only half of the conversation. If we are going to understand Paul's teaching we need to learn as much as possible about the circumstances of his readers.

Years ago there was a farmer from a very small village in Germany who was just itching to get out and see something of the world. His big chance came when his nephew got a job on a barge that would sail up the Rhine River to Rotterdam. Even if it only stayed there for one day to drop off one ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-2

The Wedding Planner

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Sep 9, 2019

A study in the book of Genesis 29: 15- 30

Genesis 29: 15 – 30 The Wedding Planner 15 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your wages be?” 16 Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. 17 Leah’s eyes ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:21

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Be Strong In The Lord

Contributed by David Nolte on Mar 7, 2021

We, in our own strength, have no chance in our spiritual warfare

Real strength ? Is not a matter of mere muscle power. ? Is not just brute force. ? Is not determined by how much weight you can lift. ? Is not represented in Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hulk Hogan or even Superman. Strength that matters ? Is a thing of character, will, determination. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Learning To Play Hurt #2 Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 15, 2004

Just think of the examples of sports hero’s that had to play their best games hurt. Well, you may have to learn to keep on even when you are hurt.

LEARNING TO PLAY HURT? (This is part two of a two part series) By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Many of the thoughts and illustrations in this series I adapted from a sermon by Pastor Wayne B. Smith of Lexington, KY. TEXT: John 6:60 THIS IS A HARD SAYING... John 6:66 From that time ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-66

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Baptism

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Nov 30, 2004

The Meaning of Baptism

Acts 2:38-39 October 3, 2004 Baptism Last Easter we baptized 3 young adults & if you remember I preached about the meaning of baptism that Sunday. You may not remember what I said, but you may remember these little vials of water. They have the verse from Acts 2: "Repent and be baptized, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38-39

Denomination: *other