Sermons on Midnight Oil:

"Freedom In A Prison Cell"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on May 4, 2010

Are we able to rejoice, even when the times get rough? Or does our faith depend on everything “going our way?” There is a cotton-candy like view of Christianity that promises all health and wealth, but it melts away when reality strikes.

Acts 16:16-34 “Freedom in a Prison Cell” There is a lot to be learned from the example of Christians who live in third-world countries, and don’t have the freedom we might often take for granted. Will Willimon tells the story of a Bishop from Angola who came to visit America a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: United Methodist

Are Stores Open Thanksgiving Deserving Of Wide Scale Divine Retribution?

Contributed by Frederick Meekins on Nov 17, 2014

Are Stores Open Thanksgiving Deserving Of Wide Scale Divine Retribution?

Granted, retailers opening on Thanksgiving might not have been the most family-friendly or magnanimous gesture in relation to their employees. However, the response on the part of certain theologians and critics might have gone a bit overboard. In particular, one such condemnation intoned that ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:9-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Thankful, Even In The Hard Times

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Nov 20, 2014

Paul writes to the church and to us that we can be content and happy and thankful, even in the hard times in our lives. Jesus models this thankfulness even when death on a cross is eminent.

Giving Thanks, Even In The Hard Times Philippians 4: 10-13 Intro: The day before Thanksgiving an elderly man in Phoenix called his son in New York and said to him, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; 45 years of misery is enough. We’re sick ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

"Come Clean"

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Jan 26, 2017

To find my freedom in Christ, I need to openly examine and confess my faults to God, to myself, and to someone I trust.

In this series, we're taking the word "Recovery" and using each letter to represent steps that help us get unstuck from the habits that overtake us, the hang-ups that overwhelm us, and the hurts that overshadow us. R - realize. Realize I'm powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Another Lesson On Prayer Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 15, 2017

It was the custom of our Lord to get alone to pray. One of His disciples must have overheard Him pray, and now had a desire to pray like Christ prayed.

Judea Lesson: Another Lesson on Prayer Luke 11:1-13 1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. 2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Storyteller - The Parables Of Jesus: Secrets To Praying With Power

Contributed by C Jordan on Aug 18, 2015

In Jesus’ trilogy of parables on prayer, we learn three secrets to praying with power: having an urgent boldness, a hopeful perseverance, and a humble attitude.

THE STORYTELLER: THE PARABLES OF JESUS #6: THREE SECRETS TO PRAYING WITH POWER OPENING HYMN: What a Friend we Have in Jesus JUST FOR FUN – CHILDREN’S PRAYERS: • Dear God, I went to this wedding and they were kissing right there in church. Is that OK? • Dear God, thank You ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13, Luke 18:1-14

Denomination: *other

“it Means Getting Out Of The Boat!” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Nov 5, 2012

If we are going to be more like Jesus, we must learn to walk by faith.

Jesus had just fed 5,000 men, besides women and children with 2 fish and 5 barley loaves. The people who benefited from this miracle sought to make Jesus their king (John 6:15), but this wasn’t the Father’s plan, so Jesus sent the disciples away in a boat while He dispersed the crowd. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

#4 Parable Of The Widow Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Jul 26, 2021

Prayer is a sign of a relationship and trust in the Lord's love

This week we begin a summer series entitled, Tell Me A Story. “Tell me a Story” is a simple and shorter way to reference Jesus' use of parables. A parable is a relatable way to share a moral or spiritual lesson. Storytelling forges connections among people, between people and ideas, and they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8, Luke 11:1-13, John 5:14-16, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bible Authority For The Lord's Supper

Contributed by Robert Webb on Sep 6, 2021

The Bible by direct statement and example authorizes us to partake of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week.

Having bible Authority means we recognize certain obligations. These obligations produce action in our lives. As children of God we have the obligation to spread the gospel, to edify the church, to save souls and to help those in need. The Bible by direct statement and example authorizes us to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Acts 20:6-7, Deuteronomy 16:3-4, Matthew 26:26-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Shipwreck Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Jul 21, 2025

Worship God in the midst of your shipwreck, thank Him for the good He is doing in your life, and allow it to be an opportunity for great joy!

SHIPWRECK Text: Acts 27:27-44 Introduction 1. Shipwreck Flooded by the wind of doubt Shipwreck It seems there will be no way out Stranded in a wretched place Where is the grace that once could be found? (Shipwreck, Paul Clark). 2. So far, we have talked about God being with us in the storm. But is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:27-44

Denomination: Methodist

Unstoppable - True Authentic Worship Series

Contributed by Joseph Rodgers on Dec 10, 2018

The 10th message in a series on the book of Acts

Unstoppable – Worship in the Spirit 11/19/17 Acts 16:16-34 Sunday AM There’s much confusion today about worship. Should we sing w/ the lights on or off? Do we sing w/ a choir/orchestra or w/ a band? Do we sing hymns or contemporary songs? But what if worship had nothing to do w/ ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Baptist

Empty Vessels

Contributed by Timothy Cooley, Sr. on Jun 1, 2007

Borrowing empty vessels made room for the promised fullness and provided a legacy for her boys.

Empty Vessels We don’t know his name. He was a poor, young Bible school student, inspired by Elijah, instructed by Elisha, and called of the Lord. He studied, practiced preaching and served wherever he could. Times were tough. Jezebel’s false prophets were well paid. The true prophets of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Holiness

From Rags To Riches

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 16, 2014

When the curtain lifts on 2 Kings Chapter 4, we see a scene of misery, poverty, and despair. But, as the story progresses, the widow, who is one of the main characters, finds her way from rags to riches.

1-14-05 Title: From Rags to Riches Text: “” (2 Kings 4:7) Bible Reading: 2 Kings 4:1-7 Introduction I want begin today with a joke about preachers. One Sunday a woman thanked the pastor for his sermon. The pastor tried to be humble and replied, “Don’t thank me, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Want Whine Wit Dat Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jul 26, 2017

A study of the Gospel of John 12: 1 – 8

John 12: 1 – 8 Want Whine Wit Dat 1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took a ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Empowered By ’the Holy Spirit’ Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 29, 2011

Among Christians there is also a genuine diversity of experience of the Holy Spirit’s empowering work. Some Christians have a clear initiatory experience of the power of the Holy Spirit that launches them into effective empowered ministry. Others have mor

Opening illustration: A few believers say, "Draw me," but resist running with the Lord as a partner with Him in His work in the earth. The Holy Spirit does not draw us so we can hang up a "Do Not Disturb" sign and sit in our little comfort zone, only singing love songs to Jesus the rest of our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational