Sermons on Mind Preparation:

The Parable Of The Prodigal Father: A Parable Of Extravagant Love Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Apr 21, 2002

“Prodigal” means extravagant, lavish, unrestrained, and even to the point of being what some would consider being wasteful. Watch the father in this story. It was the father who threw himself into the prodigal land of extravagance and unrestrained love fo

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: In Luke 15, Luke gives a series of three parables in response to the criticism of the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus received unbelieving people and even ate with them. Evidently, His love and vulnerability attracted lost people from all classes and lifestyles. He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

The Barren Temple Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Mar 12, 2003

Christ’s cursing of the fig tree and "cleansing" of the temple caution us about living our lives by mere appearances and trusting in anything other than Jesus.

Appearances can be deceiving. I was reminded of this several years ago when I was waiting in line at a McDonalds with two of my sons. A guy came into McDonalds who looked really suspicious. He had long hair, tattoos everywhere, several body piercings, and he just looked scary. This guy seemed to be ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tune In To God Don't Tune Out!

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 13, 2003

We need to make sure our radio is tuned to God. Samuel tuned into God while Eli tuned God out.

Tune in to God! Don’t Tune Out! Thesis: We need to make sure our radio is tuned to God. Samuel tuned into God while Eli tuned God out. Opening Visual Illustration: Tuning In – Video Clip – Visual Edge, Group. Illustration: There is one interview with a pro football player that stands out in my ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 1 Samuel 3:19-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Top Priority

Contributed by Larry Schoonover on Mar 13, 2003

To be effective in our service for Christ we must identify and realign our "Top Priorities" in life.

"TOP PRIORITY" Text: (Daniel 2:14-24) 3/10/2003 By: Larry L. Schoonover INTRODUCTION: There is no question that our modern society has its priorities all messed up! [Illustration:] In a two-day period in New York City, a homeless man, a train maintenance worker, and a dog were killed on the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:14-24

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of A Healthy Church Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

The gospel has a powerful impact on those who are receptive. Believers are to joyfully share their faith with others – before it’s too late.

Marks of a Healthy Church After the sermon last week, someone came up to me and asked me a question: “If First Thessalonians is one of the shortest and easiest books to understand, why are you taking 14 weeks to preach through it?” I told him that he should be glad I’m not preaching through the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10

Denomination: Baptist

A Model Worth Following Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 19, 2003

Paul and his team authentically modeled the message, focusing on the praise of God, not men. We must do the same and be as gentle as a mother and as firm as a father with those we are hoping to influence.

Marks of a Healthy Church After the sermon last week, someone came up to me and asked me a question: “If First Thessalonians is one of the shortest and easiest books to understand, why are you taking 14 weeks to preach through it?” I told him that he should be glad I’m not preaching through the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming A Servant Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 26, 2003

In contrast to our self-seeking ways, Jesus is the personification of servanthood. Just as He came to serve and not to be served, we’re expected to do the same. Becoming a servant means that we swim against the cultural current and follow the model of t

Becoming a Servant Q. What do you call a chicken crossing the road? A. Poultry in motion. Q. What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t work? A. A stick. Q. What do you call four bullfighters in quicksand? A. Quatro sinko. Q. Where do you find a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28, John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

"The Cry For Freedom" Series

Contributed by Mike Hays on Mar 28, 2003

Today we begin one of the most exciting and rewarding journeys that any follower of Jesus can ever take...a journey through Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia.

The Cry For Freedom! An Introduction To Paul’s Letter To The Churches in Galatia There is a struggle for freedom that is taking place today that affects the lives of every man, woman, boy, and girl. There is a cry for freedom that rings out from the human heart all across the planet. If you will ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are You Plugged In To Celebrate God's Goodness? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Mar 31, 2003

When God’s people returned to Jerusalem after nearly a century of exile, they found their city in ruins. The Temple of God–where they believed God lived–was destroyed. This is a story about how God’s people plugged in to His supernatural power.

Are You Plugged in to Celebrate God’s Goodness? Ezra 3:10-13 by Dr. David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION I have a light here, but it’s not doing what it was created to do. It’s not shining. The reason it isn’t fulfilling its purpose for existence is because it isn’t plugged in to a source of power. I’ve ...read more

Scripture: Ezra 3:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Bible Prophecy For Dummies Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 3, 2003

Jesus’ prophetic teachings in Luke 17 are broken down into events that will occur on the Day of the Lord, explanations of God’s present and future Kingdom, the state of world conditions, the ensuing judgment and final warnings from the Savior.

Bible Prophecy for Dummies Luke 17:20-37 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION In 1991 a new kind of how-to book appeared on bookstore shelves. Many bookstores refused to carry the book because they thought the title was insulting to their customers. But most of us are willing to admit we are dummies ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:20-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Conspiracy Of Kindness

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 3, 2003

Showing kindness to others is not only God’s command, but it also is the character of God. Perform acts of kindness toward strangers who cannot repay you and do it in Jesus’ name instead of your own.

The Conspiracy of Kindness Ephesians 4:29-32 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION This world could use a little more kindness and love. Judson College in Alabama is a Baptist college for women. A few years ago, the chaplain from Judson told about the time he was leading in prayer in the all-female ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29-32

Denomination: Baptist

What Is God Really Like? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 4, 2003

Like the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son, God regrets your rebellion but loves you so much he will let you walk out of fellowship with him. But He is also a God who runs to you when you return and restores you when you repent.

What is God Really Like? Luke 15:11-24 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION What is God really like? Some people think the most important question of life is “Do you believe in God?” But a more important question is “What kind of God do you believe in?” There is something worse than being an atheist - ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

Family T.i.m.e. Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 9, 2003

God says we should treasure time as a valuable commodity. The Bible gives us some great insight into how time can become your friend rather than your enemy.

Family T.I.M.E. Psalm 90:1-2, 4, 10, 12 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION One of my favorite stories is about the man who worked at a factory. One of his main jobs was to blow the factory whistle at 5:00 to indicate the workday was over. He walked to work each day and passed a jewelry store where a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-2, Psalm 1:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

How Halloween Can Help Christians

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Oct 27, 2001

Halloween reminds Christians of several things and what we can do to help others think about death and life

How Halloween Can Help Christians By Rev. Andrew Chan, Senior Pastor, PBC, Vancouver, BC 16 So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new-moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules were only shadows of the real thing, Christ ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Born To Serve

Contributed by Terry Vaughan on Nov 8, 2001

Whom do we serve, where do we serve and how do we serve the Lord. Learn five things about our ability, longevity, reliability, stability and our daily walk with Christ) that will help us better serve the Lord.

WESTSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH PASTOR: TERRY VAUGHAN SERMON TITLE: BORN TO SERVE “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-28

Denomination: Baptist