Sermons on Ministry Struggles:

We Don’t Deserve - And So We Serve Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 26, 2010

Sunday Morning Church is only a pre-game warmup for "real worship". Find out what real worship is all about and why it’s important we not think about it the same way the world does.

OPEN: A Sunday School teacher was teaching her children the benefits of unselfishness. She concluded by saying’ "The reason you are in this world, children, is to help others." After a moment’s silence, a little girl piped up "Well, then, what are the OTHERS here for?" As I studied Romans 12 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Can Make You A "Could-Be" Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 7, 2018

A poem once declared "I'd rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are, because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star." The story of Joseph tells of God's desire to make "could-be" of all His followers.

OPEN: Milton Berle was a comedian a few decades back and he wrote a poem that went like this: “I'd rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are; because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star. I'd rather be a has-been than a might-have-been, by far; for a might-have-been has never been, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:5-11, Genesis 41:39-44, Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This Is What Counts In Life Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 22, 2024

God is in control of your life, my friend. All that you have is a gift of God. Your parents, your family, your marriage, your money, and your breath are all gifts from above.

At the conclusion of today’s message, you will be invited to respond to Jesus’ offer of a clean, fresh start. You can respond by going to the Encourager’s Room, a virtual room, or the altar. Today’s Scripture “After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained ...read more

Scripture: John 3:22-36

Denomination: Baptist

The Lie: God Doesn’t Understand Me Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 8, 2022

Why is that so many people feel like they can't get close to God? And how can I deal with the feeling that God doesn't understand or care about me?

When Elvis Presley died, there were a lot of people who were shocked. In fact, following Elvis’ death, there were a number of young men who idolized him so much that they sought to be like him and to imitate him. One young man, named Dennis Wise, actually had his face surgically altered and had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Common Salvation And Contending Earnestly For The Faith - Jude 1 Verse 3 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 10, 2022

Jude was setting out the points of our common salvation, when the Holy Spirit urged on him the importance and urgency to defend that salvation. That overtook him, and he asked the readers to “contend earnestly” for the faith. He appealed to them to do that.

OUR COMMON SALVATION AND CONTENDING EARNESTLY FOR THE FAITH - Jude 1 verse 3 MESSAGES IN JUDE – MESSAGE 2 Jude 1 v 3 {{Jude 1:3 “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you, appealing that you con-tend earnestly for ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:3, Titus 1:4, 2 Timothy 2:15, Philippians 2:27, Exodus 17:8-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Turning Religious Reluctance-12

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 30, 2019

12 of ? Jesus bore witness of His Messianic identity to a reluctant but religious woman. God’s people bear witness of Jesus’ identity to reluctant religious people. What does it take to turn that religious reluctancy around? Turning religious reluctance to God requires...

TURNING RELIGIOUS RELUCTANCE-XII—John 4:1-42 Turning the Religious Lost Attention: Crossing The Road: There's a man trying to cross the street. As he steps off the curb a car comes screaming around the corner & heads straight for him. The man walks faster, trying to hurry across the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Of The New Testament - Part 7c Series

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Feb 20, 2018

Part 7C, for the purpose of using space coveniently, combines the subjects--although not directly related--of (1) false Christs, prophets, and teachers and (2) various gifts and their accompanying functions.

This 13-part series of classes has been many years in the making. About 25 years ago I began in earnest to examine the features, character and characteristics of the church as it existed in its earliest years. As I sometimes do, I kept my notes all along the way, and this series of classes is to a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:4-8, Acts 18:24-28, 1 Timothy 1:5-7, 2 Corinthians 11:12-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Consecrated For Service Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 16, 2024

If you want to serve God effectively, let Jesus wash, clothe, and anoint you with His Spirit, commit yourself fully to the Lord, and do the little things He puts before you every day.

Linda, who teaches first grade in Dallas Texas, has an interesting job, especially when it comes to helping children adjust to their first whole day of school. Little Ryan was used to going home at noon in kindergarten; so when it was time to go to lunch with the rest of the class, he got his ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 29:1-46, Ephesians 2:8-10, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 1:9, Isaiah 64:6, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Samuel 16:13, Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Timothy 2:21-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Measure Up

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 18, 2018

God asks us to help build His ONE church - and how we measure things can make all the difference in how the local church turns out. What measuring stick does God want us to use in making the right measurements?

(This sermon was preached at our annual “Unity” service, where we bring our English, Spanish, and Burmese churches together for one big worship service. On this occasion, we ordained one Hispanic man to the preaching ministry and another as an Elder for the Hispanic church). OPEN: Years ago I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:12, Mark 16:16, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Will You Give Him Thanks?

Contributed by R.p. Ministries on Nov 23, 2024

This manuscript is to provide reference to give reverence and thanks unto God for everything. The Bible tells us that in everything give thanks.

Sermon Manuscript Title: Will You Give Him Thanks? Text: Luke 17:11-19 (Focus verses: 16-18) Theme: Trusting God Fully and Being Thankful in All Seasons Introduction Good morning, church! It is Thanksgiving season, a time when families gather, communities share, and we reflect on what we are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Bumper Crop Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 11, 2018

Why does God put such an emphasis on giving? He makes you promises of what He'll do if you give cheerfully and generously... but why would He do that?

OPEN: A preacher told his church this story about an airplane trip he’d recently taken from Chicago to California: "I was on the plane when they ran into some very severe turbulence. The plane began to shake terribly and the passengers were getting alarmed. Even the flight attendants were looking ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:5-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Where Is The Lamb? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 5, 2017

When John the Baptist declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God, he was answering a question from Genesis: "Where is the Lamb?" Do you know the importance of that question, and of the idea that Jesus was the Lamb of God?

OPEN: Back in 1970’s, I read about a 78 year old King of a small country in South Africa. What I found interesting was the titles this man had. He was called: • Ngwenyama, or the Lion. • He is also known as the Sun, • the Milky Way, • the Master in Weapons, • the Obstacle to the Enemy, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-37, John 1:29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Burn The Plow And Roast The Cow Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 8, 2021

Why did God choose Elisha to be Elijah's understudy? What characteristics did God admire in this man that we can copy?

OPEN: The story is told of a University professor who told his class he was going to prove that there was not a God. Then he looked up at the ceiling and shouted, “God if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I’ll give you 15 minutes!” He kept taunting God… 5 minutes went ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sign Of Fear Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 26, 2017

The disciples weren't afraid of the storm. And they weren't really afraid of Jesus. What was it that they were afraid of that day? And what did Jesus do to deal with their fear?

I once read the story of a man who was hitch hiking on a very dark night in the middle of a storm. It was late at night and no cars were passing. The storm was fierce and the winds strong he could hardly see a few feet ahead. Suddenly, he saw a car coming towards him and stop. Without further ...read more

Scripture: John 6:15-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Daughter Of The Most High

Contributed by Pastor Renji George on Jan 7, 2026

Like the sandalwood tree that imparts its fragrance to the axe that cuts it, a woman can become a blessing to many (even to the one who harms her) through what she has learnt of God in her sorrows!

The beautiful title a woman can have at any time of her life is ‘daughter’. She can rise up to any level with any impressive titles in her whole life. But ‘daughter’ is the title that assures her security, comfort, hope and belonging. When you are confident that you are not only called but are ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:25-29, Luke 10:39-42, John 4:1-30, Luke 8:43-48, Mark 5:25-34, Matthew 9:20-22, Acts 16:13-15, Romans 16:1-2, Judges 4:1-15, Luke 1:5-25, John 20:1-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal