Sermons on miserable sinners:

Finding The Faith Of Our Heroes - Part 9: Never Give Up On God! Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Oct 21, 2023

Never give up on God because... 1. He can break giant barriers down (vs. 30). 2. He can turn sinners into saints (vs. 31). 3. He can turn us into godly heroes (vs. 32-35a). 4. He gives us strength when we suffer (vs. 35b-38). 5. He promises us a perfect ending (vs. 39-40).

Finding the Faith of Our Heroes Part 9: Never Give Up on God! Hebrews 11:30-40; Joshua 2:1-13; Joshua 5:13-15; Joshua 6:1-5 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared October 21, 2023) BACKGROUND: *We have been going through Hebrews 11 to study the faith of our Old Testament heroes. And through them all, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:30-40, Joshua 2:1-13, Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua 6:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas - A Time Of Lights Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 10, 2007

John was the witness to the Light. What was that light, and what does John’s testimony tell us about our role in Christmas?

OPEN: A Nashville grandfather took his four-year old grandson out in the woods to select a Christmas tree. They tramped all over, but the boy couldn’t find a tree that suited him. Finally, it began to get dark and cold, and the grandfather shook his head and said: "We’ll HAVE to take the next ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Retribution Of God And Combatting Injustice – The Delicate Balance Of Judgment And Mercy – Part 3 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 11, 2023

For human beings the delicate balance between judgement AND mercy is very hard to maintain and we err one way or the other. God has it absolutely correct. Part 3 looks at that problem, as well as the vengeance and retribution of God. We cover various aspects. “Vengeance is Mine.”

THE RETRIBUTION OF GOD AND COMBATTING INJUSTICE – THE DELICATE BALANCE OF JUDGMENT AND MERCY – PART 3 THE DELICATE BALANCE OF JUDGMENT AND MERCY – CAN HUMAN BEINGS HANDLE IT? One of the mysteries we only partly understand as Christians is what I might call the balancing of the judgment of God ...read more

Scripture: James 2:13, Ephesians 2:3-6, Psalm 17:6-9, Psalm 35:4-5, Psalm 31:3-4, Psalm 9:16, Psalm 7:14-16, Deuteronomy 32:35, Hebrews 10:30, Psalm 137:7-9, Revelation 6:9-11, Revelation 6:16-17, Psalm 139:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Will All Good People Be Saved? Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Nov 4, 2015

To establish that all good people will be saved only due to their faith and obedience to God. Cornelius’ religious piety and righteousness did not save him. He had to hear, believe, and obey the gospel of Christ.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Cornelius’ Character 2. Cornelius’ Commendation 3. Cornelius’ Conversion Remarks. Introductory Remarks. 1. In this gathering, we will discuss the theme: “Will all good people be saved?” It is not our purpose to deny anyone entrance into the kingdom of God. However, God ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-48, Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Man After God's Own Heart? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 14, 2018

David committed adultery, and murder by proxie. And God brought a terrible but just judgment upon him that was rightly deserved. But then in Acts 13 we read that David was a man after God's own heart. How can that be?

This sermon series is what I call “Comeback Kings.” It describes the lives of people in Scripture who had had potential for greatness, but whose lives were shattered because of something they or others had done. Ultimately, though they achieved victory from lives of defeat and became “comeback ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Acts 13:22, 2 Peter 3:9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Friends In High Places Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 18, 2014

What impressed Jesus in this story was the faith of the men who'd brought their friend to him - a friend who was crippled and lived in a low place of life. The phrase is "Jesus saw their faith." What does that mean? And what can it mean to us?

A few years back, Garth Brooks came out with a popular Country and Western song called: “I’ve Got Friends In Low Places” How many of you have ever heard the song? (when most of them raised their hands, I stage whispered: “Pagans”) It has a catchy tune, but it is NOT a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rules Are Rules Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 1, 2014

The Pharisees of Jesus' day died long ago. But their spirit lives on in congregations across the land. How can we recognize if we have become like the Pharisees, and what did Jesus teach us about what we need to know to avoid becoming like those men?

(Before reading the text I noted that the stories in this section of Mark detailed the conflict between Jesus and a religious group known as the Pharisees… and I emphasized the word "Pharisees" as I read through the text) OPEN: Back in the 1980’s, the Minnesota Twins had this ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Kiss Of God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 11, 2013

Warren Buffett believed his donation of $37 billion dollars to the Gates Foundation would buy him a place in heaven? Is that possible? Can we buy our way into heaven? Can we work our way in? Or is there another way?

OPEN: A man and wife were sitting in their living room when they noticed their neighbor across the street pull up in to his drive. He stepped out of the car with flowers in his hand, met his wife at the door and laid a passionate kiss on her. As they watched all this play out across the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Playing God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 15, 2023

There are 1000s of different churches with their various views on baptism. Can they all be right? Probably not, but why aren't they all "right"?

There was an antique collector passing through a small village when he saw an old man chopping wood with an ancient ax. “That’s a mighty old ax you have there,” he remarked. “Yep,” said the villager, “it once belonged to George Washington.” “George Washington??? Not really!" gasped the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lot – Part 2 – A Lot Of Trouble For God – For Abraham – And For Himself – Genesis 13 – 14 - Lot In Sodom Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 13, 2022

Wilfulness is sin on a mission and Lot edged closer and closer. The world holds attractions for people, like the fishing spider that dangles a blob on the end of strands of web to allure its victims and pounces. Sodom was alluring Lot and about to pounce.

LOT – PART 2 – A LOT OF TROUBLE FOR GOD – FOR ABRAHAM – AND FOR HIMSELF – GENESIS 13 – 14 - LOT IN SODOM INTRODUCTION We take up this account from where we left off last time. Because of the strife between the herdsmen of Lot and Abram they had to separate. Abram and Lot had separated with Lot ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:11, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Genesis 13:12-13, Genesis 13:14-16, Genesis 14:1-2, Genesis 14:11-12, Genesis 14:15-16, Psalm 1:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bucket List Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 14, 2020

A bucket list is a list of things you want to do before you "kick the bucket." But God warns us that there is one item we MUST have on that "bucket list." What is that "one item", and how do accomplish it?

Did you realize all the things we do with time? We “MAKE” time, and we TAKE time, for things that are important to us. We “SAVE” time with all kinds of gadgets and doodads. We “MARK” time, we “KILL” time, we “RACE AGAINST” time. AND (someone noted) that the worst thing you can do with time, is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Psalm 1 – This Way And That Way – Which Way Are You On? Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 5, 2022

Part 2 continues the examination of Psalm 1, the Psalm of The Two Ways. One is either in Christ or not in Christ; in the camp of the saved, or the camp of the unsaved; living with a glorious hope, or living with a fearful expectation. We draw out lessons from this Psalm.

PSALM 1 – THIS WAY AND THAT WAY – WHICH WAY ARE YOU ON? PART 2 PSALM 1 – THE TWO WAYS This message continues on from PART 1 THE TREE OF VALUABLE BLESSING VERSE 3. {{Psalm 1:3 “and he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6, Jeremiah 17:5-9, John 10:27, John 21:19, John 21:22, Matthew 8:23-27, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Ephesians 3:16, Romans 12:1-2, Jeremiah 21:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's This Evangelism All About? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 5, 2016

Did you realize most English Bibles never uses the word "evangelism?" The Greek word "euanggelion" is actually translated "Gospel"... but what does that mean? And how can that impact how we witness for Christ?

OPEN: There’s a true story about a church down south where the preacher had been preaching about the importance of witnessing to people about Christ. One particular person took this to heart – a mentally handicapped young man – and he began telling everyone who would listen about ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Servant In The Barn Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 8, 2013

What can the story of a baby born in a manger tell us about being a servant like Jesus would want us to be?

OPEN: There’s a story about church whose Sunday School decided to allow the children to stage their own impromptu Christmas pageant. The teachers read the story and provided some props; then they just stood off to the side and let the kids dramatize it on their own. One girl grabbed the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Make Friends And Influence People Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 26, 2019

"How To Make Friends And Influence People" has been in print for over 70 yrs. It's popular because it addresses how to make friends. But Colossians tells us God's fool-proof way to make friends

OPEN: I read the true story of a woman who’d just given birth and had brought her newborn to the office to the child off to her fellow office workers. Everyone gathered around, ohhhing and ahhhing and totally enthralled with the baby. In the meantime, her 7-yr. old son had gotten bored and he ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:5-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ