Sermons on Moral Darkness:

The Essence Of Christmas

Contributed by David Nolte on Dec 10, 2018

There are many things we enjoy about Christmas. Family gatherings; decorations; hot cider; peppermint; giving gifts; peppermint; carols; peppermint. But the tree and trimmings, food and festivities are not the essence of Christmas.

“The Essence Of Christmas” John 3:16-21 David P. Nolte There are many things we enjoy about Christmas. Family gatherings; decorations; hot cider; peppermint; giving gifts; peppermint; carols; peppermint. But the tree and trimmings, food and festivities are not the essence of ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-21, Revelation 22:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living As A Disciple In A Postmodern Society PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 7, 2023

Good morning. We’re here today with hearts open, ready to receive God's word. We are here, in this place, at this time, to learn, to grow, to be challenged, and to be comforted. Our world can seem dark sometimes, can't it? We see it in the news. We feel it in our communities. We experience it in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Peter 2:9

Topics: Discipleship, Postmodern Society

The Full Armor Of God

Contributed by Edward Nutter on May 22, 2007

We need to put on the full armor of God, and not the armor of the world, in order to succeed in life.

As a drunk man staggers out of a bar, a firetruck races past, siren wailing and lights flashing. Immediately, he starts chasing the engine, running as fast as he can until he finally collapses. “If that’s the way you want it,” he yells, “you can keep your stupid ice cream!” It’s amazing how ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Denomination: Methodist

Birth And Re-Birth

Contributed by Jerry Hoffman on Aug 13, 2007

Christ explains the way into his kingdom to Nicodemus.

In the days of the New Testament there were three levels of teacher in the Jewish community, the ḥâḵâm, the sôpçr and the ḥazzân. These levels were obtained not on the basis of academics but on the basis of morality in the person’s life. Nicodemus is thought to be of the highest ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Narnia: The Power Of A Story That Is True

Contributed by Jim Barnes on Dec 24, 2005

A Christmas Eve message utilizing the film version of "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and the conversion of C.S. Lewis as tools for challenging listeners to decide whether the Christmas story is truth or fiction.

Title: “The Power of a Story That Is True” Text: Matthew 1:18 - 2:23 Date: December 24, 2005 (Christmas Eve) People love good stories don’t they? If they didn’t, books and movies wouldn’t be so popular. There’s just something about a good story that stirs our emotions and moves us in a way ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Message Of A Disciple Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 29, 2013

In our Scripture passage today, Paul gives the Gospel message in a condensed form. He tells us the story of Jesus, focusing on the main events of Jesus’ life

The Message of a Disciple I Corinthians 15:1-5 and Eph 1:18-23 Do you know the Gospel message? In our Scripture passage today, Paul gives the Gospel message in a condensed form. He tells us the story of Jesus, focusing on the main events of Jesus’ life: Jesus died for our sins, was buried, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

Denomination: Methodist

Pursuing God’s Will And Aligning Our Hearts With The Heart Of God

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on May 13, 2013

“For each one of us, there is only one thing indispensable; to fulfill our God given purpose, according to His will, to be what God wants us to be, to reach our destiny.” “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives

Pursuing God’s Will and Aligning Our Hearts with the Heart of God “For each one of us, there is only one thing indispensable; to fulfill our God given purpose, according to His will, to be what God wants us to be, to reach our destiny.” “The world and its desires pass ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The King’s New Clothes Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 11, 2011

If we clothe ourselves only in the name of Jesus, the world will see right through it - and through us. We have to put on his life, death and resurrection as well.

If you change the word “Gentiles” in the first verse of today’s passage to “Americans” the whole lesson moves right into our own situation. They are practically a mirror of contemporary society. Listen to this: “[Americans] are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Passing The Torch Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Sep 20, 2009

"How do we live fearless lives as Christians? God’s heart is that we not just survive, but thrive (adapted from a series taught by Pastor Larry Osborne, North Coast Church).

Introduction Part 3- Fearless (adapted from a series by Pastor Larry Osborne/Chris Brown from North Coast Church). How do we live the Christian life in the middle of situations that would cause others to buckle. How do we master our fears/respond properly to life? Review 1st week-Daniel living in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Denomination: Charismatic

The Heart Of Religion

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 19, 2021

Religious traditions and rules can be harmful, or they can provide a framework for a heart transformed. The heart is transformed by the Holy Spirit.

THE HEART OF RELIGION—Mark 7:1-23 If you would ask 100 people, maybe on a street corner of a university or in your neighborhood, “What do you think about religion?” What would you hear? Some people would politely say, “It’s not bad to be religious, if you are into that.” Some might be glad to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23, Ezekiel 11:19-20, John 7:38-39, Proverbs 4:23, Ezekiel 36:26-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jude: Defending The Faith

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Aug 18, 2025

Big idea: From the 1st century on, the church has been threatened by heresy and false teaching. We also must be on our guard.

INTRODUCTION There was a man who walked into a gas station with a $20 bill. Just a regular Tuesday. He handed over the cash to the cashier, who paused, held it up to the light, scribbled on it with one of those little pens—and then called the police. It was a counterfeit. The man was stunned—he ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:3-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fruit Of The Spirit (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Dec 17, 2024

Part 3 of 3 part series This series was birthed out of the 30-day challenge I issued to you on May 4th. Funny thing, the challenge was on me!

Probably the first epistle that Paul penned. Written because the Christians of the region of Galatian were being taught some doctrine that Paul had to refute. Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

How Can I Know If God Exists? Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Apr 15, 2012

Looks at the evidence for God that God himself has given us to know of His existence.

GodQuest Series How can I know if God exists? Romans 1:18-32 The external testimony of Creation The universe has a Beginner (Romans 1:20; Genesis 1:1; Psalm 19:1) The universe has a Designer (Romans 1:18-20; Genesis 1) The internal testimony of our Conscience Mankind has a knowledge of God ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What We Can Learn From Simeon This Christmas Series

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Jan 9, 2017

Simeon was a devout and righteous man who had been waiting patiently for the Messiah to come. When he saw the little boy, Jesus, he took him by his arms and blessed him.

WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM SIMEON We are continuing our Christmas series. We have been learning a lot of spiritual lessons from the wise men, Mary and Joseph and the shepherds. From the wise men, we learned that it is always wise to seek the Lord. From Mary, we learned that we need a Savior from our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-35

Denomination: Nazarene

The Last Revolution: The Coming Awakening Of The Millennials

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 28, 2021

The divine overarching story of humanity and the universe itself is playing out right before our eyes. It's happening everyday. It's all around us. You can feel it. It's all encompassing!

The divine overarching story of humanity and the universe itself is playing out right before our eyes. It's happening everyday. It's all around us. You can feel it. It's all encompassing! It's like a song in the backdrop. It's like a quiet melody on the wind. You can feel ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:26-31, Luke 17:20-21

Denomination: Salvation Army