Sermons on Mourners Bench:

What To Say When We Don't Know What To Say - Funeral Sermon

Contributed by Duane Wente on Jun 30, 2021

When someone passes away unexpectedly, we often are left without knowing what to say. Through the story of Lazarus' death, we can see some things we can say when we do not know what to say.

“What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say” Introduction There are not many times when I am left speechless. I’m often told that I have a tendency to not be quiet and listen — that I actually talk too much. When I first heard of Debbie’s passing, however, I found myself without words to say. ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-36, John 14:1-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Seven Churches-Sardis Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 4, 2026

The Lord didn't have much good to say about Sardis. Yet "even in Sardis", there were some genuine believers who wanted to live for our Lord, and did so!

The Seven Churches-Sardis Introduction: The year 1747, a park bench in Warsaw, Poland in the mid-1950’s, and a church in what’s now western Turkey. On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be a common thread, but the truth is that all of these refer to the church in Sardis. This church is the fifth ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Mary At The Cross Series

Contributed by Robert Houston, Sr. on Dec 17, 2001

Examination of the events of Mary at her son’s execution.

This is Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day cannot be celebrated without a good understanding the mystery of what Motherhood is. Motherhood goes beyond any physical labor, pains and carrying a baby for nine months. A mother’s role is much greater. There are those who serve not as a birth mother, but ...read more

Scripture: John 19:25-27

Denomination: Baptist

Bringing Out The Dead Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Mar 28, 2006

This is the 7th of 7 signs where John shows his readers who Jesus was in acted parables. This sign is the climax revealing that Jesus is the "LIFE".

BRINGING OUT THE DEAD The Monty Python troupe touched on a very real issue of the Middle Ages in their movie about the quest for the Holy Grail: Death! So many people were dying 800 years ago at so fast a rate that there was no time to bury them. Carts were brought around to ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Mennonite

Faith And Healing

Contributed by William Mouser on Aug 2, 2006

Two miracles of healing show us how faith and healing relate to one another in Jesus’ ministry.

Psalm 112, Deuteronomy 15:7-11, 2 Corinthians 8:1-9,13-15, Mark 5:22-24,35b-43 Faith and healing I’m not sure how the gospel lesson for today got paired with two readings on giving. Even the Psalm for today contains the lines “ 5 A good man deals graciously and lends...” and “He has given to the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:22-43

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Handling Hurts In The Church Series

Contributed by Captain David Kauffman on Nov 4, 2006

How do we align our hearts - when trouble surrounds – when difficulties pile up – and there seems no possible way of escape? Series Theme Scripture: Ephesians 4:12-13

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-18 Series Theme Scripture: Ephesians 4:12-13 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Attributes Of God

Contributed by Chris Beam on Sep 26, 2014

Jesus is more than enough for any and every situation that this life has to offer. There is no such thing as impossible with Jesus. There are no hopeless situations when it comes to our Lord and Savior. Whatever you or your loved one might be going through, your situation is not hopeless!

This section of Mark’s gospel is filled with what many perceive to be impossible situations. We’ve seen how Jesus has overcome storms, demons, and now death! Each case seemed to be hopeless. The disciples thought they were going to die in the storm, no one was able to control the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-42

Denomination: Baptist

Why Do You Seek The Living Among The Dead? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 31, 2013

What do people visit cemeteries to find? Dead people. So, why would the angels ask "Why do you seek the living among the dead?

OPEN: In the last century, there was a very prominent British philosopher named Bertrand Russell who had a interesting view of life and death. He wrote: “The life of man is a long march through the night, surrounded by invisible foes, tortured by weariness and pain, towards a goal that few can ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Buried Alive

Contributed by Sean Dees on Dec 22, 2020

I want to talk to those of you that feel “buried alive”, you are conscious but bond, freed but still restrained. The enemy has placed you in the tomb and pronounced you “dead”!

This sermon could go into many different directions, I could preach on the resurrection of Lazarus as a type of the new birth or as a type of Christ’s resurrection. How He is never too late but always on time or evening the second coming. Who here is going through some hard times? We live in a ...read more

Scripture: John 11:32-44

He Came To Me

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 30, 2022

There are days in our life that stand out above others and we will never forget those days as long as we live.

• We can remember the day we got married In all fairness, some of us men do forget our anniversary, which is not a good thing to do! Illus: One woman who knew her husband who could not remember what day they got married and as a result often forgot their anniversary, decided she would play a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

He Came To Me

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 8, 2022

There are days in our life that stand out above others and we will never forget those days as long as we live.

• We can remember the day we got married In all fairness, some of us men do forget our anniversary, which is not a good thing to do! Illus: One woman who knew her husband who could not remember what day they got married and as a result often forgot their anniversary, decided she would play a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Baptist

Be Observant And Flexible Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Oct 30, 2021

It is all too common for individuals in ministry to become overly focused on small and often menial tasks, and then forget to take time for the people around them; and ministry is supposed to be about people! Jesus was flexible.

We live in a hectic and fast paced world. I’m sure that many of you have noticed just how busy life can be. I read an article entitled, “Goal Oriented or People Oriented,” and I want to share with you something it says. This article states, “Many times we get caught up in our ‘to do’ lists and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:18-26

Denomination: Baptist

Buried Alive

Contributed by Sean Dees on May 1, 2021

I want to talk to those of you that feel “buried alive”, you are conscious but bond, freed but still restrained. The enemy has placed you in the tomb and pronounced you “dead”!

This sermon could go into many different directions, I could preach on the resurrection of Lazarus as a type of the new birth or as a type of Christ’s resurrection. How He is never too late but always on time or evening the second coming. Who here is going through some hard times? We live in a ...read more

Scripture: John 11:32-44

Doubt Causes The "Bullets" To Be Real Series

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jun 22, 2017

This message continues the series on faith. It references "The Spectre of the Gun," my absolute favorite episode of the original Star Trek series.

I am a fan of the original Star Trek series. My absolute favorite episode is “The Spectre of the Gun,” which premiered in 1968, the show’s third season. Here’s the storyline: After violating Melkotian air space, Captain Kirk and members of his crew are taken from the Enterprise and sent to die in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:18-20, Mark 5:35-42, Mark 6:1-6, Philippians 2:5, 1 Corinthians 2:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Practical Worship Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Nov 28, 2020

God, through these Magi is showing the attitude of the heart He longs to see in those who approach Christ. All who have hope in Christ will fall before Him in their hearts, they adore Him and submit to His authority.

Practical Worship “On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and the [Magi] bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11) God, through these Magi is showing the attitude ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational