Sermons on Nearness To God:

Jesus Reinstates Peter

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 10, 2010

Jesus reinstates Peter are his failings (PowerPoint slides for this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Coming to Terms with Your Calling Reading: John chapter 21 verses 1-17. Ill: • The year was 1920. • The scene was the examining board for selecting missionaries. • Standing before the board was a young man named Oswald Smith. • One dream dominated his heart. He wanted to be a missionary. ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: Brethren

A Tale Of 2 Jesus' Part 1 Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Apr 3, 2010

Barabbas was the first person to benefit from Jesus' death on the cross, what can we learn from his experience?

A tale of two Jesus’ So this is where it would end, in front of a hostile crowd, nailed to a cross. He had of hoped for better and I’m sure his family had hoped for better. I don’t know what his mother had envisioned for the little boy who played at her feet but I’m ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:6-13

Denomination: Wesleyan

Carry The Light – Session 1

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Feb 2, 2008

Described by Christ as the "light of the world", how are we - his disciples and body on earth - doing at the start of 2008? Actually, we suck pretty badly, if what the latest study shows is true...

Carry the Light – Session 1 Being the Light of the World Matthew 5:14-16 Described by Christ as the "light of the world", how are we - his disciples and body on earth - doing at the start of 2008? Actually, we suck pretty badly, if what the latest study shows is true... A report by The Barna ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pain Turned Into Joy Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 12, 2009

It seems unreal that pain could be turned into joy. Yet pain is the very stuff of joy. It will come, not instantaneously, but completely. The risen Christ proves this, and can transform our disappointments, disillusionments, and shame into joy.

“You will have pain, but y our pain will turn into joy.” That brings back memories of the doctor’s office and that giant needle moving ever closer. “This will hurt a little bit.” A little bit! When you are a year old, it hurts a lot, and there is no joy in it. No, I do not remember being one ...read more

Scripture: John 16:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Da Vinci Code: Mary Magdalene Series

Contributed by Tim Zukas on Apr 25, 2006

Mary Magdalene and Da Vinci Code

Last week I mentioned that I still had to do my taxes. Well I didn’t get them done on Sunday, but I took Monday off. I got the filed by 3:30 pm. That was eleven and a half hours before the deadline. You will be glad to hear that I won’t be going to jail for failing to file. Maybe after the audit, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Backslidden Church Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on Nov 5, 2007

A look at one of the seven churches addressed in Revelation.

“A Backslidden Church” Introduction: Several years ago a couple was on vacation in Florida and they were floating in the ocean on inflatable rafts. The husband decided to head into the shore but his wife wanted to stay out on the raft and continue to catch some rays. After a short time the woman ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Other People's Pain

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Oct 25, 2007

Is it possible to really feel another person’s pain? When are we willing to allow our selves to feel others pain. How did Jesus demonstrate the feeling of pain?

Other People’s Pain My mother and father both said it. I never believed it and I think I told them so. They would always say it just before “IT” happened…. They would say “this is going to hurt me a lot more that it is going to hurt you!” Has anyone said that to you? Just as they told ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Congregational

Do You Trust Me - No Matter What?

Contributed by Larry Elder on Aug 1, 2007

Jesus calls on two people to trust Him in different ways – but both are offered the chance to “prime the pump” of faith by forcing reliance on Jesus Christ.

Do You Trust Me - No Matter What? Mark 5:21-43 ILL…There was a man who was lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little shack in the distance. He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Condition/Position

Contributed by Ronald Sweatt on Oct 13, 2006

Don’t let your present condition keep you from your position in Christ.

2 Sam 9:1-8 (KJV) 1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? 2 And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Simon Of Cyrene - The Unexpected Cross

Contributed by Jay Mccluskey on Mar 12, 2012

This is a narrative sermon that shares a story about Simon of Cyrene. Several points of observation are at the end of the message. Rightfully utilized, the "story telling" methodology is an effective format for communication.

THE UNEXPECTED CROSS (Sermons2012: Simon of Cyrene Narrative) 3/11/2012 a.m. Mark 15:21 A theologian said the cross of Jesus is like a diamond because the more angles you can look at it the greater your appreciation. Over the next two weeks we are going to look at the cross from different ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:21

Denomination: Baptist

Keeping Good Company Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 10, 2020

Why should I be careful of the company I keep? Should I avoid the company of sinners, and mockers and the immoral? And if I do this (avoid sinners) how can I carry the message of Christ to the lost?

(Poem) “All the water in the world - however hard it tried, could never, never sink a ship… unless it got inside. All the temptations of this world might wear you pretty thin, but they won't hurt you, one least bit... unless you let them in.” (I could not find the author) It’s a repeated ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Unity In The Church: Antioch To Help Jerusalem Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 14, 2017

The Antioch Christians saved up and assisted the Judean Christians when the famine struck. Paul and Barnabas were chosen to take the offering to Jerusalem.

May 29, 2014 Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles By: Tom Lowe Lesson: III.E.4: The Unity in the Church: Antioch to Help Jerusalem (11:27-30) Note: The Revised Standard Version is used throughout, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

Barnabas The Encourager Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 20, 2021

Barnabas was the friend that helped Paul overcome his bad image and become an accepted spokesman of the faith. Barnabas went on to play a major role in the history of Paul

Words are powerful tools of influence. All of us can speak words and so all of us have the power to encourage or discourage others. The life of Victor Sirebianca is a radical illustration of the power of words. His teacher said to him, "You are a dummy. You will never graduate. You will ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30

Confronting The Scandal Of Our Prejudices Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 25, 2021

Jesus came to buck the system and to reject the prejudices in all its forms. He goes against the grain of His culture and dares to love all people equally.

Billy Graham has preached the Gospel around the world to every race. In an interview with Diane Sawyer he was asked this question: "If you could wave your hand and make one problem in this world go away, what would it be?" Without hesitation he replied, "Racial division and ...read more

The Superiority Of Being In Christ

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Dec 8, 2019

The Superiority of Being in Christ- Colossians chapter 2 verses 6-15 – sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: • The Traveller (vs 6) • The Tree (vs 7a) • The Building (vs 7b) • The School (vs 7c) • The River (vs 7d) • The Prisoner (vs 8) • The Gift (vs 9) SERMON BODY: Ill: • Where would you rather eat; • In a fast-food takeaway or in a good, family run restaurant? • What would you ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-15

Denomination: Brethren