Sermons on Niceness:

When The Pastor Makes A Hard Decision

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Apr 14, 2010

Pastors have a difficult job in many ways, contrary to the 'He only works on Sundays' mindset many in the church have. Spiritual stress is unlike stress of any other kind. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

When the Pastor Makes a Hard Decision 2 Corinthians 7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HardDecision.html Pastors have a difficult job in many ways, contrary to the 'He only works on Sundays' mindset many in the church have. For one thing, spiritual stress is unlike stress of any other kind, and it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Horns Or Halos?

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 31, 2014

Being a Christian doesn’t mean we’re actually acting like a Christian. At work, at home, in our marriage, with our kids, with the needy – do they perceive us as having Halos or Horns?

HORNS OR HALOS? Deut. 30:19 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: A butcher joke 1. Bubba walks into ‘Hal Mitchum Butchers’, goes over to Hal and says, "So, Hal, I hear that you’re something of a betting man." "Yes," replies Hal. 2. "Well," says Bubba, "You’re a tall man, so I bet ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Happy Places

Contributed by Monty Newton on May 14, 2013

Happy Christians make for happy places.

Title: Happy Places Text: Acts 16:16-34 Thesis: Happy Christians make for happy places. Introduction It was on one of those old school, whirlwind, whistle-stop political campaigns. A well known politician was riding that train as it passed through a major eastern city. He suddenly produced a $5 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Best Gift Of Christmas

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

The best gift is Jesus’ birth, the coming of the Messiah, the entry of God into the world. We learn three things from the gift of the Christ child

The Best Gift of Christmas Titus 3:4-8 Kelvin Parks tells the story of talking with his neighbor about whether he had completed his shopping. He said he had bought a diamond ring. Kelvin said his wife had her heart set on a new car…. A Cadillac Escalade. So he asked his neighbor, “Didn’t your wife ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:4-8, Titus 3:4

Denomination: Methodist

Laziness

Contributed by Carl Allen on May 5, 2010

The Bible warns of the deadliness of laziness. As one man put it: “the lazy brain is the devil’s workshop”. Our lazy days are Satan’s busy days. He loves a sitting target – a sitting duck. Laziness is a deadly sin.

Laziness 2 Thessalonians 3 Introduction The Bible warns of the deadliness of laziness. As one man put it: “the lazy brain is the devil’s workshop”. Our lazy days are Satan’s busy days. He loves a sitting target – a sitting duck. Laziness is a deadly sin. When it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Original Star Trek

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 29, 2015

The Star Trek series wasn’t the first “Star Trek” on record. 2,000 years ago there were wise men or “Magi” who followed a star looking for Israel’s long-awaited King.

THE ORIGINAL STAR TREK Matt. 2:1-12 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A Jewish lady named Mrs. Rosenberg many years ago was stranded late one night at an Eastern European resort - one that did not admit Jews. 2. The desk clerk looked down at his book and said, "Sorry, no room. The hotel is full." The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

This Is Us - Pt. 3 - Grown Ups Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Mar 22, 2017

Do we know who we are? With all of our hang-ups, challenges, gifts, warts and all, “THIS IS US!” Understanding our identity is essential for our health.

This Is US! Pt. 3 - Grown Ups I. Introduction “When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.” That was the declaration of the Ralph Ellison who was the author of the Invisible Man. Time and time again in Scripture we see folks who don't know who they are and they struggle and flounder ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:19-48

Denomination: Pentecostal

Escaping Your Prison Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 2, 2020

As Christians we're supposed to live a different life than those around us. But how can we do that when we're surrounded with so many temptations to do things we know we shouldn't do?

Back in the 14th century, in the region we now call Belgium, there was a duke by the name of Raynald III. Raynald had a nickname – Crassus. Crassus means fat, and he was fat because he really liked to eat. He liked to EAT … a lot! In the course of time, he had a violent quarrel with his younger ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rooted In God's Love

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Feb 22, 2019

Continuing to look are our call to accept the Spirit of God in our heart, which changes who we are called to be.

Rooted in God’s Love Ephesians 3:14-21 February 24, 2019 I don’t usual give homework assignments . . . but last week I did. My hope after last week’s message was that each of us would take time to allow God’s Spirit to fill our spirit. We would seek to draw closer to Him as we passionately ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21, John 15:5

Denomination: Baptist

A Matter Of Life And Death Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 23, 2022

In the New Testament it appears that Adam figures powerfully into why Jesus came to die for our sins. But what is it about Adam that would help us better understand why Jesus came to change our lives?

OPEN: Believe it or not, I’ve been told that in S. Dakota there was a town called Paradise… and it was named by two residents. Adam and Eve. Most people remember the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis. They sinned, they ate of the fruit God commanded them not to eat, and they lost their paradise, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Saved By Grace - Not By Works

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Mar 11, 2021

A series looking at our connection to God. Today we look at the impact of sin and we can't do enough God to earn salvation.

The Gospel – 3 We can’t work our way into heaven March 14, 2021 As I was thinking about today’s message, I was wondering if you’ve ever been to an Escape Room? I’m not sure if you’ve ever experienced them or not. There’s one in Fishers, called The Escape Room. The concept is this - You and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:20-25, Ephesians 2:8-10, Isaiah 1:18

Denomination: Baptist

Showcase For Saints Or Hospital For Sinners?

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Feb 19, 2022

There is a temptation for us to put on our best front in church, a false front, and to especially welcome those who looked really good. But Jesus saw the church as especially for those who don't have it together and we will be wise to follow him.

When I was a boy, my mother used to tell us to be careful about the friends we picked. If you pick a study partner at school who doesn’t want to do school work, you won’t get much done. If you start going out at night and roving the town with kids who like to make trouble, it won’t be long before ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32, Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17

Our Attitude Should Be Gratitude Thanksgiving Sermon

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 21, 2022

We live in a generation where GRATITUDE is very seldom expressed. We hear a great deal of complaining instead.

Illus: Did you hear about the doctor that was complaining to a car mechanic? He said, "Your fee is several times more per hour than we get paid for medical care." The mechanic said, "Yeah, but you see, doc, you always have the same model, it hasn't changed since Adam; but we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:10-15

Denomination: Baptist

He Taught Them Many Parables… (The Unjust Steward) #11

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 14, 2022

We have heard it said many times, in many places, by many people, “DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU.”

This would be a great place to live if everyone lived by this Bible principle. The fact is, many among us would be irate, to say the least, if others treated us the way we treat others. Illus: Have you ever been on the side of the road trying to get someone to allow you to enter the traffic ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Baptist

How Did Someone So Real Become So Fake? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 9, 2021

There is no record that Jesus ever returned to Nazareth. Today, the city is largely a Muslim town. It still rejects Jesus. You know why they rejected Jesus? They wanted to control Him.

We begin a new series this morning: Plastic Jesus: How Did Someone So Real Become So Fake. In the world of fashion, you can see Jesus is My Homeboy t-shirts on everyone from Ashton Kutcher to Brad Pitt. More than 500 movies have been made about Jesus. And everyone sings about Jesus from rapper ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-30

Denomination: Baptist