Sermons on Not Too Far:

Coulda Hada Pear: Rules, Rules, Rules Series

Contributed by G W Bill Elliott Jr on May 4, 2020

Rules, Guidelines, Boundaries… they all help convey limitations… something of a “you can go to this point (here) , but not that far (there)” premise. When God plunked Man into the Garden, there is only one rule…

Common thought today; ° Rules are meant to be broken ° Boundaries are meant to be challenged ° Guidelines are merely suggestions, recommendations, and preferred expectations Almost no one likes rules. Almost no one wants to be ‘governed’, controlled, directed, and worse… ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:36-37, Genesis 1:16, John 15:10, Genesis 2:15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Are You Devoted To Fellowship? Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on Feb 22, 2004

Fellowship was such an important part of the first century church and was part of the reason for its exponential growth. We too need to be doevted to fellowship.

“Are You Devoted to Fellowship” Introduction: Three pastors met and were talking over conditions at their churches. The first pastor said, "You know, since summer started, I’ve been having trouble with mice in my church. I’ve tried everything----noise, spray, cats---nothing seems to scare them ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hopeless And Helpless? Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Jul 22, 2013

Too often in life, we find it easier to complain and wallow in our self pity, than to accept healing from Christ.

Hopeless and Helpless? June 2, 2013 John 5:1-14 Have you ever felt hopeless — helpless — at the end of your proverbial rope? That’s a loaded question, because we’ve all been there. In one way, or many ways, we’ve been there. When we’re there, we have options, ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Let My People Go Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 17, 2015

I'd always thought Moses just told Pharaoh "Let my people go." But Moses never said it quite that way. What did Moses actually say... and why should it matter to us?

OPEN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SJrHDSlE7A from 0:50 to 1:31 (it’s the part of the move “The Ten Commandments” where Charlton Heston/Moses confronts Pharaoh/Yul Brynner and declares “Let My People Go.”) There’s an old Negro spiritual Louis Armstrong made ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 5:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Flattery Series

Contributed by Neil Olcott on Sep 10, 2009

Paul continues on contrasting the life of an unbeliever over against a Christ follower. The point is there should be a difference! We are not to mimic those who are far from God, but rather, we should imitate God.

Eph. 5:1-20 Imitation is called the sincerest form of flattery! But we sometimes need to be careful who we are imitating! A new missionary recruit went to Venezuela for the first time. He was struggling with the language and didn’t understand a whole lot of what was going on. Intending to visit ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Fasting Before Feasting, Praying Before Swaying Series

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Jan 22, 2015

Esther is the story of a loving God who wakes up His people before it's too late. When many begin to sense the looming crisis of the end-time, they too will do the important heart work that prepares them for "what God wants to do for & through them".

ILL. Not very long ago there were two sheep who put on wolf's clothing and went among the wolves as spies, to see what was going on. And to help the flock be better prepared against these predators.They arrived on a holiday, when all the wolves were eating and drinking and dancing in the ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:16-17

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Spiritual Growth Or Bust

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 15, 2016

Spiritual growth is not optional. Jesus never criticized too much faith, but too little. Sin is increasing; to compete we must increase. Our area of activity (evangelism) should be increasing! "Your faith is growing more and more!" 2 Th. 1:3. Let's grow!

“SPIRITUAL GROWTH OR BUST” INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. I had a wedding last week & one this week, so a little wedding humor seems in order. 2. It was the day Victoria had been waiting for – her wedding day. Her father was a wealthy businessman. 3. At the culmination of the wedding, her father ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Happens In Vegas Won’t Stay In Vegas

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 29, 2009

Sin in the life of a child of God will be exposed by the Father who loves us too much to permit us to hide our sin.

“In the course of time the wife of Judah, Shua’s daughter, died. When Judah was comforted, he went up to Timnah to his sheepshearers, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. And when Tamar was told, ‘Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,’ she took off her widow’s garments ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 38:12-26

Denomination: Baptist

You're Not A Stranger Anymore

Contributed by Roy Mason on Aug 5, 2001

Paul, in writing to the Ephesians talks about being “near and far.” Notice that Jesus has brought us all into relationship with one another through faith. What are the steps to being “brought near”?

You’re Not A Stranger Anymore © 2001, Dr. Roy Mason But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. --EPH 2:13 NASB Do you ever remember being the “new kid in town”? Going to a new school for the first time is a traumatic experience. Our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:13

Denomination: Baptist

The Language Of The Church

Contributed by William Mouser on Aug 2, 2006

Scripture -- all of it, read copiously over a long time -- shapes our minds and brings us light, far more than the narrow sectarian vocabularies of our cradle faith.

Psalm 47, Exodus 28:1-4,9-12, 15-21, 29-30, 1 John 5:9-15, John 17:11b-19 The Language of the Church I read a lot of blogs focused on Bible and theology. Something I read this week dovetails nice with our Lord’s words in the gospel lesson appointed for today. There is an online version of a ...read more

Scripture: John 17:11-19

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Effective Ministers

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Apr 27, 2017

How can we become effective ministers of Christ? How can we become an effective church? - As far as ministry is concerned, Apostle Paul is one of the most effective Ministers to emulate.

EFFECTIVE MINISTERS Study Text: Colossians 1:24-29 Introduction: - How can we become effective ministers of Christ? How can we become an effective church? - As far as ministry is concerned, Apostle Paul is one of the most effective Ministers to emulate. - In many ways, by the grace of God, Paul ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:24-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

Part 7 - Matthew 10:5-8 - How To Defeat Your Dragon! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on May 5, 2010

Forgive me for the analogy but it seems to me that the world is into trying to TAME THE DRAGON too. Jesus, the Son of God, on the other hand, is into DEFEATING THE DRAGON.

Part 7 - Matthew 10:5-8 - HOW TO DEFEAT YOUR DRAGON! We have been waiting for the movie called "HOW TO TAME YOUR DRAGON" to come out in the cinemas. It is a kids movie about Vikings and dragons. The amount of advertising saying that it was coming was phenomenal. Talk about good marketing! Their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:5-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Another Unity Sermon

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jul 18, 2024

Yes, I am still pushing unity in a divided Church. We will not be fully one until Glory, but we could far closer to it if we really cared about Jesus' prayer.

1 Cor 12:25  That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.  For those who applaud 81 churches plus house groups in a town of 30K and a new one every six months or think we should have a buffet of churches to pick from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:25, Ephesians 4:1-6, Philippians 2:1-2, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, Philippians 4:2, Ephesians 4:11-16, Mark 10:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Mediocre Expectations

Contributed by Rick Boyne on Mar 5, 2012

God has so much more to give than for what we ask. God expects great things from us, too.

Mediocre Expectations March 4, 2012 Morning Service Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK Rick Boyne Message Point: God has so much more to give than for what we ask. God expects great things from us, too. Focus Passage: Acts 3:1-10 Supplemental Passage: “Ask, and it will be given to you; ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Unique Experience Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 22, 2021

This is Paul's personal testimony, and it fits nobody else in all of history. As far as the record goes, nobody else on this planet was every converted by getting knocked to the ground and blinded by the presence of Christ.

America was at war with Spain in 1898. One of the most unusual incidents in the history of naval warfare took place. One night Captain Freemont of the American ship Porter detected some strange object coming toward the ship. As it came closer he saw that it was a torpedo. Ensign Irving Gillis ...read more

Scripture: Acts 22:1-11