Sermons on Not Too Far:

Desperation And Transformation

Contributed by Greg Carr on Aug 17, 2011

There are too many people in our churches today who want to follow Jesus and yet they reject the Bible. We need to be desperate for more of God.

Back in the 1990’s a friend of mine pioneered church in Liberty, Missouri called Desperation Church. In 1995 Marie Barnett wrote the song Breathe, the chorus says, “I’m desperate for you.” Searching the music libraries of CCLI, there are at least 50 songs with the word “desperate” in the title. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Know-Go-Do-Tell Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 8, 2012

As imitators of Jesus Christ, we too are to know what to do for God, go, do what God says and tell people the truth in love!

Last week from Luke 13 we noted that Jesus responded to persecution by actually just continuing the work He was called to do by God. Maybe this is where we got the saying “when the going gets tough, the tough gets going!” In our passage today, we will note the confidence of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

From Broken Hearts To Burning Hearts

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 27, 2020

They started their journey to Emmaus with broken hearts, but it wasn't too long before the disciples' hearts began to burn with promise and joy.

April 26, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Luke 24:13-35 From Broken Hearts to Burning Hearts Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. They started their journey to Emmaus with broken hearts. But it wasn’t too long ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Condition Critical

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 4, 2023

When Jesus said “Do not judge, or you too will be judged,” he did not absolve us from the responsibility to discern between good and evil.

An interesting thing happened during the opening worship of the 213th General Assembly. As the service began, the congregation stood to sing the first anthem. A great parade of banners, each representing one of our presbyteries, made its way down the center aisle. As the procession reached the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5, 2 Samuel 12:2-7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Simplicity Versus Complexity

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 13, 2021

We need to see that the primary problem of the Pharisees was that they were too religious. Some people go bad because of their vices, and others because of their virtues.

Human nature loves to magnify the minute and give significance to the insignificant by the simple method of stretching the truth. An army cook, for example, feed a mob of men with scrambled eggs, and then he sat down and wrote to his girl friend: "Dearest, for two hours shells have been ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37

Seek God & Be Sought By God: Obeying The Magnetic Tug At Your Heart Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 12, 2024

Draw near to God, with a full heart, loving God with all your heart. And believe Jesus really loves you and wants to be with you too!

"Bruce Larson tells how he helped people struggling to surrender their lives to Christ: For many years I worked in New York City and counseled at my office any number of people who were wrestling with this yes-or-no decision. Often I would suggest they walk with me from my office down to the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:6-7, John 6:44, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Matthew 6:33, Isaiah 45:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Faith In Your Relationships

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jun 19, 2024

I think that the problem is not with what people believe; the problem is that too many of us don't live what we claim to believe.

Belief in God is pretty strong among Americans. A survey shows that 53% say that they know God exists and they have no doubts. 18% say that they believe in God but they still have some doubts. And 4% believe in God just sometimes. Another poll found that more than 68% of Americans identify as ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Damascus Road Series

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 21, 2002

Part 4 of 4 of the series, Roads of Passion. Saul’s journey to Damascus was met with confrontation, change, and challenge. It is a journey we too need to face as Christians...

The Damascus Road Acts 9:1-22 Read at beginning of service: Acts 9:1-22 (NIV) 1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Spiritual Bootcamp

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Nov 8, 2011

Perhaps the greatest lessons I learned about life came during Marine Corps bootcamp, Paris Island, the Summer of 1978. Christians need bootcamp too.

(All my sermons use illustrations found at www.sermoncentral.com and all scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted.) SPIRITUAL BOOTCAMP When I was young I was a very active kid, I am sure many of you were as well. We may have to strain a little to remember those days, but most all of us could not ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Develop Healthy Partnerships Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jul 24, 2012

Since the Church has too long tolerated the teaching of our culture on sexuality and sexuaol relationships, it's time to speak up about building quality relationships.

“Building Quality Relationships: With Jesus – Develop Healthy Partners” Eph. 5:3-8; 1 Cor. 6:9-20 Sometimes the words of Scripture hit me in the gut. In preparation for today’s message I was directed to such words, from Jesus Himself. In Rev. 2:19 Jesus commends the Church ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:3-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

#3. Life; Take A Deep Breath And Live Anyway Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 12, 2007

A BIG QUESTION - Does happiness really exist? In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus explained that happiness does indeed exist. He even went so far as to clearly show us where it is to be found...And how to get there.

He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: United Methodist

Long Empty Prayers Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Oct 28, 2016

Among the religious there is often a tendency toward long prayers, particularly in public. Too often people measure prayer by its fluency and length, thinking that length means devotion.

Introduction A. Brother Dave Said that some people believe that prayer ain’t nowhere and meditation is a stroke. But, beloved, prayer is asking for it and meditation is waiting. 1. Turn to Ecclesiastes 5:2 B. Among the religious there is often a tendency toward long prayers, particularly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:7-8

Denomination: Baptist

Maybe The Worse Thing That Can Happen Is The Best Thing? Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 18, 2014

Our Father has a plan and a purpose, we can get so upset we miss what God is trying to do. This too shall pass... Press on...

YOU CAN! THE DANGER OF MISSING MY PURPOSE? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I do this in 3 parts... INTRODUCTION: Do we realize good can come out of bad? Sometimes what appears to be a bad, terrible thing could be a good thing. In 1964 TERRESSA BELLISSIMO owned a little restaurant in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Building Relationships

Contributed by Tim Smith on Sep 29, 2013

In our Scriptures today, we see two encounters, which lead to making disciples. This encounter and Jesus’ ministry to such folks teaches us that lost people matter to God. All of us are surrounded by people far from God

Building Relationships Luke 15:1-10 and Acts 8:26-40 In our Scriptures today, we see two encounters, which lead to making disciples. The first is when Jesus has a group of tax collectors and sinners who have gathered to hear him talk. Tax collectors were some of the most hated people in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

Who Are Your Friends?

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on Dec 10, 2013

Everyone needs friends. The reason the Toy Story franchise is so popular is because everyone can relate to the idea of having friends who stick with you no matter what. But for followers of Jesus this definition doesn't go far enough.

Randy Newman wrote a song called, "You Got a Friend in Me". Most folks recognize this song as the theme to the popular Toy Story franchise. According to Randy a real friend is someone who loves you and sticks with you even through your worst troubles. This is a great definition of what a friend ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ